Lay the groundwork: set your budget, lock in a date, and start getting quotes.

• Set a moving budget and confirm your move/completion date
• Get 3 removal quotes and decide: man & van, full removals, or DIY
• If renting, check your notice period and give notice in writing
• Start a moving folder for contracts, quotes and key dates
• Begin a first pass of decluttering — sell, donate, recycle
• Start using up freezer food and store-cupboard stock

The less you move, the cheaper and faster it is. Be ruthless now.

• Go room by room; bag up items to sell, donate or dispose of
• Book a clearance for bulky or unwanted items if needed
• Measure large furniture against new-home doorways and rooms
• Order or collect packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap)
• Research schools, GP and dentist in your new area

Secure the big bookings while there’s still plenty of choice.

• Book your removals / man & van and confirm the date in writing
• Arrange storage if your move-out and move-in dates don’t align
• Book time off work for moving day (and ideally the day after)
• Arrange childcare or pet care for the day
• Start packing rarely-used items — loft, garage, out-of-season

Build momentum on packing and lock in the supporting services.

• Pack non-essentials room by room; label every box (room + contents)
• Keep an inventory list and number your boxes
• Book end-of-tenancy or new-home cleaning (via sister company Hello Cleaners)
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions and memberships tied to your address
• Arrange to transfer or service appliances if moving them

The biggest admin push. Update your address everywhere it matters.

• Set up Royal Mail redirection (it can take ~5 working days to start)
• Notify gas, electricity and water suppliers of your move date
• Arrange broadband & phone transfer/install — book early, installs take weeks
• Tell both councils for council tax (old and new)
• Update bank, credit cards and insurers
• Update DVLA (licence + V5C logbook), TV Licence and electoral roll
• Update employer, HMRC, pension and mobile provider
• Register with a new GP and dentist; arrange any school transfers

Iron out the logistics that make moving day run smoothly.

• Confirm access, parking and floor details with your removal team
• Arrange parking permits / bay suspensions at both ends if needed
• Sort home & contents insurance for the new place (with overlap cover)
• Photograph electronics wiring before you unplug anything
• Keep packing; plan your moving-day travel route

Run things down and confirm every detail with everyone involved.

• Run down the fridge/freezer; plan to defrost a couple of days before
• Confirm timings and key handover with removers and agents
• Dispose of hazardous items removers won’t take (paint, aerosols, fuel)
• Cancel/redirect milk, papers, gardener or cleaner
• Back up documents; keep originals (passport, deeds) to carry yourself

Almost there — pack the last of it and prep your essentials.

• Pack everything except day-to-day essentials
• Pack your essentials box (see below) and label it clearly
• Clean rooms as you empty them, or confirm your cleaners
• Set aside valuables, documents and keys to carry personally
• Confirm the key collection time and withdraw a little cash

Stay calm and work the list — the hard prep is already done.

• Take meter readings (gas, electric, water) + photos at both homes
• Do a final walk-through: cupboards, loft, garden, shed
• Check your inventory as the van loads and unloads
• Hand over old keys and collect the new ones
• Locate the stopcock, fuse box and thermostat at the new place
• Unpack the essentials box first and make a cup of tea ☕

A few finishing tasks to make the new place properly yours.

• Confirm utilities are in your name and submit opening readings
• Test smoke and CO alarms; replace batteries if needed
• Finish any address updates and check redirection is working
• Confirm electoral roll, GP and dentist registrations
• Meet the neighbours and find the nearest shops, bins and parking