The Complete Moving Day Checklist: A UK Survival Guide
Moving house is consistently ranked among the most stressful life events — somewhere between divorce and a major job change. The good news: 90% of the stress comes from forgetting things, not from the move itself. This checklist, refined across 50,000+ UK moves, makes sure nothing slips through the cracks.
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8 Weeks Before
Yes, eight weeks. This is where good moves are won and bad moves are lost.
- Confirm completion date with solicitor and estate agent
- Get 2-3 removal quotes (or book a man with a van)
- Book your preferred slot (premium dates fill up fast)
- Start a “leaving home” inventory — list big items by room
- Walk every room and identify the 20% you don’t actually use
- Notify your landlord if renting (60 days’ notice is typical)
- Research schools / nurseries near new address if applicable
4 Weeks Before
- Begin decluttering room by room (start with the loft and garage)
- Sell unwanted items on Marketplace, Vinted or eBay
- Donate to charity shops or list on Olio for free pickup
- Source moving boxes (free from supermarkets, Marketplace)
- Buy packing tape, bubble wrap, marker pens
- Tell the council you’re moving (council tax)
- Notify utility providers (gas, electric, water, broadband)
- Notify TV licence, car insurance, home insurance
- Set up Royal Mail mail redirect (£35 for 12 months — worth every penny)
- Update bank, credit cards, pension provider, ISA provider
- Inform GP, dentist, optician — register at new ones if moving area
- Inform DVLA of your new address (driving licence and V5)
- Tell HMRC, employer payroll, child benefit office
Pro tip: Make a Google Doc list of everyone you need to notify. Tick them off as you go. You’ll discover three or four more in the days after the move — keep updating the list.
2 Weeks Before
- Start packing rarely-used rooms (loft, garage, formal dining, spare bedroom)
- Label every box with room + content summary on TWO sides
- Take photos of expensive items (insurance evidence)
- Confirm parking arrangements at both addresses (permits if needed)
- Confirm move time slot with your removal firm
- Arrange childcare and pet care for moving day
- Empty and clean the freezer (last 2-week shop)
- Use up frozen food in the week ahead
- Cancel local services (gardener, cleaner, milk delivery)
- Run down food cupboards — donate unopened tins to food banks
1 Week Before
- Pack everything except daily essentials
- Take meter readings 3 days before and on the day
- Disassemble flat-pack furniture (bag screws, tape to part)
- Wash and pack linens, towels, curtains
- Empty fridge contents into a cool bag for moving day
- Pick up keys collection plan from estate agent
- Confirm completion time with solicitor
- Drain water from the iron, kettle, washing machine
- Pack a “first-day” box for the new place (see essentials list below)
- Top up car fuel — you don’t want to be stopping mid-move
- Check the weather forecast — bad weather changes everything
The Day Before
- Defrost the freezer (24 hours required)
- Empty the fridge — eat or donate perishables
- Disconnect washing machine and dishwasher; bag hoses
- Strip beds, bag bedding, leave one set out for tonight
- Wrap mattresses in mattress bags
- Charge all phones, power banks, portable chargers
- Confirm with movers — call to verify arrival time
- Set out tomorrow’s clothes (you don’t want to pack them by accident)
- Pack the essentials box (see below) and put in the car, not the van
- Get cash for tips, takeaway, parking meters
- Print or screenshot the new address and directions
- Get an early night — moving day starts at 7am
Move-Day Morning
- Up early — at least 90 minutes before mover arrival
- Shower, eat a proper breakfast (you’ll skip lunch otherwise)
- Take final meter readings — photograph all three (gas, electric, water)
- Tape “FRAGILE” boxes one more time, top and bottom
- Load the car with essentials box, valuables, important documents
- Load the car with pet carriers and pet supplies
- Greet the driver, offer tea, give the tour
- Walk through the load order with the driver (what goes first)
- Confirm new address, parking, postcode with driver
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During The Load
- Stay on hand to answer questions, don’t disappear
- Keep walkways clear — no trip hazards
- Direct fragile items personally (don’t assume)
- Make tea/coffee for the team mid-load
- Keep kids and pets out of the loading zone
- Take photos of anything that’s already damaged (claim evidence)
- Confirm load count — tick off the big items as they leave
- Keep your phone charged (you’ll be on it more than you think)
The Final Walk-Around
Before you lock up for the last time, do a slow walk-around. This is the single most-forgotten step on moving day and the source of 90% of “I left my X behind!” panic phone calls.
- Open every cupboard, drawer and wardrobe (top, middle and bottom)
- Check the loft (yes, even if you think it’s empty)
- Check under every bed
- Check behind every door (often where wall-mounted things end up)
- Check the shed, garage, garden
- Check the bathroom — toiletries, towels, the boiler timer if it has one
- Check the fridge and freezer one final time
- Take meter readings (photo evidence)
- Take photos of the empty rooms (deposit evidence for landlords)
- Switch off everything — boiler, fridge if leaving, immersion heater
- Close all windows, lock all doors
- Leave keys somewhere agreed (estate agent, neighbour, key safe)
Arrival At The New Place
- Walk the property before unloading — note any existing damage
- Take photos of all rooms (so you know what was there at start)
- Take meter readings on arrival (your billing starts here)
- Locate the stopcock, fuse box and gas valve before you need them
- Test that hot water and heating work
- Direct unload: largest furniture into rooms first, then boxes
- Tell the driver where each labelled box goes (the labels save 30 minutes here)
- Unwrap and place the bed frame first — assemble it before you’re too tired
- Check off your inventory as items come off the van
- Settle up with the driver, leave a Trustpilot review if happy
First Night In
- Make the beds — even if nothing else is unpacked, sleep matters
- Unpack the essentials box: kettle, mugs, tea, toothbrushes, loo roll
- Order a takeaway. Don’t try to cook on night one.
- Check smoke and CO alarms work
- Make sure you know where the fuse box is in case of trips
- Keep a torch handy
- Lock up, set the alarm if there is one
- Sleep. Tomorrow is for unpacking.
What’s In The Essentials Box
This box goes in your car, not the van. It’s the single most important box of the entire move.
Kitchen
Kettle, 2 mugs, tea bags, coffee, instant milk, sugar, 2 plates, 2 sets of cutlery, washing-up liquid, sponge, tea towel.
Bathroom
Toilet roll, hand soap, toothbrush + paste per person, shower gel, towel each, basic toiletries.
Bedroom
One set of bedding per bed, PJs, change of clothes per person for next morning.
Tools
Scissors, screwdrivers (philips + flat), Allen keys, torch, batteries, parcel tape, marker pen.
Tech
Phone chargers, power bank, laptop + charger, broadband router (if moving it), HDMI cable for TV.
Paperwork
Tenancy or completion docs, ID, meter reading log, removal company contact, takeaway menus.
Medical
Any prescription meds, paracetamol/ibuprofen, plasters, contact lens stuff if needed.
For pets/kids
Pet food + bowls, favourite toy, kids’ favourite blanket and bedtime book.
Don’t forget: Important documents — passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, vehicle V5, completion statement. These travel with you, never in the van.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I start packing for a move?
For a smooth move, start packing 3-4 weeks ahead. Begin with rooms you use least (loft, garage, formal dining) and finish with the kitchen and bedrooms in the final week.
What time does the average UK move start?
Most movers prefer 8-9am starts. Earlier slots are available and often cheaper. The day tends to end between 4-6pm for a 2-bed move.
Should I be present during the move?
Yes. You don’t need to lift but you should be available to answer questions, direct the driver and unlock the new property. A move with no client present takes 30-50% longer.
What if completion is delayed on the day?
Hello Vans drivers will wait up to 90 minutes at no extra charge if completion is held up. Beyond that, hourly waiting time may apply — but we’ll always discuss it with you first.
What happens if it rains on moving day?
Moves happen in all UK weather. Our drivers carry floor protection and waterproof covers. The only thing that genuinely stops a move is heavy snow or floods.
How do I move with pets?
Pets travel with you in the car, never in the van. Best to keep them at a friend’s or kennels on move day itself if possible — fewer disruptions, less stress for them.
What’s the most-forgotten thing on moving day?
Hands down: the loft, the under-stairs cupboard, and items inside fitted wardrobes. Do a full walk-around with the loft hatch open before you lock up.
Should I tip the movers?
Not expected. £5-£10 per person is generous if you’ve had brilliant service. A Trustpilot or Google review is equally appreciated.
Do I need to provide tea/coffee?
Not required, but offering is a nice touch. A kettle and mugs in your essentials box covers it.
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