Checklist for What to Do Between Exchange and Completion

Congratulations, the end of your home-buying marathon is almost over if you are about to exchange contracts.

Now the waiting is almost over and this is the period when there are lots of tasks to do to be organised in time for your moving day.

In this week’s home moving blog we look at the things you need to do between exchanging contracts and moving into your new home, as well as answering all your frequently asked questions about what happens between exchanging contracts and completion day.

Checklist of Things to Do Between Exchange and Completion

We have compiled this list of things to do between exchange and completion for you as there are so many things that you now need to start doing in order to make the home moving process as smooth and easy as possible.

#1 Insure Your New Home

From the day that you exchange contracts, not the day when you actually move in, you are responsible for insuring the property.

This is often overlooked but it makes sense to protect your investment straight away.

You may also like to read: Home Moving Insurance – Is it Worth it? In this guide, we look at whether it is worth insuring your home move. There are lots of things that can go wrong on moving day so it pays to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place. 

#2 Get Quotes From Removal Companies

Good removal companies have limited availability in the peak moving season so now is the time to get quotes and start comparing the services and prices of various removal firms.

If you have a completion date then you can go ahead and book your moving day, otherwise use this time to get quotes and thoroughly research any removal firm that you are thinking of hiring.

The easiest and quickest way to get up to 4 quotes from good removal companies in your area is to complete the removal cost quote form.

You can then read reviews and compare prices and services before deciding on which company to trust with your home move.

Packing for your home move is time-consuming and can be expensive so seriously consider getting a quote for professional packing services when speaking to the removal firms.

A full-service move is often extremely good value for money and relieves you of most of the stress of moving.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company: A Step-by-Step Guide. Hiring a good removal company can be a daunting task so we have created a step-by-step guide using real-world examples to help you find the best removal firm for your particular needs.

#3 Declutter

Moving home can seem like an endless round of expenses, and physically moving your things to your new home is yet another expense you face.

The good news is that you can save a substantial amount of money on your removal costs by getting rid of all the things that you no longer need or want to take to your new home.

The fewer items you have to pack and move, the cheaper your removal costs will be.

Sorting through all your possessions, and deciding what to take and what to get rid of, can be not only time-consuming but emotionally draining.

Allow yourself plenty of time to sort through your things and be as ruthless as you can, it makes no sense paying to pack and move things that you will never need or use, or that you may not even have space for in your new home.

You may also like to read: The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering for a Home Move. From how to start decluttering to where to donate things, this guide takes you step by step through the decluttering process to make it as easy and stress-free as possible.

#4 Book Childcare

 Moving day can be stressful enough without having to worry about the safety of youngsters.

If possible, arrange to have the children looked after away from the dangers of moving heavy and large furniture.

Many people also find it useful to have them safely out of the way for a few days after the move to allow you time to childproof the new home and to get unpacked and organised.

You may also like to know How to Childproof Your New Home – Room by room, step by step, this guide will help make your new home child-friendly.

#5 Book Boarding Kennels

The same applies to having your pets looked after away from the stresses of moving day.

If you have a dog especially, you will want to ensure your new home and garden are safe and secure for it.

You may also like to read: How to Dog Proof Your New Home – A comprehensive guide to making your new home a safe and happy place for your canine friend.

#6 Book Leave From Work

Most people arrange their moving date to fall on a Friday or Saturday so that they do not have to take time off of work.

The downside of this is that these are the two most expensive days of the week to move home.

If you can move midweek you will save yourself some money, but you may need to take an extra day or two off of work.

#7 Create a Home Moving Binder

There are many questions that the people moving into your home will have about the home and how things work for example.

Many people take the time to create a home moving binder that contains all the information that the new owners may need, such as the water stop cock location, alarm system manuals, guarantees, how the boiler works, and when is bin day for example.

You may like to read: How to Create a Home Moving Binder. In this guide, we take you through how to create a home moving binder and what to include within it. It is also a good prompt for questions you need answers to about your new home.

#8 Gather the Instructions for Your New Home

You will have the same questions as those moving into your home will have.

Use the home moving binder template from above to create the list of questions you may need answers to, and if you are really lucky, then the current homeowners will create a home moving binder for you too.

#9 Think About Security and Safety

You never know who has copies of the keys to your new home so it makes sense to change all the window and door locks, including any external buildings, as soon as you can.

Arrange to go to your new home so that you can list all the locks and new padlocks that you will need.

Take a good look at the garden fences etc to ensure that any pets you have cannot escape.

If there are any repairs you need to make then you can compile a materials list now too.

Determine how many smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and security alarm sensors there are in your new home, you will want to change the batteries as soon as you move in.

Now would be a good time to create a fire escape plan for your new home too.

You may also want to see if there is anything that you need to get to childproof your new home, especially if you have very young children.

Must read: How to Secure Your New Home and Fire Safety in Your New Home. These guides will help you to keep you and your family safe in your new home. With tips on what to look out for, what to consider, and how to create a fire escape plan.

#10 Change of Address Checklist

To help prevent identity theft, and ensure you don’t miss out on any offers companies may send you after you move home, you should ensure that any company that you have dealings with has your new address.

You may also like to read: Change of Address Checklist. We have created one of the most comprehensive change of address checklists available so that you do not forget anyone that should know your new address.

#11 Arrange Mail Redirection

As a precaution, you should also put a mail redirection in place just in case a company does not update their mailing details in time or there is someone that you have forgotten to give your new address to.

From only £33.99 you can have your mail redirected to any UK or overseas address for 3, 6, or 12 months. You can arrange your mail redirection at www.royalmail.com

#12 Reserve lift

If you need to reserve the service lift or use the communal lift to move your things, then now would be a good time to arrange that with the building manager or landlord.

Remember to arrange any service bay or lift reservations at your new place too.

#13 Arrange Parking

Your removal van will need somewhere to load and unload.

The closer the van can get to your old and new home the quicker and cheaper your move will be.

Arrange with your neighbours to have a few vacant parking spaces as close to your place as possible on moving day.

If you need to request permission from the local council to reserve a space or two then start arranging this as soon as possible as this can sometimes take a couple of weeks to arrange.

Don’t forget that the removal van will need parking spaces at your new home too.

#14 Arrange Utilities

Your estate agent will have provided you with details of who the current utility providers are in your new home.

You can choose to just switch over the services into your name or you can start shopping around to see if you can get some better deals.

#15 Get Your Car Serviced

The last thing you need on moving day is a stressful car breakdown, especially if you are moving to the other end of the country.

It is worth having your car serviced to ensure that it is in optimal condition. If you get your car serviced now then you will have plenty of time to get any repairs done should it need any.

#16 Moving Day Essentials Box

Start thinking about all the things that you will need on moving day, all the essential items that you will want close to hand.

Make a list of those essential items and keep them separate from the items that are being packed and that will go into the removal van.

Nearer moving day you can then pack those essentials into a box or bag that will stay with you throughout moving day.

You may also like to read: How to Create a Moving Day Essentials Box – In this guide, we suggest items that you may want to include in your essential box to make your transition to your new home as comfortable and safe as possible.

#17 Keep in Contact

Finally, keep in regular contact with anyone who is involved in the move so that you are all aware of how things are progressing and if there are any potential threats to your moving date.

The sooner you know if there are any glitches the more time you will all have to get them resolved.

Must read: The Ultimate Home Moving Calendar and Checklist. Use this checklist to ensure that every eventuality is covered and every task is logged ready for moving day. Spanning the ideal 6-week moving process, a week-by-week, step-by-step guide to moving home, this checklist is both printable and downloadable to make your move day as easy and stress-free as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions about Exchange and Completion

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about exchange and completion when buying a home in England and Wales.

What is the exchange of contracts?

The exchange of contracts is when the buyer pays the seller a deposit for the property and the sale/purchase contract becomes legally binding.

The solicitors acting on behalf of the buyer and seller will verbally agree on the contracts and facilitate the payment of the deposit before hard copies of the contract are exchanged. 

What is completion?

Completion day is when the outstanding balance of the purchase is paid and ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer. This is usually the day that you move into your new home.

How long between exchange and completion?

The date of completion is agreed upon by both parties but is usually one to two weeks after the exchange of contracts.

Who decides on exchange and completion dates?

The buyer and seller agree on the completion date and this is detailed in the contracts at the time of exchange.

Can you exchange contracts without a completion date?

The completion date is part of the contract of sale and must be agreed upon before the exchange of contracts.

You therefore cannot exchange contracts without a completion date.

Can exchange and completion happen on the same day?

Yes, you can exchange and complete on the same day, but there are some significant risks in doing so.

Up until exchange the buyer or seller can still pull out of the deal, so that could mean that either party pulls out on the day you would be moving.

The buyer/seller could also drop some last-minute demands that you would have no time to negotiate.

In the worst-case scenario, the sale could fall through on the day you are supposed to be moving in.

Can you change your mind after exchanging contracts?

If the buyer cannot complete after the exchange of contracts the seller is entitled to keep the deposit that was paid and can claim damages from the buyer who pulled out.

The buyer may also be liable to pay the costs of estate agents, conveyancing, and any other related sales costs.

If the seller pulls out after the exchange the seller can issue them with a Notice to Complete – this is a 10-day grace period.

The seller is liable to pay the daily interest rate to the buyer during this period and must also return the deposit to the buyer.

The seller may also be liable to pay any mortgage application charges, any early mortgage repayment fee (note that this can run into thousands of pounds), the cost of the home buyers’ survey, all property searches, and any other costs that the buyer may have incurred.

Note that the above information is a general guide and is not set in law. You should seek professional legal advice if you want to breach your contract after exchange.

What happens if you cannot complete after exchanging contracts?

There are potentially a number of scenarios where you could fail to complete after exchange, you could lose your job or even the vendor dies between exchange and completion.

Most solicitors will recommend as short a practical period as possible between exchange and completion to help reduce the possibility of any problems arising during this period.

Should you be made redundant between exchange and completion then you must inform your mortgage provider who will in all likelihood withdraw the mortgage offer, you will have to pull out of the purchase, and may then incur the charges mentioned in the previous section.

If the vendor, for example, were to die between exchange and completion then the contract of sale is still valid and the sale can still go ahead, although the completion date may not be met.

Whatever circumstances arise for you being unable to complete always seek legal advice as quickly as possible.

Who is responsible for a house between exchange and completion?

It is normally written into the contract that the buyer is responsible for any damage to the home after the exchange of contracts, which is why it is so important to take out insurance as soon as you have exchanged contracts.

Should there for example be a roof leak or damage between exchange and completion the seller must inform the buyer immediately and the buyer would then be able to claim on their insurance policy.

If the buyer fails to take out insurance after exchange then the buyer would be responsible for any repair costs.

Check exactly what the contract states about such a situation so that you know exactly what your responsibilities are.

Can you move in between exchange and completion?

It would be very rare for a seller to allow someone to move things into the property before completion.

If for whatever reason you need to move things out of your current home before completion it may be a better option to put the things into storage.

Storage is not usually expensive and many removal companies also offer you storage facilities so this may be a good option for you.

Note that the above applies to England and Wales only as Scotland has a different procedure for buying a home than the rest of the UK. You can learn more about buying a home in Scotland in this Guide to Moving to the Coast of Scotland.

The period between exchange and completion can be a frantic time with so much to do and so little time.

Most home sales go through with no problems after exchange but ensure you have adequate insurance in place, you know what your responsibilities are, that you keep in contact with all those involved in your move, and that you find a good removal company to make moving into your new home as easy and stress-free as possible.

Always seek expert advice if you are unsure about any aspect of your home move or when any potential problems arise.

Finally, you will find a whole library of guides and tips in our home moving blog that covers every aspect of your home move so be sure to take the time to go through it.