8 to 12 weeks before: book and plan
Most of the stress in a move comes from leaving the big decisions too late. As soon as you have an offer accepted or a rough date in mind, start here.
- Book a survey. A remover can only quote accurately once they have seen what you own and how the lorry can reach your home. In BH postcodes and DT11, 1st Choice offers a free home visit. From anywhere else, you can Get an online quote with short room videos or photos.
- Compare like with like. Check that each quote covers the same things: packing, insurance, specialist items and any storage.
- Check the company. Look for membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR), which brings a code of practice and, for inland domestic moves, the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee.
- Start decluttering. Everything you get rid of now is one less thing to pack, move and unpack. Our decluttering and downsizing guide has a room-by-room plan.
- Think about the gap. If your sale and purchase dates might not line up, ask about storage now rather than the week before.
4 to 6 weeks before: admin and address changes
This is the stage people underestimate. Work through the list below, ticking each one off as you go.
- Royal Mail redirection, set to start on your moving day
- Council tax at both your old and new council
- Gas, electricity, water, broadband and TV licence
- GP, dentist, optician and vet
- DVLA for your driving licence and vehicle log book
- Bank, pension, employer, insurers and the electoral roll
- Schools and nurseries, if you have children
Look at the street outside both properties too. If parking is tight, ask BCP Council or Dorset Council whether you need a parking suspension or dispensation for the removal lorry, and allow time for the application.
2 to 4 weeks before: start packing
Pack the rooms you use least first: the loft, garage, spare room and anything seasonal. Label every box on the side with the room it is going to and a short list of contents.
Buy proper packing materials rather than relying on supermarket boxes, which crush when stacked. If you would rather not pack at all, or only want help with the kitchen and fragile items, ask about our packing service at your survey.
Tell your remover about anything unusual well in advance. Pianos, antiques, artwork and very heavy furniture need planning, and some valuable pieces travel best in a bespoke wooden crate. See specialist removals for more, and our full packing guide for technique.
The week before moving day
- Confirm the date, arrival time and both addresses with your remover.
- Defrost and dry the freezer at least 24 hours before the move.
- Use up or give away food, cleaning products and anything flammable, such as paint, gas bottles and fuel, which removers will not normally carry.
- Arrange care for children and pets on the day. Our guide to moving with children and pets covers this in detail.
- Pack a first-night box: kettle, mugs, tea, phone chargers, toilet roll, bedding, towels, basic tools and a change of clothes.
- Keep documents, keys, medicines and jewellery in a bag that travels with you, not in the lorry.
On moving day
Take meter readings and photos at both properties. Stay on hand at the start so you can point out anything that must not go and anything fragile.
At 1st Choice, our full-time uniformed crews lay heavy-duty floor sheeting and pad banisters, doors and frames before anything is carried. When the lorry is loaded, walk round every room, cupboard, loft and shed before you lock up.
At the new property, stand at the door and tell the crew which room each box and piece of furniture goes to. It saves hours of shuffling later.
Planning a long-distance UK move
A move to the other end of the country needs more lead time than a local one. Book earlier, especially for spring and summer, and check that both properties have room for a large vehicle.
Depending on the distance, your belongings may arrive the next day, so plan where you will sleep and what you need with you. If keys are not released on time, short-term storage can hold everything safely until you are ready. Our anonymised move to Scotland and relocation to Northern Ireland show how longer moves come together.
After you move
Unpack the kitchen and beds first, then one room at a time. Check that your post is arriving at the new address and that every account on your list shows it.
Our settling into your new home guide covers the first few weeks, from registering with a GP to finding your stopcock. When you are ready to start, you can request a quote or call 01202 570970.
