Moving

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So you've decided to take the plunge and move to the UK ! Or you may have only recently arrived into the UK . In either case - congratulations! Let me guess. You've told all of your friends and lapped up their envy, and the boss is still recovering from the shock. It's a great feeling, but, secretly, you're already beginning to lose sleep about the sheer size of what you have decided to do.

Moving to any country can be simultaneously the most exciting and most nerve-racking thing you can do.

Packing up a lifetime's worth of worldly goods, as well as a spouse, children and the family pet, and moving them thousands of miles to a country where you can have four seasons in one day, where the cars are on the wrong side of the road and where the accents are funny can daunt even the most grounded of people.

However, the chance for families to experience a new culture, for children to interact with their international contemporaries and for you to grow personally and professionally in a new environment may only come once in a lifetime and should be grasped.

In historical terms, the UK has welcomed newcomers to its shores for centuries. The systems, procedures and services needed to ensure smooth relocations here from anywhere in the world are well established, and flexible enough to cope with any request, no matter how strange.

The first question to ask yourself is whether you are absolutely sure of the move you are making. Every member of the family should be involved in the decision, and you should have carefully researched the kind of life you will be living once the move is made. If children are being moved, have you considered their schooling, or how they will feel leaving their friends? What about your spouse's career? How about your own personal support network and hobbies? If you have pets, have you considered the arrangements that are needed to take them overseas?

Take the time to research expatriate support organisations in your new home country. This is where the internet can really come in to its own, allowing you to make contact with what could become a ready-made support network for when you arrive, and probably plenty of tips about the decision you've taken.

You also need to make firm decisions about where you want to live, and how much you can afford. The UK property market continues to surge, so houses are expensive. Also, certain areas, ‘hotspots', are inflated even further by the vagaries of fashion or other factors. If you are unsure, recruit a specialist agency that can match your needs to a short list of locations.

While it is important to plan, and to have a clear timetable for you and any agencies acting on your behalf to adhere to, it is also necessary to factor in the inevitable uncertainties or delays. For example, if the home you plan to buy is part of a chain that breaks elsewhere, your move will be held up. The only certainty is that, at some point, the unexpected will happen. Have a contingency plan in the shape of temporarily renting accommodation, putting your belongings in to storage or living with family here if you have them.

With your location selected, and your budget set, you now need to think carefully about who you will be trusting with the move itself. Do not think of this simply as moving your possessions. You are moving your life and that of your family so it is vital you trust the firm you choose and have a good relationship with their representative.

There are some simple ways for you to immediately gauge the credibility of a removals organisation. First, they should send a representative to your home to discuss your plans and how they can help. Not only is this a great opportunity to ask them any questions you have and to examine their knowledge of customs regulations, packing and haulage costs, it is also their chance to show you they are serious about the service they offer.

Second, any credible UK-based removals firm will be a member of the British Association of Removers, have sufficient insurance cover and be a FIDI Accredited International Mover (FAIM).

Moreover, your chosen removals firm should also be able to assist with packing, storage, schedules and the best modes of transport for you. If you do choose to stay in temporary accommodation initially, they should also be able to advise regarding storage options.

With your removal company chosen, you can get down to the fine detail of the move itself. Any precious items, including antique furniture, should be given special attention early on, so any special crating arrangements can be made. They will also be able to identify if any of your possessions cannot be brought to the UK (i.e. fresh fruit or plants that might harm indigenous flora) or if they need cleaning. Taking time to clean golf clubs, shoes or garden furniture now could reduce delays with customs on arrival.

If you take the storage option, enquire about long-term rates.

Packing is an art form, and most safely undertaken by professionals. It is part of the service you are paying for, and furthermore, ensures your possessions are insured against damage in transit. Finally, using a professional packer increases the likelihood of your container passing through customs with the minimum of fuss.

Yes, an international move can be stressful. However, careful planning, regular communication and a professional removals firm will at the very least lessen the impact on you and your family and allow you all to concentrate on being excited about a new chapter in your lives.

Bishop's Move has helped move both new arrivals and returnees to the UK for over 100 years. Their team is full of advice for avoiding the pitfalls This is something that Bishop's Move can also offer storage options at one of their 27 depots around the country, or in one of their tailor made ‘Ease the Squeeze' units.

This article was written by Grant Bishop, International Director at Bishop's Move. For further information on moving to the UK , visit www.bishopsmove.com , call + 44 (0) 20 8391 8222 or email overseas@bishopsmove.com .

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One month to go: The things to do

Plan, plan, plan. Know what you and your removals firm will be doing each day of the final month and stick to it.

Continue to speak to your lawyer on a regular basis. Make sure your finances are in order and that you are aware of all legal charges that await you. Leave enough money to one side to cover these charges.

Keep in regular contact with your estate agents in the UK to ensure things are under your control and everything is on course for your moving date.

Ensure your passport and all other travel documents are up to date and valid. Imagine arriving at the airport only to have all your hard work wasted because your passport is out of date and you cannot fly! Photocopy important documents and leave them with someone in your home country.

Make a couple of written lists of items you are taking with you. Keep them safe and tick items off when you start packing.

Start to pack your non-essentials so it's not a last minute rush.

Make sure all bank accounts are in order and you have researched all new tax rules and regulations at your new destination.

Arrange to cancel all utility bills so they fall in with your moving date.

Work with your removals firm and label all your furniture clearly so you know what is what when it arrives. Maybe colour co-ordinate your possessions by room or purpose.

Let the professional removals team take care of the furniture. Keep a check on everything that is going into the truck and what you are carrying with you. Try to relax.

Always double check that everything has been packed and nothing has been left behind. Keep all the important documents such as passports safely on you.

Ensure you have English currency when you arrive so you can buy essential items when you arrive.

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Your move to the UK

Top 10 Tips

1. The UK has experienced a property boom over the past decade, and houses can be expensive. Know your budget, stick to it and shop around locations to ensure you are getting the best value for money.

2. Decide on an area and stay focused. Research thoroughly and try to picture yourself living there. Location is a crucial factor in your future happiness.

3. Have a flexible time scale. The housing market is vibrant here and if you lose out on a property, another one will be available. It will be very important for you to have a contingency plan such as the option of renting a property for a short time.

4. Prioritise your housing needs. It will be much easier for you to manage your search if you know the relative importance of being close to the shops, having off road parking, proximity to good schools, etc.

5. Use a specialist agency to conduct your initial search and develop your short list. If you live overseas from the UK then making repeat visits to view potential properties may be neither practical nor financially viable.

6. When you buy a property in the UK , depending on its price, you may have to pay a tax called stamp duty. How much stamp duty you pay depends on the price of the property. For example if you buy a home for under £125,000 you will pay no stamp duty whereas if your new home costs over £200,000, a 1% charge is added. Ensure you research how much you must pay before you agree to purchase the property.

7. Moving abroad with children can be a tough experience. Make sure you talk to them regularly about what is happening.

8. Pets are very sensitive to changes in the household. Prepare as well in advance for them as you would yourselves! Make sure you visit a vet well before the move who will carry out the necessary vaccinations and will be on hand to answer any concerns you may have.

9. Ask your lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation of the property before any contracts are signed. This is your new home, you don't want to arrive to find that the roof is minutes from falling in!

10. Choose the right movers. Choose a company that is reliable and has experience of moving abroad. Research the company and check their reviews. Remember, it's not just your possessions they will be looking after, it's your life!

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