Moving house is exciting, but there is no denying that it comes with a long list of jobs. Between dealing with paperwork, organising utilities, packing your belongings and arranging transport, it can be difficult to know what to do first. The easiest way to stay in control is to work through the move in stages. Starting early gives you time to compare services, clear unwanted belongings and deal with any unexpected problems without everything becoming a last-minute rush.
This moving house checklist takes you from eight weeks before your move through to your first month in your new home.
Eight weeks before moving house
Confirm your expected moving date
Your moving date may remain uncertain until contracts have been exchanged, particularly when buying a property as part of a chain. However, it is still useful to identify the week in which the move is likely to happen.
Speak to your estate agent, solicitor or landlord for an update and keep your employer informed if you expect to need time off. Avoid making non-refundable bookings until the date is reasonably secure.
Book a removal company
Good removal companies can become fully booked several weeks in advance, especially on Fridays, at weekends and during the summer.
Start collecting quotes as soon as you have an approximate moving date. Ask what is included, whether your belongings will be insured in transit and if the company charges extra for stairs, long carrying distances or dismantling furniture.
When choosing a removal company, look for genuine customer reviews, appropriate insurance and a clear written quotation. Let the company know about access at both properties, including restricted parking, narrow roads, lifts or flights of stairs. If you are from Essex, Clear N Tidy Removals is one of the trusted and experienced removals companies serving the residents of Essex.
If you need help packing, storage between properties or furniture dismantling, discuss this at the quotation stage rather than leaving it until moving day.
Start decluttering
There is little value in paying to move items you no longer want. Work through your home room by room and decide what should be kept, sold, donated, recycled or disposed of.
Lofts, sheds and garages usually take longer than expected, so tackle these areas early. Decluttering now will reduce the number of boxes you need and make unpacking far easier.
Create a moving folder
Keep important information in one place, either in a physical folder or digitally. This could include:
- Solicitor and estate agent details
- Your tenancy agreement or property documents
- Removal company quotations
- Utility account information
- Insurance documents
- Inventories and receipts
- A list of important telephone numbers
Keep essential documents with you during the move rather than packing them into the removal vehicle.
Six weeks before moving house
Begin collecting packing materials
Start gathering strong boxes, packing tape, labels and protective wrapping. Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books and larger boxes for lighter belongings such as bedding.
If you are using second-hand boxes, make sure they are clean, dry and strong enough to be stacked. Weak boxes can collapse when being carried or loaded.
Pack items you rarely use
Begin with belongings you are unlikely to need before the move, including seasonal clothing, books, ornaments, spare bedding and decorations.
Label each box with the room it belongs in and a brief description of its contents. Mark fragile items clearly on more than one side. Read more in our blog.
Numbering boxes can also be helpful. Keep a simple list of what is inside each numbered box so you can find important items without opening everything.
Check measurements at the new property
Measure large furniture, doorways and staircases where possible. A sofa that fitted comfortably into your current house may not pass through the entrance or hallway of the new one.
Decide whether any furniture needs to be dismantled and check whether appliances will fit into their intended spaces.
Four weeks before moving house
Arrange broadband and utilities
Contact your broadband provider to find out whether your service can be transferred. Installation appointments can have long waiting times, so it is worth organising this early.
Inform your gas, electricity and water suppliers that you are moving. You do not normally need to close the accounts immediately, but they should know your expected departure date.
You may also want to compare energy suppliers for the new property once you know who currently provides the service.
Start updating your address
Create a list of organisations that will need your new details. These may include:
- Your employer
- Banks and credit card providers
- Insurance companies
- HMRC
- The electoral register
- Your GP, dentist and optician
- Schools or childcare providers
- Pension and investment providers
- Subscription services
- Membership organisations
You should also update the address on your driving licence and vehicle log book. Do not assume that changing one DVLA record automatically changes the other.
Arrange Royal Mail redirection
Post redirection provides an extra layer of protection if you forget to update an organisation. Arrange it in advance so that it begins from your moving date.
Redirection can be particularly useful for financial statements and official documents that may still be sent to your old address.
Two weeks before moving house
Confirm the final arrangements
Contact your removal company to confirm the date, arrival time, addresses and access arrangements. Let them know if the volume of belongings has changed significantly since the quotation.
Check when and where you will collect the keys to the new property. If you are in a chain, ask what will happen if completion is delayed on moving day.
Prepare an essentials box
Pack a box or bag containing everything you may need during your first evening and morning. Keep it with you rather than loading it deep inside the removal vehicle.
Useful items include:
- Kettle, mugs, tea and coffee
- Snacks and bottled water
- Toilet roll and hand soap
- Phone chargers
- Basic cleaning products
- Medication
- Towels and toiletries
- A change of clothes
- Bedding
- Pet food
- A basic toolkit
- Important documents
Families with young children may also want to pack favourite toys, nightwear and anything needed for bedtime.
Plan for children and pets
Moving day can be noisy and disruptive. Arrange for children or pets to stay with a relative, friend or sitter where possible.
If your pets will be at the property, keep them in a secure room with food, water and familiar bedding. Make sure doors and gates are not left open while belongings are being carried out.
One week before moving house
Finish most of the packing
Aim to have everything packed apart from everyday clothing, toiletries, food and essential kitchen items.
Use up frozen and refrigerated food and avoid buying more than you need. Defrost your freezer according to the manufacturer’s instructions and allow enough time for it to dry before transport.
Keep screws, bolts and fittings from dismantled furniture in labelled bags. Attach each bag to the relevant item or store all fittings together in your essentials box.
Give the property a final roof check
Before leaving, look for any obvious exterior problems that may need attention. You should not climb onto the roof yourself, but you can safely inspect it from ground level and look inside the loft.
Check for slipped or missing tiles, damaged guttering, daylight entering the loft or signs of water staining. If you have noticed damp patches or leaks, arranging a professional roof inspection from Enterprise Roofing can help establish the cause before you hand over the property.
This is particularly important if recent storms or heavy rain may have caused damage that was not present earlier in the sale.
Clean and prepare appliances
Disconnect appliances only when it is safe to do so. Washing machines should be drained and secured for transport, while fridges and freezers should be emptied, cleaned and dried.
Check whether a qualified professional is required to disconnect gas appliances. Do not attempt work you are not trained to carry out.
Moving day
Before leaving your old home
Take final meter readings for gas, electricity and water. Photograph each reading so you have a dated record and submit the figures to your suppliers.
Complete one final walk-through before handing over the keys. Check:
- Cupboards and drawers
- Loft spaces
- Garage and shed
- Garden storage
- Behind doors
- Dishwasher, washing machine and oven
- Fridge and freezer
- Windows and external doors
Make sure taps are turned off, windows are closed and the property is secure.
Keep valuables, keys, medication, chargers and paperwork with you throughout the move.
At the new property
Before unloading, walk around the house and check that it has been left in the expected condition. Take meter readings immediately and photograph them.
Show the removal team where large items should go. Clear labels and a simple room plan can prevent boxes and furniture being left in the wrong places.
Locate the following as early as possible:
- Main water stopcock
- Fuse box or consumer unit
- Gas and electricity meters
- Boiler and thermostat
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Test that you have running water, electricity, heating and hot water. Make the beds before beginning less urgent unpacking so you have somewhere comfortable to sleep at the end of the day.
Your first week in the new home
Check the roof and loft
Even if the property was surveyed before purchase, it is sensible to check the roof after you move in.
Look inside the loft for damp insulation, water stains, mould, damaged timber or daylight passing through the roof covering. From ground level, check for missing tiles, damaged flashing, overflowing gutters or leaning chimney pots.
If anything appears unusual, arrange a professional roof inspection rather than attempting to reach the roof yourself. Identifying a minor defect early may prevent more extensive internal damage later.
Test the drainage system
Use every sink, shower, bath and toilet and pay attention to how quickly the water drains. Gurgling sounds, unpleasant smells, recurring blockages or water rising in another fitting can indicate a problem.
Check outside for overflowing gullies, standing water or unusually damp areas of ground. Although many drainage problems are caused by simple blockages, others may involve cracked pipes, root intrusion, displaced joints or damage beneath the property.
Where symptoms continue, a CCTV drainage survey can inspect the inside of the pipework and identify the location and nature of the problem without unnecessary excavation.
Update your remaining records
Complete any address changes you did not make before moving. Remember your council tax account, TV licence, vehicle insurance, pet microchip records, online retailers and regular delivery services.
Register with a local GP and dentist where necessary, and find out which day your bins and recycling are collected.
Consider changing the locks
You cannot always know how many sets of keys are in circulation. Previous owners may have given spares to neighbours, cleaners, contractors or relatives.
Changing the external locks can offer additional peace of mind. You may also want to reset alarm codes, smart doorbells and connected security devices.
One month after moving
By now, most boxes should be unpacked and you will have a better understanding of how the property functions.
Review your energy usage, broadband performance, insurance cover and household security. Make a list of repairs and improvements, separating urgent work from jobs that can wait.
Check that redirected post is arriving correctly and that important organisations have your current address. It is also worth confirming that your deposit has been returned if you moved from rented accommodation.
Finally, keep your moving folder and important property records somewhere safe. Boiler documents, surveys, appliance manuals and guarantees may all be useful in the future.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start preparing to move house?
Starting around eight weeks before your expected moving date gives you enough time to book a removal company, declutter and begin packing gradually. You may need to start earlier during busy periods.
What should I pack last?
Pack everyday toiletries, medication, chargers, basic cookware, clothing and cleaning supplies last. These items should go into an essentials box that stays with you.
When should I book a removal company?
Book as soon as your moving date is reasonably certain. Fridays, weekends, school holidays and summer dates tend to fill up quickly.
What should I do first after moving in?
Take meter readings, locate the stopcock and fuse box, test the utilities, check smoke alarms and make the beds. You can then begin unpacking the rooms you use most.
Make your move easier with early planning
Moving house will always involve a busy few days, but it does not need to become overwhelming. Starting early, following a clear timeline and keeping important information organised can prevent many common problems.
Work through the checklist one stage at a time, keep your essentials close and allow some flexibility for unexpected delays. Once the boxes are inside and the important checks are complete, you can start settling in and making the new property feel like home.
images courtesy of pexels.com and unsplash.com
