Move home with a clear plan

A move can become confusing when many small jobs happen at once. Start with your handover date, the day you receive access to your new home, and any period when both properties are available. Work backwards from those dates to divide the tasks into weekly stages: clear out things you no longer use, gather packing materials, confirm who can help, and set aside time for an inventory. A specific plan means fewer rushed decisions on moving day.

Make a separate checklist for each room rather than putting everything into one long list. Sort belongings into three groups: take with you, donate or sell, and dispose of appropriately. Keep personal documents, essential medicines, keys, work equipment and anything young children need in a separate bag. Carry that bag with a household member rather than burying it in the removal vehicle.

If you hire a removal company, check the agreed scope of work, access arrangements, protection for your belongings and responsibility for damage. This guide does not provide quotations or recommend suppliers. Record the actual agreement in writing, taking account of the volume of belongings, distance, stairs, lifts and parking space.

Use boxes of a manageable size and weight. Divide heavy items such as books between several small boxes; lighter things such as bedding can go in larger ones. Cushion the base, fill empty spaces and test whether you can lift a box safely before sealing it. Keep liquids with unsecured lids away from documents, electrical equipment and fabrics that are difficult to clean.

A useful label answers three questions: which room does the box belong in, what important items are inside, and how soon will it need to be opened? Use short codes such as KITCHEN-01 or BEDROOM-03 and keep the detailed contents list on your phone. Mark fragile boxes on several sides and show which way up they should be carried. A label on the lid alone can disappear when boxes are stacked.

Photograph the cable connections behind equipment before disconnecting it, and put screws in small labelled bags. Cover sharp edges, secure cupboard doors and remove loose parts where the manufacturer permits it. Read the separate transport instructions for large appliances. Some need to stay upright, have a drum secured, or stand for a specified period before being connected again.

Before loading begins, clear the access routes and agree who is responsible at each property. One person can check items leaving the old home while another receives them and directs them to the right place at the new one. When everyone is carrying things and answering questions at the same time, boxes are more likely to end up in the wrong room and small items can be overlooked.

Load according to the order in which things will be needed. Items to unpack first should go onto the vehicle last: drinking water, tissues, basic tools, chargers, bed linen and a few kitchen essentials. Never place fragile items beneath heavy boxes, even when their packaging looks strong. In wet weather, prepare suitable floor protection and keep surfaces dry to reduce the risk of slipping.

Check the inventory room by room before the vehicle leaves. Work from the top of the property down through the main rooms, storage areas, balcony and parking space. Open every cupboard, check for devices still plugged in, and look behind doors. A short checklist with a clear record of who checked each area is more dependable than trying to remember everything at the end of a long day.

Before returning the keys, photograph the condition of each room, any relevant utility meter readings and the equipment included with the property. Keep a record of when the photographs were taken and include enough of the surroundings to show the context. Record problems as soon as they are found rather than relying on a verbal conversation. For a rented home, compare the condition with the original inventory and the terms you agreed.

Keep cleaning separate from packing. Once the last box has left a room, check the walls, floor, windows and bathroom or kitchen surfaces. Leave a small cleaning kit accessible until the end. Electrical, gas and plumbing work should be handled by someone appropriately qualified. Keep people away from a hazardous area and contact the relevant professional.

List every key, access card, remote control and document included in the handover. Both parties should understand when access to the property ends. This is particularly useful for separate storage units, parking spaces and gates with access codes. Do not post photographs of keys or access codes on social media.

Avoid opening every box at once. Prioritise somewhere to sleep, the bathroom, a small kitchen area and any essential workspace. Then unpack one room at a time, completing an area before moving on to the next. This keeps access routes clear and makes missing or misplaced items easier to notice.

Check appliances and fragile belongings while you can still compare them with the inventory. If you find damage, keep the packaging and take photographs before moving the item again. Note the box, when the problem was discovered and who handled it. Specific details are more useful than a general description several days later.

Finally, make a list of organisations that need your updated address, such as your bank, insurer, school, employer and existing service providers. Procedures and deadlines vary, so confirm the requirements directly with the organisation concerned. Remove labels containing personal information before recycling boxes, and keep a few sturdy ones for any remaining sorting.