Moving home is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events — but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be. At Vantage 24/7 Services, we’ve helped over 500 families move across Cambridgeshire and beyond, and we’ve learned that the key to a stress-free move is starting early and staying organised.

Six weeks before: Start decluttering. Go room by room and sort items into ‘keep’, ‘donate’, ‘sell’ and ‘bin’. The less you move, the cheaper and quicker the process. Contact your removal company and get a confirmed booking — good teams fill up fast, especially at month ends.

Four weeks before: Start collecting free boxes from supermarkets, or order professional moving boxes. Begin packing non-essentials: books, seasonal clothing, decorative items. Label every box clearly on the top and sides with both the contents and the destination room.

Two weeks before: Redirect your post via Royal Mail. Notify your bank, DVLA, GP, dentist, employer and utility providers of your new address. Defrost your freezer and use up perishable food.

Moving day: Keep an ‘essentials box’ aside with everything you’ll need immediately: kettle, mugs, tea bags, phone chargers, toilet roll, a change of clothes and important documents. Make sure parking is reserved at both ends for the removal van.

On moving day itself, do a final walk-through of every room, loft, garage and garden shed before the van leaves. Take meter readings at both properties and photograph them.

Need help on moving day? Call Vantage 24/7 Services on 01223 660 400 — we can help with packing, heavy lifting, and transport across Cambridgeshire and beyond.