With so much planning and packing to do, moving house can be hectic – but you don’t have to take it on single-handedly. Here are some of the best ways to ease the burden.

While moving house is an exciting step, it can also be stressful without the right organisation. Prioritisation is key, so rather than spending all your time planning how you’re going to do your new place up, make sure you take care of the bigger things too – from booking a removal company to choosing which cleaners you’re going to use. So that your move is as smooth as possible, we’ve put together a list of the most important services you’ll need to use throughout the moving process.

Removal

One of the first things you should take care of after finalising your move date is arranging for a removal service to transport your goods. The best companies get booked up quickly, so make sure you get this done as early as possible. Try to obtain at least three quotes from reputable companies – the British Association of Removers is a good place to look, as their members span the UK and are recognised as being trustworthy and professional. Alternatively, look up removal services through the National Guild of Removers and Storers, a leading UK trade association.

Cleaning/decluttering

You want your new home to look its best when you move in, so hire a professional cleaning service before you arrive to make sure the place is spick-and-span. If you’re really pushed for time, consider asking them to give your old house a once-over too, so you can focus on the move itself. Some companies offer decluttering services, which can really help if you’re struggling to decide what belongings to take and what to chuck out. You can even turn your unwanted possessions into cash with companies such as Clutter Clinic.

Mail redirection

Arguably the biggest hassle when moving house is notifying your bank, utility companies, employer and insurance companies of your new address, and with that having to pick up post that’s been delivered to your old house. Forgetting to update your details could mean important documents, such as bank statements, are delivered to your old address, which could leave you at risk of fraud; it could also mean you miss out on personal mail from your friends and family, such as a wedding invitation or postcard from a loved one abroad. To make sure you continue receiving your mail in the weeks and months after your move, giving you less to worry about as you settle into your new home, Royal Mail offers a Redirection service. Your post can be redirected to you for three, six or 12 months, so you’ll have plenty of time to update your new details.

Self storage

If there’s a gap between the dates you’re leaving your old home and moving into your new one, or you have some time to wait before your new house is ready for your arrival, you may need to keep some of your belongings in self storage. You can use these services for anything from large pieces of furniture to small appliances and valuable documents, giving you peace of mind that your most important possessions are secure while you focus on other aspects of the move. Two of the UK’s biggest self storage companies, Safestore and The Big Yellow Self Storage Company, have sites across the country and offer a range of services.

DIY

It might be the case that your new home requires some essential improvements, whether it’s plastering, double glazing or door replacements. Get in touch with DIY specialists as far in advance as possible to make sure any vital work is carried out before your move date – the last thing you need is DIY hanging over your head when you should be settling in to your new abode. For double glazing, it might be worth contacting a brand with an established presence in the market, such as Anglian and Everest, while for replacement doors, Aspen offers a range of high-quality products.