The ultimate moving house checklist

Moving house is an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful one. There’s so much to do and so much to remember to do. While we’re not promising to make the process an enjoyable one, we can do our part to try and make things a little bit easier for you, thanks to our ultimate moving house checklist. Here you’ll find everything you need to remember when it comes to moving house, to help things go as smoothly as possible.

Two months prior

• If you have your moving date set in stone, make sure you have ample time on either side of that date booked off from work. You never really do know how long it’s going to take to get settled.

• If you have children and they are moving schools, make arrangements to transfer their records to the new school and order their new uniforms.

• If you are currently renting, give your notice to your landlord or estate agent and confirm the date for moving out.

• Check the crime statistics of your new area.

• Ordering new furniture or carpets? Make sure you get your orders completed and finalise delivery dates in time for your move.

• Skipping out on a moving van? Enlist your friends and family to help on the big day, perhaps with the promise of a takeaway once all the hard work is done.

• Check your home insurance coverage. Does it start in time for your moving date?

• Notify all your utility companies that you are moving house. Some, such as your internet, may offer to do a home move and take over the supply at your new house.

One month prior

• Start having a clear out by culling possessions that you no longer need. Have three piles - keep, sell, donate - and be ruthless about what you want to hold onto. Remember that it’s going to have to be transported to and then stored at your new house.

• Organise a mail redirection with the Post Office until you have chance to change over all your correspondences.

• Find and register at a new doctor and dentist in your new area.

• Start packing non-essential items (like books and out-of-season clothes) into boxes. Make sure you label as you go!

One to two weeks prior

• Make a list of everyone who needs to know about your new address and let them know in advance.

• Defrost your fridge and freezer.

• Let your bank know that your address will be changing from your move date.

• Cancel or change the address on any ongoing subscriptions such as boxes or magazines.

• You’ll also need to let the following know you’re moving:

  • Milkman

  • Window cleaners

  • Cleaners

  • Gardeners

  • Newspapers

• Leave a little ‘welcome pack’ for the new owners/tenants of your home. This could include:

  • Bottle of wine

  • ‘Happy new home’ card

  • A list of things they need to know (e.g. when bin day is, how to use the themostat)

  • A forwarding address for you.

• Start packing as you go. Start with the less essential items and work your way up to those that you use most often - make sure everything is labelled as you put it in boxes.

The days before

• Do a final walk through of your house, making sure you haven’t left anything behind. Check all the nooks and crannies.

• Put together a ‘Moving Day Survival Kit’ full of the essentials that you’d like close to hand in a near-empty house:

  • Kettle

  • Tea bags

  • Coffee

  • Mugs

  • Snacks

  • Bottled water

  • Toilet roll

  • Essential toiletries

  • Plates

  • Cutlery

  • Scissors (to open boxes)

  • Mini tool kit with screwdrivers and other handy tools for assembling essential furniture

  • Mobile phone charger

• If you have kids and/or pets, see if you can arrange for someone to look after them on moving day. As excited as they may be to see their new home, having children or pets running around your ankles won’t exactly make the day less stressful.

• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged the night before and that you have your charger. The last thing you need is being without a way of contacting anyone in a new area.

• Pack overnight bags for everyone in the family with everything to hand:

  • Pyjamas

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

  • Towels

  • Washbag

  • Fresh change of clothes

• Dismantle your essential pieces of furniture and make sure these are transported first so they can be set up as soon as they arrive.

On moving day

• Take final meter readings for your gas, electricity and water at your old property.

• Leave all keys either in the house, making sure at least one set is with the estate agent ready to be handed over to the new owner.

• As you unload from the van or car, take boxes to the rooms their contents belong in. This will make it much easier when it comes to unpacking, and it means all boxes aren’t cluttering up one room.

• Have some people at the new house ready for the moving van and cars, and some at the old house to ensure that everything is moved out and locked up.

• Pack up all your bedsheets and take down your curtains. You’ll want to put these back up soon after you move in.

After moving in

• Take new meter readings in your new home.

• Consider changing the locks. Of course, this doesn’t have to be done immediately but those who are extra cautious will want to reduce the risk of any spare keys floating around outside of their control.

• Meet your new neighbours. You may have met a few whilst unloading your moving van, but take this opportunity to say hello as you might learn a thing or two about your new area!

• Double check that all bills are now in your name including gas, electricity, water, council tax, TV licence, internet.

• Set up your new security system. While the final bits of setup might have to wait until your internet is live, go ahead and get your home security cameras positioned and installed .

  • If you have additional security products such as glass and door sensors, make sure these are installed properly and make your family aware that they are now in place to avoid unexpected triggers.

• Check for any belongings left behind by the old owner. Put any in a separate box and arrange to drop them off or have them picked up.

• Do a quick clean and tidy up.

• Make your bed as soon as you unload so later on you can collapse and get some well deserved rest.

• Plug in everything such as the fridge and freezer.

• Get the heating and boiler going. Make sure you know how to use it and that the house is warm for the evening and there’s enough water for showers.

• Order a takeaway, making sure to update your delivery address! There’s no way you’ll want to cook on the first night.

Congratulations! Once you’ve reached the end of this list, you should (hopefully) be getting settled into your new home.

Start with the big stuff, especially while you’ve got people around to help you out. Then get yourself a little privacy by putting up your curtains. Work on your essentials next, like stocking the kitchen and unpacking the bathroom. Add some homey touches as you go such as photos and ornaments, and the place will feel more cosy in no time.

Depending on your work schedule, whether or not you have kids, and how many people you have helping you, you should be done unpacking within the week. Then you can get onto enjoying your new life in your new home.