Moving house can feel like you are doing three jobs at once. You are packing up one home, keeping on top of paperwork, and getting ready for somewhere you are not even living in yet. It can be tiring, messy and far more time-consuming than people expect.
Still, a house move is also a fresh start. A new front door, a different routine, and a chance to clear out what you do not need before settling into your new home.
That is why a clear checklist helps. The best moves are rarely the ones with the fanciest storage hacks. They are the ones where the simple jobs are done at the right time, from booking removal companies early to sorting your post, meter reading, broadband and home insurance before problems build up.
This moving home guide covers the main things to do when moving, from early planning to the first night in your new home. Use it as a moving home checklist, not a rigid set of rules. The checklist will help you keep the moving process steady without making the whole thing feel bigger than it needs to be.
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Start with a moving house checklist and organise the basics
First things first, get organised before you start packing. As soon as you have a likely moving date, work backwards and split the move into weekly jobs. This gives you a clearer view of what needs doing now, what can wait, and what will cause problems if you leave it too late.
Put everything in one place. A notebook, notes app or spreadsheet all work, as long as you use it. Include booking dates, phone numbers, deadlines, removals, packing jobs, insurance notes and anything you need to buy. Good organisation is not about turning the home move into a project. It is about cutting down the last-week rush.
If you are planning to move soon, a checklist for moving house can also help you spot gaps early, especially if you are buying and selling at the same time.
Tips:
- Set a date: Pick a target moving day as soon as you can, even if final details still need confirming.
- Use one list: Keep jobs, contacts, bookings and deadlines in one place.
- Break it down: Split the move into weekly tasks rather than one long list.
- Track progress: Mark off what is done so jobs are not repeated or forgotten.
Sort your mortgage, solicitor and home survey
If you are buying, the paperwork around the property matters just as much as the boxes. Keep in touch with your solicitor or conveyancer and make sure you know what they need from you. Delays often happen because a form, signed document, ID check or payment is sitting with the wrong person.
Your mortgage offer, deposit, searches and home survey should all be tracked carefully. If anything changes with your income, savings or timescale, speak to your lender or broker as soon as possible. You should also check when insurance for your new home needs to start, especially if your lender needs buildings cover in place from exchange.
If you are selling as well as buying, think about the old and new details together. The buyer of your current home may have questions, and the new owner will need key information once everything completes.
Tips:
- Keep documents together: Store forms, ID, contracts, emails and important documents in one folder.
- Reply quickly: Your solicitor or conveyancer can only move as fast as the information they receive.
- Check your offer: Make sure your mortgage dates and conditions still fit your plans.
- Ask early: Query anything you do not understand straight away.
Book removal companies, storage and your moving service
Once your dates are taking shape, sort your transport. Removal companies get booked up quickly, especially on Fridays, month-end dates and during school holidays. If you are hiring a van, check the size you need, collection times and whether you will need help with heavy furniture.
If your dates may not line up neatly, look at storage too. Even a short booking can take pressure off if your new property is not ready when expected, or if you want time to clean before the boxes arrive.
Ask questions before booking a removal company. Does the removal firm include insurance? Will the removal team dismantle furniture? Are there extra charges for stairs, waiting time or long carries from the van? If you are comparing more than one moving company, look at what the moving service includes, not just the price.
The cost of moving can creep up quickly, so keep quotes, deposits and payment dates in your main checklist.
Tips:
- Book early: Reserve your removal or van hire once your timeline looks realistic.
- Check access: Look at parking, loading space and stairs at both addresses.
- Ask about extras: Check what is included and what might cost more on the day.
- Think about storage: A short storage booking can make timing problems easier to manage.
Clear out your old home before you move home
One of the best things to do when you move house is reduce how much you are taking with you. There is no good reason to pack, carry and unpack items that have been sitting untouched for years.
Go room by room and sort everything into four groups: keep, sell, donate or throw away. Be fairly tough on it. Spare cables, old paperwork, broken kitchenware, worn-out towels, clothes you never wear and furniture that will not suit the new house can all go.
If you rent, check what needs to be removed before handover and what belongs to the property. Clearing first makes the next stage easier and helps the new place feel calmer from the start.
Tips:
- Go room by room: Finish one space before starting another.
- Be honest: If you have not used something in years, ask whether it needs to come.
- Move donations quickly: Get bags and boxes out before they drift back into cupboards.
- List sale items early: Photograph larger pieces while you are already sorting.
Start packing before the run-up to moving gets busy
Packing always looks easier than it turns out to be. Start with things you do not use every day, then work towards the items you need most often. Books, ornaments, out-of-season clothes and spare bedding are good early jobs.
Use sturdy boxes and do not overfill them. Heavy items should go in smaller boxes. Lighter items can go in larger ones. Label each box with the room and contents so the removal team knows where it should go.
Try to pack by room. This makes it easier to unpack and stops the new place becoming a jumble of mixed boxes. If you have time, number boxes and keep a short note of what each one contains.
Tips:
- Start early: Pack non-essential items before the final week.
- Use the right boxes: Put heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger ones.
- Label clearly: Write the room and contents on more than one side.
- Keep tools close: Tape, scissors, pens and bags should stay out until the end.
Keep the things you need with you on moving day
Not every box should go in the van. Set aside a bag for moving day and your first night. Include the essentials you’ll need straight away: kettle, mugs, tea or coffee, chargers, toilet roll, toiletries, medication, snacks, pet supplies, bedding and a change of clothes.
Keep paperwork with you too. Passports, driving licences, contracts, home insurance papers, mortgage details, warranties and moving notes should stay in one folder. Anything expensive, hard to replace or needed urgently should travel with you rather than in the removal van.
This is also where to keep the small things you need but always end up hunting for, such as a screwdriver, tape measure, box cutter, bin bags and wipes. If you have everything you need for the first evening, the night in your new home will feel much easier.
Tips:
- Pack for day one: Keep drinks, chargers, toiletries and bedding where you can reach them.
- Carry documents yourself: Do not bury key paperwork in the van.
- Protect valuables: Keep jewellery, bank cards and small electronics close.
- Add simple tools: A screwdriver and scissors can save time straight away.
Use a change of address checklist and redirect your post
Changing your address is not exciting, but it saves hassle later. Make a full change of address checklist covering your bank, employer, insurer, GP, dentist, mobile provider, pension provider, school, subscriptions and online shopping accounts.
Mail redirection is worth arranging early. Even if you are careful, there is almost always someone you forget. A redirect gives you breathing space while you update your address across all the accounts you use.
If you drive, remember your licence, vehicle log book, vehicle tax details and any parking permits. If you run a business, update invoices, email footers, website contact details and any trading address information. You may also want to send out change of address details to friends and family. Some people still use change of address cards, which can be useful if you are moving far or want to let them know you’re moving.
Tips:
- Make a full list: Include banks, bills, work, healthcare, subscriptions and driving records.
- Set up redirection: Give yourself a safety net while you catch missed updates.
- Use your new address carefully: Update accounts only when you are sure of the date.
- Track changes: Note each account once it has been updated.
Notify your utility providers, broadband and council tax
Do not leave utilities until the last minute. Contact gas, electricity, water and broadband providers as soon as your move date looks firm. On the day you leave, take a meter reading and photo at your old home. Then do the same when you arrive at your new home.
Broadband is easy to underestimate. Delays can affect work, streaming, smart devices and basic admin. If you work from home, book your installation or transfer early and think about a short-term backup such as mobile data.
You should also notify your utility provider of the final date you are responsible for the property. Council tax should be updated if you are moving between areas. Check bin collection days, recycling rules and permit parking once you are in.
Tips:
- Book early: Contact providers as soon as the move looks likely.
- Take readings: Photograph meters at both properties.
- Plan broadband: Get installation dates sorted before you need them.
- Check local services: Find out bin days, parking rules and recycling details.
Check home insurance and contents insurance
Insurance when moving is easy to overlook because there are more visible jobs to do. Still, it matters. If you are buying, check when buildings cover needs to start and whether your lender has any specific requirements. If you rent, check what cover is your responsibility and what belongs to the landlord.
Your contents insurance may cover items in transit, but do not assume it does. Some policies include limited protection, while others depend on whether you use a professional removal company. Ask your insurer before moving day so you know where you stand.
If you are using a removal firm, check their insurance too. Find out how damaged items are handled and whether high-value belongings need to be declared. This is not about expecting problems. It is about making sure you cover your move properly.
Tips:
- Check dates: Make sure cover starts and ends at the right time.
- Ask about transit: Find out whether contents insurance covers belongings during the move.
- Declare valuables: Tell insurers or movers about high-value items where needed.
- Keep proof: Save policy details and removal paperwork with your moving file.
Check the new property before the van arrives
If you can access the new property before the van arrives, use that visit well. An empty home is much easier to inspect than one full of boxes. Measure doorways, stairs and tight corners if you are moving larger furniture.
Check taps, lights, sockets, windows, heating and appliances. Find the stopcock, fuse box, boiler controls and any alarm instructions. If you are renting, take photos of walls, floors, windows and anything already marked or damaged.
A quick visit can also help you decide where larger items should go. That saves time, avoids awkward lifting and helps the removal team place furniture in the right rooms.
Tips:
- Measure properly: Check awkward doorways, corners and stairs before the van arrives.
- Test the basics: Run taps, switch on lights and check heating works.
- Take photos: Keep a record of marks, damage or missing items.
- Find controls: Know where the stopcock, fuse box and boiler settings are.
Clean before moving, then get ready to move
A clean house is much easier to settle into. Even if the property looks fine at first glance, kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards and floors can feel different once you start living in them.
If you can, clean before moving boxes arrive. It is much faster while rooms are empty. Focus first on the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, because those are the spaces you will need straight away.
The same applies to the place you are leaving. Walk around your house before you hand over the keys and check cupboards, loft spaces, sheds and drawers. Leaving the property in good condition makes the handover smoother, especially if you rent and want your deposit returned.
Tips:
- Clean first: Empty rooms are much easier to deal with.
- Start with essentials: Focus on kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.
- Keep supplies separate: Pack cloths, spray, bin bags and a mop where you can reach them.
- Check everywhere: Look in cupboards, sheds and storage spaces before leaving.
Plan for children, pets and the day of the big move
The day of the big move is often too busy for children and pets to be around for all of it. Doors are open, boxes are stacked, furniture is moving and normal routines disappear. If you have children and are moving, arrange help for the busiest part of the day if you can.
Pets usually cope better if they are kept somewhere secure, or away from the move until the worst of the noise is over. Once you get into your new home, set up one calm room with familiar bedding, toys, bowls or blankets.
If children are old enough to understand what is happening, talk them through the move before the day arrives. Familiar meals, favourite toys and normal bedtime items can all help.
Tips:
- Arrange help: Childcare or pet care can make the day less stressful.
- Pack essentials separately: Keep food, medicine, nappies, leads and comfort items with you.
- Set up one room: Give children or pets somewhere calm when you arrive.
- Keep routines: Familiar meals and bedtime items can make the move easier.
Check safety after you move to your new home
Once you have the keys, deal with the simple safety jobs early. Check door locks, window catches, gates and access to sheds or garages. If you have bought the property and are not sure who has spare keys, it may be sensible to change the locks.
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms before you relax for the evening. Learn how the boiler works and how to turn off the water if needed. Clear boxes from entrances, stairs and walkways so the first night is safer and less cluttered.
These jobs are easy to push down the list, but doing them early helps the property feel more secure.
Tips:
- Check locks: Test doors, windows, gates and outbuildings.
- Test alarms: Do not assume smoke or carbon monoxide alarms are working.
- Learn the basics: Know how to turn off water and power.
- Clear hazards: Move boxes away from stairs, entrances and main walkways.
Unpack, update local records and feel at home
When you arrive, it is tempting to open every box at once. Try not to. Make the home usable first, then deal with the rest in stages. Start with the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
Make the bed, unpack towels, set up the kettle and put away mugs, plates and cutlery. Once those basics are done, the property feels less chaotic. After that, work room by room rather than opening boxes all over the house.
After the first few days, update local records. If you need to change GP, dentist or optician, do it early rather than waiting until you need an appointment. The same applies to schools if you are moving with children. This is also a good time to update electoral registration, repeat prescriptions, library membership and local clubs.
Settling into your new home also means learning the area. Find the supermarket, pharmacy, bus stop, train station, GP, park, school, library and somewhere decent for a coffee. If you arrive at your new home in Bristol, places such as Bristol Central Library, Ashton Court Estate, Windmill Hill City Farm, Bocabar Finzels Reach and Bristol Free School show how quickly local services and familiar spots can shape daily life.
Give yourself plenty of time. It can take a while to find your routine, especially if the move has changed your commute, school run or support network. Take your time and let the place slowly feel at home.
Tips:
- Make it liveable: Bed, bathroom and kitchen come first.
- Work room by room: Avoid opening boxes across the whole property.
- Update records: Sort healthcare, schools, prescriptions and local memberships.
- Learn the area: Find the practical places you will use most.
Finish the loose ends in your checklist
The final part of a move is often the easiest to forget. Once most boxes are empty, return old broadband equipment if needed, update any accounts you missed, file paperwork properly and check that post is no longer going to the wrong place.
Read your tenancy agreement or purchase paperwork again. If you rent, check the rules on decorating, pets, fixtures and garden upkeep. If you own a leasehold home, check any rules on flooring, balconies, parking or shared areas.
Keep manuals, warranty papers, spare keys and appliance details together from the start. It sounds small, but it saves hunting through random drawers months later.
Moving does not really end when the removal team leaves. It ends when the admin is done and the property starts to feel like yours.
Tips:
- Tie up admin: Return old equipment and update any missed accounts.
- Read paperwork: Check what you can and cannot do in the property.
- Store documents: Keep manuals, warranties and spare keys together.
- Do a final sweep: Check post, direct debits and deliveries are going to the right address.
Final thoughts
If you have been searching for things to do when you move house, the short answer is simple: start earlier than feels necessary, keep the practical jobs clear, and do not leave admin until after the boxes are in.
A move can still be tiring even when it is well planned. There will still be tape stuck to your shoes, odd jobs you forgot about and a point where you wonder why you own so many mugs. But when the basics are done at the right time, the whole thing feels lighter.
Use this guide as a working plan for the run-up to moving and the first few weeks after you arrive. When it is time to move, focus on what matters first, then let the rest settle gradually.
If you are still looking for a home, you can explore Guinness Homes developments, read the latest area guides, learn more about Shared Ownership, or get in touch through the contact page.
