Moving house is often said to be one of the most stressful things you can do, right up there with getting married and taking your driving test.
The good news is there's plenty you can do to reduce stress levels and following our ultimate moving house checklist is the best place to start. Some of it will seem obvious now but is easily forgotten when you’re up to your ears in boxes and parcel tape.
We share a range of tips and advice to help make the big move as painless as possible.
What to do when moving house
Plan ahead
Researching and planning is half the battle when it comes to moving house.
Staying on top of your finances and knowing how much it will cost to move house is also an important factor if you're to remain relaxed and in control.
Once you’ve exchanged contracts and got a completion date, it's time to start organising your move.
One month before moving checklist
Confirm moving date
Once you've confirmed your moving date, typically a month after exchanging contracts, things will start moving quickly.
If possible, try to avoid picking a bank holiday or a Friday as your moving day, as this is when removal firms will be harder to book and probably more expensive. Remember to take the day off work.
It’s generally best to give your removal company at least a month’s notice to make sure they’re free. Once you know the day, make sure they do too.
Redirecting your mail
To make sure you keep receiving your mail after you’ve moved home, you'll need Royal Mail's redirect service. You can apply up to three months before you move, and you need to let Royal Mail know the actual date at least five days before.
Choose your removals firm
Get recommendations from friends and family members, if possible, otherwise turn to the British Association of Removers (BAR) to find reputable local companies.
We recommend using BAR certified companies as they have fully trained staff, the right levels of insurance and are always trusted to handle your belongings.
When choosing a removals company, make sure you get a full quote before making any decisions – prices you see online can be misleading and don’t always include the full cost.
Decide whether you're going to pack yourself or if you’re willing to pay the removers to handle everything.
Arrange home insurance
You'll want to make sure your new home is covered with the right home insurance.
Make sure you have buildings insurance and contents insurance in place before the day you move.
You'll need contents cover in place for the move to protect your belongings, or if they get damaged during the move. Remember to check if your policy covers damage caused by professional movers.
Check out our guide to arranging home insurance for a house move for more helpful advice.
Decluttering the house
Don't go to the trouble of moving items to your new home that you don't want.
Be ruthless about getting rid of that exercise bike you never use or those clothes you haven’t worn for years. Now’s the time for that fresh start!
Order furniture early
If you're buying new, be sure to order them in plenty of time and arrange for delivery to coincide with your moving date. If you've been eyeing up a sofa, bear in mind they can take around 12 weeks to arrive.
Somewhere to sleep and sit should probably be top of the list.
Also, we can't stress this enough - get your internet sorted as soon as possible. Trying to research DIY tips or shopping in your new home with no WiFi is not fun.
Two weeks before moving checklist
Get packing non-essential items
If you’re packing up your home yourself, we recommend using proper packing materials like foam and bubble wrap.
Pack heavy items in small, strong boxes and be sure to keep your valuables separate from the rest. Do one room at a time, until you’re left with just the essentials the night before your move.
It can be worthwhile investing in a removal company to pack your items for you, if they offer a service. This makes sure your fragile items are wrapped correctly.
Often removals insurance only covers items that have been packaged professionally too.
Contact utility suppliers about switching
Make a list of everyone you need to change your address with. Here’s a checklist of utility suppliers you might need to contact:
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
- Council Tax
- Phone & broadband
- DVLA
- HMRC
- TV licence
- Banks, finance providers and insurance
- Your place of work
- Doctors/dentist
- Schools
- Pet tags/microchips
Arrange care for young children and pets
Arrange for young children and pets to be elsewhere on the moving day. You'll have enough to deal with as it is, and they could find the process rather stressful.
Read more in our article on keeping your pets safe and happy at a new home.
Start emptying the fridge and freezer
Having to deal with chilled and frozen items on moving day is too much of a hassle. Start running down your supplies or plan for a friend or neighbour to help store them for you.
Applying for parking permits and suspensions
Make sure your removal company will have access to your home and be able to park at your current property and new home.
And if you have a car, check the permit situation and apply in advance if it turns out you need one.
Arranging cleaning for your new home
Consider employing the services of a professional cleaning company to give your new home a good clean before the furniture arrives.
Last few days before moving
Make a plan
Unpacking will go a lot smoother if you come up with a plan for moving into your new home.
Give the plan to the removal company so they know exactly where you want individual boxes left. Use clear labelling or a colour scheme to pack and label the boxes.
Switch off all utilities and appliances
Begin the process of defrosting your freezer and make sure that items such as the dishwasher are disconnected and ready to be moved.
Keys and manuals
It'll be a great help to your buyer if you take the time to properly label all the property's keys. Don't forget any garage, shed and window locks if relevant.
Pull together manuals for the boiler and any appliances you’re leaving behind or taking with you.
On the moving day
Recording all utility meter readings
Take final readings of your meters before leaving the property. It's also worth taking photographic evidence that can be given in the event of a disagreement.
Do the same when you arrive at your new house - check the gas, electricity and water are all working properly.
Watch what you leave behind
Garden furniture and tools are among the items most left behind when moving house. These tools can be expensive, so make sure you remember to pack up what you want to keep and get rid of those you don’t want.
Leaving items behind can be a nuisance, but losing things altogether is even worse.
It can be easy to lose the screws and bolts for dismantled furniture.
Keep track of your nuts and bolts with marked envelopes or sandwich bags – and the same goes for TV remotes and phone chargers too.
Access to the property
Collecting the keys on the moving date can be one of the most stressful parts of a house move.
The removal company will need access to your new house when they arrive with your belongings. Arrange for them to be able to get inside and start unloading as soon as possible to avoid delays and additional charges.
Start unpacking
Hannah Clarke, Property Expert for online estate agent Purplebricks, says organisation is the key to efficient unpacking in your new home. She recommends getting started in the kitchen.
“Get the kitchen out of the way as this is where you will spend the most time. From there, prioritise rooms such as bedrooms and living rooms. Time will be limited during the first few days in your new home, so plan meals in advance, especially if you have young children – it’s harder to prepare hot meals when everything is still in boxes.
“If you can, unpack items such as televisions and gaming consoles last. Having these electronic items set up first will only distract you from finishing the task at hand."
Secure your new home
Once you're in your new home, we recommend changing the locks. It's impossible to say whether there are spare keys to your home floating about, so in this instance, it makes sense to be cautious. When working out what costs are involved in buying a house it's worth considering these additional expenses as everything adds up.
If you’re interested in what other security gadgets are on the market, we’ve taken a look at some traditional and more innovative gadgets for home security.
Tips for moving in the winter
If you’re moving house in the winter, there may be a few things you want to consider so you’re safe.
Prepare for the weather
Moving during the winter can be cold and wet. Make sure you’re wrapped up warm, as you’ll be going between inside and outside when moving.
Also, you might want to plan your day differently in the winter. For example, you want to start early to finish early so you don’t have to move when it’s dark.
Use weatherproof packaging materials
Wrap your belongings before you pack them and use proper packing boxes to protect your things - no one wants to be carrying soggy boxes in the rain!
Prepare your vehicle
Make sure your car is prepared for winter weather if you’re using it to move house during the colder months.
Check the coolant, antifreeze and oil levels, wiper blades, and so on, to make sure everything is as it should be and working properly.
Pack a winter essentials box
If you’re moving in winter, then it might be worth putting a winter essentials box together. You could include things like a kettle, blankets, food, so that they’re all easy to reach, especially if you’re not fully unpacked or moved in yet.
