Your Moving Home Checklist - Moving in Oxford Made Easy

Moving can be an exciting yet stressful time for anyone. It’s not just the physical move that can take its toll, but the planning and preparation too. So, to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, we've created a comprehensive moving house checklist to help you plan and prepare for moving day.

The Perfect Moving House Checklist

Start Your Checklist Plan Early

Moving house can be overwhelming, especially when you have a lot of belongings. To make things easier, start planning early. Give yourself enough time to figure out the logistics and gather moving supplies. It's recommended to start six to eight weeks before your completion date.

Take the time to declutter and decide what items to keep, sell, donate, or throw away. Starting early means you have enough time to sell or give away things you won't need in your new place.

Choose the Right Removal Company

After creating your moving home checklist, it's time to choose the right removal company to suit your requirements. Research moving companies in your area and read their reviews. Get quotes from different movers to compare prices and services.

Choose a company that is licensed, insured, and has a good reputation for delivering quality service. Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have recently moved. A reliable moving company will carefully handle your belongings and ensure a smooth transition to your new address.

Get Your Belongings Packed Up

Packing your belongings can be time-consuming and exhausting. Using the right packing supplies and having a system in place is essential to ensure moving house goes smoothly and you ease into your new house.

Start by gathering all the necessary packing materials, such as boxes, tape, labels, and bubble wrap. Use sturdy boxes to prevent them from collapsing during the move. Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap or towels to protect them from any potential damage.

When packing, be systematic. Start with one room at a time, labelling each box with the contents and the room it belongs to. This will make unpacking much easier when you arrive at your new home. You can also colour-code your boxes based on the rooms they belong to, making it even simpler to organize and unpack.

Packing an essentials box with items you'll need on your first night in your new home is also important. Things like toiletries, bedding, a few changes of clothes, and essential electronics should be packed separately so you can quickly get to them when you first settle in.

Notify Your Utility Companies and Change Your Address

It’s essential to notify your utility companies to transfer or turn off your services as early as possible. This applies to gas, water, electricity, telephone, wifi, and cable services. Contact each provider and inform them of your moving date and new address.

Utility providers will also likely want to see meter readings for your old and new property, so be sure to check your gas and electricity meters before you leave, and add the figures to all your important documents in an organised file.

Don't forget to inform your friends, family, and bank. Consider setting up post-re-direction with Royal Mail for any correspondence that may arrive at your old address.

You should also list all the organisations and subscriptions you need to notify about your change of address. This can include your employers, insurance providers, credit card companies, and any other memberships or subscriptions you have. Making a thorough checklist will ensure you don't miss any important notifications.

Take Care of Your Cleaning Requirements

Before handing over your keys, clean your old home to make it ready for its new owners. You can choose to do this yourself or hire professional cleaners. If you do it yourself, start early to leave enough time to make sure it's spick and span.

If you rented your previous home, getting your full deposit refunded will depend on the cleanliness of your property. A professional cleaning company can help you get your old house sparkling clean and ensure you get your deposit back!

Additionally, don't forget to clean your new home before you start unpacking. It's much easier to clean an empty space, and it will make settling in much more enjoyable. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum and mop the floors, and thoroughly clean the bathroom and kitchen.

Stay Organised with a Moving Day Timeline

As moving day approaches, creating a moving day timeline is helpful. This timeline will outline all the tasks that need to be completed on the day of the move. It will ensure that everything runs smoothly and nothing is forgotten.

Start with tasks such as disconnecting and packing electronics, defrosting the freezer, and disassembling furniture. Make sure to plan for moving your pets safely or arrange for their care during the move.

On the day, have a moving home checklist of items to cross-check before leaving your old home, such as turning off all the lights, locking windows and doors, and handing over keys to the new owner or landlord.

What Next?

Moving can be a challenging experience, but with the proper planning and preparation, you can make the process much smoother. Keep this handy moving home checklist safe or for more home moving planning and preparation advice, drop in and talk to the expert team at Cardea Lettings and Management Ltd, your local estate agent.

You can also call us on 01865 570065 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to ensure your home move is a smooth one!

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Moving to a New House

How do I transfer my utility services when moving house?

Contact your gas, water, electricity, phone, and internet providers well in advance to transfer service or schedule disconnection for your move date. They may also request meter readings.

What do I do with final meter readings?

Take readings from your gas and electricity meters before you leave your old property. Record them along with your moving information for easy reference by utility companies. You don't need to read the water meter.

Do I need to inform the post office when moving house?

Yes, set up mail redirection with Royal Mail to ensure you receive any mail accidentally sent to your old address.

What should I do with the fuse box when moving out?

You don't necessarily need to do anything specific with the fuse box when moving out. However, if you're renting and unsure about any electrical requirements, consult your landlord for guidance.