House moving guide: How to stay organised and avoid surprises

About 22% of households in England have lived in their current home for less than three years. Moving house in the UK is a huge undertaking, and even the most seasoned mover knows that critical small details are easily forgotten until the last minute.

Moving home doesn’t have to be a source of stress, and with the right mindset and know-how, you can definitely keep the process calm and organised. We’ve put together this ultimate moving checklist to help you stay stress-free and on track from the moment you start planning to the day you pick up your keys.

Before the move

A great deal of planning can make your move less stressful. Knowing what to do before moving into a house is important, as this will help you prevent last-minute packing or documentation when your move date finally rolls in. Here are some planning tips for moving to get you started: 

Prepare the paperwork

One of the most important things to tick off on your checklist for moving houses is to review your paperwork with your agent. Read the fine print and ask all the questions you’d like answered. 

It also helps to create one master file folder for all your moving paperwork. This file should contain your removalist booking confirmation with contact numbers, utility disconnection and connection dates, mail redirection receipt, and any council permits for parking or truck access. Also, add copies of your lease agreement or settlement documents, plus contact details for real estate agents, solicitors, or property managers.

Lastly, print out a simple moving day timeline with key phone numbers and arrival times, and clearly write your new address. Keep this folder with you during the move so you can keep track or call someone as needed. 

Start decluttering

Start the purge process early. Start clearing out the undesirable items as soon as six weeks before your move date. Sort your belongings into three categories: keep, donate and sell or discard. 

If you need help purging items, get decluttering services so you have more time to focus on other aspects of your move. 

Book professional removalists early

Consider getting quotes from removalists two to three weeks before you finalise your moving date. Weekday moves are sometimes cheaper, so a little planning can save you money.

Moving companies offer a range of services. Most will handle transporting your belongings, but packing and unpacking might incur additional costs. While full-service packing can be expensive, hiring help for packing and furniture assembly in your new place can significantly ease the burden.

Check that bulky items fit in your new home

You don’t need to measure all your items to check if they fit. Removalists are experts and will measure on-site and dismantle furniture if needed. You only need to check your largest items, like your fridge or washing machine, to make sure they’ll fit into the spaces where you plan to place them. 

Start packing your belongings

The sooner you pack your things, the more relaxed your move will be. Here are some packing essentials to gather upfront:

• Packing paper

• Good textas

• Bubble wrap

• Scissors

• Labels (Have a box number system, put your new address and contact name/ number)

• Wardrobe boxes

Also, use everyday household materials, such as linen and socks, to organise and pack. 

Dismantle bulky and fragile furniture

You can disassemble bulky and delicate furniture items or displays for easier transport. For large furniture pieces like bed frames, dining tables, or wardrobes, dismantle them before moving day to make transport easier and prevent damage. 

Dismantling furniture can be tricky, so make sure to use the right tools. Otherwise, the screws may get damaged, complicating reassembly later. Keep all screws and hardware in labelled zip-lock bags taped to the furniture piece, and take photos of the process to guide you when putting things back together. 

If this task becomes too difficult for you to DIY, leave it to the removalists.

Label by room and number your boxes for better organisation

You may think this is over the top, but we promise it’s not. Start by numbering or naming each room on a floor plan of your new home. Then, label the boxes to match the rooms. Make a list of the boxes and their contents so you can easily put them in the right rooms once settled in.

This system saves you time and hassle, whether you’re tackling the move yourself or have helpers.

Schedule a final cleaning

This should be arranged before and after the move. Connect with professionals to determine how much end-of-lease cleaning costs and factor this into your moving preparation. Don’t forget to clear your refrigerator and get rid of perishables and other household waste!

Book your building’s loading dock

Book the building’s loading dock in case it’s necessary. Loading docks allow direct unloading, especially for large items, saving time and effort in carrying them from far away. Some buildings may also require this to manage traffic flow and avoid disturbances. 

Sort out disconnection and activation

Schedule your utility disconnections and connections at least 1 to 2 weeks before moving to avoid arriving at a dark, cold house with no internet. You should also contact your electricity, gas, water, and internet providers to arrange final readings at your old place and connection dates at your new address. Most providers can coordinate the timing so services switch over on the same day, but double-check the timing to avoid any gaps.

For insurance, coordinate with your current provider to end your coverage the day after you move out, then arrange for your new home insurance policy to begin the day before you move in. This overlap ensures you’re covered during that chaotic in-between period on moving day itself. 

Forward mail and update your address

Set up mail redirection with the Post Office before moving day so you don’t miss important letters or bills that slip through the cracks. 

Aside from letters, start updating your address with banks, insurance companies, employer payroll, healthcare provider, and HMRC, among others. Don’t forget your subscription services, online shopping accounts, and local council for rates and voting enrollment.

During the move

After coordinating with your mover, it’s time to get going to your brand-new abode! Inform them which items are fragile and where boxes will go in your new home. Make sure you (or another household member) are ready to clarify details. Boxes should also be labelled with their contents and indicate which room each piece of furniture belongs to.

Sort out and keep valuables and documents with you

Sometimes, things can go missing during a move, so it’s smart to sort out which items are too important to risk and keep them with you. If you’ve got documents, create a clear A4 envelope with a cover sheet listing everything inside, including passports, birth certificates, medical records, insurance papers, and recent tax returns. 

You may also take photos of each ID and scan every record before packing, storing these backups in cloud storage, or emailing them to yourself.

For valuables and fragile items, wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap, then add foam padding inside a clearly marked "FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE" box. Keep this box on the floor behind your car seat, where it won't slide around during the drive. 

Got loose items like earrings or USB drives? Pop them into small zip-lock bags with clear labels, then keep all these mini bags together in one larger bag so nothing goes on a walkabout on moving day.

Do a final check of your old home

Before you hand over the keys, do one last walkthrough of every room to ensure you haven’t missed anything important. As you go through each room, take a few photos of the condition as your own record. Start by checking that all fixtures are still secure and working, test light switches, and unplug any appliances you’re leaving behind, like the dishwasher or oven.

If you’re leaving a fridge, remember to empty and defrost it completely. You should also check inside all cupboards, wardrobes, and even the linen closet for forgotten items. Clear out any rubbish bins and take the bags to the kerb so you’re not leaving mess for the new owners.

For items you plan to use until the very last minute, like phone chargers or medications, place them near the entrance so they’re impossible to miss when you walk out the door. 

Board your pets

Moving day can be very stressful for your pets. To ensure they’re safe and comfortable, book them into a boarding facility, doggy daycare, or arrange for them to spend the day with friends or family.

If boarding isn’t an option, set up a quiet room away from all the action with their favourite toys, water, and a clear “DO NOT ENTER - PET INSIDE" sign on the door. Also, let your removalists know about any pets on the property so they can keep doors closed and watch out for curious cats or dogs. 

Guide movers when loading and unloading boxes

To move into your new home faster, stay present and point out which boxes contain breakables, electronics, or valuable items so they can handle them securely during loading and unloading. If you’ve labelled boxes by room, let the movers know your system so they can place everything in the right rooms at your new place.

If you’re moving with family members, keep your floor plans handy and designate one person as the primary contact point so the movers don’t get conflicting instructions from multiple people.

After the move

The removalists have gone, you’re holding the keys to your new place, and now you’re staring at a house full of boxes. In your first week, focus on getting the basics sorted so you can actually live comfortably while handling the bigger unpacking project. 

Inspect your new home

Check for damages that might have occurred during the move, test all the light switches, and run the taps to check pressure. If you’re renting, take photos of any problems to prove that you didn’t cause pre-existing issues. 

Remember to locate essential things like the main water shut-off valve, electricity meter, and any circuit breakers in case you need them later. Check that windows and doors lock properly and test smoke alarms to ensure they work. 

If you spot any urgent issues, such as leaking taps, faulty wiring, or broken fixtures, contact your landlord or real estate agent or make arrangements to fix them quickly before they become bigger problems.

Unpack your belongings by room

Start with your bedroom and bathroom so you can sleep comfortably and prepare for work the next day. Set up your bed first, unpack some basic toiletries, and make sure you’ve got towels and a change of clothes that are easily accessible. 

Move to the kitchen next, since you’ll need food and coffee to fuel the unpacking marathon. Focus on the items you use daily, like plates, cups, cutlery, and your kettle or coffee machine, before worrying about fancy serving dishes or appliances you rarely touch. 

The idea is to work through one room at a time rather than jumping around, so you can see progress and feel accomplished as each space comes together. 

Reassemble your furniture

Start with the simplest pieces first to build momentum and avoid frustration. Bed frames, basic shelving units, and dining tables are usually straightforward to assemble, while complex wardrobes or entertainment units can wait until you feel more settled.

Before you begin each piece, lay out all the parts and check that you have everything using those labelled zip-lock bags with screws and hardware. Cross-reference with the photos you took during dismantling to make sure nothing’s missing.

Make sure your address is updated

Now that you’ve moved in, it’s time to follow up on all those address changes if they haven’t been sorted. Log in to your online accounts to confirm your new address is showing correctly on bank statements, insurance policies, and subscription services. 

Also, check your physical cards, such as your driver’s license, healthcare card, and credit cards, to see which need updating with government agencies. Don’t forget about smaller accounts like your gym membership, streaming services, and loyalty programs, which might still send things to your old place.

Make the moving process easier with Airtasker

The secret to a successful move is solid preparation and following a clear plan. Use this guide to make sure you don't miss a single detail on your journey to a new home.

Once you’ve got the basics organised, go ahead and hire professional removalists to assist you with the heavy-lifting and more complicated tasks. If you need packers to help wrap fragile items, or skilled handymen to take care of quick fixes before you move, post a task on Airtasker to get professional help!