after exchange of contracts

PasseySam

We have just exchanged on our new house purchase after any months and 2 different chains, so very relieved. :beer:

We are completing next friday (3rd) and I am eager to get things organised so just wondered about things that we can get sorted beforehand now we have exchanged. I have searched the forums and found a few checklists for things to change on completion, but wondered what I can do after exchange and before completion? I have organised insurance but it feels like I should be doing other things, can't sit still until the 3rd!! :j

Mainly can I change the addresses of anything, specifically car registration and licence etc? I was reasoning that if I started to get hold of the forms now and send them off this weekend to get things altered then by the time it actually gets changed we will have completed.

Also we are planning to order some new furniture and some give delivery times of up to 14 days - as I am taking a little time off to move it would be ideal to get things delivered (and broadband man out to set up etc.) whilst I am off work that week so would it be silly to order anything now on the risk that we won't complete and end up in a mess?

any advice/opinions welcome

Catbells

Hi am in same boat as you! I exchanged today and completion is th 6th. Woke this morning at 6am and didn't get dressed til 10am. I rang and/or wrote letters to all the utilities - in fact to keep track I made a list and I bet I left some out!

Car insurance
Savings scheme through employment
Council tax
TV licencing
Credit card
Water
T Mobile
British Gas Homecare
Tesco insurance for dog

I just told them my new address and when I would be leaving my current home.

Now am also not sure what to do.

mufi

You might find this thread useful; Googler, in particular, has made some very useful suggestions:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2621785

PasseySam

Thanks guys - I thought I'd seen a list somewhere but couldn't find it so thanks for putting the link...:T

I guess I'm cautious about changing addresses at this point as it's not actually our house yet in my mind - is it normal to change addresses before completion?

At least it'll give me something constructive to do this bank hol weekend to keep me out of trouble (and keep my wallet out of john lewis at least until we've moved!)...

What about ordering furniture etc, do you think that's safe to do if delivery is arranged for after completion?

PasseySam

And good luck Catbells, congratulations on your exchange and imminent completion too - I'm so excited after waiting for months and having to pull out of a previous sale, it doesn't quite seem real that it's actually going to happen! Also seems like a very long time until the 3rd even though it's only a week away!

shortchanged_2

Congratulations and I know it's exciting but I would wait until you get the keys before you change anything.

Catbells

PasseySam wrote: »

What about ordering furniture etc, do you think that's safe to do if delivery is arranged for after completion?

You sound like you still don't believe you're moving there!!! I would order furniture and stuff to be delivered to my new home:) There's also an argument that you should live there for a while first before buying/changing anything. Depends how sure you are now.

I'm only renting so will have the same to go through again!

PasseySam

Yes I can't quite believe it, although feel much more confident after visiting our vendors last week, they were in the midst of packing and seem to be on the ball about it (much more organised than we are!).

In a moment of madness I have ordered a bit of furniture as it was on sale over the bank holiday and has about a 14 delivery time so thought it best to be delivered whilst I'm off work for moving - it wouldn't be the end of the world if it had to be delivered somewhere else in the event that there was a problem with completion so hopefully that'll be OK!

Getting very excited now - only a few days left to go!!! Trying to hold on until I get the keys but I'm sure I'm driving everyone around me mad!

Good luck Catbells, hope your move goes OK :-)