The Complete Moving Checklist: Everything to Do Before, During & After Your Move

Decide your moving date and confirm lease end or property settlement date.

Research and get quotes from at least three moving companies, or price out van hire if moving yourself.

Book your preferred moving company or van hire before good slots are taken — weekends in late spring and summer fill up fast.

Start a moving folder (physical or digital) for contracts, receipts, utility account numbers, and important dates.

Declutter room by room. Sell, donate, or discard anything you will not bring to the new home.

Measure doorways, stairwells, and elevator dimensions at both properties so you know what large furniture will fit.

List large items that may need specialist disassembly, crating, or transport such as a piano, pool table, or large artwork.

Check your home insurance and enquire whether contents are covered during transit, or purchase moving insurance.

Source boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and marker pens. Ask local shops for free boxes.

Start packing seasonal items, books, and things you rarely use. Label every box with contents and destination room.

Arrange storage if there will be a gap between your move-out and move-in dates.

Notify your children school or childcare of the move and begin enrolment paperwork at the new school if changing.

Check whether your vehicle needs a new registration address and arrange this before the move date.

Request medical, dental, and vet records to transfer to new providers near your new home.

List all subscriptions and services that need an address change: gym, magazine, meal kits, Amazon, pharmacy deliveries.

Notify your electricity, gas, and water providers of your move-out date and arrange disconnection or transfer.

Set up electricity, gas, water, and internet at the new address so they are active on arrival day.

Notify your bank, credit card providers, and any loans of your new address.

Update your address with your employer for payroll and HR records.

Set up a mail redirection service from your old address to the new one.

Notify your doctor, dentist, specialist, and any regular healthcare providers of the address change.

Confirm the move date and logistics one more time with your moving company and get written confirmation.

Check whether the new property has parking and loading restrictions on moving day and arrange any necessary permits.

Pack all non-essential rooms. Only leave out what you need for the next two weeks.

Defrost the freezer and plan to use up frozen food rather than transporting it.

Photograph all electronics setups (TV cables, router, stereo) before disassembling so reconnection is easy.

Return borrowed items to friends, family, and the library. Collect anything you have lent out.

Confirm move-out inspection requirements with your landlord or conveyancer and book a cleaner if needed.

Notify friends and family of your new address and moving date.

Confirm childcare or pet care arrangements for moving day so children and pets are not underfoot.

Pack everything except what you need for the final nights: a few plates, one pot, toiletries, bedding, towels, chargers.

Prepare an essentials box that travels with you: medications, documents, phone chargers, toilet paper, kettle and mugs, snacks, and a change of clothes.

Confirm key collection time and access arrangements at the new property.

Disassemble furniture you plan to move flat-packed and bag up all screws and fittings in labeled bags.

Check the weather forecast and arrange extra protection for items that cannot get wet.

Withdraw cash for tips, fuel, and any unexpected expenses on the day.

Charge your phone and portable battery pack the night before moving day.

Do a final walkthrough of every room, cupboard, loft, shed, and garage before the removalists leave.

Check under beds, behind doors, and inside built-in wardrobes for anything left behind.

Take meter readings (gas, electricity, water) at both the old and new property and photograph them.

Hand over keys to your landlord or agent once the property is cleared and inspected.

On arrival, check the condition of the new property and document any pre-existing damage with photos.

Direct the movers — assign each room a colour-coded label system so boxes go straight to the right room.

Set up beds first so everyone has somewhere to sleep that night regardless of how long unpacking takes.

Locate the fuse box, water stopcock, and gas meter at the new property so you know where they are in an emergency.

Change all locks on the new property — previous owners or tenants may still have copies of keys.

Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.

Locate and test the internet router and set up Wi-Fi with a new password.

Unpack the kitchen first — eating normally reduces stress during the rest of the move.

Set up each bedroom with basic furniture and storage before tackling common areas.

Walk or drive around the neighbourhood to find the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, GP, and public transport.

Register with a local GP and dentist if you have moved to a new area.

Update your driving licence and vehicle registration with your new address.

Check the first utility bills at the new address to confirm accounts are set up correctly and meter readings match.

Update your electoral roll registration to your new address.

Update your address on your passport and travel documents if required by your country.

Schedule any maintenance or repairs identified during the move-in inspection.

Find and introduce yourself to immediate neighbours — a brief hello now can prevent misunderstandings later.

Review your home and contents insurance policy to make sure coverage applies to the new property and its value.

Set up a recycling and waste collection schedule based on your new councils collection days.

Cancel or redirect any remaining services still linked to the old address that you have not updated yet.