The ultimate moving house checklist

The best way to organise a house move is with a moving house checklist. With so many shifting elements, having a way to make sure you’ve finalised everything you need so nothing is left out saves you stress further down the line.

Our checklist is going to cover what steps you need to take from your house exchange to the moment you step into your new home.

Moving house checklist – pre-steps

Once you’re ready to pack your things, there are a few life admin tasks to tick off. Use the following list to make sure you’ve covered the basics:

• Notify your landlord (if relevant)
• Find and book your removals company
• Order moving boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper, and packing tape
• Sell old furniture and buy new
• Book off any time you need from work
• Hire a cleaning firm to do a deep clean of your property
• Register to vote at your new address
• Contact the Royal Mail to redirect your post
• Transfer your insurance policies to your new address (or arrange the transfer date)
• Get ahead of any cleaning and clear-outs, such as gardens, sheds, or spare rooms
• Consider whether you need a storage unit for any surplus items
• Don’t forget to look at the results of your house survey.

Find out how much it costs to move house.

Things to do before moving house

So, now you’ve got the basics sorted, what are the essentials when it comes to the physical act of moving house? Use the checklist below to get sorted:

• Hire a moving firm for the date you’re leaving and provide them with instructions and moving directions.
• Start packing as soon as you can. Begin with items you don’t need on a day to day basis, such as spare bedding or books.
• Label your boxes and make sure you wrap any fragile items with tissue paper or bubble wrap.
• Disassemble your furniture to make it easier to load into the moving van.
• Be sure to defrost the freezers, disconnect the dishwashers, and give the property a deep clean.
• Fill any holes from pictures or shelves and fill them in with something like Polyfilla, or get a handyperson in to do this for you.
• Take meter readings and let your utility suppliers know what date you’ll be moving.
• Pack your important documents and items so you don’t lose them during the move. These include passports, bills, birth certificates, medications, phone numbers, chargers, toolboxes, and valuables.
• Use or throw out any perishables and pack longer-life items so they don’t spill or spoil.
• Register your new house for council tax.
• Consider an inventory so you don’t lose track of your items.
• Take photos of all your belongings in case anything goes missing.
• Change your addresses with all your providers, including your bank, credit card/s, investments, loyalty card, pension schemes, the DVLA, insurance providers, GP surgery, broadband, and mobile.

Read our blog: What work can I do to best present my house before I sell it? for information on how to maximise your selling potential.

Moving into a new house checklist

Now you’re in your new home, there are several things to get settled before you start unpacking. Here’s a handy to-do list for moving house:

• Make sure you’ve paid any bills and set up new ones.
• Learn where everything is in your new home, such as your stopcock, gas and electricity meter, thermostat, and fuse boxes.
• Test your utilities, such as your water, heating, and washing machine to make sure they’re all in good working order.
• Find out when the bins need to be taken out.
• Unpack the essentials first, such as your kettle, mugs, cleaning products, loo roll, bedding, and TV/radio.
• Unpack room by room, starting with the kitchen so you can make a cup of tea and have a snack whilst you unpack.
• While you still have people helping you move, utilise them where possible, such as setting up the fridge or building furniture.
• Consider your use of storage, including smart options to maximise space and intuitive unpacking methods to create a holistic or ergonomic space. (For example, how far away your mugs are from the kettle!)
• Finally, take a look at our new home job checklist to price up any work that may need doing.

Once you’re in, it’s time to find your local takeaway and order a well-deserved treat for all your hard work.