Week-by-Week Countdown Checklist for Your Big Move
This guide is for those who want to be organised and don’t want those ‘tear-your-hair-out’ moments on their big move day. While we can’t guarantee with 100% certainty that the exchange of contract will go through, we can help you feel more prepared for the big day when it finally does appear.Moving day has a nasty habit of sneaking up, but with this week-by-week countdown checklist you’ll have a methodical list of things to do and know exactly when they should be done.
Read the checklist, pop the essentials in your diary and, while you’re at it, bookmark this page to refer back to. If you’re excited about your move, but worried about forgetting the little things amidst the chaos (like updating your address for your bills), we’ve got you covered!
8 Weeks To Go – Preparing for the Move Begins
Time to start putting the move into motion, without going all in just yet.
Prepare a move folder. This can be digital or physical depending on what you prefer and how old-school you are. This should include contracts and any paperwork that you may need at a moment’s notice – when your conveyancer calls for those all-important documents, not knowing where they are could cause frustrating delays. To create an admin haven, get all your paperwork together at the earliest convenience. Your future self will be glad you did!
Research your new area. Moving out of town? If it’s not too far, it could be worth scouting out the area. Research your local GP surgery, hospital, post office and, if you have little ones moving with you, check out the local schools. Taking your children on a trip to the area they may soon call home will help prepare them and hopefully get them excited about exploring a new place.
Notify your landlord or agent. Only applies if you’re renting, but as soon as you’ve got your moving dates locked in, it’s time to let your landlord know the big news.
Time to declutter. Throwing out anything you don’t want or need to take to your new abode means you won’t have to pack so much, may save you a few quid on removals and will also make you feel good. Take those much-needed trips to the tip, donate to charities, sell on to new owners and make your house move feel that little bit lighter.
4 Weeks to Go – Keep Pushing!
With just 4 weeks to go, the move is likely starting to feel more real, but it’s also a time when some get complacent. Don’t be that person! We’ve got a super simple list of things to tick off around the ‘four weeks to go’ stage.
Order packaging materials. You’ll need boxes, bubble wrap and tape (lots of it!). Just as a helpful tip, you also don’t have to pack yourself – removal companies, such as DS Movements, can do all the packing and heavy-lifting for you (just don’t forget to turn that dream into reality by booking ahead of time).
Get packing. Start packing less used rooms and items. Don’t forget to mark each box with a specific room and generic description of its contents so you’re not left scratching your head wondering where everything is when you finally move.
Notify utilities, contract providers and insurance companies. It’s time to make the call to your gas, electric, water, and broadband suppliers (don’t forget the Wi-Fi lead time!).
Redirect your mail. As a catch-all failsafe, it’s worth setting up a mail redirect for some months to ensure all the important stuff goes to your new home.
Organise care for pets and kids. For children and four-legged friends, it’s time to organise where they’ll be on the big move day and how they’ll move with you. For sensitive or skittish pets, it could be better to leave them with a trusted friend or in a cattery/kennel for the day.
Book your removal date. The best slots go early.
Avoid flimsy boxes and high-street packaging prices with professional grade packaging kits delivered to your door. Or, if you’d rather, remember the removal company can handle all the packing (minus valuables, such as jewellery, and confidential paperwork).
2 Weeks Out – You’re so Close!
Nearly there – keep going, and don’t forget to do jump through the last hoops, including eating your way through the pantry and notifying all the important people of your new address.
Change address. Bank, HMRC, DVLA, subscriptions and electoral registers. Any friends or family that you haven’t told yet and would like to stay in touch with, make sure they know too!
Pack a moving day survival kit. A survival kit can include a kettle, hot drink supplies, snacks, chargers, toiletries, sleeping bags and basic tools.
Defrost the freezer. You finally have an excuse to eat your way through the pantry!
Start cleaning. Now that most of your packing should be done, it’s time to do those last bits of cleaning to leave the house in good condition for the new owners.
Put off packing, and now you’re panicking? Let our team handle it!
Move Day – It’s the Final Countdown!
You did it! You officially bought a house and you’re moving in, today. Just a few things left to do, including taking meter readings doing a final clean sweep of your now former home.
Take meter readings.
Snap a photo of the meters at the old and new house.
Final sweep.
Check the attic, garden shed, and under the stairs to make sure you definitely haven’t left anything.
The welcome pack.
Leave info for the new owners (boiler location, bin days). They’ll be super grateful.
With DS Movement, our reliable transport team is always on-schedule. We place your boxes exactly where you want them and, if requested during the initial quote, will also unpack and assemble your furniture – how’s that for going the extra mile?
Moving Tips From a Removal Team that Have Seen it All
Our top 5 moving tips that we’ve seen so many get wrong (and don’t want you to do the same). You’re welcome!
- When you dismantle furniture (beds, desks, wardrobes), put all the screws and Allen keys into a clear sandwich bag. Tape the bag to one of the pieces of that specific furniture. No one wants to spend hours looking for that one screw for their bed frame after a big moving day!
- Label one box as ‘Box #1 – Open First.’ Inside goes the kettle, tea/coffee, sugar, mugs, a box of biscuits, a multi-tool, and a roll of toilet paper (your moving day survival kit). Your removal team can make sure this is the last thing loaded so it’s the first thing off.
- Take photos of the back of your Wi-Fi router, TV, and PC setup while the cables are still plugged in. That means you have a quick-look reference on which cable goes where and you can enjoy a restful night watching your favourite programmes.
- Look ahead if there are restricted parking options or access on your new street. These can cause delays if you and the removal company don’t plan ahead.
- Never skip the final sweep! You may think you have everything but we’ve seen people leave coats with their wallet behind.
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Make Your Move Happen With DS Movements
We hope this checklist proves useful in your time of need and brings a little clarity to a moment of chaos.
Ready to make this move official? Get a free, no-obligation quote from the Cambridgeshire team with over 200+ five-star reviews.
DS Movements E-space South, 26 St Thomas Place Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4EX, UK
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