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Moving House Checklist: Top Tips for a Stress Free Move

Martha Lott

Written by Reviewed by Dave Sayce

8th Feb 2022 (Last updated on 13th Mar 2024) 7 minute read

Whether you're a seasoned mover or a first-time buyer, there are many factors to consider when moving house. It's important to stay organised to ensure you aren’t missing out on any important steps in the moving process.

By following our moving home checklist, you can break the process down into manageable steps. This will ensure all tasks are completed efficiently, helping you beat the stress of moving house.

  1. 1. Hiring A Conveyancing Solicitor
  2. 2. Arrange a Home Survey
  3. 3. Confirm Completion Date
  4. 4. Choose A Removal Company
  5. 5. Declutter and Pack
  6. 6. Contact Organisations and Companies
  7. 7. Update Your Address
  8. 8. View Storage Options
  9. 9. Final Preparations
  10. 10. Moving Day
  11. 11. What to do After Your Move

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1. Hiring A Conveyancing Solicitor

Once you have had your offer accepted on your home, you will want to hire a conveyancing solicitor. They will assist you through the conveyancing process and handle all the legal aspects of your move. They conduct the correct searches and provide you with the relevant documentation to read through and sign.

  • Decide on your conveyancing fee budget
  • Compare conveyancers
  • Supply them with your mortgage documentation
  • Review the results of the conveyancing searches
  • Await exchange and completion of documents

Compare My Move can connect you with up to 6 conveyancing solicitors in the local area. You can ‌compare conveyancers and save up to 70% on the overall fees.

2. Arrange a Home Survey

Having a RICS Home Survey will ensure your home is a worthy investment before you complete your purchase. While this isn’t a legal requirement, it’s highly recommended. The surveyor will assess the overall condition of the property.

  • Compare surveyors
  • Arrange a time to conduct the property survey
  • Await house survey documentation
  • Read the survey report and discuss any issues with your surveyor
  • Decide if you still want to purchase the property
  • If there are issues, renegotiate the offer or pull out of the sale
  • Supply all survey reports to your mortgage lender
  • Await confirmation that they are happy to lend

We can connect you with up to 6 surveyors in the local area. This will help you to save up to 70% on your surveying fees. Our solicitors can help you decide which type of home survey would be most beneficial for you.

3. Confirm Completion Date

The finalisation and exchanging of contracts is one of the final steps in the conveyancing process. Your conveyancer will handle the legal and important documents on your behalf. Whilst the completion date is not always the same as your moving day, they often occur simultaneously.

  • Contact your conveyancer about exchanging contracts
  • Send final legal documents
  • Sign the contract of sale
  • Confirm finances and arrange to pay your deposit and legal fees
  • Arrange building insurance for the property
  • Agree and confirm the completion date with your solicitor
  • Transfer your deposit

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4. Choose A Removal Company

When your transaction is nearing completion, you will want to consider hiring a removals company. While you can move items yourself, professional removalists are experts in the field. They will move goods quickly and efficiently.

Calculate your potential removal costs and decide which fixtures and fittings you will take or leave behind. Your removal costs will vary depending on a variety of factors. This includes long-distance moves and additional packing services.

  • Decide what items you want to keep and get rid of
  • Decide on your moving budget
  • Compare removal company quotes
  • Choose a removal company
  • Arrange a home removal survey
  • Decide whether you require additional removal services, such as packing or white glove services
  • Confirm the price and date for your move

Compare My Move can help you to choose the best removal company for you. Simply fill out our removals comparison form to be connected with up to 6 professional moving companies. We work with many companies that are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR). We can also help you to find the cheapest way to move house.

5. Declutter and Pack

Once you’ve arranged your removals service, it’s a good idea to begin the packing process. It’s best to pack most items well in advance of your move. This will help to make the process smooth and as stress-free as possible.

Start cleaning and decluttering to reduce the volume of items that need to be moved. This can also help to reduce your removal costs. You can either purchase packing supplies from your chosen removal company or you may find free moving boxes from local shops.

  • Declutter your home and clear out any unwanted items
  • Remove fittings and fixtures
  • Create an inventory
  • Start packing room-by-room
  • Label boxes
  • Follow our 20 packing tips for moving house

6. Contact Organisations and Companies

Before moving, it’s important to contact the correct organisations and companies and make them aware of this. If you’re renting, you will need to hand in your notice to inform your landlord that you are ending your rental contract. It’s important to notify these organisations and companies of your new address.

  • Government organisations
  • Financial institutions (banks, building societies and credit card companies)
  • Insurance providers
  • Utility suppliers
  • Regular bills (broadband and phone contracts should also be changed)
  • Health services
  • Work and education contacts (such as unions and universities)
  • Leisure and family activities (gyms, libraries, etc.)
  • Cancel any current parking permits
  • Send final utility meter readings

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7. Update Your Address

Before your moving day, you will also need to contact relevant companies to inform them of your change of address. This includes subscription services. You need to make them aware of your new and old address. These companies include:

  • Health services (GP surgery, optician, dentist or private facilities)
  • Utility providers (water, gas, electricity)
  • Financial services (your bank, pension services, credit card companies, savings account providers. Your billing address needs to be updated. )
  • Insurance companies (life insurance, car insurance, pet insurance)
  • Government bodies (the electoral roll, local authority, DVLA, GOV. UK Vehicle Registration, and HMRC. Changes of address will affect things such as your driving licence)
  • TV Licencing
  • Subscription services (Netflix, Amazon Prime etc)
  • Friends and family
  • Place of work or education

When you’re creating an updated address checklist, don’t forget to use a mail redirection service from your previous address. This will ensure you are still receiving outstanding mail you may have forgotten to change the address for. This can be done through Royal Mail Redirect.

8. View Storage Options

If there is a gap between your completion and moving date, you may need to ‌consider using container or self-storage. This is also useful if you’re moving from a larger home to a smaller one.

  • Research storage costs and options
  • Decide which type of storage you need
  • Compare storage providers
  • Decide which items will go into storage
  • Pack chosen items
  • Separate the storage boxes from your moving boxes

Compare My Move can help you to find up to 6 storage companies in the local area through our storage comparison form.

9. Final Preparations

As your moving day gets closer, you will want to complete any last-minute tasks on your to-do list. Now is the time to confirm your moving day with your solicitor and estate agent. In addition to this, you will want to prepare your old home for the new owners by cleaning the property.

  • Finish packing and dismantling furniture
  • Perform a final deep clean - consider hiring an end-of-tenancy cleaning company
  • Pay final bills
  • Check the council tax band
  • Check your home insurance
  • Pack an essentials box for your moving day
  • Arrange care for children or pets
  • Order a food shop online for the new home
  • Do a final check around the house

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10. Moving Day

On your moving day, your chosen movers will start loading the removal van. Ask your estate agent for updates regarding the keys. Keep important contact details close at hand in case there are unexpected delays.

When you’re moving, it’s important to keep your essential box with you. This should contain essentials such as your important documents and items with you. This should include the keys to your new home and any ID or completion documents you may need. It helps to ensure nothing is missing when you arrive at the new home.

  • Greet the movers
  • Submit final meter readings
  • Leave a note for the new homeowners
  • Collect your keys
  • Instruct the movers
  • Inspect the new property
  • Perform a final inventory check
  • Wipe down furniture as you unpack

11. What to do After Your Move

After you have moved home you will want to begin the unpacking process and settle into the new property. Here are some useful things to do in the first few days:

  • Turn on utilities and log initial meter readings
  • Turn on the central heating
  • Check the appliances and electrics are working efficiently
  • Begin to unpack your belongings and important items
  • Check your bin and recycling days
  • Introduce yourself to neighbours

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Martha Lott

Written by Martha Lott

Having guest authored for many property websites, Martha now researches and writes articles for everything moving house related, from remortgages to conveyancing costs.

Dave Sayce

Reviewed by Dave Sayce

Owner & Managing Director, Compare My Move

Dave Sayce is the owner and managing director of Compare My Move and has over 10 years of experience in the house removals industry.

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