How To Move House: A Step-By-Step Moving House Checklist

Start moving house early

The old saying ‘the early bird catches the worm’ definitely rings trie when it comes to moving house. It will make the whole thing quicker, easier and considerably less stressful. So as soon as you know you’re on the move, get going.

Decide what you really need

Yes, we know you’re very attached to those tea cups that have been sat in a dusty box and haven’t seen the light of day in over a decade, but if ever there was an opportunity to sell/regift them or give them to charity, now is that time. Take a look at everything you own (including the inevitably random array of things you’ve accumulated over the years) and decide whether you actually use and/or need them. 

Not packing and moving all these things will save you time, money and make sure you start out in your new home on the right foot. Not to mention you’ll feel all the better for it, especially if you decide to give things to charity.

While you’re at it, start packing

Yes, really. You can never start too early. While you’re sorting and decluttering, box up some of the things you’re keeping but rarely use. You can put the boxes back in the same cupboards or stack them well out of the way. And label them well, just in case you need something before the move.

Think about the potential costs well in advance

It would, of course, be lovely if the move went off without a hitch and it was all plain sailing, but a. That doesn’t always happen and b. Even if it does, certain inevitable costs come with moving house, no matter how many willing friends and relatives you rope in to help. 

You need to consider paying for removal, packing and cleaning services, as well as (potentially) storage, repairs and renovations. You’ll also need boxes to pack into and plenty of labels and tape. 

Removal companies can be hugely helpful here, but shop around and get some like-for-like quotes before excitedly signing on the dotted line.

What to remember before you move house

Some of these might seem blindingly obvious, but let’s be honest, you’ve got a lot on your mind, so let’s go through them one by one.

Spread the word

• We’re not just talking friends and family here (although telling them is a good idea …at your discretion, of course). Alongside them, here’s a handy checklist of people you need to get in touch with. 
• Utility providers to transfer/terminate your accounts, such as:
  • Electricity/gas
  • Water
  • Broadband
  • TV packages
• School teachers, who will need to know where ‘home’ is for your children.
• Removal services (this is one of the ‘might sound obvious’ ones, but you never know)
• Cleaners, who may possibly need to visit both your old and new homes (it’s worth checking what’s required of you in both instances)
• Change your address with services including (but by no means limited to):
  • Royal Mail (set up a redirection for a while too if you wish)
  • Banks, loan and credit card providers
  • Pet insurance provider
  • Insurance providers (pet, car, life, business, health)
  • Government bodies (DVLA, HMRC, Electoral Roll, local councils)
  • Health providers such as your GP and the dentist
  • Subscriptions such as magazines, newspapers, streaming services, gaming memberships, gym memberships
  • Delivery subscriptions like Amazon Subscribe & Save, meal kits, pet food
  • Your employer

Make a packing schedule

By packing in a certain order, you’ll streamline the process hugely (and avoid any unnecessary unpacking and repacking). 

Think about what you don’t use every day or are not likely to use before moving day. Summer clothes in the winter, for example, or decorations and pictures. 

We’re likely to repeat this advice, but with good reason — label EVERYTHING. You might think you’ll remember what’s where, but we can all but guarantee you won’t — and, again, this will save you time at the other end. 

You might consider putting the name of the item(s), the room and perhaps even colour-coding the boxes, to make them as easy to spot as possible. Green tape for the garden and red for the kitchen, for example. 

Don’t forget the bubble wrap and buy plenty more than you think you’ll need. It will be the difference between safe packing and the otherwise inevitable heartbreak of breaking something that means a lot to you. 

You can also use clean towels, pillows, cushions or blankets for this job. A a rule, the more fragile the item, the less it should move. Take furniture apart of you need to, and take photos, or draw and/or write yourself instructions for how to put it all back together as you go along. 

Pack in a certain order and leave out the things you use the most until the very end. Which is where the schedule comes in handy.

Decide what you’ll need first in your new home

These things should have their own boxes and take precedence over everything else. We’re talking kettle, phone chargers and medication, as just three examples. 

Make sure these boxes are easy to get to throughout the process.

Begin the packing process (no, really)

This doesn’t need to be a mammoth task that drains the life and soul out of you — little by little you can spread the load and do a few boxes each day. You’ll get through it much quicker than you realise, without having to curse/sweat/lose sleep in the process. And if that’s not a win/win, we don’t know what is.
N.B. Labelling is crucial here. If you need something you’ve already packed, you definitely won’t thank yourself if you have to spend hours finding it.

A week before moving house

When it’s all starting to become a little bit more real and the move is looming, go through this checklist to make sure you’ve thought of everything.

• Confirm the moving date, time, and instructions with your chosen removal company and go over all the details with them again. Just in case. 
• Make sure you know where all your keys are. We’re talking doors and windows, but also outbuildings, sheds and bike locks, as well as any safes you might have. 
• Think about your documents and put them all in the same (safe) place. This might incude passports, birth certificates, and bank statements, as just three examples. 
• Consider childcare. This might mean friends or relatives stepping in for a day or two, as when you’re moving, the children won’t have your full attention, and that’s when accidents can happen.  
• If you still know where any manuals and instructions are (such as for the boiler, the oven etc.) put them all in a file for the new owner, who will be hugely grateful for them.

On moving day

Planning is everything and we cannot overstate that enough. It’s an exciting time, for sure, but make a plan and stick to it. Here are a few pointers to help you put that plan together: 

• Clean everything (how clean everything needs to be, i.e. whether you need to hire a professional, is down to your contract, so take a look at that for guidance). 
• Communicate with your removal team from start to finish — they don’t know what you don’t tell them, so assume nothing. They will be grateful for the clarity and are far more likely to do things your way if you help them by being clear. 
• Put your valuables somewhere safe before anyone arrives and/or there’s any coming and going. 
• Document the condition of your home with photos and/or videos, to avoid any possible disputes.
• Take meter readings for all your utilities, so there’s no room for confusion or guesswork.

After moving house

• In terms of what to unpack first, be practical — think bedding, towels and kitchen essentials. You can make your house a home in no time at all, but you’ll need to have a cup of tea, brush your teeth and sleep first. 
• Keep the momentum going. The excitement of moving house will keep your energy levels high, but probably not for as long as it takes you to unpack everything, so keep going and don’t be disheartened with the piles of boxes. You’ll get there, just don’t give up. 
• Think about changing the locks as soon as you can — only people you know and trust should have access to your new home. 
• Don’t forget the Stamp Duty, which is due in the next 30 days. Your conveyancer should be able to deal with this on your behalf, but you might want to double-check that process is happening exactly as it should. 
• Unpack the things you love most to make your house feel like your own. 
• Consider meeting the neighbours and introducing your families. 

Make your move with confidence

We hope this guide has made things clearer, easier and ultimately more enjoyable. Moving house is an exciting time and we want you to make the most of it. 

To recap, here are a few key points that will make everything a lot more streamlined: 

• Plan, plan and plan again — the earlier the better. 
• Budget for everything — including the completely unexpected. 
• Sell the right way. Sell House Fast is here to make this whole process quick, easy and as pain-free as possible. Our service is fast, reliable and we buy any house purely to make your life more straightforward. 

Ready to get started with a free cash offer? Get in touch.