Works from eight weeks out or eight days
Moving House Checklist: Eight Weeks to Completion
Who to tell, when to book and what to do each week before you move.
Most of the stress in moving comes from doing everything in the final fortnight. Spread across eight weeks, the same work is unremarkable.
If you have less time than this, start at the week that matches your date and simply compress the earlier steps.
Eight to six weeks: decisions and quotes
Get removal quotes while you still have choice of dates, and be honest about volume so the price holds. Confirm your notice period if you rent, and start the unglamorous work of deciding what is not coming with you.
- Two or three fixed price removal quotes
- Notice given to a landlord or agent
- Loft, garage and shed sorted for keeping, selling or clearing
- School places and any parking permits investigated
Five to four weeks: book and declutter
Confirm your remover and get the scope in writing. Book any clearance for unwanted furniture now, because it is much easier to price a move once the volume is settled. Order boxes and packing materials.
Three to two weeks: tell people and start packing
This is the admin fortnight. Redirect post, arrange broadband at the new address, and notify councils, banks, insurers, employers, the DVLA, your GP and dentist. Then begin packing the rooms you barely use.
- Royal Mail redirection arranged
- Broadband and utilities set up at the new property
- Council tax closed and opened
- Insurance updated for the new address and the move itself
The final week
Confirm timings with your remover and solicitor, pack everything except daily essentials, defrost the freezer, and set aside the documents and keys you will carry yourself. Book a cleaner or plan the clean of the property you are leaving.
Completion day and after
Follow a day plan rather than improvising, take meter readings at both ends, and expect the evening to be about beds and the kettle rather than perfection. In the first fortnight afterwards, register with local services and check nothing has been quietly billed to your old address.
The best time to move house
The best time to move house depends on what matters most to you. Spring and early summer bring longer days and drier weather, which helps with loading and unpacking, but they are also the busiest months. Late summer is popular with families wanting to settle before the school year. Winter moves are quieter, with more choice of dates, though shorter days and wet weather need planning around.
Within the week, Fridays are in highest demand because many completions happen then. A midweek move often gives you more choice of removal date and a calmer day. Avoiding the very end of the month can help too.
- Spring and summer: long days, busiest period
- Late summer: popular with families
- Winter: quieter, shorter days
- Midweek: more choice than Fridays
How this checklist differs from moving day itself
This house moving checklist covers the weeks of preparation. The moving day checklist guide covers the day itself, from meter readings to the first evening in the new home. Use this page to plan, and that one to stay on track once the van arrives.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
How early should I book a removal firm?+
Two to four weeks is comfortable, longer for summer or a month end completion. Booking early costs nothing and protects your preferred date.
When should I redirect my post?+
About two weeks before you move, setting the start date for the day after completion. It runs for a fixed period and gives you time to update the accounts you forgot.
Can I book a removal before I have a completion date?+
Yes. We can hold a provisional date and firm it up once your solicitor confirms, which is far better than waiting and finding the diary full.
What if my chain collapses?+
Tell us as soon as you know. We would rather move your date than hold you to a day that no longer works, and we will explain any terms clearly up front.
How long does the average move take on the day?+
A small flat can be done in a morning, while a family home with a garage and loft is a full day. The volume and the carry distance decide it more than the mileage does.
When should I start a moving house checklist?+
Around eight weeks before your expected completion is a good starting point, so quotes, notice periods and decluttering are not rushed.
What is the best month to move house?+
It depends on your priorities. Spring and summer offer longer days but more demand; winter is quieter with more date choice.
Is it better to move midweek?+
Often, yes. Fridays are the most requested day, so a midweek date usually gives more flexibility and a calmer move.
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Read the guideHow Much Does It Cost to Move House?
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Read the guideHouse Clearance Costs and What to Expect
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