Things to do when moving house before, during and after

Moving house involves a lot more than boxes and a van. From admin to logistics, there are dozens of small tasks that make the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one.

Before moving day

Sort your removals. Compare a few removal companies rather than booking the first one you find, prices, availability, and service levels vary more than people expect. Book early, especially if you're moving on a weekend or at the end of the month, when demand is highest.

Declutter before you pack. Moving is the perfect excuse to get rid of things you no longer need. It also means less to pack, less to carry, and often a cheaper removal quote.

Notify the people who need to know. Banks, employers, insurers, utility providers, and the electoral roll should all have your new address. Set up Royal Mail redirection as a backup for anything you miss.

Start packing early. Begin with items you won't need in the weeks before the move, out of season items, spare linens, books, and decorations. Leave everyday essentials until last.

Label everything. Mark boxes by room, not just contents, so unloading is quicker and more organised. A simple colour coding system per room can save a lot of confusion on the day.

Plan for pets and children. If possible, arrange for pets or young children to be looked after on moving day itself. It keeps them safe and out of the way of a busy, fast moving process.

Pack an essentials box. Toiletries, chargers, a change of clothes, snacks, and any medication should travel with you, not in the removal van, so they're on hand as soon as you arrive.

On moving day

Do a final sweep of your old home. Check every room, cupboard, loft, and outdoor space before the removal team leaves, it's easy to forget items in less obvious spots.

Take meter readings at your old property before handing back keys, and again at your new property as soon as you arrive.

Keep valuables and important documents with you rather than packed on the van, including passports, certificates, and anything irreplaceable.

Be available for the removal team to answer questions about where things go, and check items as they're unloaded so any damage is spotted straight away.

Take photos of your empty old property and your new one on arrival, useful for both your own records and any deposit or handover queries.

After you've moved in

Unpack the essentials box first, then work through the rest room by room rather than trying to do it all in one go.

Check all utilities are working, heating, hot water, broadband, and any appliances left by the previous owner or tenant.

Register with local services, GP, dentist, and if you have children, their new school.

Update your driving licence and vehicle documents with your new address if you've moved out of your old registered area.

Introduce yourself to neighbours. It's a small thing, but it makes a new area feel like home much faster, and can be genuinely useful if you ever need a hand or a spare set of keys held.

Give yourself time. It's normal for a new house to feel unfamiliar for the first few weeks. Unpacking properly, hanging pictures, and settling routines all help it start to feel like home.

The key to a smooth move

Most of the stress in moving house comes from leaving things too late or not knowing what to expect. Working through tasks in stages, rather than all at once, and comparing your removal options early on will save you time, money, and a fair amount of last minute panic.