In the same way a shopping list can help you avoid buying duplicates or forgetting essentials, a moving checklist will ensure you stay on track. Before you tackle any personal effects, or even pack your first box, write a clear plan of action for each room. This will not only help you get an idea of the packing materials you’ll need, but exactly how much work will be required, giving you plenty of time to rope in helpers, have a clear out and get prepared for moving day.

As well as sorting out the logistics of your move, it's a good idea to make a list of all the companies you need to contact to update your address. Utilities and council tax are an obvious place to start, but there's a few others that could have costly repercussions should they slip through the net. Cala Homes warns that you have a legal obligation to tell the DVLA that you've moved or you can face a fine of up to £1,000—it's free to change the address on your driving license and you can do so here. Similarly, failure to change details on your pet's microchip can also land you with a £500 fine. Don't forget to amend your TV license too, otherwise your new home won't be covered and you could risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

Packing up your home will always be a more time-consuming job than you expect it to be, so begin as soon as possible. Start with the things you don't use very often, such as seasonal clothes or kitchen appliances and tackle lesser-used rooms first to get ahead. The longer you give yourself, the smoother the process will be.

There's no time like moving house to help you reassess your belongings and embark on a thorough declutter. Leave packing too late, though, and it can be tempting to chuck everything into boxes and worry about it later. But having a big clear out first will save both time and money. Mark up three boxes with 'keep', 'throw' and 'donate' and sort your belongings accordingly. Be as ruthless as you can. You'll be grateful when you're not paying extra to fill up another van with boxes of stuff that you don't need. 

Before you start packing up your life belongings, take photographs of your existing room setups—especially if you're fond of a gallery wall layout, or how you've organised your shelves. Keeping the interior of your kids' rooms the same will also help them make the transition. While you may vaguely remember where things went, a quick snap will come in very handy later down the line.

While it's essential that you or your professional movers know exactly where each box should go, it's also key that you know exactly where your belongings are. There's nothing worse than moving into a new home and spending weeks trying to find one particular item. Creating an inventory will help you to keep track of your belongings, and will mean you'll know if anything is broken or lost during the moving process. 

Make sure you get a selection of different-sized boxes. Larger boxes should be used to pack bulky but lightweight items, such as bedding and lamp bases, while small boxes are ideal for heavier items like books and kitchenware. Remember, don't make your boxes too heavy and instead, pad them out with soft items so everything stays snug. 

Cardboard boxes are the go-to buy when moving house, but investing in softer packing solutions too can make the removals process a lot easier in the long run. Zippable holdalls, like these large IKEA bags, offer more flexible storage as opposed to unyielding boxes. A malleable alternative, they can be easily squeezed around your furniture in the moving van. Plus, while most of us will simply dispose of all those boxes once the move is over, these bags can be folded up neatly and stored for the next move.

Take it one step further by sticking coloured stickers or pieces of coloured tape on your boxes to identify which room they were in and should be moved into. Share your colour-coding system with your movers and tape the correct colour label to each room's door, so they know exactly where to place the boxes. This will save you having to heave them into the right room later. 

If you're moving some of your belongings yourself, try this nifty tip to help make your boxes easier to carry. Take a box cutter and remove a triangle or rectangular slot on each side to create some handles. Make sure you don't cut the hole too close to the top or overload the box, as it could tear. You can also buy boxes with pre-cut handles.

Fill a suitcase or clear plastic box with essentials for the first few days as it'll be impossible to locate everything you need. This should contain basic things such as a few items of clothing, toilet paper, bin bags, cleaning materials, toiletries and light bulbs, as well as chargers, any pet or baby food, some cutlery and a couple of plates. Think of it as though you're camping in your new house. Make sure it's the last box to go in the van, so you can easily retrieve it. 

There's no point in buying more packing boxes if you have empty suitcases, bags or wastepaper bins lying around. Use these to pack any non-hanging clothes, towels and bedding in, and be meticulous about how you arrange them. When it comes to maximising space, the rolling method has the edge. 

There's absolutely no point in taking your wardrobe clothes off the hangers. Save time at both ends of the move by grabbing a section of clothes and tying the hangers together with cable ties or string. Poke the hangers through the bottom of a bin bag and pull down over the clothes to protect them during the move. A good removal company should also provide special wardrobe boxes for you to hang them up on. 

Don't waste time unpacking chests of drawers only to repack them once you've moved—unless they are too heavy to carry when full, that is. Instead, fill any empty drawers and tape them shut or wrap the entire piece of furniture in plastic film. This will stop the drawers from falling open when in transit. It's also a good idea to tape wardrobes shut to keep the doors flat as you carry them downstairs during the move. 

Before you start dismantling your TV or disconnecting your computer, be sure to take a quick photograph of the back setup. This way you'll know exactly how to reconnect all of the cables and cords when you're settled in your new pad. Unless you're an electronics pro, this will be a godsend at the end of the day when all you want to do is put your feet up and watch Netflix with a well-earned takeaway.

Don't just shove your leads and cables in a box. Instead, try this nifty trick. Put empty toilet paper tubes to good use and utilise them as dividers for electronic wires. Place tubes vertically in your box or drawer and put one lead in each to avoid the box becoming one huge tangled mess.

There will be numerous moments during a house move when you will reach for a screwdriver, spanner or box-cutter, so make sure you have your toolbox to hand, ideally stowed away in your car. You can also decant some key items into your first-day essentials box, with all of the tools you'll need to reassemble your furniture or carry out any other DIY jobs.

Savvy packing can be a lifesaver! Place a paper or polystyrene plate between your ceramic plates to help protect them. You can then wrap the stack in bubble wrap and tape. You can reuse the plates later on. While we're on the subject, a quick way to keep cutlery in place is by wrapping the entire tray in plastic film.

Plastic wrap or cling film is an extremely useful tool. From cutlery to boxes of toys, simply wrap up your items and you won't need to worry about losing anything en route. Plus, the kids will easily be able to locate their favourite playthings without having to open endless boxes in search of them. Cling film is also ideal for large boxes, pieces of furniture and non-secure items—opt for compostable cling film products to lessen the impact on the environment. 

Make sure all of your boxes are full and feel sturdy so items don't move around or boxes get crushed. Fantastic Removals suggests putting cushions or pillows at the top. Towels, bedding, blankets and curtains can also be put to good use. "Use them as wrapping and padding for other items or pieces of furniture," they suggest.

No space should go unused when you're packing up your entire life. Kitchens can be the hardest room to pack up with an assortment of miscellaneous items. To streamline your packing, place smaller items inside large ones. Stack empty containers together and stash sachets, tins and other store cupboard ingredients in saucepans and casserole dishes. 

Canny packers really do eye up everything as a potential packing opportunity, even an empty oven glove. Wrap all your knives together with some tape, pop them inside an oven glove and pack them sharp end first to avoid injuring yourself when you go to unpack the box later. 

Remember to remove lampshades from tall floor lamps and put them in separate boxes, as they are easily dented and torn. Pack shades in a box with soft linen or clothes inside and around them to prevent them from being crushed or creased. The lamp base should be wrapped carefully too, making sure you either bubble wrap the bulb or remove it and place it with the lampshade. 

If you're not using a removal company, or a man with a van, then definitely consider hiring some essential moving equipment. A dolly or hand truck will save you time, energy and potential breakages. Another great tip when packing your own van is to face any drawer units or dressers towards the walls, so they can't swing open during transit.

The humble elastic band is an essential piece of kit for many life hacks and it definitely has its uses when it comes to moving day. You will be going in and out of your old and new home frequently and there's nothing more annoying than having to open the door each time. If you can't put your door on the latch, hook an elastic band over the handles and position it so it keeps the latch pressed in.

Whether you're hauling furniture yourself or you've enlisted professional movers to help, it's vital that you have a clear path from your home to the removal van come the big day. A few days before the move, it's a good idea to warn your neighbours that you'll need unobstructed access to your front door, just so they don't accidentally park somewhere inconvenient. Be sure to check out the parking situation at your new home too and ensure there's enough space to accommodate a large van. Prewarn your movers if there's any access issues they need to be aware of.

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