Four weeks before you move

Sort out the house before you leave it. 

Organise your mail, banks and utilities. Use a free, online change of address service, like I Am Moving, to make sure that everyone who needs to know has your new details.  Web sites like I am moving also offer practical advice for people on the move.

Get your mail sorted, and help to prevent yourself becoming a victim of identity fraud, by using the Royal Mail redirection service.  Available for one, three, six or twelve months, it takes a minimum of five working days to set up and can be arranged online at http://www.royalmail.com/.  

Contact utility companies, phone, broadband and TV service providers in advance of your move for advice on transfers, meter readings etc. Do allow sufficient notice: BT requires at least 14 days warning that an existing phone line is to be closed down and five days to ensure your new address is equipped with working phone and broadband. Click here for a list of providers.

Make advance checks on heating, lighting, alarm system and cooking and washing facilities to ensure they're connected and in working order.  It's a good idea to have the boiler serviced by a CORGI engineer too. We recommend British Gas. Also arrange for someone to disconnect your plumbing if you are not confident (remember to do your laundry first, house moving can be dusty).

Contact government agencies that need to know about your move, for example, the DVLA, the Inland Revenue and the relevent Council Tax authority. Inform your insurance company and your pension company of the change of address. Finally, do not forget to tell your doctor, optician and your dentist.

Also, take account of any repairs that may need early attention and make arrangements for them to be dealt with.  The survey report included in your home buyer pack will have information on any major works needed to the property; for added peace of mind, particularly if your new home is old, very large, or of an unusual construction, it's advisable to consider having an additional, more detailed survey carried out before you commit to buy.  Always choose qualified members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), like Farrell Heyworth Surveyors, locally based professionals who can be commissioned to carry out valuations, home buyer surveys and full building surveys.

Once you have the survey we recommend the following partners who can deal with the survey recommendation anywhere within the Farrell Heyworth region:

Alternatively, you may wish to find a smaller local supplier at Rated People or at yell.com.