First and foremost, congrats on your new house purchase. This is the beginning of a brand new adventure. Whether you’ve been waiting a few weeks, months, or years, the notion of moving is always welcomed with a mixture of intimidating dread (packing, eek!) and excitement at the prospect of settling into your new home.
That being said, there are several things you can do to make the dreaded chore of packing a little easier – and almost all of them revolve around organisation. But, of course, if you’re reading this, you’re already halfway there, and this moving house checklist will assist you in ensuring that everything is in order as you book your removal company, arrange self-storage, and put your life into boxes and bags.
The Checklist
ONE-TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE MOVE
If you’re already renting, this is the time to organise your affairs and confirm that you’ve followed the notice and moving procedures outlined in your contract.
Begin changing your address information with HMRC, internet providers, landline suppliers, TV providers, gas providers, and so on.
Collect boxes from friends and family, as well as local grocers and other businesses.
Contact your selected moving company to reserve a van for your chosen relocation day. You’d be surprised how far in advance moving vans are booked!
Contact a company to arrange self storage for items that you don’t need straight away but don’t want to throw out. A reputable self storage company will be able to offer you various size storage containers for your belongings and you can rest assured that they will be kept dry and secure.
Examine the parking situation at your new home and warn any nearby businesses or neighbours that a moving van will be parked outside for a few hours on the day.
Register your new address with the council so you may vote and begin paying council tax right away (you don’t want to be surprised with a backdated bill a few months later!)
Inform your house insurance provider of your relocation.
Make arrangements with Royal Mail to have your mail diverted.
Begin arranging and labelling boxes in various rooms in preparation for packing. You can also begin packing items now, particularly ones you don’t use every day.
Declutter. You don’t need to bring it to your new home if you haven’t used it in the last year.
Begin cleaning both inside and outside of your buildings and areas.
THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE YOUR MOVE
Contact your chosen moving company again to confirm the specifics, including your existing (soon-to-be-outdated) address, your new location, and the day and time of the move.
Arrange for childcare and, if applicable, pet care on the day of the relocation to assist reduce stress.
If required, request a day off from work on moving day.
Notify the remaining parties of your move, including DLVA for your driver’s licence, GP, TV licence, and so on.
Go through any leftover fresh or frozen food in the fridge/freezer that you won’t be able to take with you.
Pack belongings from the same room in the same boxes to guarantee that when boxes are transported into your new home, they end up in the correct room.
In continuation of the preceding point, identify each box with the designated room (and what’s inside).
Wrap any delicate or fragile things in bubble wrap to keep them safe throughout the relocation.
Begin deconstructing furniture that will need to be disassembled for the move, such as tables and desks.
Schedule any cleaning services you require before relocating to ensure that your home is in good condition (particularly if you’re renting!)
Make a list of all the contacts you’ll need in your new home’s first few days.
Finish any washing you have to prevent having to move a bunch of filthy clothes.
MOVING DAY
Move in an orderly and planned manner, instructing your moving company on which rooms to empty first and supplying them with a layout or list of where each box will go in the new home.
Before you leave, do a final sweep of the property.
Lock all doors and windows, and read any power and water metres in the house so you have a record of the readings on your last day
Pick up the keys to your new house and get ready for a new adventure!
DON’T FORGET …
Believe this or not, all of these are essentials that we frequently see left behind or overlooked all through the moving process.
Don’t forget to check all the power sockets for renegade chargers and to clear all those secret hiding spaces around the house.
Important documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, bank statements, passports, and household paperwork
Laptops, phones, chargers, and other plug-ins
Toolboxes and other tools
Medication
Cash or cheques that may be lying around or hidden
Moving is a journey that is made considerably easier by organisation, planning and management – and we hope that this checklist will give you a solid understanding of what needs to be done and at what stage of the whole process.
