Moving day logistics - how does it all happen??

[belindarose]

We're due to move in the next week or so - relocation from Oxfordshire to Devon. Our last two moves were chain-free so had plenty of time to organise things and furniture was in storage. This time we have a 5 month old baby and a chain. DH starts work on Monday, so is going to stay with friends while we await exchange and completion. I've found the removals company we want to use and have to let them know when we've got a date.
How will it all work? I don't remember about signing contracts, getting keys etc. DH will come back for me and the baby (I hope! Only one car), but I just don't see how it's going to happen. Am I sounding panicky? It's just all beginning to hit me!
Reassurance or advice please!

You usually sign the contracts ahead of time but they just don't date them (I have already done mine and I haven't exchanged yet) then on the day it goes through and you exchange you don't need to be there.

Keys are usually held by the estate agent dealing with the sale so you have to collect it from them.

Your solicitor should ring you when the monies have changed hands to tell you when you are legally the owner of the new property.

Depending on how long your chain is it could be late afternoon before you get your house. The removal men usually pack everything up and then drive to the next house, they don't wait. This is where you are left with an empty house and you will need to drop your house keys at the agents.

A way round this is to give the agents a set of keys the day before (if they will let you) then post all remaining keys through the letter box of your now sold house.

I am hoping that the removal company you are using is packing all your stuff up for you!!

Good luck, I am very

Thanks. Feeling a bit better about it all today. Signed everything off this morning. Yes, the removal company is doing the packing! I just have to make sure they don't pack baby or cat.