Taking the stress out of moving home

With the traditional home buying and moving season upon us, people around the country will be facing the excitement but also the stress of moving house.

And with so many things to think about, Tescocompare.com (LON:TSCO), has put together some top tips to help you save money, time and stress:

1. Protecting your new home

Firstly, speak to your current insurer as your existing buildings insurance may offer protection for your current property while also protecting your new home from the exchange date up to completion (subject to certain terms and conditions). This'll give you some breathing space to then find a great new insurance deal.

2. Know your new home

To get a quote for the buildings and contents cover, you'll need to provide certain information - so find this out before you move. Typically this will include the make of door locks, whether there's an alarm, whether the property is a listed building, the year it was built and the value of the contents.

3. Don't forget the small stuff

When calculating how much cover you'll need for home contents insurance, don't forget to factor in the cost of new purchases. Things like new bed linen and light fittings can all add up and increase the amount of protection needed.

4. ... or the big stuff!

Generally anything worth more than £1,000-£1,500 will need to be covered individually under your policy. This won't cost you a great deal extra, but will give you the peace of mind that it can be replaced if lost, damaged or stolen.

5. Finding a good deal on home insurance

Now you're armed with more information, here's the easy bit - finding the right deal!

Many people are complacent when insuring their home, often opting to stay with their current insurer at renewal time, or when they move. It's perceived as easier than finding another deal, even though you could be paying more than you need to. The good news is that it doesn't have to be time consuming to see what else is on offer. By using Tescocompare.com to access and compare dozens of UK insurance policies, you can cherry pick the cover that best suits you and your budget. It's quick and easy. Simply complete one form, we'll display all the suitable policies and then you compare the all-important price and key policy features and benefits.

6. Before you move ... Let your existing energy supplier know

When you move, advise your existing energy supplier of the meter readings so you're not liable for any gas and electricity usage after you leave. Also, don't be coerced into transferring your old supplier to the new property. While this may seem the easy option, it might not be the most cost effective, unless you have a very good transferable ‘capped' (guaranteed) rate.

7. After you've moved ... Do your homework

Don't be apathetic about who your inherited supplier is, as gas and electricity prices are always changing. If you're unsure, contact the electricity distribution company in your area, and the National Grid to find out your gas supplier.

8. Call in the meter reading

Once you know who supplies the property, give them your details and the meter readings. Find out how much gas/ electricity has been consumed at the property in the last 12 months as this'll help you anticipate the size of future bills. Armed with this information you can then shop around for a better deal.

9. Regularly review your bills

Remember to keep a regular check on gas and electricity prices every twelve months or so. Prices can go down as well as up, so use the Tesco Compare service to keep track of great deals in your area.

10. Finding a great deal

Now comes the easy bit! Visit Tescocompare.com to help you find the best utilities deal for your new home. The longer you wait, the more you will overpay as you may automatically be billed at the most expensive ‘standard' tariff rates. These standard rates can be as much as 25% more than the cheapest alternative deal our service could show you.

Debra Williams from Tescocompare.com commented: "Moving home is usually a stressful time, no matter whether you are a homeowner or renter. But there are many things you can do to take the stress out of moving and save yourself some money. Making sure you have the right home insurance in place for your new home can offer you peace of mind and shopping around for the most competitive policy can also save you money. The same applies to utilities, a new home often means different usage when it comes to gas and electricity and switching utility provider can prove to be a great money saving step."

Visit tescocompare.com for the best deals on your home insurance and utility provider.