The days before moving house can be stressful, with many things to consider. But don’t worry – we’ve compiled a handy moving home checklist to help you get organised. You’ll need to:
• Hire a removal company
• Update your address
• Redirect your mail
• Pack your belongings
• Clean your home
• Move in!
Key takeaways
First night essentials
• Pack essentials separately and keep them close by
• Remember items like toiletries, bedding, and basic kitchen supplies
Security measures
• Change all door and window locks after moving in
Insurance coverage
• Ensure you have appropriate new build home insurance from the date of exchange
Utility meter readings
• Take and report gas, electricity, and water meter readings on moving day
Change of address
• Update your address with the relevant organisations
1. Book a removal company
You can compare removal quotes once you agree on a move date. The cost will depend on how many boxes you’re moving, how far, and how many people are needed to help you move.
If you’re on a budget or only have a few things to move, consider hiring a van and handling the move yourself to save money.
Below are the average removal costs if you’re moving within 15 miles and have packed up everything yourself.
| Number of bedrooms | Removals costs |
|
1 |
£420-£650 |
| 2 | £530-£750 |
| 3 | £800-£960 |
| 4 | £920-1,000 |
2. Update your address
Updating your details is one of the most important things to do when moving house. Contact your utility suppliers and other services in advance so they have time to update their records.
Below is a breakdown of where you may need to update your address when you move house.
Utilities
• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Phone and broadband
• TV licence
Insurance
• Home insurance
• Life insurance
• Work insurance
• Car insurance
• Pet insurance
Money
• Bank
• Credit card companies
• Investment or brokerage firms
• Loan provider
• Pension provider
Healthcare
• GP
• Other specialists
Local authorities
• Council
• Electoral roll
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Work
• Employer
• Professional associations (if applicable)
• Clients or customers (if you’re self-employed)
• Schools
Recreational
• Gyms
• Libraries
• Social clubs
4. Redirect your mail
Another important thing to do when moving house is to let Royal Mail know you’re moving. This is so they can redirect your post. You can do this at your local post office or online.
Learn more about getting your mail redirected in our comprehensive guide.
5. Pack your belongings
It’s time to get packing. We recommend labelling every box with the room it belongs in so you can find what you need quickly. You may also want to mark if any boxes are heavy, fragile or contain valuable items. Use dust sheets and covers to prevent furniture from scratching, and stack lighter boxes on top of heavier ones.
When unbuilding furniture, ensure that the screws and bolts stay with the relevant item. You can place loose screws in a sandwich bag and tape it to the furniture. Remember to pack some spare lightbulbs in case there aren’t any at your new home.
Explore our first night must-haves checklist to prepare for your move.
6. Clean your home
Once you’ve wrapped everything up, it’s time to prepare your home for the new owners. Gather cleaning supplies and clean every inch so the new owners can enjoy the space.
Remember to switch off water, gas and electricity and close all doors and windows.
7. Move in!
The big day is here. Here are some things you may want to do once you move into your home:
• Check utilities are up and running
• Ensure you have the keys to every door (internal and external)
• Find out how the bin collection works
• Take a picture of your new utility meters to ensure you aren’t charged incorrectly
Now, take some time to settle in and enjoy this huge milestone!
If you’ve found our moving home checklist helpful, why not browse our brand-new homes across the UK? We also have fantastic buying offers for first and second-time buyers.
Call or visit our Sales Advisers and start your journey to homeownership with David Wilson Homes.
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