Your Moving House Checklist Includes:
- Book a Removals Company Early
- Declutter Before You Pack
- Create a Moving Timeline
- Notify Service Providers
- Pack Smart – Room by Room
- Arrange Mail Redirection
- Prioritise Important Documents
- Prepare Large Furniture
- Pack an Essentials Box
- Pets and Childcare
- Do a Final Walkthrough
Book a Reliable Removals Company Early
Booking a reliable removals company like Craig Atkinson Removals & Storage is vital to secure your preferred date. Our team gets booked up quickly, especially during peak moving periods, so we recommend enquiring several weeks in advance.
Choosing a professional removals company over DIY ensures your move is safe, efficient, and stress-free.
When requesting a quote, make sure you provide as much detail as possible about your move. This helps your removals company plan properly and prevents unexpected issues on moving day.
- What type of property are you moving from and to (flat, bungalow, house, multi-storey)?
- Is there difficult access such as narrow streets, stairs, lifts, or limited parking?
- Do you need any furniture dismantling and reassembly?
- Are there any large or awkward items, such as wardrobes, garden furniture, or garage contents?
It is also a good idea to get at least two or three quotes and confirm everything in writing. Most reputable companies will confirm your booking and pricing via email or text, and may request a deposit once your moving date has been secured.
Declutter Before You Pack
Decluttering before you pack saves time and money. Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted clothes, furniture, and miscellaneous items. You’ll have less to move and might even earn extra cash by selling things you no longer need.
If you have items you don’t want to take with you, it is worth arranging disposal or a house clearance service in advance so you’re not rushing at the last minute.
Create a Moving Timeline & Checklist
Breaking tasks into weekly stages leading up to your move keeps things manageable. We recommend starting a checklist that includes everything from booking movers to notifying suppliers.
If you are renting, check your tenancy agreement early and make sure you hand in your notice within the required timeframe.
If you are buying a property, stay in regular contact with your estate agent and solicitor to ensure everyone is working towards the same completion date.
Notify Utility Companies & Service Providers
Notifying your electricity, gas, water, broadband, and insurance providers early ensures a smooth transition to your new address. Updating your details ahead of time helps you avoid missed bills, service interruptions, or delays once you’ve moved.
Some of the most common organisations to update include:
- Gas and electric
- Water supplier
- Phone, TV and broadband
- Mobile phone provider
- TV licensing
- DVLA
- Council tax
- Electoral roll
- Your employer
- Bank and credit providers
- Insurance companies (car, home, contents, life)
- GP, dentist, optician and other healthcare providers
- Schools, nurseries or childcare providers
On moving day, remember to take final meter readings and provide them to your utility companies.
Arrange Mail Redirection
Arrange Royal Mail redirection to ensure important letters and bills reach you after the move. This simple step helps prevent missed correspondence and reduces the risk of important documents going to the wrong address.
Pack Smart - Room by Room
A structured approach makes all the difference. Start packing in larger rooms first, label every box, and use colour coding if possible. Keep essential items separate for your first night in your new home.
Using the right box sizes can make packing much easier:
- Small boxes are best for books and other heavy items
- Medium boxes are ideal for most household items, kitchenware and crockery
- Large boxes should be kept for lighter items such as bedding, lamps and towels
Label every box clearly with the room name and a quick description of what is inside. This makes unloading faster and helps you stay organised when unpacking.
If you find packing overwhelming or you simply don’t have time, we offer a full professional packing service to make your move easier.
Take Care of Important Documents
Keep all vital documents together in a clearly labelled folder. This includes passports, house deeds, insurance documents, driving licences, and any paperwork needed for completion.
Carry these with you on moving day rather than loading them into the removals van to prevent misplacement.
Prepare Large Furniture & Appliances
Preparing large furniture and appliances can be tricky, but our team can help. We offer dismantling and reassembly services for beds, wardrobes, and other bulky items, ensuring they’re transported safely and efficiently.
If you have a fridge or freezer, try to use up food in the days leading up to your move. Defrost your freezer 24 to 48 hours before moving day to ensure it is dry and safe to transport.
Pack an Essentials Box for Moving Day
Think of your essentials box as your moving day survival kit. Having these items ready saves you from rummaging through boxes when you’re tired and need quick access.
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Phone chargers
- Kettle, tea, coffee, mugs and snacks
- A change of clothes
- Cleaning wipes and toilet roll
- Important documents and valuables
Pets and Childcare
Moving day can be busy and unpredictable, especially with vans being loaded and heavy items being carried. If you have children or pets, it is worth arranging childcare or a safe place for them to stay during the move. This helps keep everyone safe and allows your removals team to work efficiently.
Do a Final Walkthrough of Your Old Home
Before you hand over the keys, do one final walkthrough of every room; including loft, garage, and cupboards to ensure nothing’s left behind. It’s also considerate to leave the property clean for the new owners.
Make sure you check loft spaces, cupboards, sheds, garages, and outdoor areas. Once the vans are loaded, do one last walk around the property to ensure nothing has been left behind.
It is also a good idea to make sure you know where all keys are and leave them in one place for the new occupiers. If possible, let neighbours know you are moving so they can avoid blocking access for the removals van.
