We help home moving to go more smoothly in every way we can – that includes giving you this handy moving home checklist.
Use it together with our Ultimate Homebuyer’s Guide – written by the award-winning property experts! – to help make your move go as smoothly as possible!
Let us take you from stress to success!
Home moving is often cited as one of the most stressful things you can do in your lifetime. And Legal & General back that up with compelling figures.
Their research reveals that more than 57% of people said the moving house process was more stressful than having a child or going through a divorce. But the biggest bugbear of all? Time.
On average, it can take people around 3 to 5 months to complete their move.
But here’s the good news: there are things you can do to help manage that time and make sure you have all your ducks in a row!
And they’re all right here. Check your timelines and tick the boxes as you go along to make the process much more manageable – and avoid any nasty surprises!
Here’s how to move home…
Six weeks to go!
At this stage of home moving, the legal process should be well underway, your survey has taken place or is at least booked, and searches have been applied for by your conveyancer.
If you haven’t booked your survey, check out the many survey options we offer or get in touch – we’re always happy to answer your questions.
Speak with our honest, approachable experts on 020 8642 2999 – or chat with us below right now!
So far, so good!
It’s time to take the moving house process in hand!
Think about having a clear out
Because removal companies quote on volume, it costs money to move all your stuff! This is a good time to get rid of anything you don’t want to take with you. Not only will this save you on removal costs, but you could also make some money! Check out local buy and sell sites or Facebook Marketplace – you can sell for free. Plus, it’s all good for the environment and your bank balance!
Get quotes from removal firms
Begin to get quotes from removal firms. If you are moving home a short distance, it might be worth considering a local firm who knows the area and may be familiar with the best route to take. If you’re completely relocating, you might want to think about storage facilities. Check which firms offer this as part of their services.
Don’t be surprised if moving dates change - it happens often. So build this in and don’t commit to a large, non-refundable deposit which you will lose if you have to change the date.
Most firms are very understanding of the moving process, but it;s always worth checking!
If you’re renting, think about your notice period
Giving some thought to this can prevent you from being homeless should the worst happen - so it’s important to think about.
Unless you have a very flexible landlord, it’s a good idea to build in some overlap should there be a delay on your completion date.
Home moving dates can – and do – change. An overlap can also buy you time to move home, allowing you to do it over several days or a week instead of being under pressure to move everything in one day.
Six-week moving home checklist
- Get removal quotes - speak to several removal firms so you have a good idea of the going rate and then decide on one.
*A good tip is to ask if they provide packaging materials and at what cost. - Check the parking restrictions for large removal vehicles at your current home and at your new property. Your removal firm may need to apply to the council for special permits.
- Consider having a gas engineer and electrician visit the new property to test the services.
- Make a full inventory of everything you own.
- Declutter! Clean out cupboards and drawers.
- Advise your employer you are moving house and may need a day off at relatively short notice.
- Print off the floorplan of your new home so you can begin to plan where everything is going to go and what you might need to buy.
Four weeks to go!
Or thereabouts! A key box to check on your moving home checklist is firming up that date. So, if you haven’t already, start the conversation about a completion date. Everyone in the chain will have their own agenda so trying to get everyone to agree is the key!
Also, if your survey has revealed things that need to be sorted sooner rather than later – or you’re planning on making the place your own from the off, now is a good time to get in touch with the trades: decorators and carpet fitters, for example - line them up before contracts are exchanged.
Four-week moving home checklist:
- Remember to clear out your loft, garage and outbuildings if you have any. These ‘out of sight, out of mind’ places can be forgotten about until the last minute!
- Start packing up any rooms you don’t use and non-essential items.
- Label boxes so your removal firm knows exactly where everything goes.
- Notify your telephone and internet companies and transfer your television licence to your new address.
Two weeks to go!
Excited? Anxious? Remind yourself it’s all a totally normal part of the moving house process! As we’ve said, moving house is one of the biggest and most stressful events of your life.
Even if you’re pestering the solicitors and estate agent every other day, don't worry: they’re used to it! In a couple of weeks, your dream home will be yours and you’ll look back and laugh.
Don’t forget to chase up your solicitor to ensure any last minute enquiries are being dealt with and that they are drawing up your final report.
Two-week moving home checklist:
- Keep your employer in the loop on developments and any time you’ll need off.
- If you’re a first-time buyer, here’s something to think about: you might not need to take the day off at all. Completion can take place anywhere between 9am and 5pm, so it can be a long day of waiting around if the money is not received until the end of the day.
- Notify your utility companies – gas, water and electric - and switch home insurance to your new home.
- Let your bank or building society know about your change of address. Update your contact details with all other providers such as pension, benefits, healthcare and insurance companies.
- Update your driving licence and vehicle registration with your new address.
- Ask the Post Office to redirect your post - this can take up to 10 days to put in place and costs a small fee.
- Finalise details with the removals company – confirm times, emergency numbers, parking and directions.
- Cancel local services you receive and settle any outstanding bills e.g. newspapers, gardeners, cleaners, window cleaner, oil deliveries.
- Arrange child and pet care for your moving day.
- Run down or dispose of food in the freezer.
One week to go!
Ready?? Let’s do this! Most moves take place one week after the exchange. Sometimes, it would be nice to have longer but by the time exchange arrives, everyone is desperate to get on with the moving house process.
It’s your final week at your old address before moving into your new home. Now is the time to sort those important documents and ensure they’re stored somewhere safe but accessible.
Your packing should be almost finished too, so you’ll be ready to go on the day and your removal firm can start promptly.
One-week moving home checklist:
- Put important items somewhere safe and accessible, for example, passports, driving licenses, house deeds, wills, insurance papers, jewellery and cash.
- Finish as much of your packing as possible so you have everything ready to go.
- Cross-reference boxes to rooms. Our top tip is to colour code the rooms on your floor plan to correspond with boxes – it’s a game changer!
- Gather all the keys for your current property in a safe place.
- To save time and running around, you can ask the sellers if you can pick up the keys from the house as opposed to the estate agent.
- Defrost the fridge and freezer.
- Make sure any additional funds the solicitor needs for the day of completion are transferred and received.
- If you’re pushed for time and you feel it’s necessary, it’s a great idea to arrange for a cleaner to come the day after completion. All you have to do is move in.
- Send out a change of address cards to friends and relatives.
One day to go!
It’s official! You’ve exchanged – all you have to do is move! Yes it’s a big task but you’ll be fuelled by adrenalin and excitement. Look at it this way: the hard work is already done and you’ve survived the stress.
Time take a breath and one final look around…
One-day moving home checklist:
- Time for a final check and walk around the property to ensure nothing will be left behind and everything is packed and ready.
- Don’t forget to check all rooms, cupboards, loft, garage and outbuildings one last time!
- Ensure that outstanding deliveries are sent to your new address.
- Ensure all services have your contact numbers.
- Pack an overnight bag for the family. That way you have your toothbrush, pyjamas, washbag, towels and bed linen handy once you’ve moved into your new home.
- Ensure your mobile phone is charged.
MOVING DAY!
It’s day one! Today will be a busy day and it is hard to say when it will all kick off! Every solicitor is dependent on receiving the funds from the buyer lower down the chain. Each property will complete as those funds arrive and your solicitor will call you when the transaction is complete.
There are a few final things you should do that could save any issues down the line:
Moving day, moving home checklist:
- Record all utility meter readings for water, electricity and gas. Make it easy by taking a photo of the meters with your mobile phone!
- Make sure your moving team know which fragile or personal items are going with you in the car.
- If your removal firm has not finished by the time, you receive the call, pick someone to stay and check the packing inventory. Make sure you are happy everything is accounted for as you will have to sign as confirmation.
- Give your movers copies of emergency contact details and directions to your new house along with your colour coded floor plan and corresponding packing boxes.
- Check all windows are secure and utilities are switched off.
- Leave all the sets of keys as arranged for the new owners.
- Keep copies of contact details for your conveyancer, estate agent and removal company to hand. You never know when they might be needed.
And that is pretty much how to move home!
You’re welcome!
After months of preparation, you’ve done it: it’s time to relax and enjoy your new home.
Our top tip at this time? Remember that there’s no rush to unpack everything all at once! Take a few days to settle in, rest and explore your surroundings. Organising and settling in should be an enjoyable process.
- Get the kettle going for teas and coffees and unpack the biscuits for the moving company and your family.
- Confirm what is to be moved 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.
- Account for each item on your inventory. Check for any damaged and missing items. Only sign it once you are happy.
- Read utility meters in your new home. Again, make it easy by using your phone camera.
- Sweep for items. If the previous owners have left anything, put it in a box and arrange for delivery at a later date.
- Do a quick inventory of items the previous owner suggested they would leave or you have agreed to purchase.
- Plug in your appliances such as fridges and freezers, get the boiler and the heating up and running, and finally, make the beds. You will be ready for a good night's sleep!
Enjoy your first night in your new home
Order a takeaway and put your feet up. The unpacking can wait until tomorrow!
Order a takeaway from Justeat, grab a drink and put your feet up for a well-deserved rest! The unpacking can wait until tomorrow! After months of preparation, you have finally done it. Now is the time you can sit back and laugh about all the ups and downs of the last few months.
Still need to sell your current property?
We can help with that too! Check out how you can SellSmarter with our Ready, Steady & Complete survey packages.
