Moving House Checklist: Guide for a Seamless Transition
Moving house can be both exciting and stressful. Whether you’re getting your first home, moving to a bigger space, or just wanting a new view, moving takes careful planning.
This comprehensive moving house checklist will simplify your move, breaking it down into easily manageable steps to minimize potential stress.
Planning and Preparation
- Set a Realistic Moving Date: Consider work/school schedules, peak moving seasons, and the availability of removal companies. Book well in advance, particularly during busy periods.
- Build a Moving Budget: Factor in costs of professional movers, packing materials, transportation, storage (if needed), and any unforeseen expenses. Track your budget for informed decisions.
- Declutter and Donate: Set aside dedicated time for organizing. Categorize your belongings into three groups: items to “keep,” “donate,” and “dispose of.
- Make an Inventory: Create a detailed list of your possessions (photos are helpful) for insurance purposes and during unpacking.
- Research and Hire Professional Movers (if needed): Obtain quotations from a minimum of three reputable moving companies. Prioritize considerations such as licensing, insurance, and online reviews in your decision-making process. Always verify reviews from multiple sources, rather than relying on a single one.
- Notify Important Parties: Update your address with these entities to avoid service disruption:
- Post Office (mail redirection)
- Utility companies (electricity, gas, water, internet)
- Banks and financial institutions
- Insurance providers (home, car, health)
- Subscription services
- Government agencies (DVLA, tax office)
- Transfer Records: Contact schools, doctors, dentists, and any other relevant service providers to arrange the transfer of necessary records.
- Notify Landlord (if renting): Provide your landlord with official written notice of your move-out date, as your lease may require this.
- Check Home Insurance: Ensure your insurance policy covers your belongings during the moving process.
- Confirm Child’s School Schedule: Coordinate your child’s last day at their current school and their first day at their new school for minimal disruption
Packing Like a Pro
- Gather Packing Materials: Purchase sturdy boxes of various sizes, bubble wrap, packing paper, quality packing tape, markers, and labels.
- Color-Coding System: Consider using different color labels for each room in your new home for easier unpacking.
- Room-by-Room Efficiency: Tackle your packing one room at a time to create a sense of order and prevent feeling overwhelmed.
- Prepare an “Essentials” Box: Pack a designated overnight bag or box with toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, chargers, important documents, and anything else you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new place.
Services and Logistics
- Arrange for Parking Permits: If required, check with your local council about any necessary street parking permits for the moving lorry or van on your moving day, both at the old and new addresses.
- Arrange Final Meter Readings: Take final meter readings at your old property and initial readings at your new home. Notify relevant utility companies to ensure accurate billing.
Final Preparations
- Clean Your Current Home: Before leaving, give your old property a thorough cleaning, ensuring it’s in good condition for the next occupants.
- New Home Inspection: Visit your new home a few days before the move, if possible. Check that everything is clean and in working order (utilities, appliances, etc.).
Think Ahead
- Clean New Home (If Possible): Ideally, have carpets and walls cleaned before you move in to avoid additional stress on a moving day.
- Subscriptions: Specifically address updating any regular deliveries like magazines, newspapers, and streaming services to avoid missed deliveries.
Moving Day
- Mover Communication: Confirm arrival time, addresses, and any specific instructions with your removal company.
- Onsite Supervision: Be present during loading and unloading to guide the movers with fragile items and make sure things go to the correct rooms.
- Final Lock-Up: Before leaving your old place, double-check that everything is packed and that all windows and doors are securely locked.
- Helpful Factsheet: Compile a factsheet for the new owners of your home detailing essential information like the location of the stopcock, meters, bin days, and energy/service providers.
- Moving Day Essentials: Ensure to include in your packing a kettle, tea, coffee, milk, cups, snacks, bottled water, toilet paper, toiletries, basic utensils, dishes, and a first aid kit.
Happy Moving!
Disclaimer: This moving house checklist serves as a fundamental guide and should be tailored to meet your specific needs.
Consult with relevant professionals as necessary to ensure a personalized and comprehensive plan for your move.
