Moving House Checklist

The logistics of moving can be quite complex and the process can feel overwhelming – particularly as a first-time buyer. We’ve put together this checklist of things to do when moving house, so whether you’re sourcing quotes from suppliers or packing your belongings, you’ll always know what’s next.

Remember, this is an indicative timeline – your house move may be very different. We’ve helped hundreds of people move into their dream Crest Nicholson home, so if you’re ever feeling lost, our Sales Advisors are on-hand to offer you any advice you need.

Who to contact

There are a number of key companies you’ll need to inform about your change of address. Even if you take advantage of the Royal Mail’s Redirection service, you should take the time to inform some organisations of your move directly.

These are some of the high-priority organisations you’ll need to inform, which can affect your vote, identification and tax.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
Department for Work and Pensions
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Electoral roll
TV licence
Local council

To keep your details secure, banks and other financial institutions will often use your address to verify your identity. Be sure to keep them updated:

Current account, savings and investment providers
Credit card suppliers
Pension services
Loyalty card providers

Your building and contents insurance provider will need to be informed of where you are moving and when. It’s also worth checking if your belongings are covered for the move – if not, you may want to add this or seek it out from your removals company.

Elsewhere, you should also update any car, home, pet, life, health or mobile phone insurance you’ve taken out.

Inform your gas, water and electricity providers that you’ll be moving. Give them the exact date and supply them with photographs of your meter readings to ensure you get charged the right amount.

Let any other services you pay for know that you’re moving, too. These can include things like:

Landline provider
Broadband
TV package
Mobile phone

Find a doctor’s practice local to your new home and register as a patient to minimise any delays should you need treatment.

Also consider other health providers, such as your optician, dentist, and so on.

Get in touch with your child’s school to inform them of your imminent move. This is essential if you’re down as an emergency contact, but can also help them be sensitive to your child’s changing situation.

You’ll also need to inform your employer so they can update their records, as well as any other associations or networks you belong to.

Now you’ve covered all the essentials, you just need to tick off any other companies who may get in touch via mail. These could be:

any subscriptions you have – such as magazines, or newspapers
clubs you belong to – a gym, for example
microchip databases for your pets
charities or initiatives

What do I need to consider before moving house?

You’ve had your offer accepted and the date is in the diary. Three months might seem like a long time, but it’s best to be prepared. Now is a great time to conduct a bit of research and get organised:

research which utilities and providers offer the best deals for your area
look into removals companies and compare prices and reviews – look for companies that are part of the British Association of Removers
find your local doctor’s practice
get a notepad or file to keep important documentation, notes and lists together – you’ll be talking to a lot of different people and will need quick access to details

One of the major things you’ll want to do now is find a conveyancer – they’ll take care of the legal transfer of ownership and ensure the legal side runs smoothly. Now is also a good time to start the big task of decluttering your home, deciding what you’ll keep and what you’ll throw away.

Hire a conveyancing solicitor
Check if your contents insurance will cover your move – if not, ensure your most valuable belongings are assessed and make a note to extend your cover with the removals firm
If you’re renting, give your landlord notice of your moving date and arrange how any final payments will be handled
Get removals quotes – and be sure to check whether friends and family can help!
Make a list of all of your possessions and where they’ll go in your new home
If there are any parking restrictions outside your current home, let your removals firm know in case they need to apply for a permit
Discuss any choices and options for your new home with your Sales Advisor
Purchase or collect packing materials, such as bubble wrap, cardboard boxes and tape
Inform your children’s school(s) of your move

It's not long until your moving date, so it’s a good time to revisit that research you carried out. Select your utilities providers and arrange for installation to minimise any downtime. You should also start packing items you won’t need until after the move.

Confirm your moving date with your solicitor
Let your removals firm know your moving date is confirmed
Clear the attic, shed, garage, or any other large storage spaces
If you haven’t already, talk to your Sales Advisor about your predecoration visit and home demonstration
Pack any non-essential items
Give your utilities companies notice of your moving date and update your home insurance to your new address
Book any necessary time off work

With your move confirmed, it’s time to confirm the finer details with your removals company. It’s also a good idea to call in favours and have your pets or children looked after by someone else, so you’ll be able to concentrate on the task at hand. Check in with friends and family and see who’s available.

Confirm all the final details with your removals company, including time of arrival, planned route to your new home, and your contact number
Ensure you have child and/or pet care arranged for the big day
Settle any final bills
Ensure you have enough medication to see you through the move, if necessary
Run down any food in your freezer
Inform TV licensing of your move

With just a week to go, you’ll want to have all but your essential, day-to-day items packed and ready to go. For a smooth transition on moving day, formulate a plan for the removal company so you know which boxes and possessions you want them to take first.

Finalise most of your packing and think about how you want the removers to tackle this
Arrange for mail redirection
Send out change of address cards to loved ones
Check that your fridge and freezer are completely defrosted and dry before moving
Ensure you have cash to see you through any unexpected emergencies, and all bases are covered in paying for your move and stamp duty
Arrange to collect the keys to your new Crest Nicholson home
Prepare a ‘first night’ bag to ensure you have all your daily essentials to hand
Give your house one last check

It’s the big day – if you’ve followed our tips up to this point, you just need to execute your plan. Flag any boxes that you’re taking in the car with you to your removals team and which order they should take their boxes in.

Have a fully charged mobile phone
Pack up bed linen and curtains
Take final meter readings using the camera on your phone (which should confirm the date and time it was taken)
Brief your removals team and give them your contact details and directions to your new home
Have your conveyancer and Sales Advisor’s contact details to hand, should you need them
As soon as you arrive, pop the kettle on and get the beds set up – you’ll thank yourself later
Take a reading of the meters in your new home
Take stock of your inventory – did everything make it over undamaged?

Congratulations on your new home! The planning is over, but there are still some things left to do. Try to unpack your belongings in good time to prevent boxes from hanging around unopened for months to come, but remember that it’ll take time to find a place for all your possessions.

Familiarise yourself with your boiler, heating and water so you know how they work
Prioritise your bedroom and then your bathroom – you’ll need a good rest throughout the unpacking process and your daily essentials to hand
Check your white goods and ensure they’re working
Introduce yourself to your neighbours

That’s it! As part of our buying process, we’ll ensure you’re looked after for up to two years from the day you move in – so if you have any questions, get in touch with our customer service team.

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