Print or screenshot this the night before
Moving Day Checklist, Hour by Hour
Everything that needs doing on the day itself, in the order it needs doing.
Moving day goes wrong in small ways: a meter unread, a key not left, a kettle packed at the bottom of a van. None of it is dramatic, all of it is avoidable.
This checklist follows the day as it actually happens rather than as a tidy list of themes.
The night before
Finish the last boxes, strip the beds you are not sleeping in, charge every phone, and put the first night box and your personal documents somewhere the crew cannot load them by accident. Defrost the freezer if it is coming with you.
- Last boxes taped and labelled
- Beds stripped, bedding bagged per room
- First night box set aside by the front door
- Freezer defrosting, fridge emptied
Morning, before the van arrives
Eat something, park your own car out of the way of the van, and clear the hallway and stairs completely. Decide where the crew can put their kit and where the kettle lives.
While loading happens
Walk the house with the crew and point out anything fragile, valuable or not going. Take meter readings and photograph them with a timestamp. Then keep out of the carrying route, because a clear staircase is worth more than an extra pair of hands.
- Gas, electricity and water readings photographed
- Every cupboard, loft hatch and shed checked twice
- Windows closed and internal doors left open
- Keys collected for the agent or new owner
At the new house
Before anything comes off the van, walk through and decide where the large furniture goes, then let the crew place it once. Point out any floor or wall you want protected. Beds first is nearly always the right instinct, because a made bed at nine in the evening is a good day.
Take your new meter readings straight away, find the stopcock and the fuse board, and check the heating works before the crew leaves.
Keep these with you all day
Documents, keys, medication, chargers, snacks, water, a phone bank, scissors and a marker pen. Everything else can be in the van; these should be in your bag or your car.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What time do removals usually start?+
Most loads begin between half past seven and nine in the morning so there is daylight and slack at the other end. We confirm your arrival window when you book.
What if my completion is delayed on the day?+
The load stays secure and we hold. Keep in touch with your solicitor and with us, and we will replan the afternoon rather than abandoning the day.
Should I tip the removal crew?+
It is never expected. Cold drinks and access to a kettle are genuinely appreciated, and a good review helps a small local firm more than cash does.
Who takes the meter readings?+
You do, at both properties, with a photograph as evidence. It is the single easiest way to avoid a billing dispute weeks later.
What should I do about pets on moving day?+
Keep them in one closed room with water and a note on the door, or ideally with a friend. Open front doors and a busy hallway are how pets get lost.
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