Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

On The Move? Home Moving Advice For A Smooth Move

8th November 2018

Moving home is frequently ranked as one of the most stressful life events, up there with grief and divorce. Just the knowledge of how stressful moving is supposed to be can add to your stress load! Don’t be daunted by the task ahead – instead focus on your new life in your beautiful new home, with our guide to moving.

Moving Home – The Costs

Moving home can often be more costly than you think, so it is worth doing a little research to avoid nasty surprises. You will need to factor in: deposit, conveyancing fees, land charges, stamp duty (if your property is worth more than £125,000) and transfer fees, on top of the costs of physically moving, which include packaging materials, van hire or removal services.

The Best Time To Move

The actual day of your house move will probably be largely out of your control; if you are in a chain, it is all down to timing and your respective solicitors will have to find a date that suits everyone. The reality is, that while you may prefer to move on a Tuesday morning, by the time you near completion of your new property and the sale of your old one, you will probably be happy to move any time. Many people try to coordinate a move on a Friday, so they have all weekend to settle in, but this means that Fridays are often the busiest time for removal companies, so they can charge extra.

Finding A Removal Company

You may want to pack for yourself and hire a van. Alternatively, you may decide to save some time and stress by hiring a removal company. Different companies offer different levels of service – some will pack up your entire home for you and relocate it, making the move seamless. Others will come and pick up your boxed-up possessions, taking the back-breaking element out of moving to a new house. Whichever you choose, it helps if you are organised.

If you decide to hire a removal company, it is a good idea to get a few quotes. Contact four or five different companies and ask about pricing for different packages: the full pack and move, and the move alone. Make sure you ask if the quote includes packing materials, or if you need to buy your own. Check that the firm is insured in case of breakages during the move, and make sure they will be free when you are ready to move. Take a look at their reviews, so you can get a good idea of the service that they offer. Finally, once you have picked a removal firm, ask for an agreement in writing – if you have any particularly high-value items, make sure they are listed in the contract, or agree to move them yourself.

By finding the right removal company, you can help to take some of the physical and mental stress out of your moving day, leaving you free to enjoy your new home!

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Looking for more homeowner advice advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common homeowner advice questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.
Which home improvements add the most value to a property?

Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.
Should I renovate my home or move house?

There's no universal right answer - it depends on your situation. Moving gets you what you want without living through a building site, but stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving costs can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Renovating lets you stay put and invest in your own property, but comes with disruption and unexpected costs. The most useful comparison: get a clear view of what your home could realistically be worth after the work, and what a move would actually cost end to end. A local estate agent and a builder's quote can give you those two numbers.
What does a home survey actually cover and do I need one when buying?

A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.
What should I do before starting any major home improvement project?

Get your paperwork in order before anyone picks up a tool. Check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Find out whether a Party Wall Agreement applies. Confirm your home insurance covers you during the works. Get at least three written quotes and make sure the scope of work is clearly agreed in writing with whoever you hire. And have a contingency budget - on almost any renovation, something unexpected comes up. The projects that go smoothly are usually the ones that were properly planned before they started.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold and why does it matter for home improvements?

If you own the freehold, you own the property and the land it sits on outright - you can generally do what you like subject to planning rules. If you own a leasehold property (common with flats), you own the right to live there for the remaining lease term, but the freeholder owns the building. This matters for home improvements because many leases require you to get the freeholder's written permission before making alterations - sometimes even internal ones. Always check your lease before starting any work, as doing alterations without the required consent can cause problems when you come to sell.

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