Moving house is right up there with the most stressful things a person can do — and a big part of that stress is the feeling that there’s a million things to remember and you’re definitely forgetting at least half of them. The fix? A checklist. A really thorough one. This one, in fact.
We’ve broken it down by timeline so you know not just what to do, but when to do it. Breathe. You’ve got this. 📦
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Confirm your move date and lock in your tenancy/settlement timeline
- Research and book a removal company — the good ones fill up fast
- Start collecting boxes (ask local shops, check Facebook Marketplace)
- Begin the big declutter — don’t move things you’re going to throw away at the other end
- Start a “to donate” pile and schedule a charity collection or drop-off
- Notify your landlord or estate agent of your move-out date (check notice period in your contract!)
- Start a moving folder — physical or digital — to keep all your paperwork in one place
6 Weeks Before
- Begin packing non-essentials — out-of-season clothes, books, decorative items
- Label every box clearly: room AND contents (future you will be grateful)
- Arrange time off work around moving day
- Research schools, doctors, dentists in your new area if relevant
- Notify your children’s school of the move
- Get quotes for home and contents insurance for the new property
- Measure doorways and key rooms at the new place — will your furniture actually fit?
4 Weeks Before
- Redirect your post — set this up with the post office now, it takes time to process
- Notify your bank, employer, HMRC/tax authority, and any subscriptions of your new address
- Update your address on your driving licence
- Contact utilities at your current home to give a meter reading and end date
- Set up utilities at your new home — electricity, gas, broadband (broadband especially — lead times can be long)
- Continue packing — everything except daily essentials
- Confirm details with your removal company
2 Weeks Before
- Pack almost everything — only leave out what you need for the final two weeks
- Defrost the freezer and use up or give away frozen food
- Arrange for a cleaner if you need to do an end-of-tenancy clean
- Confirm parking and access arrangements at both properties on moving day
- Pack an “essentials box” that travels WITH you — not on the truck (see below)
- Back up computer files and important documents
- Take photos of your current home for your own records
The Essentials Box — Pack This Last, Open It First
This box (or bag) stays with you in the car — not on the removal truck. It has everything you need for the first 24 hours in the new place:
- Kettle, mugs, tea/coffee, and snacks
- Phone charger
- Toilet paper (non-negotiable)
- Hand soap and a small towel
- One set of bedding per person
- A change of clothes and toiletries
- Medications
- Kids’ and pets’ essentials if applicable
- All important documents — passports, contracts, keys
- A bottle of something celebratory for when the last box is in
Moving Day Checklist
- Do a final walk-through of every room, including loft, garage, and garden
- Check all cupboards, drawers, and built-in shelving
- Take meter readings at the old property — photograph them
- Hand over keys and get a receipt if relevant
- Direct the removal team — have a floor plan of the new place to show them where things go
- Take meter readings at the new property immediately
- Check everything has arrived and nothing is damaged
- Set up beds first — you’ll thank yourself at 11pm
First Week in the New Home
- Register with a local GP and dentist
- Update voter registration
- Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors work
- Locate the fuse box, stop cock, and boiler
- Introduce yourself to the neighbours (optional but always worth it)
- Update your address on any remaining accounts
- Unpack systematically — one room at a time, kitchen first
Moving is a lot. But ticked-off checklists make everything feel less impossible — and before you know it, you’ll be settled in and wondering what you were so stressed about. You’ve got this. 🏡
