Moving House Checklist: Everything You Need to Know

A successful move starts with good planning. Without a clear plan, it's all too easy for tasks to pile up, deadlines to be missed, and stress levels to soar. This week-by-week moving house checklist covers every stage of the process, from the first steps of preparation right through to settling into your new home. Print it out, bookmark it, and tick things off as you go.

8 Weeks Before Your Move

Eight weeks out is when the real planning begins. This is the time to lay the groundwork for everything that follows.

• Research and book a removal company. Start getting quotes from at least three removal companies. Ask about insurance, what's included, and their availability on your preferred moving date. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing your ideal date. EL Removals offers free, no-obligation quotes for house removals across Swansea and South Wales.
• Begin decluttering. Go room by room and sort your belongings into keep, sell, donate, and discard piles. The less you move, the cheaper and easier the process will be. Consider selling items on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or donating to local charity shops.
• Create a moving folder. Whether digital or physical, keep all moving-related documents, quotes, and correspondence in one place. This includes your removal quote, property contracts, utility account details, and any other important paperwork.
• Start a change of address list. Begin compiling a list of everyone who needs to know your new address: banks, insurance companies, DVLA, HMRC, subscriptions, online shopping accounts, and so on.
• Measure your new property. If possible, visit your new home and measure key rooms. This helps you decide whether existing furniture will fit and where it should go, saving time and confusion on moving day.

6 Weeks Before Your Move

With your removal company booked and decluttering underway, it's time to tackle the administrative side of moving.

• Notify utility companies. Contact your gas, electricity, water, and broadband providers to arrange disconnection at your current address and connection at your new one. Some providers need two to four weeks' notice, so don't leave this too late.
• Redirect your post. Set up mail redirection through Royal Mail. You can redirect post for three, six, or twelve months. This catches any post from organisations you forgot to update.
• Notify your GP, dentist, and optician. If you're moving out of the area, you'll need to register with new practices. If you're staying local, simply update your address.
• Review your insurance. Check whether your home insurance covers you during a move, and update your contents insurance with your new address details. Some removal companies (including EL Removals) carry their own goods-in-transit insurance.
• Arrange school transfers if needed. If you have children, contact schools in your new area to arrange places or transfers. The sooner you do this, the better your chances of securing a place at your preferred school.

4 Weeks Before Your Move

One month out, it's time to start the physical preparation for your move.

• Gather packing materials. Stock up on sturdy cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and marker pens. You can buy these from removal companies, DIY stores, or collect free boxes from local supermarkets. Alternatively, consider our professional packing service which includes all materials.
• Start packing non-essential items. Begin with items you won't need in the next month: out-of-season clothing, books, ornaments, spare bedding, and decorative items. Label every box clearly with its contents and the room it should go to.
• Arrange parking if needed. If you live on a street with restricted parking, apply for a parking suspension from your local council. In Swansea, this needs to be done at least two weeks in advance.
• Confirm your removal booking. Call your removal company to reconfirm the date, time, and any special requirements. Discuss access at both properties and highlight any items that need special care.
• Start using up perishable food. Begin working through the contents of your freezer and cupboards. Moving frozen food is difficult, and you don't want to throw away good food on moving day.

2 Weeks Before Your Move

The move is getting close. This is when packing intensifies and final arrangements come together.

• Pack room by room. Work systematically through each room, packing everything except daily essentials. Keep boxes for each room together and label them clearly.
• Disassemble furniture. Start taking apart flat-pack furniture, beds, and any items that need to be disassembled for transport. Keep all screws and fixings in labelled bags taped to the relevant furniture piece. If you'd prefer, your removal team can handle this on the day.
• Update your address. Work through your change of address list: DVLA (you must update your driving licence for free), your bank, insurance companies, HMRC, the electoral register, Amazon, and any subscriptions.
• Arrange key collection. Confirm when and where you'll collect the keys to your new property. Coordinate timing with your solicitor or estate agent, and make sure it aligns with your removal schedule.
• Clean as you go. As you empty each room, give it a thorough clean. This is especially important if you're renting and want your deposit back.

1 Week Before Your Move

The final countdown. This week is about tying up loose ends and making sure everything is ready.

• Pack your essentials box. This is the last box you pack and the first you open. Include: kettle, tea, coffee, mugs, toilet roll, hand soap, phone charger, basic cleaning supplies, a change of clothes, bedding for the first night, snacks, and any medications. Keep this box with you, not on the removal van.
• Defrost the freezer. Turn off your freezer at least 24 hours before the move to allow it to fully defrost. Place towels around it to catch the water.
• Take photos of electronics. Before disconnecting TVs, computers, and entertainment systems, take photos of the cable connections. This makes reassembly at your new home much easier.
• Confirm everything with your removal company. Do a final check-in: confirm the arrival time, discuss any last-minute changes, and make sure they have the correct addresses for both properties.
• Prepare important documents. Gather passports, birth certificates, property contracts, insurance documents, and keep them in a separate bag that stays with you.
• Say goodbye to neighbours. Let your neighbours know you're moving, particularly if the removal van might affect parking on your street.

Moving Day

The big day has arrived. Stay calm, stay organised, and let the professionals do the heavy lifting.

• Get up early. Give yourself plenty of time before the removal team arrives. Strip the beds, finish any last-minute packing, and have breakfast.
• Take meter readings. Read and photograph your gas, electricity, and water meters. Send the readings to your suppliers.
• Brief the removal team. When they arrive, walk them through the property. Point out fragile items, heavy items, and anything that needs special attention. Show them a floor plan or describe where furniture should go at the new property.
• Do a final walkthrough. Before locking up, check every room, every cupboard, the loft, the garage, the garden shed, and under the stairs. Check behind doors and inside built-in wardrobes.
• Lock up and hand over keys. Secure all windows and doors, set any alarms, and hand keys to your estate agent or new owner as arranged.
• At the new property. Take meter readings, check all utilities work, and direct the removal team as they unload. Have your essentials box to hand.

Your First Week in Your New Home

You've made it. Now it's time to settle in and turn your new house into a home.

• Unpack systematically. Start with the kitchen and bedrooms so you can cook and sleep comfortably. Then tackle the bathroom, living room, and other spaces. Don't try to do everything in one day.
• Register for council tax. Contact your local council to register at your new address. You can do this online through the council website.
• Register with a GP. If you've moved to a new area, find and register with a local GP surgery as soon as possible.
• Update your electoral registration. Register to vote at your new address through the gov.uk website.
• Meet your neighbours. Introduce yourself and start building those all-important local connections. They can tell you about bin days, local shops, and the best takeaway nearby.
• Explore the area. Take a walk around your new neighbourhood. Find the nearest shops, parks, bus stops, and other amenities. If you've moved to Swansea, there's no shortage of beautiful beaches and parks to explore.
• Recycle packing materials. Break down cardboard boxes and take them to your nearest recycling point. Many removal companies will also collect used packing materials.

For more practical advice on packing, check out our guide on 10 expert packing tips for a stress-free move.