The Essential Checklist for When You Move House

Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do.  So it pays to be as organised as possible to minimise those cortisol levels.  The following checklist will tell you when to start planning, who to notify and how to pack when you move house.


A month before you move

  • Book your removal van. If the company offers various sizes of vehicle, always overestimate how much space you’ll need.
  • Start to get rid of items that you no longer need or want. Don’t just throw things away, take them to charity or do a moving sale.
  • Visit the new property to measure it for your furniture, and anticipate any obstacles. If you find that you have too much stuff to fit in the new house, you could always consider renting a storage space for it.
  • Starting using up food in the pantry and freezer.
  • Organise schooling if your kids are changing schools.
  • Sort through problem areas like sheds, garages and lofts.
  • Start to source boxes and packing materials like bubble wrap and newspaper.



2 weeks before the move

  • Contact all the relevant authorities about your change of address. This includes the landlord, utilities companies, banks, internet mobile phone providers and so on.
  • Make sure you arrange for any internet connections to be transferred as well as accounts for electricity/gas, and that final bills are paid.
  • Give the landlord forwarding mail address so that you won’t miss any important mail.
  • Arrange for the old house to be cleaned.
  • If you want your kids or your pets to be minded while you move, sort this with a childminder or family and friends.



1 week before moving

  • Set aside any bed linen and towels that you’ll be using on the first night. Place them in a separate box or at the least on top of a pile of other items so they’re easily visible.
  • Same goes for crockery, cutlery, glasses, and kitchen staples like salt. You don’t want to be rooting through mountains of stuff just to find a glass for that celebratory drink.
  • Cancel any deliveries of newspapers, milk etc.
  • Have the car checked out if you’re moving far away.
  • Draw up a plan for each room in the new house so you can get an idea of where stuff will go and start packing according to room.
  • Pack essential items in a bag that you’ll carry with you – toiletries, phone charger, furniture assembly instructions.


Even presidents help to move the furniture

The day before

  • Defrost, empty and clean  your fridge and freezer.
  • Leave a welcoming note with important information for the new residents. Give them your new address and phone numbers.


On the day
  • Put any perishable foods in a cool box.
  • Keep a “survival kit” to hand with medication and first-aid supplies, accidents can easily happen with all that moving of heavy items.
  • Do a couple of sweeps of the house before you leave to make sure you’ve not forgotten anything.
  • Don’t forget to turn off power and take final meter readings.
  • Don’t forget to lock all doors and windows and put the alarm on.

Once you’ve moved, there’s the joy of unpacking to look forward to. But at least with this checklist the move should have been a little smoother.

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