Straight answers, no hedging

From accepting an offer to completion, most moves take 12 to 16 weeks, and a chain of three or more can take longer. Searches and mortgage offers are the usual bottlenecks — which is why instructing a conveyancer before you accept an offer is the single biggest time saving available to you.

Yes. In England and Wales you need a valid Energy Performance Certificate before a home is marketed, and your estate agent will ask for it before marketing starts. An EPC lasts 10 years, so check the national register first — you may already have one. If you need a new one, our sister company homesurvey.eu does them for a fixed £75, including lodging on the register.

Get three written quotes around eight weeks out and confirm the booking about four weeks out. Fridays and the last few working days of the month go first. Check the quote states waiting time, packing, insurance level and cancellation terms — those four lines are where disputes happen.

Usually from exchange of contracts, not completion, because exchange is the point at which you are committed. Check what your contract says and put buildings cover in place from that date. Most people insure from completion and are technically uninsured for the gap in between.

Take readings at the old property as you leave and at the new property the moment you arrive, before you use anything. Photograph each meter with its serial number visible. Those photographs are your only real defence against an estimated final bill, and Ofgem's back-billing rules are far easier to invoke with evidence.

Excluding stamp duty, most UK moves land somewhere between roughly £1,500 and £4,000 once removals, legal fees, an EPC, a survey and sundries are counted. Stamp duty, where it applies, is usually the largest single number by a wide margin. Use the cost estimator for a breakdown based on your own move.

You must tell the DVLA about your driving licence and vehicle log book, HMRC, and both councils for council tax. You should also update the electoral roll, your insurers, bank, GP and employer. Our checklist covers 37 organisations grouped by priority.

Exchange of contracts is the point the sale becomes legally binding and the moving date is fixed. Completion is when the money actually moves and you get the keys. Between the two you are committed but not yet in — which is exactly why buildings insurance should start at exchange.

They do completely different jobs. An EPC rates energy efficiency and is a legal requirement for marketing a home. A survey inspects condition and is what tells you whether the roof is about to cost you £12,000. Most buyers should have both. Find a regulated firm through the RICS register.

It is free, there is no sign-up and no paywall. Your ticks save to your own browser, not to our servers. We are owned by My Home Survey Ltd, so we would obviously like you to book your EPC with homesurvey.eu. Some supplier links may also earn us a commission at no cost to you, and those are labelled. Official and regulator links never are.