The first thing you'll want to do is have the date of your move confirmed by your solicitor and house sellers. If you’re renting, make sure you let your landlord know the exact date you're moving out. Hopefully this lines up with the end of your lease, as this avoids you paying for both rent and your mortgage at the same time.

Gas, electric, broadband and phone bill suppliers will all need to know that you're leaving the property, so make sure you let them know when you're moving.

A lot of thought should go in to choosing a removal company. Yes, every removal company will provide a van and people to help move your stuff - but that doesn’t mean to say they will all operate with equal dilegence and professionalism. Our advice would be to find some you like the look of, then organise for them to visit you to estimate how much your move will cost. This way you can find out everything you need to know and get a better feel for them as a company.

Now is a better time than ever to have a big clear out and get rid of anything you no longer want! You'll find that over the years you've gathered a lot of stuff you don't really want or need to take with you - so before you get packing, we recommend going through your clothes, old electronics and any other miscellaneous things and deciding what you're keeping and what you're not. Anything that isn't coming with you will greatly be received by your local charity shop, we're sure!

Don’t wait until there's a gushing radiator before you figure out how to switch the water off! Ask the sellers of your new property exactly where the following things are; gas and electricity meters, stopcock (valve for controlling the main water supply), instructions for appliances, thermostat and fuse box. If you're selling, do the same for the people moving in.

It's very important to begin packing as early as possible, including possessions / miscellaneous items such as kids toys, shoes, vases, candles etc. If you're not packed and ready to be moved, a significant amount of time could be added on to how long it takes you to move. We recommend making use of boxes and any items that can't be put in boxes should be put in black bags. If you are packing your own home, we would encourage you to not mix items together that will be going in different rooms and to label everything. Not only will this help oour movers to know where to put your items, but also save you time and prevent any stress when organising and unpacking. We know that you just want to settle in to your new home!PRO TIP - If you plan on reusing your boxes, we would advise you to write on the tape instead of the box to keep the box fresh.

Settle up bills and council tax still owed on your current property; no one wants bills from your old property to pay when you’re settled in your new place. Don’t forget to contact the following people to notify them of your change of address; your work, your bank, insurance, pension and credit card companies, the council, electoral roll, TV Licensing, doctor and dentist, national insurance and DVLA. If phone calls aren’t your thing, most places let you do this online. Redirecting your mail is a must, this requires at least 5 days’ notice. Also make sure to delete old addresses from online shops. When all that's done, send out one big email to friends and family to let them know your new address and the date you moved in. They might not need it right away, but when Christmas card season comes around they'll be grateful you planned ahead.

Having your essentials at hand for your first night in your new home is a biggy. Think desert island, but more lavish. We recommend a couple of suitcases, bags or boxes with the following; kettle and its accompaniments, medicine, nappies, cleaning products, vacuum cleaner, bin bags, phone and laptop chargers, loo roll, duvets and bedding, and of course glasses for that celebratory bottle! Also, ensure to keep all your important documents like your passport and mortgage paperwork where you can easily find them.

Before saying goodbye to your home, take final meter readings and pass them on to the relevant suppliers. Taking a picture of the meters might help, as the photos will have a timestamp, proving exactly what the meter readings were when the photos were taken.

Congratulate yourself, you made it! You’re in your lovely new house, but it doesn’t yet look like home because there are boxes and bags galore. We suggest putting some tunes on and unpacking room by room, starting with the kitchen. Be sure to check that all utilities are up and running, as well as ensuring you have keys to every door, window and cupboard. Additionally, the sooner you find out what day your bins are collected, the better. Finally, take the rest of the night off, decide which local takeaway you’re opting for and enjoy your very first evening in your new home, you’ve earned it!