Book your removal company as soon as you know the completion date - book a company that is fully insured so you know your breakages are covered

Start clearing out all unwanted items especially in the loft and garage - be ruthless! If you've time, go to a boot sale and make some money to buy new things!

Start running down the fridge and freezer contents

Make sure you get enough boxes and packing materials for all your belongings and pack things that you won't be using again before the move. Your local supermarket may be able to help with boxes.

Don't overfill boxes and make sure all fragile items are well wrapped - invest in plenty of bubble wrap!

Label the boxes clearly with the contents of the box and which room they will need to be moved in to on the day of the move. It's a good idea to number each room in your old house, with a corresponding room number for your new house and label each box. Tie a numbered tag to furniture, appliances and pictures too.

Tape all doors shut on any cupboards and dismantle any furniture that you need to

Organise parking for the removal vans in both properties

As part of the world's largest relocation, moving and storage services company, Pickfords has access to the global, national and local resources to satisfy all your moving and storage needs, whatever the requirement

If you're moving to a new area find out about Doctors, Dentists, Schools, Vets etc and find out when you can register with them

Take meter readings and notify all your service companies of the date of the move, include: telephone company, electric company, gas company, water board

Make a list of everyone who should know your new address and call or write to them all including: doctor, dentist, bank, building society, mobile phone company, TV cable or satellite provider, credit cards, car insurance provider, pension company and don't forget your friends and family!

Notify the DVLC and TV License

Ask the Post Office to re-route your mail; this takes about a week to organise so do it in plenty of time

A couple of days before your move cancel the milk and newspapers, disconnect all major appliances such as your freezer, washing machine so they can be defrosted, dried and clean for the move

Finish packing but always pack a few items for your family for easy access such as toiletries, clothes, tea, coffee, milk, sugar (don't forget the kettle!) cutlery, plates, mugs, towels

Organise any children and pets for the day, try and leave them with friends or family but remember to pick them up once its all over!

When you get to your new home, get in there first, and stick the corresponding numbers that are on your boxes and furniture to each door and on a wall in each of the rooms. This will stop your removal men from constantly asking you "where's this one go?

Supply your removal men with plenty of refreshments - if they are refuelled on a regular basis they will work more efficiently!

Once the beds are in place, it's always a good to make them, you will probably be exhausted by the end of the day and that's the last thing you'll want to do

And finally, make sure the champagne and glasses are to hand!