Your Comprehensive Moving House Checklist

Moving house is one of life’s biggest milestones. But let’s be honest, the thought of packing up your life, shifting boxes, and managing the endless to-do list can also feel overwhelming. The good news is, with a bit of preparation, you can ease the stress and keep your move on track.

At Jack and Jill Removals, we know first hand that preparation is essential to a smooth move. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive moving house checklist. Follow it step by step, and by the time moving day rolls around, you’ll feel confident, organised, and ready to start your new adventure.

Why You Need a Moving Checklist

The word checklist sounds like such a small thing. A little list to tick yes or no. Just a scrap of paper really. However, it can be so easy to underestimate just how overwhelming a house move can be.

There are so many aspects of moving home that are glossed over. And it is often the littlest things you end up forgetting.

Who forgot to buy packing tape? Why don’t we have bubblewrap for our breakables? What do we do with all the food leftover in the fridge? Did we forget to redirect our debit card bill? Wait, which bits did we say were going in the moving van?

We hear these things more often than you’d expect. And it’s completely understandable when you’re stressed and trying to manoeuvre, pack, declutter, and organise a lifetime of possessions. So a checklist is never simply a scrap of paper. A checklist is more like a guiding light, keeping you sane during what is often a chaotic process. 

It can help you:

• Stay organised
• Save time
• Reduce stress
• Feel prepared

And best of all? Once the moving day is behind you, you’ll be able to unpack, decorate, and truly make your new space your own; one of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience.

8 Weeks Before Moving Day

The earlier you begin, the smoother your move will be. Eight weeks out may feel early, but trust us, time flies, and you’ll thank yourself later.

Book your removal company

The first step is choosing a reliable removal company.

Booking early ensures you get your preferred moving date, especially during busy periods like summer and Christmas. It also gives you time to ask questions, clarify services, and make sure you’re comfortable with the moving plan.

It is best that you book your removal company as early as possible to ensure availability on the day. The last thing you want is to be faffing about a week before the move, finding anyone and everyone with an available car and trying to figure out whether you could, maybe, fit your sofa in one of them.

Create a moving folder

Keep all your moving related documents in one place: quotes, contracts, receipts, and checklists.

A dedicated folder (digital or physical) saves you from rummaging through drawers and emails when you need important information. You can also store a copy of your floor plan for your new home to help plan where everything will go.

Sort and declutter

A month or two prior to the move is the perfect time to decide what you actually want to bring to your new home. We recommend going through each room and making piles of things you want to donate or dispose of.

Less clutter means less to pack, move, and unpack later. Plus, donating unwanted items can give them a second life.

You may wish to do this a little closer to the time so you’re not living in a cluttered home for any longer than necessary, but if you do wish to do it sooner, then hiring a skip can make this so much easier for you. All you need to do is take them outside, no repeated drives to the dump that only take up valuable time.

Notify your landlord or estate agent

If you’re renting, give the appropriate notice to your landlord and book a final inspection date. If you’re buying or selling, keep your solicitor and estate agent updated on your moving timeline, and chase up any paperwork that still needs attention.

6 Weeks Before Moving Day

With a month and a half to go, it’s time to start laying the groundwork for the move.

Order packing supplies

You’ll need sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Many removal companies, including ours, can supply these directly. Don’t forget speciality boxes for fragile items like glasses and artwork. Invest in a tape gun to make sealing boxes quicker and easier.

The earlier you have access to packing supplies, the more time you’ll have to make sure you have the right amount and type of everything you need.

You might even be able to start boxing up the stuff that you don’t use on a day to day basis so it’s out of the way. Reducing the number of jobs you have closer to the time is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself ahead of the big day.

Take inventory

Make a list of everything you’re moving. Maybe not everything, but at least all the major components. Large furniture items, clothes, soft furnishings, pet supplies, crockery, white goods.

This helps you stay on track, spot missing items, and is also useful for insurance purposes. Some people find it helpful to number their boxes and list the contents. This way you can prioritise unpacking after the move.

Measure your new home

If possible, visit your new property and measure doorways, staircases, and rooms. Use masking tape on the floor to plan furniture layouts and make decisions about what will work in the new space.

This way you’ll know if your sofa, bed, or fridge will fit. Better to find out now than on moving day when you’re trying to wiggle it into position whilst other items of furniture are being ferried into the same room.

Likewise, knowing which rooms things need to go in will smooth your communication with your removals company and make things easier to organise once the dust has settled.

Arrange storage

Not everything needs to move with you on the same day. Consider short term storage solutions for items you won’t need straight away. This is especially helpful if you’re downsizing or renovating your new home before fully settling in.

4 Weeks Before Moving Day

With just one month left, it’s time to tackle those big admin tasks. This is one of the most overlooked and forgotten about elements of a house move, yet arguably one of the most important.

Update your address

Make a note of all the companies you’ll need to update about your address. You don’t need to change them until you are in your new home, but it is ideal to get them sorted now so you don’t miss any important documents or inadvertently have issues with insurance companies.

Check:

• Banks and building societies
• Insurance companies (home, contents, car)
• Utility providers (gas, electric, water)
• DVLA (driving licence and vehicle logbook)
• HMRC
• GP, dentist, and optician
• Schools, colleges, or nurseries
• Employers and payroll departments

Don’t forget to update your online shopping accounts, magazine subscriptions, and loyalty cards. There’s nothing worse than your next day delivery turning up at your old house.

Set up mail redirection

Royal Mail offers a redirection service to ensure no important post goes astray. It’s worth every penny and saves the stress of missing bills and important updates.

Plan childcare and pet care

Moving day is hectic enough without little ones or pets underfoot. Arrange childcare or pet care for the day to keep everyone safe and happy. This gives you the peace of mind to focus on the move itself.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day

Confirm details with your removal company

Double check the time, date, and plan for moving day with your removals team.

At Jack and Jill Removals, we always confirm the details with our customers so everyone knows what to expect. If you’ve booked extra services such as packing or storage, check these are noted too.

Defrost the freezer

Use up food from your freezer and cupboards so you don’t have to transport as much. A defrosted freezer is much easier and lighter to move. Plan some simple meals to use up what you already have and reduce any waste.

Begin packing non essentials

Start boxing up items you won’t need for the next few weeks: books, seasonal clothes, ornaments, and spare bedding.

Wrap fragile items carefully and use towels or blankets for extra padding. Label boxes clearly with the room they’re destined for and a brief description of contents.

The Week of the Move

Finish packing

By now, most of your belongings should be boxed up. Focus on packing everyday items you’ve been using until the last minute. Keep cleaning supplies handy for any last minute touch ups.

Label clearly

Write the destination room on each box, and consider colour coding with tape or stickers. This makes unloading much faster and saves you from playing ‘guess the box’ in your new living room. It will also make it easier for you to tick things off your moving checklist on the day without needing to open everything back up again.

Deep clean

Give your old home a proper clean. If you’re renting, this will help you get your deposit back. If you’re selling, it’s a nice gesture for the new owners and leaves a good final impression.

Really, we even think this is common courtesy. But, you can put the big clean off until everything is moved out and you don’t have to manoeuvre your way around boxes.

Pack an essentials box

People often forget that on the day, you need sustenance. Trust us, that one cup of tea at lunchtime that you’ve been craving since the removal team arrived will make the day feel so much lighter. It’s unexpected, but it’s such an important part of the process. You need to be happy, comfortable, and fueled.

But, you can’t make that cup of tea without a kettle, a mug, a teabag and some milk.

We would recommend a box with the following:

• Kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk
• Snacks and bottled water
• Phone chargers
• Toiletries and hand soap
• Toilet paper
• A change of clothes
• Important documents and keys

We have also seen people buy their new kettle in advance of the move and have a working kettle at either property so they can have a much needed cup of tea, or even a packet of instant noodles, whenever it is most appropriate within their schedule.

Pack a first night bag

Your first night’s sleep in your new home is exciting, but you need to be able to access everything you need as quickly as possible. Home moves can be tiring so the last thing you want to do after dinner is rummage through multiple boxes trying to find your pyjamas.

Separate from your essentials box, pack a bag with pyjamas, toothbrushes, toiletries, and anything you’ll need for your first night’s sleep in your new home.

Moving Day

On the big day, you should hopefully be feeling prepared. At this stage, if you’ve followed our guidance, you should be able to finish just a couple of bits of packing and leave the rest to the removals team. 

Here’s how to keep things running smoothly:

• Wake up early and have a good breakfast. You’ll need the energy.
• Keep your essentials box and first night bag separate from the removal van.
• Be available to answer questions and give directions to the removals team.
• Take final meter readings before you leave.
• Double check cupboards, lofts, and sheds for forgotten items.
• Lock up, hand over the keys, and say goodbye.

At Jack and Jill Removals, our team will handle the heavy lifting, loading, and unloading. All you need to do is focus on the exciting step ahead turning the page to the next chapter of your life.

Moving house can feel like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and support, it doesn’t have to be stressful. By following this checklist, you’ll stay organised, keep calm, and make the most of this exciting new chapter.

And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. At Jack and Jill Removals, we’re here to take the strain out of moving day so you can focus on the joy of starting fresh. Our Home Removals team has years of experience in smoothing over the moving process and making things as easy for you as possible. Once the boxes are unpacked and the kettle’s on, you’ll realise that all the effort was worth the hassle.