Printable moving house checklist

Moving House Checklist

Avoid a stressful move and be prepared.

Create a simple checklist for moving house and work through the items
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  • Packing Service
  • Flat Pack Assembly
  • Absolute Care Standard
  • Storage
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • 5-Star Rated

Moving into a new house checklist

Moving house can be a pretty stressful, and perhaps even slightly intimidating, task for most families. However, a thorough plan and careful organisation before the move can make the entire experience of moving house manageable and maybe even enjoyable. The following moving house checklist lists every major and minor task that you should be ticking off before and on the day of the big move, in order to ensure things go smoothly.

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What we do

From single items to full houses, pick the service that fits and we'll handle the rest.

Home removals

Full and part house moves across London and the home counties, planned door to door.

Office & commercial

Office moves of all sizes, relocations or overflow transit for goods and displays.

Man & van

Flexible hourly help for smaller moves, single items and student moves.

Storage

A range of secure short and long-term storage solutions while you're between places.

Packing service

Quality materials and careful packing, spare boxes taken away free on the day.

Flat-pack assembly

Beds dismantled and reassembled, and flat-pack furniture built for your new home.

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How it works

  • Enquire via webform or phone
  • Free assessment visit or video call
  • Pay a deposit to secure the booking

Your protection

  • Careful and experienced workforce
  • Goods in transit insurance £30,000
  • Public liability £1m

Additional services

  • Man & van
  • Storage
  • Flat-pack assembly

Opening times

Monday, Friday
08:00 to 17:00
Saturday
08:00 to 16:00
Sunday
08:00 to 16:00

We generally work seven days a week, get in touch to check availability for your date.

Opening hours

We're here when you need us

We generally work seven days a week across London. Tell us your date and we'll confirm availability, most moves can be arranged with very little notice.

Start planning 6 weeks before your move

Start planning 6 weeks before your move

De-clutter and sort

Go through your belongings and get rid of unwanted things and anything you don't see yourself using for a long time. A good way to get rid of such items is to hold a garage sale. You may also try to donate items to charity. Work towards clearing out any mess and organise your things. The less the mess, the easier and cheaper the move is going to be.

Book a removal company

Most removal companies offer advance bookings and it is always wise to get one on board in time before the move. Booking a good removal service weeks before means one less aspect to worry about as the move day approaches. Compare costs and quality of services offered and make a wise decision.

Research the place you're moving to

It's always good to know where you are headed. Ask your local community or use the internet to get to know the place a little better. If you have children, start exploring school options.

Moving House Checklist considerations 3 weeks before the move

Moving House Checklist considerations 3 weeks before the move

Notify local utility companies

Contact your local post office and notify them of your new address. Also make sure you inform your newspaper home delivery service and make address changes on all important accounts.

Confirm your service with the booked removal company

Finalise all details including timings and pricing with your removal company.

Organise valuables

Separate all valuable items such as jewellery and important documents, or you risk losing them during the move. Make sure you personally transport these to your new place.

Settle outstanding bills

Make sure you clear all pending utility and rental bills in advance. Return borrowed library books or rented DVDs. Overdue bills will only add to your list of headaches.

Purchase moving and storage supplies

This includes cartons, packing material, tape, markers, box cutters and anything else you think might be handy.

Start packing

Begin organising and packing your belongings. The sooner you begin, the easier the move is going to be. Following a room by room schedule is sometimes a good option.

Moving house packing checklist one day in advance

Moving house packing checklist one day in advance

Empty refrigerator

In case you plan to move major appliances such as a refrigerator or a freezer, make sure you have them cleaned and unplugged at least 2 days before the move day. Dry out and empty your refrigerator the night before the move.

Confirm address

Make sure your removal company has the correct address and directions to your house so that little time is wasted on the day of the move. Also remember to arrange for parking and access for the removal company.

Prepare essentials

You will have a lot to look after on the move day, so make sure you have your essentials ready. Charge your phone battery and prepare some light snacks for your family.

Arrange for payment

Make sure you have arranged for payments to be made to the removal company or other cleaning services you may have hired.

Welcome new owners

In case the house has new owners, leave them a welcome note and include any instructions you think might be helpful for them.

Check list items for the day of the move

Check list items for the day of the move

Disconnect utilities

Turn off all appliances and utilities including gas, electricity and telephone.

Welcome your removal company

If you've hired a removal company, make sure they are given access and directions so they can reach you on time. Give clear instructions and cooperate. Also remember to offer refreshments. Identify any box you want to transport yourself and keep it separate from the movers' load.

Check locks and keys

Make sure all your windows are securely locked. If you plan to hand over the house to new owners, hand over all cupboard, drawer and house keys to the new owners, or to the owner in case you are renting.

Final clean up

Take one final trip round the house and check to see if you've left anything lying around. Cupboards and cabinets are good places to recheck.

Sign bill and inventory list

Sign the bill and inventory list before the movers leave. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself.

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Our Services

Storage

Like all good removal companies we have a range of storage solutions available.

Office move

We have significant experience moving offices of all sizes.

House clearance

Should you need a house clearing, we can help.

Flat-pack assembly

Bought some Ikea furniture for your new home? Let us put it together.

Handyman services

Need help fixing or installing a home feature? We have handymen too.

Removals packing

We can arrive ahead of your move date to pack and inventory your goods.

End of tenancy cleaning

Need your property cleaned before you move out to get your deposit back? We can take the stress out of that.

Painting & decorating

Want to dress your home for a sale and give the walls a refresh? We're on it.

Antique & art delivery

Extensive experience collecting and delivering delicate items, including for Lots Road antique dealers.

Our Removals Pricing Plans

No hidden fees, a simple hourly rate based on the crew you need. Weekends are charged at +10%.

1 Man & Van

£55 +VAT/hr
+10% weekends
  • Bedsits & student moves
  • Light items
  • Items requiring care
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3 Man & Van

£95 +VAT/hr
+10% weekends
  • Bigger moves
  • Lots of possessions
  • Ask about bigger jobs
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a removal in London cost?

We charge a simple hourly rate rather than a fixed day rate, so you only pay for the time your move actually takes. One man and a van is £55 + VAT per hour, two men and a van £75 + VAT per hour, and three men and a van £95 + VAT per hour. As a guide, a typical two-bedroom move in London takes around five to six hours including travel. For an accurate figure, ask us for a free no-obligation quote or a video assessment of your property.

How much notice do you need to book a move in London?

As much as you can give us, booking as soon as your date is confirmed is the surest way to get the slot you want. That said, we keep our schedule as flexible as we can and we regularly take on moves at a few days' notice, so it is always worth asking even if your date is close.

Are Volition Removals insured?

Yes. We carry £30,000 of goods-in-transit cover and £1m of public liability insurance as standard. If you are moving something worth more than the standard cover, tell us in advance and we will extend it for your job. Most household contents policies exclude damage in transit, which is exactly the gap this cover fills.

Do I need to be there on moving day?

No. Most customers prefer to be there, but we can carry out the whole move in your absence as long as we have access to both properties, keys, entry codes and alarm details arranged in advance. Tell us where things should go and we will unload into the right rooms.

Can you pack for me, and do you supply materials?

Yes. Packing is a standard service charged at the same hourly rate, and we can supply boxes, tape and protective materials ahead of the day. We can pack a whole property or just the awkward parts, kitchens, glassware and artwork are the usual candidates.

Do you dismantle furniture and disconnect appliances?

We dismantle and reassemble beds and flat-pack furniture as a matter of course, and we can build items for your new home too. Please disconnect washing machines and dishwashers, and defrost the fridge and freezer, the day before if you can. If you would rather not, ask us and a member of the team will do it on the day.

Is a man and van service big enough for a larger home?

Yes. We run 3.5t Luton box vans rather than small transit vans, and the service scales, for a larger property we simply put more crew and more vehicles on the job. Three- and four-bedroom houses are routine work for us.

Do you offer storage while I move?

Yes. Storage is useful when your dates do not line up, when you are downsizing, or when you would rather move in stages. We can store what you do not need immediately and deliver it on to your new address when you are ready for it.

Do you take a deposit, and when is the balance due?

We take a 25% deposit for domestic moves and 50% for business moves to secure your date. The balance is due on completion, once everything has been unloaded at your new address. We accept credit and debit cards.

Do you work weekends?

Yes. Weekend availability is more limited and is charged at a 10% surcharge, so a midweek move is usually better value, but if Saturday or Sunday is the only date that works, book early and we will do our best to fit you in.

What happens if I need to change or cancel my move?

Moving dates slip; we understand that. Change or cancel with 11 or more days' notice and there is no charge, if you cancel outright, your deposit is returned within 10 working days. With 10 days' notice or fewer, the deposit covers the booking we have held for you.

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