It is often said that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences we can have.

If so, moving day itself is probably the pinnacle of that stress, with so much to do in a short time while you watch strangers loading everything you own into a van. Then there is the added pressure of the completion of the sale, collecting keys and making sure you leave in time to let the new owners move in.

With so much going on, the best way to minimise the stress is to get organised as early as possible. Some people prefer to wait until contracts are exchanged but it is common to find that exchange and completion now happen within a very short period, so you may not have time to get everything organised if you wait until the last minute. So, the first thing you need to decide is whether you will employ a professional removal company or do the job yourself. Unless you have very little furniture, or really enjoy long days and hard work, it is best to hire someone to move your things for you. This will usually require a bit of forward planning.

Get quotes from several companies, but remember, the cheapest is not necessarily the best, so spend some time discussing your requirements with each company.

It's important to give the removal company as much information as possible so that they are well prepared on the day. So, if you know that some items won't go through the front door, let them know in advance. They will be able to handle most situations.

The removal company will usually be able to supply boxes and packing materials for you to use, but if you're supplying your own, make sure they are sturdy enough for the job.

Filling each box to the top will mean that they can be stacked on top of each other without collapsing, but take care that they are not too heavy to lift. For boxes that contain heavy items, you can keep the weight to a minimum by filling the top half with lighter things, such as bed linen or cushions. It can also be helpful to label each box with which room it comes from to avoid unnecessary lifting at the other end.

Moving house can be a great opportunity to have a clear-out. By getting rid of all that stuff in the attic you've been hanging on to just in case', you will be able to save valuable space in the removal van, and may even mean you can get a smaller van at a lower price.

If you really want to keep costs down, you may decide to hire a van and do the removals yourself. Make sure you have lots of strong, willing helpers to make it go smoothly. If there are no time pressures then a DIY move can be a more flexible than hiring an outside firm, giving you the freedom to make more trips or make stops along the way if items have to be dropped off.

Make sure you have enough time to get everything cleared from your old house before the new owners take possession of the keys.

If you are hiring a van check that your driving licence covers you, and that you feel confident driving a large vehicle, especially if you will have to negotiate some narrow roads.

Whether you decide to do it yourself or to hire some professionals, it's a good idea to pack off small children and pets to a friend or relative for the day so that you can concentrate on the job in hand. But if your children are with you on the day, keep them from getting bored by giving them a job such as taking tea orders or looking after the pets so that they feel involved.

There are some good books and websites with advice on moving house.

Have a look at www.helpiammoving.com