- 18 July 2026
- 10 min read
Moving house involves far more than packing boxes. You’ll need to organise paperwork, notify important organisations, prepare both properties and coordinate everything required for moving day. This moving house checklist breaks the process into manageable stages so that nothing important is forgotten.
Moving House Checklist at a Glance
Starting early makes moving far less stressful. The following timeline gives you an overview of the main tasks to complete before, during and immediately after your move.
Use this moving house checklist as a general guide and adjust the timings to suit your circumstances, particularly if you are renting, waiting for contracts to exchange or moving at short notice.
Eight Weeks Before Moving Day
Your moving home checklist should begin with confirming the main details of your move and reducing the amount you need to take with you.
- Create a moving folder for quotes, contracts and important documents.
- Confirm your expected moving date where possible.
- Request quotes from professional removal companies.
- Decide whether you need packing, storage or furniture dismantling services.
- Declutter each room and donate, sell or responsibly dispose of unwanted items.
- Begin listing valuable, fragile or unusually heavy belongings.
- Check access and parking arrangements at both properties.
“The earlier you begin planning your move, the more time you have to solve access, packing and scheduling problems before moving day.”
Download Our Printable Moving House Checklist
Keep every stage of your move organised with our free printable checklist. Download the PDF, print it at home and tick off each task as you complete it.
Six Weeks Before Moving Day
At six weeks, your house moving checklist should focus on preparing your belongings and dealing with services connected to your current home.
- Order suitable moving boxes, tape, labels and protective materials.
- Begin packing items you will not need before the move.
- Label every box with its contents and destination room.
- Measure large furniture, doorways, staircases and lifts.
- Arrange temporary storage if there will be a gap between properties.
- Check your home insurance and removal company’s insurance cover.
- Notify your landlord or managing agent if required.
- Start using food stored in your freezer and cupboards.
Four Weeks Before Moving Day
At this stage of your moving house checklist, confirm the practical arrangements and begin notifying the organisations that need your new address.
- Confirm your booking with the removal company.
- Arrange time away from work for moving day if necessary.
- Contact your utility suppliers about your move.
- Arrange broadband installation or transfer at the new property.
- Redirect or update regular deliveries and subscriptions.
- Notify schools, nurseries and healthcare providers where applicable.
- Continue packing non-essential belongings room by room.
- Create an inventory of valuable belongings and photograph their condition.
Two Weeks Before Moving Day
With moving day approaching, focus on confirming access, completing address changes and packing everything you can manage without during the final fortnight.
- Confirm the collection and delivery addresses with your removal company.
- Provide details of stairs, lifts, parking restrictions or difficult access.
- Arrange parking permits or reserve suitable parking where required.
- Update your address with banks, insurers and other financial providers.
- Notify your employer, pension provider and relevant government services.
- Update your driving license and vehicle records where applicable.
- Arrange care for children or pets on moving day if needed.
- Set aside important documents, medication and valuables rather than packing them in the removal vehicle.
- Continue packing and clearly label fragile boxes.
One Week Before Moving Day
Most non-essential belongings should now be packed. Use the final week to confirm arrangements and prepare the items you will need immediately after arriving.
- Confirm the arrival time, team and vehicles with your removal company.
- Check that keys will be available at the correct time.
- Finish dismantling any furniture not included in your removal service.
- Prepare an essentials box for your first night.
- Include toiletries, chargers, medication, basic tools and a change of clothes.
- Keep the kettle, mugs, drinks and snacks readily accessible.
- Back up important files from computers and other devices.
- Clean rooms as they become empty.
- Dispose of anything that cannot safely be transported.
- Check washing machines and other appliances are ready to be disconnected.
The Day Before You Move
Use your moving house checklist to complete the final preparations so that the removal team can begin safely and efficiently when they arrive.
- Finish packing everything except your overnight essentials.
- Charge mobile phones and portable battery packs.
- Defrost and clean the freezer if it is being moved.
- Disconnect appliances only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Keep keys, documents, jewellery, medication and valuables with you.
- Take photographs of utility meters at the current property.
- Check every cupboard, loft, shed, garage and outdoor area.
- Make sure boxes are sealed, labelled and not overloaded.
- Clear hallways and doorways to create safe carrying routes.
- Get a good night’s rest and keep your moving-day clothing accessible.
Moving Day: Before Leaving
Keep the move organised and carry out a final check before handing over your old property.
- Keep your phone charged and remain available to the removal team.
- Show the team any fragile, valuable or unusually heavy items.
- Explain which furniture requires dismantling or special handling.
- Keep your essentials box, documents, valuables and medication with you.
- Check that every room, cupboard and storage area has been cleared.
- Record final gas, electricity and water meter readings.
- Close and secure all windows and external doors.
- Return the keys as agreed and retain any handover confirmation.
Moving Day: At Your New Home
Help the unloading process run smoothly and check the property as you begin settling in.
- Check that you have the correct keys and can access every required area.
- Record the new property’s utility meter readings.
- Direct boxes and furniture to their labelled rooms.
- Check large items for visible damage as they are unloaded.
- Confirm where furniture should be reassembled.
- Keep entrances, stairs and hallways clear.
- Locate the stopcock, fuse box and heating controls.
- Make the beds and unpack your essentials box first.
- Complete a final check of the removal vehicle with the team.
After Moving In
Complete the remaining administration and make your new property safe and comfortable.
- Confirm that utilities, broadband and essential services are working.
- Update any remaining organisations with your new address.
- Register with local healthcare providers if required.
- Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Update door, alarm or access codes where appropriate.
- Unpack one room at a time and remove empty boxes safely.
- Report any damage or missing items promptly under the agreed terms.
- Introduce yourself to neighbours and check the local bin collection schedule.
- Keep your moving documents and final invoices together for future reference.
- Take some time to relax and enjoy your new home.
FAQs
Common Moving House Checklist Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about preparing for moving day and keeping your move organised.
When should I start preparing to move house?
Ideally, begin your moving house checklist around eight weeks before moving day. This gives you time to compare removal companies, declutter, arrange packing materials and deal with any access or parking requirements. If you are moving at short notice, prioritise the most urgent tasks first.
What should I pack first when moving house?
Your moving home checklist should begin with belongings you rarely use, including seasonal clothing, books, decorations and items stored in lofts, garages or spare rooms. Everyday essentials, medication, important documents and valuables should be packed last and kept readily accessible.
What should go in a moving-day essentials box?
Include toiletries, medication, phone chargers, basic tools, cleaning supplies, toilet roll, drinks, snacks, mugs, a kettle and a change of clothes. You may also want bedding and children’s or pets’ essentials for the first night.
Who should I notify when I move house?
Your house moving checklist should include utility suppliers, banks, insurers, your employer, healthcare providers, schools, subscription services and relevant government departments. You should also update your driving licence and vehicle records where applicable.
Should I dismantle furniture before moving day?
Dismantling large furniture can make it easier and safer to transport, but first check whether this service is included in your removal quote. ShiftMate can provide furniture dismantling and reassembly when agreed in advance.
Can ShiftMate help with packing and storage?
Yes. ShiftMate can provide professional packing, packing materials and storage alongside your removal service. These options should be discussed when requesting your quote so the correct team, vehicles and materials can be arranged.
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