Moving House Timeline

Buying a home and moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do, but knowing what to do and when, will make the ride much smoother. Here at Family Movers we pride ourselves on our unique way of moving you.

This is a moving house timeline to help. The Legal bit;

Time is of the essence when moving house, so don’t put off preparing for your big move. By planning the entire process and having a moving house timeline and getting an early start on our checklist for moving house, will make sure the move will go smoothly.
How long will the buying process take?
The average is 6 to 8 week for this part of the process.
Below is a typical timeline for a purchase in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But timescales vary depending on the buyer’s and seller’s circumstances, plus conveyancing problems can arise and add delays:
Find a local removals company: You don’t want to spend the first weeks in your new home with a bad back. Here at Family Movers we pride ourselves on our professional friendly service.
Find a recommended solicitor: Your solicitor will be your gateway to your new home. Make sure you are comfortable with them and trust them.
Find a property: Research the area, scour estate agents and search websites. When you have found a property;
Put in an offer: Tell the seller what you’re willing to pay and any conditions.
It’s accepted: Now get a survey to check the property’s condition. Your solicitor checks any legal issues.
Local authority searches – check to see if there is anything you need to be aware of, such as any building control issues, enforcement actions and nearby road schemes.
Drainage searches – check it is connected to sewers (approx £35).
Environmental search – checks land isn’t contaminated (approx £30).
There are 3 main types of surveys
Homebuyer’s report – £300-£400
Full structural survey – up to £1,000
Snagging survey – can be free
Offer to exchange usually take 2 to 6 weeks
Exchange: You pay your deposit and can’t back out without major cost.
Exchange to sale up to 4 weeks
Completion: You hand over the rest of the cash in exchange for the keys and deeds. The property’s now legally yours.
Important: nobody is legally bound to complete the deal until exchange of contracts.

Watch out for gazumping and gazanging!
You and the seller are not legally bound to complete the purchase until you have reached exchange of contracts. Until you reach that milestone, there is always a risk of being gazumped or gazanged.
Gazumping
When another buyer offers more money than you and your seller reneges on your deal. You could ask for them to ‘take it off the market’ as a condition of your offer, reducing the chances of them attracting another buyer (though it’s not foolproof).
Gazanging
When your seller decides to cancel the sale and stay, usually because prices are going up, and they can make more money if they wait a few months.
Sadly, there’s little you can do to avoid either of these, as they’re both dependent on the actions of the seller, and can end up losing you a lot of money, especially if it happens just before exchange of contracts where your solicitor (and possibly your surveyor) have already carried out a lot of work.
The most you can do is to be as quick as you possibly can be between having your offer accepted and exchanging contracts – and this means getting your solicitor and mortgage lender or broker to hurry things up.

This is a moving house timeline to help. The Practical bit;
Within the Six Weeks Before your move

Once you get a moving date from your estate agents notify your landlord if you are renting.
Your children may need a new school, notify their old and new school that you are moving.
Notify the council.
Notify your utilities companies.
Internet and landline needs to move.
All your insurance companies will need to know of your move. (life, car, home etc..)
Find a removal company, Family Movers will do everything for you, from working out how many boxes for moving house you will need, to packing your house for you.
Make a list of all big, important things (piano etc) for your removals company.
A floor plan is a good idea of your new home so you are absolutely sure your furniture will fit.

Four weeks before your move on the moving house timeline

Work on decluttering your home, its unbelievably satisfying.
If you need temporary storage ask Family Movers for all your storage needs.
Start packing all items you can do without.
Notify Royal Mail, get a redirection.
Notify your work for a few days off, most employers allow at least one day off to move.

Two weeks before you move on the moving house timeline

Tell your family and friends your new address.
Pack your valuables and keep safe.
Try and eat all the food in your freezer.
Get a friend to help with childcare pet care on your move date, you don’t need that added pressure.
You may need a parking permit for your new home. This is the time to organise it.
That monthly subscription to Good Food, tell them you new address.
Sort your moving day timeline, picking up keys, removals times etc..

One Week before you move on the moving house timeline

Pack all remaining things bar absolute essentials. Remember to label them.
Get a cleaner in.
Pack a bag for each member of your family with essentials for a overnight stay.
Pack a kitchens and toiletries essential bag. The last thing you want on the first day in your new home is to be hunting for a toothbrush.

One Day Before Moving on the moving house timeline

Defrost your fridge and freezer.
Pack your curtains.
Charge your phones.
Pack your car with the individual overnight bags.
Try and get a good nights sleep.

On your Moving Day

Put your box of valuables in your car.
Allow Family Movers to do all the hard work with your removals.
Check that your old house is empty.
Exchange keys with the estate agent.
Read your Gas Electicity and Water meters.

After you have moved in

Unpack your overnight bags and essentials boxes.
Order a family takeaway, sit back, enjoy.

Moving House Timeline