Organized moves are smooth moves

Worried because you're moving soon? This really doesn't have to be a stressful, chaotic time. Here are some tips to help you achieve a successful, organized move.

You can choose a full service removal company who will come in and pack and charge a huge amount of money.

If you have a modest an amount to move a combination of diy (packing yourself) and using a man and van (they do the portering - do not underestimate how hard this is - especially if you are moving to or from an upper floor).

1. Make up a MOVING CHECKLIST. List everything that needs to be done before, and after, your move.

2. If you are a hoarder now is the time to really consider what really needs to be moved. the less you need to move the quicker and cheaper the operation.

3. DO SOME GOOD WITH YOUR DECLUTTERING: anything serviceable give to your local charity shops. If you give them sufficient notice many will come and collect. Again the less that needs to be taken the dump, the better for the environment and the cheaper and less hassle for you.

4. GET QUOTES FOR MOVING: Cheapest is not always best nor is the most expensive. Check on the reputation of the mover on www.wevet.com (leave a good or bad report after your move!) For small moves a company like www. Taxivans.com who have an excellent reputation. Choosing someone that is unreliable or inexperienced will waste more time and money than you can imagine.

Please also bear in mind that the free online classified is a place where anonymous people operate. They can range from giving just bad service to actually stealing all your stuff.

GET A DEFINITIVE QUOTE: Taxivans.com will give you a total price based on your list of stuff and the distance. Others quote by the hour. Accepting an hourly quote puts you at their mercy as to how quickly they do the job and what the traffic is like.

5. Get friends and relatives involved and make sure the quote from the movers reflects the help you have enlisted. It is worth phoning for a quote without help and then separately phone and get a quote with you providing help. This will aid your price comparison.

6. BOXES: These can add up to a lot of money. However, you can be GREEN & MEAN - take a trip to your local supermarket or off licence. these are a great source of FREE boxes. To buy, a 60cmx60cm box could cost 2 or 2 pounds. Very often the boxes being disposed of particularly by wine merchants are often of superior quality to those offered by discount box suppliers.

GOLDEN RULE: IT IS BETTER TO HAVE A LARGER NUMBER OF LIGHT BOXES THAN A SMALL NUMBER OF VERY HEAVY BOXES. Moving heavy boxes is the thing that wrecks your back; annoys your movers and then fall apart as they are being carried.

7. PRIORITISE YOUR PACKING - with a modest move this can usually be ignored. However, for larger moves label the boxes and those which you will need to unpack first (those containing the kettle and bottle of Vodka) should go onto the van first so that they are at the front of the pile of boxes when they are deposited in your new home. Make sure the van man is told the order you want the boxes taken.

8. WRAP IT. Use newspaper only to wrap those items which will not be contaminated by the transfer of newsprint. Use your own bedding stock to wrap delicate items. A roll of bubble wrap is also worth having on hand. Things such as crt TVs (old fashioned type) are not worth wrapping. Wrapping particularly on heavy and awkward items just gets in the way; makes things difficult to handle and is often the cause of damage.

9. Use a thick felt tip to BOLDLY mark "this way up" or "fragile"

10. For larger moves colour coed stickers can be useful then at the destination put colour coded stickers on the door frames so your mover knows what goes where.

11.I will reiterate WEIGHT as a general rule max 20kgs. If YOU can't pick it up will anyone else? If you have a large collection of books remember that paper is very heavy. So keep that in mind when boxing up your library.

12. Be methodical. Pack each room as you go. That way nothing will be left behind.

13. PACK IN GOOD TIME. Do not underestimate just how long it will take you to pack. This is especially true if you have lived in the place for sometime - there is a reason why your credit card bills are so high. The deal with man and van operations is that everything is packed ready to go. If you are not fully packed and this delays the loading you can, rightfully, be expected to pay for the extra time.

14. Just in case you mail forwarding has not worked leave some ready made address labels for the new occupiers to use in order to forward on mail.

15. Sometimes the move does not take place at midday like the solicitor says. In case the move is delayed and you do not get moved in until late in the evening. Identify your SURVIVAL kit. Those things which will be essential so that you can get to bed and take care of the unpacking the next day.

16. Kids and Pets - If the kids are under 12 find someone to babysit them and any pets. Remember that the front door will be open and accidents do happen.

17. Make sure ALL the major electrical/gas appliances have been disconnected ready for the arrivals of the removal guys. They are NOT trained gas fitter or electricians and indeed it is now illegal for them to get involved in disconnection/reconnection of appliances.

18. Ensure that the telephone is actually disconnected BEFORE you leave the house and that the meters have been read and agreed. Likewise at your destination ensure that you read and agree meters and that the telephone has been disconnected.

19. Plan your unpacking so that you unpack the most important rooms first. In order of priority are Bedroom; kitchen for basic food and kettle; bathroom.

20. If you are relocating pets ensure that their new home is ready for them : gates closed; fencing in good order. Keep a keen eye on your dogs and cats they have been house trained at your old house at the new they may decide to " mark their territory".

21. Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do. Tempers fray, unkind words get spoken. When everything is moved in before you start unpacking STOP!!! Have a takeaway, get a glass of wine; toast your new house this is where you and your loved ones will live. So get the apologies for fractious short temper out of the way.

22. You will need a toolkit for disassembly and reassembly. DO NOT ASSUME THE MOVERS WILL DO IT. Some removers will do this if agreed in advance and has been costed in. MAKE sure that you make up a box specifically for screws, bolts and other fittings and take charge of it personally.

23. The removal guys will place the items in the rooms you designate. However,

they are not there to help in you feng shui schemes. Decide in advance where you want your furniture put and stick to the plan.

24. In advance arrange with Royal Mail to set up a forwarding address. Forwarding

can take some days so give them plenty of notice. Email/ text/ mail everyone with your new address.

25. During the 2-4 days after you have moved in take the opportunity to say " Hi" to your neighbours. Who knows, they might come and help you unpack!

26. Remember that whilst you are moving everyone is busy, doors are open and security is very lax. Particularly in urban areas, make sure that someone is designated to stand by the van. It takes a fraction of a second for a thief to grab an item and disappear. This ends up in a usually, bitter argument about whose insurance covers the loss. The answer is, very often, it is uninsured.

27. PARKING. Ensure that you have arranged for parking at both ends of the journey. If you have parking regulations outside your houses find out what they are. Contact the council and arrange for a parking dispensation (right to park illegally). It can be a very expensive business if there are parking restrictions and a ticket or tickets are incurred. YOU would be responsible under the removal contract to pay for these.

28 How did your move go? Were you happy with your movers? Did they let you down and try to rip you off?

At www.wevet.com YOUR word of mouth compliments can reward the guys who moved you by a good rating. If you got poor service - let everyone know who to avoid. The absence of a feedback helps just one sector - the rogues who continue to operate without anyone knowing how lousy they are.

Have a great move!