Moving House
The Ultimate Moving House Checklist
Moving home is rarely just about the boxes. Between coordinating dates, switching over services, telling the right people you've moved, and keeping track of a hundred small jobs, it's easy for something to slip through the cracks.
That's why we've put together this step-by-step moving checklist β broken down by timeframe, so you always know what to tackle next and can move through the process at a manageable pace, without the last-minute scramble.
How this checklist works
Rather than one giant to-do list, we've split things into stages based on how far out your move is. Every move is different, and your timeline might shift β but working through these stages roughly in order will keep you on top of things and stop small tasks piling up into a stressful final week.
Want to work through it offline? Download our printable version and tick things off as you go.
8-12 weeks out: getting the wheels turning
Even without a confirmed date, there's plenty you can get ahead of.
Get organised
- Start a folder (physical or digital) for quotes, contracts and moving-related emails
- Pencil in a rough moving window
- Look into removal firms or van hire options in your area
Start the sort-out
- Work through lofts, garages, cupboards and spare rooms
- Separate things into keep, donate, sell and bin piles
- If you're clearing out more than you can part with just yet, a self storage unit can bridge the gap β handy if you're decluttering months before your actual move date
Check the practical stuff
- Parking access and restrictions at both properties
- Stairs, lifts, or narrow doorways that might affect what can be moved and how
- Anything that'll need special handling (pianos, large furniture, artwork)
Worth thinking about: if your sale and purchase dates don't line up, or you're facing a moving date gap, storage can take the pressure off β keeping your belongings safe and out of the way until your new place is ready.
6-8 weeks out: locking in the details
Things start feeling more real here, and it's a good time to begin packing.
Sort your bookings
- Confirm your removal company or van hire
- Request time off work for moving day (and the day after, if you can)
- Book any cleaners for your old or new property
Start packing what you won't miss
- Out-of-season clothes and footwear
- Books, ornaments, spare linens and dΓ©cor
- Anything currently sitting in storage areas or spare rooms
Packing pointers
- Label every box with the room it's going to and a rough list of contents
- Use smaller boxes for heavier items β easier to carry, less likely to split
- Keep a written or photographed inventory of anything valuable
4 weeks out: paperwork and momentum
This stage is mostly about admin β plus keeping the packing train moving.
Update your address with:
- Your bank and credit card providers
- Insurance companies
- Your employer and pension provider
- Schools, nurseries or childcare providers
- Any subscriptions or regular deliveries
Sort your utilities
- Give notice to your gas, electricity and water suppliers
- Arrange final meter readings for your old property
- Book your broadband installation for the new one β these can take a couple of weeks, so don't leave it too late
- Set up mail redirection if you need it
Keep packing
- Aim to have most rooms at least partly boxed up by now
- Keep a clear "still in use" pile separate from everything else
2 weeks out: tying up loose ends
Confirm everything
- Double-check timings and access arrangements with your removal company
- Confirm when you'll get keys to the new place
- Sort childcare or pet care for moving day itself
Pack an essentials box β the one thing you don't want buried under everything else:
- Passports, contracts and other important documents
- Phone chargers
- Toiletries and any medication
- Kettle, mugs, tea and coffee
- Basic cleaning supplies
The final week
Finish the packing
- Box up the last of the non-essentials
- Take apart any furniture that needs it
- Mark fragile or awkward boxes clearly
Get your old place ready
- Defrost the freezer a day or two ahead
- Get rid of anything you're not taking β responsibly
- Leave behind keys, manuals and spare parts for the new owners
Moving day itself
Before you lock up for the last time
- Take final meter readings
- Do one last sweep of lofts, sheds and cupboards
- Check every window and door is locked
- Leave keys wherever you've agreed
Once you're at the new place
- Point movers to the right room for each box
- Check the utilities are switched on and working
- Unpack the essentials box before anything else
Settling in
First few days
- Get the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen sorted first β the rest can wait
- Check nothing's arrived damaged
- Start updating your address wherever it still needs doing
Over the following weeks
- Register with a local GP and dentist
- Update the electoral roll
- Review your insurance now you're in a new property
- Finish unpacking at your own pace β and if you've still got boxes you don't have space for, storage can help you ease into your new home without living out of cardboard for months
Who to notify: the full list
Missing this step is how bills go unpaid and post ends up at the wrong address. Work through this list once you've got a confirmed moving date.
Money and legal
- Bank and building society
- Credit card providers
- Loan or finance agreements
- Mortgage provider
- Home, contents, car and life insurance
- Solicitor or conveyancer
Council and government
- Local council (council tax)
- DVLA (driving licence and vehicle registration)
- HMRC
- Electoral register
- TV Licensing
Utilities and home services
- Gas, electricity and water suppliers
- Broadband and landline provider
- Mobile phone provider
Work, school and childcare
- Employer and payroll
- Pension provider
- Schools, colleges or universities
- Nursery or childcare provider
Health
- GP surgery
- Dentist
- Optician
- Vet, if you've got pets
Everything else
- Online shopping accounts
- Streaming and subscription services
- Magazine or newspaper subscriptions
- Gym memberships and clubs
- Loyalty schemes
Common questions about moving house
How early should I start planning a move? As soon as it looks likely β even before you have exact dates. Getting ahead on decluttering and researching removal options early takes the pressure off later.
What's the first thing I should do? Set a rough date, start decluttering, and pick a removal company or van hire option. Getting the paperwork folder started early helps too.
What if my moving date changes? It happens more often than you'd think. Working from staged tasks rather than a single fixed date makes it much easier to absorb a delay without losing track of what's done.
How long before it feels like home? Most people feel reasonably settled within a few weeks, though fully unpacking and getting everything in its place can take a bit longer β especially in a bigger property.