We’ve created the Moving Home Checklist to help you keep track of all the important steps along the way to moving home.
This list covers all the important tasks you need to complete your move, from hiring a conveyancer all the way up to your house warming party.
You can download a copy of this list, or sign up for our emails to get them in bite-sized chunks as you go through each stage of the process.
Happy moving!
1. Research your move
If you’ve found your new home and your offer has been accepted, it’s time to start your moving house checklist! With no complications, a straightforward move can take around 8 weeks to go through. It’s essential to get the legal side in place early on to ensure a smooth transaction of your property sale or purchase.
2. Arrange your home survey
With a little over a month until your moving day, you may want to start clearing out anything you don’t want to be moved to your new home. Having a good clear out will save you money on your removals, and make unpacking easier! You can start planning your move, even if you haven’t got a firm date yet. Have a look at what to consider when choosing a removals firm so you can know what questions to ask.
3. Finalise contracts and pack
With 1 month left before you move, you will probably have had a Chartered Surveyor inspect your new property and inform you of its structural condition. If there are issues, you may want to renegotiate your offer. You’ll now be able to talk to your solicitor about exchanging contracts and finalising your moving date so you can appoint your selected removal company and organise parking arrangements and permits for the removals vehicles at both addresses. It’s getting close!
4. Get ready to move your home
At this stage in your move it’s all about confirming important details in preparation for your move. If your removal company cannot provide additional services such as un-plumbing washing machines, disassembling/reassembling furniture and packing, it would be a good time to organise these too. On your moving day, you may want children or pets to stay with family members, meaning you can focus on getting everything moved efficiently.
5. Update your address and get organised
It’s your final week at your old address before moving into your new home, and during this week the priority is organising, finishing packing and getting ready to go!
6. Prepare to leave your old house
It’s your last 24 hours at your old address - it’s time for a final check and walk round the property to ensure nothing is forgotten. An overnight bag will help you settle into your new home and have a good night’s sleep. Make sure that this is separate from the items going with the removal lorry.
- Walk around your house for a final, thorough check – take your time doing this to ensure you leave nothing behind
- Pack a night bag for the family so you have your toothbrush, pyjamas, washbag and towels handy
- Put together a mini-toolkit including a sharp knife for opening boxes on arrival
- Ensure you have the keys to your new house, or have arranged to collect them in advance and gather together keys for all locks from your old home
- Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged (and you’ve got your charger handy on the day)
- If you are arranging help from family and friends on moving day, confirm the details with them and that they have your new address if they need it
7. Lock up and move out
On a day where emotions can run high, you can feel calm and in control with a plan, meaning you’ll know what you need to do in your final morning at the property. Be ready for when your removal company arrives so they can begin promptly. Identify whether any boxes need special care or are not to be taken by them. Make sure you take the meter readings for you to give to your providers and leave the keys for the new owner. It’s now time to move to your new home!
8. Check your new property
When you arrive at your new home it’s important to make your removal company aware of any special instructions and that they know which room the boxes are headed to. Make sure you are happy that everything on your inventory is accounted for before your moving company leaves. But first things first – find your kettle!
- Get the kettle, cups and supplies from your Moving Day Survival Kit. You can set up a coffee and tea station with water and snacks for when you need a break.
- Confirm what is going where and any special instructions to your removal company. Make sure you have one person ready and available at the new property to guide them around the house. If you colour code the rooms on the floor plan to correspond with boxes this will make it easier for them. You could also stick a coloured piece of paper on each door to make it easier.
9. Relax in your new home
After months of preparation and planning, you and your family are in your new home! After a busy moving day, don’t try to unpack everything at once. Make up the beds and then spend the evening relaxing with loved ones and a celebratory takeaway, and congratulate yourself on making it through the day.
Here are some things you may wish to do:
- Let older children organise their own rooms – you may want to rearrange things in the future but it will help them feel at home
- Rearrange deliveries - if you had milk, newspapers or subscriptions set up to your old address, you may want to start them again at your new property.
- Your neighbours may introduce themselves, but if they don’t, take the opportunity to say hello. They’ll likely have great tips about the area
- Sort your bedroom – making your room a little more like yours with photos and personal items can make a big difference to comfort levels.