Moving House Checklist

Moving house is exciting—but it’s also ranked as one of life’s most stressful events, right alongside divorce and changing jobs. Between contracts, removals, packing, and remembering who to notify, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s why we’ve built the ultimate Moving Home Checklist: a detailed, step-by-step guide that starts 8 weeks before your moving day and continues until you’re settled in your new home.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upsizing, downsizing, or relocating for work, this checklist will help you:

• Stay organised and stress-free

• Avoid last-minute surprises

• Save time and money

• Ensure you don’t forget any critical tasks

Let’s dive in.

✅ 8 Weeks Before Moving: Plan Early

The earlier you start, the smoother your move will be. Around 6–8 weeks before your moving date, you should begin planning.

Key Tasks:

• 📂 Create a moving folder (digital or physical) to store quotes, receipts, and contracts.

• 🏠 Instruct a conveyancing solicitor to handle the legal process.

• 💰 Research and apply for your mortgage if not already completed.

• 📅 Confirm your moving date with your landlord/estate agent (if renting).

• 💼 Research at least 3 local removal companies and request quotes.

• 📊 Start a moving budget spreadsheet to track expected vs actual costs.

Pro Tip: Weekends, bank holidays, and Fridays are the busiest (and most expensive) times for removals. If possible, choose a midweek date to save money.

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✅ 6 Weeks Before Moving: Declutter & Organise

There’s no point moving things you no longer need. Decluttering reduces stress, saves time, and lowers your moving costs (removals are usually priced by volume).

Key Tasks:

• 🧹 Go room-by-room and sort items into: Keep, Sell, Donate, or Discard.

• 🛍️ Sell items online or at car boot sales to earn extra cash.

• ♻️ Donate furniture, clothes, and household items to charities.

• 🪤 Dispose of hazardous items like paint, fuel, or chemicals (removals companies won’t take them).

• 🥫 Start using up freezer food and pantry items.

Pro Tip: Think about temporary storage if you have items you won’t move straight away. Many removal companies offer secure storage solutions.

✅ 4–5 Weeks Before Moving: Secure Key Services

Now that you’re about a month away, it’s time to lock in the essentials.

Key Tasks:

• 🚚 Book your removal company (and packing/storage services if required).

• 🐶 Arrange pet care or childcare for moving day.

• 📦 Buy packing materials: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, labels, and markers.

• 🌐 Compare utility providers (gas, electric, water, broadband).

• ✉️ Start updating your address with banks, schools, insurance, and subscriptions.

• 🧾 Arrange a house survey (if buying) through a RICS-registered surveyor.

Pro Tip: Ask your removals company if they supply eco-friendly packing materials or collect boxes after your move.

✅ 3 Weeks Before Moving: Start Packing

Packing is one of the most time-consuming tasks—so start early!

Key Tasks:

• 📦 Pack non-essential items first (books, off-season clothes, décor).

• 🗂️ Use a numbering system for boxes and keep a master inventory list.

• 🏷️ Label each box with the room name + brief contents.

• 🪤 Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap, towels, or clothing.

• 🔑 Retrieve spare keys from neighbours, friends, or family.

• 🎒 Prepare a personal bag for documents, passports, jewellery, and valuables.

Pro Tip: Use colour-coded stickers for each room—this makes unloading at your new home much faster.

✅ 2 Weeks Before Moving: Confirm & Notify

With two weeks left, it’s time to finalise logistics and inform essential services.

Key Tasks:

• 📞 Notify utility companies of your move (gas, electric, water, council tax).

• 📮 Arrange Royal Mail redirection service for your post.

• 📱 Transfer your broadband/phone line to your new home.

• 🚗 Check parking restrictions at both addresses—your movers may need a permit.

• 🛋️ Organise furniture deliveries if you’ve ordered new items.

• 🛑 Cancel services like milk, magazine subscriptions, cleaners, gardeners, or window cleaners.

Pro Tip: Create a moving day survival kit with tea/coffee, mugs, snacks, kettle, phone chargers, toiletries, and kids’ essentials.

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✅ 1 Week Before Moving: Final Prep

This is where everything comes together.

Key Tasks:

• 🏠 Do a deep clean of your old home (mandatory for renters).

• 🧊 Defrost and clean your fridge/freezer.

• 🛠️ Disassemble large furniture and put screws in labelled bags.

• 📑 Gather important documents in one safe folder.

• 📦 Finish packing all non-essential items.

• 📌 Confirm details with your removals company (arrival time, emergency numbers, parking).

Pro Tip: If selling, leave behind manuals, keys, and notes for the new owners (fuse box, stopcock, bin days, alarm codes).

✅ The Day Before Moving

Your last full day in the old property should be focused on essentials.

Key Tasks:

• 🗑️ Empty all bins.

• 🪞 Double-check the loft, shed, and garage.

• 💍 Mark valuables and essentials as “Do Not Remove” so movers don’t pack them.

• 🐶 Confirm childcare or pet care arrangements.

• 🧳 Pack an overnight bag with clothes, toiletries, and medication.

✅ Moving Day Checklist

The big day is finally here!

Key Tasks:

• 📸 Take final meter readings (gas, electric, water) and photograph them.

• 🔑 Hand over all keys to your estate agent or landlord.

• ✅ Walk through every room to check nothing is left behind.

• 🚚 Direct your movers where to place boxes in your new home.

• 📦 Unpack your survival kit first (kettle, mugs, snacks).

• 🛏️ Make the beds early so you’re not struggling at midnight.

Pro Tip: Keep your phone fully charged and carry a small toolkit (screwdriver, scissors, tape, bulbs).

✅ After the Move: Settle In

Congratulations—you’re in your new home! Now it’s time to finish up.

Key Tasks:

• 🔒 Consider changing locks for added security.

• 🪫 Test smoke alarms and security systems.

• 📑 Update your address with HMRC, DVLA, GP, dentist, and workplace.

• ♻️ Recycle or dispose of packing materials.

• ☕ Introduce yourself to your neighbours.

• 🛋️ Unpack essential rooms first (kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms).

• 🍕 Treat yourself to a takeaway—you’ve earned it!

📋 Change of Address Checklist

Here’s a quick list of who to notify:

• HMRC & Council Tax

• DVLA & Electoral Roll

• GP, dentist, optician

• Banks, building societies, credit cards

• Car/home/life insurance providers

• TV Licence, subscriptions, streaming services

• Employers, schools, universities

• Friends and family

Pro Tip: Use Royal Mail’s redirection service for at least 3 months to catch anything you missed.

🙋 Moving House FAQs

1. How long does it take to plan a house move?
On average, a smooth move takes 8–10 weeks from offer to completion. Start planning as soon as your offer is accepted.

2. Should I hire a removals company or use a man and van?

• Man & Van → Cheaper, good for small moves.

• Removals Company → Better for families, long-distance moves, or lots of furniture.

3. How can I reduce moving costs?

• Declutter before you pack.

• Move midweek instead of weekends.

• Compare multiple removals quotes.

• Pack items yourself to save on packing services.

4. When should I start packing?
Ideally 3 weeks before moving day, starting with non-essentials.

5. What should I pack in a moving day essentials box?
Kettle, mugs, tea/coffee, snacks, toiletries, phone chargers, bedding, pyjamas, and kids’ items.

Final Thoughts

A successful move is all about preparation. By following this comprehensive Moving Home Checklist, you’ll minimise stress, avoid costly mistakes, and enjoy a smoother transition into your new home.

Remember: start early, stay organised, and keep essentials close at hand.

Good luck with your move—and don’t forget to reward yourself with a well-deserved cup of tea (or a celebratory glass of wine) once you’re in! 🍷