Moving home can be a daunting prospect, the enormity of the whole situation can be a lot to handle. We often find that having moved before isn’t necessarily beneficial because you stress out even more because you know what is coming. First-time movers are more relaxed and just go with the flow as they don’t fully appreciate the task ahead. Either way, it is a big operation and an important one at that so seeking help is both natural and sensible. Using a moving home checklist is a proactive and organized way of ensuring nothing gets missed during all the chaos.
Two months prior to the move: Check Your New Home
There is no avoiding the vital admin tasks that need completing for a smooth transition. If you delay or neglect these now at the two-month stage, you will regret it later on. Before you get stuck into this moving house checklist, ensure you have done the fundamentals of giving your landlord appropriate contractual notice (If you are renting) and have properly explored the area you are moving to so the essentials are covered during your first few days of living there.
- Time to be ruthless and take hoarding out of the equation. Declutter now before you move NOT when you are unpacking.
- Begin notifying your providers about your change of address (landline and internet).
- Build up a collection of boxes for the move, you will need plenty on the day!
- Search for a removal company and ask for moving quotes.
One month prior to the move: Get a Moving Company
Final admin details need to be put in place and then it is time to start packing;
- Decide on and book your chosen moving company with full details.
- Ensure access is ok for the van at both your existing and new addresses.
- Contact your employer and check if they will notify HMRC of your change of address. If not, do this yourself.
- Register your household with your council and register to vote from there.
- Check moving insurance eligibility with your moving company.
- Make plans to transfer all insurance policies to your new property and redirect your post via Royal Mail.
- Just in case anything is damaged or lost in the move, make an inventory and take pictures for proof of condition before you move.
- Start clearing and cleaning outside areas thoroughly (garage/shed/garden).
Two weeks prior to the move: What you need to do
This is where the packing really goes up a notch. You need to prioritize what you will need over the next fortnight and pack or throw out EVERYTHING else. You could even pretend you are going on a two-week holiday and live out of pre-packed suitcases. This way you won’t be tempted to open the stuff you have already stored away.
- Cook all your frozen food and be selective about the food you buy.
- Confirm childcare and/or pet care for moving day if applicable.
- Send copies of your children’s school records to their new school and register for the GP in your new location.
- Make sure to also change the address on your Vehicle Registration Form and contact the DVLA to change your driving license ASAP
- If necessary book annual leave for moving day and around it depending on your schedule.
- Arrange appropriate independent storage for bulky items or belongings you have not chosen a location for in your new home yet.
One week prior to the move: Make it an Easy Move
It’s almost time, the wait is nearly over so you have to dot the I’s and cross the T’s in the final preparation stage;
- Confirm the exact date, time, and location with your moving company and Provide your moving company with any directions needed after confirming specific details with them (time/date, etc.)
- Put together an essentials box that will cover your first 24hrs in the new house (toiletries, snacks, chargers, and remotes).
- To make it easier to load up into your van on the day of the move, begin the disassembly of any furniture possible.
- Arrange a day for a final property inspection walk-through with your landlord (If you’re renting).
- Fill, fix or repair any marks, holes, scrapes, and scratches in the house before leaving.
- Your TV license won’t automatically change to your new property so ensure you redirect it.
Three days prior to the move: What you need to do
A few last-minute considerations before the move;
- You don’t want to cart dirty clothes to your new home so put a wash on.
- Contact Your utility companies (gas, electric, and water) need at least 48hrs notice to switch addresses on their systems. It’s time you let them know.
- So they don’t get lost during the move, pack your documents and valuables in a separate box or bag
- Any appliances that you’re taking with you need to be disconnected (cooker, washing machine, dishwasher, etc.)
- Throw away any leftover food that has an expired date.
- So you can set them up easily in your new house, take pictures of the back of your electronics before disconnecting them
- Defrost your fridge/freezer after emptying it/them
Moving Day: Get Ready to Move
Are you ready? After a LONG wait, the day you thought that would never arrive is here at last. Here are some of the key aspects to address at your new location and your existing place on moving day;
- Strategically plan your van packing. Most companies will help with this but it doesn’t hurt to pre-empt things with labels and sections for your belongings so the house movers can arrange them properly.
- After everything has been packed into your moving van, for peace of mind, go through each drawer and every cupboard in all rooms and check the garage and attic if you have them as part of your final run-through before leaving.
- Clean your house thoroughly before you leave it out of courtesy and respect for the new owners.
- Make a note of all meter readings and make sure all windows and doors are locked and secured before you go.
- To serve as proof of the condition the property was in when you moved out, it is a good idea to take photos of the empty rooms
- Remember the essentials bag/box you have packed.
- Make sure to return the keys to your old property to the appropriate party, after you’ve moved into your new place.
Moving House Checklist that Everyone Needs
We don’t want to teach you to suck eggs but it is surprisingly common for even the most organized and sharp people to forget the obvious items under the stress of moving day. With that in mind, here is a helpful list of considerations to keep close to you and readily available when you move.
- Trash bags
- Paper towels
- Cash
- Phone and charger
- A child’s comforting toy or blanket (Giving them one will ease anxiety)
- Jewellery
- Flashlight
- Tape measure
- Important documents (e.g. passports, any records containing bank account information, marriage license, birth certificates)
- Credit cards
- Medication
- Toolbox
- Laptop and charger
- Toilet paper
- A change of clothes for everyone
- Snacks and drinks (for kids and pets especially even if you forget about yourself)
- Irreplaceable items and any other valuables like family heirlooms for example
Helpful Moving Home FAQs
Questions and queries are an inevitable part of the moving process. We have compiled the most common of them below to help you clarify a few important aspects of moving;
Change of address: Who do I need to notify?
There are several organizations that need to know about your change of address when moving house. The vital ones are:
- Your utility providers, whether you want to stay with the same company or not
- Your GP and dentist
- Your bank(s)
- Your employer
- National Insurance (which can be through your employer)
- Your local council for council tax
- The electoral roll
- The DVLA
There are also other considerations that are less severe but are probably worth notifying when possible (Just prioritize the ones above!)
- Gym membership
- Magazine or newspaper subscriptions
- Club or society registrations.
Forwarding your address when moving: How do you do it?
To set up a post redirection, just visit the Royal Mail website. You are able to include multiple names to incorporate everyone within your household making it ideal if you have changed your name for example. By doing this, it is a backup just in case you have missed any of the essential parties when informing them of your change of address. A post redirection is a particularly handy, comforting, and reassuring option during a chaotic period of your life.
Why Choose K1 Removals?
At K1 Removals, we believe in maintaining our high standard because that is the reason why our clients choose us. We have handled thousands of moves throughout the UK and that means that we provide the complete service. Every service is tailored to your requirements, and that’s how we always get things right.
You’ll get:
- A dedicated move manager who manages your entire move to France
- Full door to door service
- Storage depots located in the UK
- Services designed for your specific needs
- Many years of experience in completing National removals
- All belongings are fully insured against loss or damage
- Team of trained removal experts dedicated to your move