Psychological studies show that moving home is one of the most stressful life events, on a par with divorce and losing your job. But, with the right planning and organisation, you can take the anxiety out of moving.

Six weeks before move

• Decide on a moving date. Most people move at the weekend, but you'll get a better rate from removal companies if you can move midweek.
• Organise how you'll move. If necessary, get quotes from local removal companies or hire firms
• Order household goods. Arrange delivery dates around your moving date.
• Arrange your utilities. Notify gas, electricity, water and other home suppliers of your move.
• Clear the clutter. Donate items you no longer want to local charity shops
• Think ahead. Draw up a plan of where you want furniture and items to go in your new home.

Two weeks before move

• Finalise moving day arrangements. Ask your removal company what time they're arriving and if they provide boxes.
• Home insurance. Check your items will be covered during transit, or plan extra contents insurance cover.
• Boxes. If your removal company doesn't provide boxes, or you're moving yourself, stock up on boxes at your local supermarket, and get plenty of bubblewrap.
  
• Start packing. Put items such as books and CDs into boxes. Don't forget to label what is in the box before you seal it.
• Don't pack everything. Packing up essential or everyday items is a waste of time this early on.
• Take down fitted items. Pack mirrors, shelves and light fittings.
• Change your address. Arrange for mail to be redirected with the Post Office and inform banks and other correspondents.
• Subscriptions. Cancel newspaper, magazine and milk deliveries to your home.
• Set up suppliers for your new home. Compare the market and find the best value deal for gas and electricity, home phone, broadband and digital TV
  
• Arrange a time to pick up keys. You don't want to be locked out on moving day.

The day before

• Pack essentials. Arrange a box with items you'll need to hand on the day of the move.
• Move boxes downstairs. This will help you or the removal company load your items quickly on the day.
• Label boxes. Mark on every box what it contains, and which room in the new house you'd like it to be taken to.
• Pick up vehicles. If you're hiring a van, pick it up the evening before moving.
• Don't forget your clock. This is the item that's most likely to be left behind accidentally.
• Organise paperwork. Keep legal documents and identification to hand for picking up keys and vehicles.
• Last minute checks. Revisit each room one last time to check you've packed everything.
• Buy some bubbly. When the hard work is over, you can congratulate yourself on a well organised move.