IT'S often said that moving home is one of the most stressful experiences we can have. And the best way to minimise the stress is to get organised as early as possible.

Some people prefer to wait until contracts are exchanged before making their moving day arrangements, but it is common to find that exchange and completion now happens within a very short period and 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's best to hire someone to move your things for you, and this will usually require a bit of forward planning.

Shop around and get quotes from several companies, and spend some time discussing your requirements with each company as you need to be sure they will take care of them for you.

It's important to give the removal company as much information as possible so that it's well prepared on the day.

The removal company will usually be able to supply boxes and packing materials for you to use.

Make sure that each box is filled to the top so that they can be stacked on top of each other without collapsing, but also take care that they aren't too heavy to lift.

To fill up boxes that contain heavy items, fill the top half with lighter things such as bed linen or cushions, Also, it's a good idea to take moving as an opportunity to de-junk your house.

By getting rid of all that stuff in the attic that you've been hanging on to just in case' you will be able to save valuable space in the removal van and it 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.

It goes without saying that this is not an easy thing to do so make sure you have lots of helpers to make it go smoothly.

If there are no time pressures, then a DIY move can be more flexible than hiring an outside firm. But all that lifting and carrying can be exhausting and time-consuming so 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.

Whether you decide to do it yourself or to hire 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.

There are some excellent books and websites with advice on moving house. Visit www.help iammoving.com or www.good migrations.co.uk.