Whether you're a seasoned mover or a first-time buyer, there are many factors to consider when moving house, from organising paperwork to budgeting for your removal costs. Staying organised at each stage will help you avoid missing any important steps.
By following our moving home checklist, you can break the process down into manageable steps, ensuring all tasks are completed efficiently and helping you beat the stress of moving house.
1. Hiring A Conveyancing Solicitor
Once you have had your offer accepted on your home, you will want to hire a conveyancing solicitor. They will assist you through the conveyancing process and handle all the legal aspects of your move. They conduct the correct searches and provide you with the relevant documentation to read through and sign.
Decide on your conveyancing fee budget
Compare conveyancers
Supply them with your mortgage documentation
Review the results of the conveyancing searches
Await exchange and completion of documents
Compare My Move can connect you with up to 5 conveyancing solicitors in the local area. You can compare conveyancers and save up to 70% on the overall fees.
2. Arrange a Home Survey
Having a RICS Home Survey will ensure your home is a worthy investment before you complete your purchase. While this isn’t a legal requirement, it’s highly recommended. The surveyor will assess the overall condition of the property.
Compare surveyors
Arrange a time to conduct the property survey
Await house survey documentation
Read the survey report and discuss any issues with your surveyor
Decide if you still want to purchase the property
If there are issues, renegotiate the offer or pull out of the sale
Supply all survey reports to your mortgage lender
Await confirmation that they are happy to lend
Our qualified property surveyors can help you decide which type of home survey would be most beneficial for you, and help you save up to 70% on your survey fees.
3. Confirm Completion Date
The finalisation and exchanging of contracts is one of the final steps in the conveyancing process. Your conveyancer will handle the legal and important documents on your behalf. Whilst the completion date is not always the same as your moving day, they often occur simultaneously.
Contact your conveyancer about exchanging contracts
Send final legal documents
Sign the contract of sale
Confirm finances and arrange to pay your deposit and legal fees
Arrange building insurance for the property
Agree and confirm the completion date with your solicitor
Transfer your deposit
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4. Choose A Removal Company
As your transaction nears completion, it’s time to decide whether to move items yourself or hire a professional removal company. Experienced movers can transport your belongings quickly, safely, and with minimal disruption.
Start by calculating your potential removal costs and deciding which fixtures and fittings you’ll take with you. Costs vary depending on:
- Distance (including long-distance moves)
- Number and size of removal vans needed
- Extra services such as packing or storage
If you’re looking to save money on your move, consider part-load or small removals, which are often cheaper than full-service moves.
It is recommended to book your removal company 4-6 weeks in advance. However, there are some removal companies that offer last minute removals.
For unwanted furniture, you can donate to charity shops or hire a house clearance company. Comparing house removal quotes through Compare My Move will help you find the most cost-effective option.
5. Declutter and Pack
Once you’ve arranged your removals service, it’s a good idea to begin the packing process. It’s best to pack most items well in advance of your move. This will help to make the process smooth and as stress-free as possible. Reading our Moving House Packing Checklist will help.
Start cleaning and decluttering to reduce the volume of items that need to be moved. This can also help to reduce your removal costs. You can either purchase packing supplies from your chosen removal company or you may find free moving boxes from local shops. Read more on our guide on when to start packing for a move.
Declutter your home and clear out any unwanted items
Remove fittings and fixtures
Create an inventory
Start packing room-by-room
Label boxes
6. Contact Organisations and Companies
Before moving, it’s important to contact the correct organisations and companies and make them aware of this. If you are getting Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) it will be direcly linked to your address, so make sure you inform your local counicl of any changes. If you’re renting, you will need to hand in your notice to inform your landlord that you are ending your rental contract. It’s important to notify these organisations and companies of your new address.
Government organisations
Financial institutions (banks, building societies and credit card companies)
Insurance providers
Utility suppliers
Regular bills (phone contracts should also be changed)
Broadband
Health services
Work and education contacts (such as unions and universities)
Leisure and family activities (gyms, libraries, etc.)
Cancel any current parking permits
Send final utility meter readings
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7. Update Your Address
Before your moving day, you need to know who to nofity when you move. For example, you will need to contact relevant companies to inform them of your change of address. This includes subscription services. You need to make them aware of your new and old address. These companies include:
Health services (GP surgery, optician, dentist or private facilities)
Utility providers (water, gas, electricity)
Financial services (your bank, pension services, credit card companies, savings account providers. Your billing address needs to be updated. )
Insurance companies (life insurance, car insurance, pet insurance)
Government bodies (the electoral roll, local authority, DVLA, GOV. UK Vehicle Registration, and HMRC)
TV Licencing
Subscription services (Netflix, Amazon Prime etc)
Friends and family
Place of work or education
When you’re creating an updated address checklist, don’t forget to use a mail redirection service from your previous address. This will ensure you are still receiving outstanding mail you may have forgotten to change the address for. This can be done through Royal Mail Redirect.
8. View Storage Options
If there is a gap between your completion and moving date, you may need to consider using container or self-storage. This is also useful if you’re moving from a larger home to a smaller one.
Research storage costs and options
Decide which type of storage you need
Compare storage providers
Decide which items will go into storage
Pack chosen items
Separate the storage boxes from your moving boxes
9. Final Preparations
As your moving day gets closer, you will want to complete any last-minute tasks on your to-do list. Now is the time to confirm your moving day with your solicitor and estate agent. If you need help on what day to move, read our guide on the best day to move house. In addition to this, you will want to prepare your old home for the new owners by cleaning the property.
Finish packing and dismantling furniture
Perform a final deep clean - consider hiring an end-of-tenancy cleaning company
Pay final bills
Check the council tax band
Check your home insurance
Pack an essentials box for your moving day
Arrange care for children or pets
Order a food shop online for the new home
Do a final check around the house
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10. Moving Day
On your moving day, your chosen movers will start loading the removal van. Ask your estate agent for updates regarding the keys. Keep important contact details close at hand in case there are unexpected delays. Read more on our guide on how long does it take to move house.
When you’re moving, it’s important to keep your essential box with you. This should contain essentials such as your important documents and items with you. This should include the keys to your new home and any ID or completion documents you may need. It helps to ensure nothing is missing when you arrive at the new home.
Greet the movers
Submit final meter readings
Leave a note for the new homeowners
Collect your keys
Instruct the movers
Inspect the new property
Perform a final inventory check
Wipe down furniture as you unpack
11. After Your Move
After you have moved home you will want to begin the unpacking process and settle into the new property. Here are some useful things to do in the first few days:
Turn on utilities and log initial meter readings
Turn on the central heating
Check the appliances and electrics are working efficiently
Begin to unpack your belongings and important items
Check your bin and recycling days
Introduce yourself to neighbours
