moving checklist
No matter who you are, or how organised you are; moving is always stressful! At Store That, we want to help remove as much stress as possible. You can use our checklist for moving to transform your stressful task into an easy piece of cake!
See the bottom of this page for a printable version of this checklist.
End/Terminate your rental agreement - Let your landlord know you’re moving out, if you live in rented accommodation.
Visa - Check the expiry dates on your visa and travel documentation
School; transfer - Start arranging the transfer for your children’s schooling.
3 Months Prior
Measure, Measure, Measure - Take thorough measurements of your new home; make sure all your old furniture and items will fit. Be sure to measure the doorways to see if your furniture will fit through!
Temporary accommodation - If your new home won’t be available when you need to leave your old residence, you’ll need to arrange temporary accommodation.
Research & book a moving/removals company - Start compiling quotes from different moving/removals companies. Look into the services they offer and weigh up your options. You should also ask if any family or friends can help you.
Check insurance policies - Make sure you check the insurance of whatever moving/removals company that you choose; this will need to cover the goods you intend to transport; does it cover the items you pack yourself? Have the estimated value of your items to hand just in case.
2 Months Prior
The great purge - Go through your entire home, every room, and decide what you want to keep. You’ll need to make some tough decisions here, but hopefully you’ll be able to unload a lot of rubbish!
Buy boxes and packing materials - Check out our Packing Tips for more info on this. You should buy good quality packing materials and boxes.
Start packing! - Again, check out our Packing Tips for advice. Start with the less used items and be sure to label the boxes. Put only the most valuable of items (such as jewellery and important documents/files) in a safe box that you can personally transport to your new home. We would advise against putting these items in storage.
Change your address - Let all of the relevant people know about the change in your address. This should include people such as; employer, utilities services, bank, post, TV, deliveries, doctors, etc. Royal Mail offers a mail forwarding/redirection service.
Arrange your new utilities - Start arranging the utilities for your new home; you don’t want to be left without internet or a phone line for a few weeks!
1 Month Prior
Book Storage - Get in touch with one of our friendly & helpful team, who will be happy to find you a suitable storage solution.
Book leave - If you need to, make sure you book time off work to complete the move.
Arrange a baby/pet sitter - If you have children or a pet, we’d suggest arranging for someone to look after them whilst you complete the move. Perhaps a family member or close friend?
Food clear-out - Go through your cupboards and fridge/freezer; make sure you throw out everything that is nearing its expiry date.
Start dismantling! - Now would be a great time to get everything that you won’t be needing over the next 2 weeks dismantled.
2 Weeks Prior
Move in to your storage unit - If you’ve booked a storage unit, now would be a good time to start moving everything in!
Pack a suitcase (like a mini holiday!) - You should finish your general packing a couple of days before your moving date. Ensure you pack a suitcase with enough clothes to last a few days.
Grab the essentials - Pack a backpack with things like drinks, snacks, chargers, moving documents, keys, first aid kit, takeout menus and (if you like them) power bars!
Pack a separate bag/box with some clean towels, toiletries, cutlery, bed sheets and pillows for the few nights in your new home.
1 Week Prior
Devils in the details - Confirm the booking you have with any moving/removals services; especially their arrival time and that they know the direction to your new home. Most removals services allow you to sit in the van with them; check if you can do this with the company you’ve booked.
Defrost the fridge/freezer - Completely empty the fridge and defrost the freezer.
A Few Days Prior
Don’t panic - Make sure you have a big, healthy breakfast to start the day (don’t skip the coffee!).
Confirm - When the moving/removals company shows up, verify that they are the ones you booked/hired.
Inventory - Most movers/removals services will make an inventory list of the goods that they’ve loaded. You’ll need to make sure that they’ve signed and given you a copy of this list.
Start unpacking! - Welcome to your new home; you’ll need to start unpacking now.. Start with the larger items and furniture.
Refuel - Remember those takeout menus you lovingly packed in your essentials bag? Go grab them, you’ve earned the overpriced Chinese takeout today!