Moving Home Checklist

Moving home checklist—three simple words that can make or break your relocation. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or starting a new chapter in a different area, staying organised is essential. This guide provides a complete step-by-step moving checklist to help reduce stress, save time, and ensure you don’t forget anything important before, during, and after your move.

✉️ Step 1: Plan Early (6-8 Weeks Before Moving)

Moving home checklist planning should always begin early. Starting preparations 6 to 8 weeks in advance gives you time to organise your move, reduce stress, and avoid last-minute surprises. Early planning allows you to secure your preferred moving date, compare local movers, and handle time-sensitive tasks like notifying landlords or arranging time off work.

Tasks:

✉️ Create a moving folder (digital or physical) for receipts, estimates, and contracts.
💼 Research and request quotes from at least 3 local removal companies.
📅 Confirm your move-out/move-in dates.
📄 Notify your landlord (if renting) and review lease conditions.
📆 Begin sorting and decluttering to reduce your load.

Pro Tip: Start a “Moving Budget” spreadsheet to track expected vs. actual costs.

⚡ Step 2: Declutter and Organise (5-6 Weeks Before Moving)

Decluttering now will make packing easier and save on removal costs.

Tasks:

✅ Go room-by-room and sort items into: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Discard.
☑️ Schedule donation pickups for charities or sell unwanted items online.
🎒 Begin using up food in your pantry and freezer.
🪤 Dispose of any hazardous materials that can’t be moved (e.g., paint, chemicals).

Pro Tip: The fewer items you move, the less you pay. Decluttering now also makes unpacking faster.

🏦 Step 3: Book Key Services (4 Weeks Before Moving)

With one month left, it’s time to secure all essential services and get your household ready. Booking early avoids last-minute price hikes and ensures your preferred providers are available. It’s also the right time to make sure everyone—kids, pets, utilities, and subscriptions—are factored into your moving plans.

Tasks:

• 🚚 Confirm and book your removal company (and packing/storage if needed).

• 🪖 Arrange pet care or childcare for moving day to avoid distractions.

• 🔍 Compare utility providers and set up gas, electricity, broadband, and water at your new address.

• 💼 Buy packing supplies: boxes, bubble wrap, tape, labels, and markers.

• ✉️ Begin updating your address across banks, schools, insurance, and online subscriptions.

Pro Tip: Ask your removal company if they can supply eco-friendly packing materials or offer box collection after your move.

Check also: What size van do I need for my stuff?

Step 4: Begin Packing (3 Weeks Before Moving)

At three weeks out, packing should become a daily task. Prioritise non-essential items—such as off-season clothing, decorations, books, and rarely used kitchenware—so that the essentials are still available for daily use.

Start one room at a time to maintain organisation and reduce stress. Each box should be clearly labelled with the destination room and a few key contents listed. For extra organisation, use a numbering system and maintain a corresponding inventory sheet that lists each box’s number and contents. This makes both unpacking and identifying lost items much easier.

Fragile items should be well-padded using bubble wrap, towels, or packing paper. Be sure to clearly mark these boxes as “FRAGILE” and place them separately to ensure careful handling. It’s also a good time to prepare a personal bag or “Do Not Move” box with vital documents, passports, insurance papers, and valuables.

Tasks:

📆 Pack one room at a time, labelling boxes with the room name and key contents.
📎 Use a numbering system and create a master inventory list to track all boxes.
🪤 Wrap fragile items securely and clearly label boxes as “FRAGILE”.
🎓 Designate a personal bag for important documents, IDs, and valuables—do not send this with the movers.

Pro Tip: Use colour-coded stickers for each room to make unloading and unpacking at your new home much easier.

Step 5: Prep for Moving Day (1 Week Before Moving)

The final week before moving is your chance to tie up any remaining loose ends and prepare your home—and yourself—for the big day. Final cleaning, packing essentials, and confirming logistics now will help your move go smoothly.

Tasks:

• 🏠 Clean your home thoroughly, especially if you’re leaving a rented property.

• 🚬 Defrost your fridge and freezer, and disconnect any white goods.

• ✂ Disassemble large furniture and store screws or fixings in labelled bags.

• 🪒 Pack an “Essentials Box” with items you’ll need in the first 24 hours after the move.

• 📌 Confirm all logistics with your removal company, including arrival time and parking.

Pro Tip: Leave keys, manuals, and paperwork for the new owners or landlord in a clearly marked envelope.

Check also: What To Do Before The Movers Come?

Step 6: Moving Day Checklist

The big day has arrived! Stay calm, stay organised, and work through your checklist.

Tasks:

• 🚦 Ensure your phone is fully charged and emergency contacts are saved.
• ✅ Walk through every room to check for forgotten items.
• 📸 Take photos of final gas, electric, and water meter readings.
• 🚤 Return old keys and collect new ones.
• 🚗 Direct movers where to place items in your new home.

Essentials Box:

• Important documents and IDs
• Phone chargers and power banks
• Water, snacks, and medications
• Toilet paper and cleaning supplies
• Tool kit, light bulbs, tape, and scissors

Step 7. After the Move

Once you’ve arrived and settled a bit, wrap up the final details.

Tasks:

• 🏡 Unpack essential areas first: kitchen, bathroom, and beds.
• 🪨 Test smoke alarms and security systems.
• 🪳 Update your address on remaining accounts.
• 🌿 Recycle or dispose of packing materials.
• ☕ Introduce yourself to neighbours.

Pro Tip: Save this checklist for your next move!

Download our printable moving home checklist.

✅ Ready to Move Home? Compare Local Movers Near You!

At Book House Removals, we help you get up to 4 free quotes from trusted removal companies in your area. Whether you’re moving across the street or across London, we’ve got the right local team for you.

👉 Get your FREE moving quotes now – fast, easy, and no obligation.

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