First things first, you'll need to have your moving date confirmed by your solicitor and the house sellers. If you’re renting, you'll need to let your landlord know the exact date you're moving out. Hopefully this will coincide with the end of your lease, as this avoids paying for both rent and your mortgage at the same time.

Let your utility suppliers know that you're moving – electricity, gas, phone and broadband suppliers will all need to know when you're leaving the property.

When it comes to choosing a removal company it’s not a case of comparing peaches to peaches. Although every removal company will provide a vehicle and porters, doesn’t mean to say they will all operate with equal care and professionalism. Our advice is to find a few 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.

This is the perfect time to go through everything and decide what is and isn't worth keeping. Before you start packing, go through your old clothes, electronics and those miscellaneous shoe boxes that haven’t seen daylight in years. Decide what you’re keeping and what can be dropped off at the local charity shop. As difficult as it can be letting go of relics from the past, you’ll thank yourself for it in your clutter-free new home.

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.

Hopefully you've had a clear out which will make this bit much easier. The more organised and in advance your packing is, the smoother your moving process will be. If you decide to pack yourself (we don’t recommend putting yourself in a box!), label all the boxes properly. We also advise making a checklist of what's in each box, this will simplify things when trying to find something at your new place.

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!