Moving house: the complete guide, timeline and checklist

As soon as you have a likely date — even an unconfirmed one — start the groundwork. The two things that reward early action most are booking your removals (good operators and Saturdays get taken first) and sorting the admin that has notice periods (broadband, parking permits, time off work).

A typical comfortable run-in is about eight weeks. You can do it in two if you must, but you'll pay more for last-minute availability and carry more stress. The checklist below is built around an eight-week countdown — compress it if your timeline is shorter.

About 8 weeks before

• Get removals quotes and book your mover — fixed-price beats hourly estimates for budgeting.
• Start decluttering room by room: sell, donate or bin what you won't move.
• Confirm your move date with everyone in the chain (or your landlord / new landlord if renting).
• Tell your landlord in writing if you're renting, so your notice period runs in time.

About 4 weeks before

• Book time off work for moving day and ideally the day after.
• Order packing materials, or add packing to your removals booking.
• Arrange broadband and TV at the new place — installation slots book up weeks ahead.
• Tell utilities, councils, bank, GP, dentist, DVLA and your employer you're moving (see the next section).
• Set up a Royal Mail redirect to catch anything you've missed.

About 2 weeks before

• Start packing the rooms you use least. Label every box by room and rough contents.
• Run down the freezer and food cupboards so there's less to move.
• Confirm parking and access at both ends — suspended bays, loading slots, lift bookings.
• Sort a 'first night' box: kettle, mugs, chargers, toiletries, medication, bedding, a few tools.

The last few days

• Take meter readings at the old home and photograph them.
• Finish packing except essentials; keep valuables and documents with you, not on the van.
• Confirm arrival time with your operator and share access notes (gate codes, parking, stairs).
• Defrost the fridge/freezer if it's coming with you.

Moving day

• Be there for the operator, walk them through what's going and any fragile items.
• Take final meter readings at the old place; do a last sweep of cupboards and the loft.
• Hand over keys as agreed (to the agent, buyer or landlord).
• At the new home, take meter readings straight away and check nothing's damaged before the van leaves.

"Moving house" is really several costs stacked together. Removals — the bit people focus on — is usually one of the smaller lines, especially if you're buying. Here's the honest picture (UK, indicative ranges; your actual costs depend on property value, location and the specifics).

Stamp Duty deserves its own look: it's often the largest single cost when buying, the rates change periodically, and first-time buyers get relief up to a threshold. Always check the current rates and use the calculator on GOV.UK rather than relying on an old figure.

Nobody updates your address for you — work through this list so bills, post and records follow you to the right place:

• Both councils — your old one (to close the account) and your new one (to open it). See our council tax guide for the detail.
• Energy and water suppliers — give them your move date and meter readings at both ends.
• Broadband and phone — arrange the switch or a new install well ahead.
• Bank, building society and credit cards.
• GP, dentist and any other medical services — register with new ones if you're moving area.
• DVLA — update your driving licence and V5C logbook (it's a legal requirement, and free).
• Employer, HMRC and pension providers.
• Insurance — home, car and life policies all need the new address.
• TV Licence, electoral roll, and any subscriptions that post to you.
• Royal Mail redirect — the safety net for anything you forget.

You pay to move volume, so the single best way to cut cost and stress is to move less. Declutter before you pack — there's no point wrapping and carrying things you'll throw out at the other end.

• Go room by room and sort into keep / sell / donate / recycle. Be honest about what you actually use.
• Sell the good stuff early on Marketplace, Vinted or eBay — it takes time and pays for some of the move.
• Pack a room at a time, heaviest items in small boxes, and don't overfill.
• Label every box with its room and a one-line contents note — your operator and your future self will thank you.
• Keep documents, valuables, keys and medication with you on the day, not on the van.

• Be ready before the operator arrives — packing finished, walkways clear, parking sorted.
• Brief the crew on fragile or awkward items and which boxes are 'first to come off' at the other end.
• Keep your first-night box and valuables in your own car if you can.
• Do meter readings and a final sweep at the old place; check for damage at the new one before the van leaves.
• Have cash or a way to tip if the crew has gone above and beyond — it's optional, but appreciated.

• Find the stopcock, fuse box and meters, and take photos of the meter readings.
• Test smoke alarms and change them if you're unsure how old they are.
• Set up beds and the bathroom first — everything else can wait until you've slept.
• Check windows and external doors lock properly; consider changing locks if you've bought.
• Locate the bin collection day and recycling rules for your new street.

On the day itself, the calmest moves keep kids and pets out of the chaos — with a relative, friend or sitter if you can. It's safer with a van being loaded and doors open, and far less stressful for everyone.

• Pack a child's or pet's own bag of familiar things and keep it with you.
• For pets, keep them in one closed room while loading, then transport them in your own vehicle.
• Set up their space first at the new home so there's somewhere familiar from minute one.

The removals part of your move is the one big cost you can lock down in advance. Movesmith gives you a fixed price before you book — based on your property, access and inventory — and matches you with a verified local operator, whether it's a single item, a man-and-van load, or a full house.

No bidding sites, no estimates that grow on the day. You see the price, you book, and the operator turns up.