Moving House Checklist: Things to Remember When Moving House

As exciting as moving into a new house is, the process of moving house itself is often stressful and time-consuming. There are many things you need to take care of, from packing and transporting your belongings to updating contact details. In all the moving-related chaos, it's easy to lose sight of small but important things that may prove to be a problem in the future. And if you're moving to another country, this whole ordeal can get even more complicated. Luckily, you can avoid most issues with a few simple steps and a well-thought-out house-moving checklist.

Below you can find our list of important things to remember before, during and after a house move, including a few helpful tips to enjoy a quick and hassle-free move.

Create a Moving House Checklist

Creating a moving house checklist can help you:

• remember important things and dates,
• keep track of progress for different tasks,
• manage your moving budget and monitor expenses.

Your checklist should be tailored to your needs and include everything involved in your moving process, preferably in the order in which each task should be accomplished. This way, you'll be able to cross off everything that no longer requires your attention and move down the list without the risk of missing anything.

Plan Your Move in Advance

While there are tasks you need to wait with until the very last minute, for example, packing essential things, such as medicines, toiletries, or basic kitchen appliances, others can and should be completed earlier. This second category includes planning, especially if you plan on hiring packing and moving services. Remember that removal companies tend to have quite busy schedules, so it may not be possible to find available dates at the last minute.

And even if you want to move without professional help, you'll still need to hire a removal van and find someone to help you move heavy items and furniture. Make sure to inform your friends and family members willing to lend you a hand well in advance of the moving date and the tasks involved.

• Our advice: The earlier you start planning your move, the more time you'll have to deal with potential problems and complications.

Tasks you can get out of the way early include:

• booking a removal company,
• buying packing materials and supplies,
• packing non-essential items,
• decluttering your home (donate or sell those of your belongings you no longer want or need).

Double-Check Important Dates

Before setting your moving date, you need to check two things:

• when you need to move out from your old address (e.g., if you're renting, you need to hand in your notice to the estate agent or landlord, and if you're selling, you need to move out before the house goes to its new owners),
• when you can move into your new house (it's best to contact your new landlord/estate agent at least a few days before the move to make sure there are no delays).

Make the Necessary Arrangements for the Moving Day

• Check whether there are any parking restrictions at your current or new address and arrange a suitable parking spot for the removal van (or vans) as close to the entrance as possible to make loading it easier.
• Book child and/or pet care. Moving day is stressful enough as it is, even without young children or pets involved in the process. If possible, ask friends or family to look after them for a day.
• If you're hiring a removals company or a removal van, make sure to give the company the necessary details, including both old and new addresses and parking arrangements, and confirm the scheduled date and time.

Start Packing Early

Things you can pack early include:

• books,
• toys,
• out-of-season clothing,
• decor items and artwork,
• spare tableware and rarely used kitchen gadgets and appliances,
• items stored in your attic, basement, or storage unit.

Just in case you need to get something out of the box and to make the unpacking easier, make sure to label each box clearly and visibly. You don't need to list every item in the box, a simple description of the content will suffice, e.g., important documents, books, or glassware.

• Our advice: To reduce the risk of damage and injuries, it's best to label the top of each box. If necessary, you can also add information about whether it contains fragile or heavy items. This way, you or your movers will know to handle such boxes with care.

Pack the things you use every day last, and keep essentials close by so you can unpack them first after arriving at your new address.

Notify Everyone Who Needs to Know About Your Change of Address

Who to inform when moving house:

• Family and friends
• Your employer
• Your utility companies (it may be possible to stay with the same gas and electricity providers at your new address, but you still need to update your address information),
• Insurance providers
• Internet providers
• Your local council (for both locations to update your council tax and electoral roll information)

Things to do when moving house:

• Do you have to change doctors if you move? Depending on the location of your new flat/house, you may need to change your GP practice. It's also a good idea to find a local dental clinic and, if you have pets, a vet in your area.
• To make sure none of your mail goes missing in case there are any delays with updating your address, redirect your mail to your new address (either online or by visiting your local Post Office branch).
• The list of addresses to update when moving includes all your subscriptions and delivery services.
• Update your driving licence by informing the DVLA of your address change. Make sure to do it quickly because you can be fined up to £1,000 for using a licence with the wrong address.
• Move your TV licence and internet service to your new address.
• Leave your mobile phone number, address, or other contact details for the new owners. This way, they'll be able to contact you in case there are any issues or they find something that belongs to you.

Confirm That Everything Is Ready for the Move to Go Ahead

• Go through your house-moving checklist once again and check whether everything is ready. Double-check that everyone involved knows what happens on your moving day.
• Make sure everything is packed, and the boxes are sealed properly and ready for transport. If you want to pack in any particular order (for example, to keep boxes with things from specific rooms together, organise them beforehand and inform your helpers or removal company about this fact).
• The day before or even the morning of your move, take a final walk through the house and carefully check each room for any items you forgot to pack.
• Keep your phone fully charged and have it with you throughout the entire day. This way, it'll be easy to contact you in case of any questions or emergencies.

Make Yourself at Home at Your New Address

After moving in, take a minute to walk through the entire property. Check the condition of each room, and test plugs, taps, lighting, and other necessities. If you find anything belonging to the previous owners, put it in a separate box.

Then it's time to start transforming the new flat or house into your home by filling it with your belongings and personal touches. Unpack the most essential things that you'll need right away first. If you have any house appliances from the previous house with you, make sure to install them following the instructions. Decorations and non-essentials can wait a bit longer to be unpacked. First focus on making your space practical and comfortable.

If you have the option to do it, it may also be a good idea to change the locks. This way, you won't have to worry about anyone else having spare keys to your new home.

Hire a Removal Company to Move Without Stress!

Hiring a moving company can help you avoid the stress of taking care of everything yourself. Experienced movers have the necessary knowledge and tools to transport all your belongings, from boxes with everyday items to bulky furniture and household appliances quickly and safely. At Bright Removals, we have years of experience with international removals, so if you're planning to move from Germany to the UK (or from the UK to Germany), call us and let us know how we can help!