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Planning your move
The mover
Don’t wait until you have a moving day. Get quotations from BAR moving companies in your area at least one
month before you hope to move, decide which company you want to work with and tell them. They will then work
with you to help you through the process.
How to choose your mover
There are many sources of information available. The most common are by recommendation from friends, the Yellow
Pages or your local directory, or you may telephone BAR who will give you details of movers in your area. In most
cases an estimator or surveyor will visit you in your home to discuss the details of your move, explain the
services offered and agree with you exactly what will be included in the quotation, together with a detailed
service specification of what will and will not be included in the service before confirming your removal.
The packing
The Schedule of Service (or Service Specification), provided by your BAR mover, sets out and clarifies what
services you have agreed to. The movers can do all, some or none of the packing, according to your wishes.
If the movers are doing it all, and provided you have agreed with the estimator about will and will not be
packed, then just relax and let them get on with it.
What to take
Decide what you want to take early on and make sure your mover knows this before the quotation is provided.
Do not put everything together in one room or area; this makes it very difficult for the movers to work and
will slow them down. It is helpful if you have removed anything that is not to go to your new home before
moving day. If you can't, then just identify the items clearly, usually by using labels provided by your mover.
Special items
If you have something unusual to take with you, let the moving company know. They will make special arrangements
for plants, fine art, antiques, wine collections, IT equipment, or anything else about which you are particularly
concerned. If you are moving overseas, you should read our 'Overseas' leaflet as well.
The date
Arrange the date as far ahead as possible, but don't guess. Wait until you are sure before you book. Keep your
mover informed if you think they might need to react at short notice.
Mains services
Your mover is not allowed to tamper with mains services. Make arrangements with your gas/electricity companies
well in advance. Also tell your telephone company and Internet Service Provider and, if required, make
arrangements to keep your old numbers.
Deep freezers
It is advisable to run down stocks as much as possible - freezers are not designed to be moved whilst loaded.
For long distance moves they will need to be completely emptied and for short trips the contents will need to be
temporarily removed, packed in boxes and reloaded at the new home. However, please note that neither the mover nor
most insurers will accept responsibility for any deterioration of the contents.
Carpets and curtains
Your mover will take down curtains and lift carpets by special arrangement (check your service specification),
but will not fit them again in your new home.
Light fittings
You should remove light fittings before moving day as your mover is not qualified to do so.
System furniture
This is not designed to be moved in its assembled form and you should discuss this with your mover who will be
responsible for the dismantling. Generally speaking, removers would not expect to reassemble such furniture although
they may, under certain circumstances, be prepared to quote separately for such work.
Drawers
Clothes and other light items may be left in drawers, but heavier items such as books, files or tools should be
removed and packed separately.
Parking
Tell your mover if there are parking restrictions at either house; your mover will make arrangements with the
authorities for permission to park if necessary.
Access
Tell your mover if there are any access difficulties at your new home. These include narrow streets, overhanging
trees, unmade roads, small doorways, spiral staircases, etc.
Multi-storey buildings
Tell your mover if you are moving to a flat or a multi-storey building and whether or not there is a lift (and
how big it is!). If necessary you will have to make arrangements for priority use of the lift for the day.
Spare key
Sometimes the removal vehicle will arrive at your new home before you do, so if you can, give the foreman a
spare key, so they won't lose any time waiting for you.
Maps and plans
Please give the driver clear directions to your new home and a street map if possible. Also draw a floor plan
of your new home and give it to the foreman so that everything can be put in the correct room. Colour coded labels
can also help to identify the correct location for items - speak to the estimator about this.
Children and pets
Try to have children and pets looked after by a relative or friend while the move is taking place. Older
children will enjoy the excitement of the move and should be included as much as possible, both during the
planning and the move itself, to help them understand the reasons for moving and reduce homesickness.
Taken from the "Planning your house move" leaflet from the BAR
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