Moving house is one of life’s most significant transitions. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, relocating for work, or selling fast with a trusted buyer like SellTo, getting organized is everything. This comprehensive guide covers every single stage—planning, packing, legalities, costs, moving day, and settling in—and even includes bonus sections on selling fast or renting while you wait.
📅 Contents
- Why a Checklist Matters
- Your 3–6 Month Pre-Move Phase
- Decluttering
- Financial prep
- Early paperwork
- Finances: Budgeting & Hidden Costs
- Choosing a Sale Route
- Estate agent vs. cash buyer
- When SellTo makes sense
- Hiring Movers vs DIY
- Packing Like a Pro
- Room-by-room inventory
- Specialist items
- Notifying & Updating Important Parties
- Utilities, council, bank, insurers
- Postal redirection
- School, Doctor & Vet Transfers
- Making the Most of Moving Day
- Day-of timeline
- Essentials kit
- Post-Move Must-Do Tasks
- Dealing with Delays & Chain Breaks
- Renter’s Guide: Moving Between Lettings
- Moving with Pets & Children
- Don’t Forget the Garden & Outdoor Areas
- Green Moves: Sustainability Tips
- Bonus: Fast Sale with SellTo
- Common Moves Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
- Stress-Busting Tips During the Move
- Final Day Walkthrough Checklist
- Settling In Tricks
- Ultimate Summary Checklist
1. Why a Checklist Matters
Moving involves dozens of moving parts—quite literally. Missing even one item can cost time, money, or sanity. This checklist gives you:
- Structure & clarity
- Reduced stress
- Stronger control over finances
- Faster completion with fewer mistakes
2. Your 3–6 Month Pre-Move Phase
Decluttering:
- Sort items into keep, donate, sell, recycle.
- Schedule charity pickups or host a clear-out sale.
Financial Prep:
- Close budgeting: agent/mover fees, deposits, household bills.
- Launch a moving savings pot.
- Obtain mortgage offers or cash sale plans (like SellTo offers in 48 hours).
Early Paperwork:
- Get pack of surveys/Home Reports ready.
- Begin gathering deeds, warranties, manuals, and certificates.
3. Finances: Budgeting & Hidden Costs
Plan for:
- Agent fees (~1–2%)
- Stamp Duty / LBTT if you’re buying another property
- Moving costs (van, packaging, insurance)
- Utility setup
- Refurb or garden costs
- Contingency fund (10–15%)
SellTo buyers generally remove estates fees and marketing costs—giving you a clearer financial picture upfront.
4. Choosing a Sale Route
Estate Agent:
-
- Potentially higher price
- – Longer completion (months, chains, viewings)
SellTo (Cash Buyer):
- Offer in 48 hours, complete in 7–21 days
- Zero fees, no chains
- – Price typically 5–10% below open market
Pick based on your time, risk tolerance, and priorities.
5. Hiring Movers vs DIY
- Get quotes from 3 local movers (including insurance details).
- DIY? Book vans early, buy tie-downs, enlist friends.
- Decide if fragile or bulky items require specialist removal.
6. Packing Like a Pro
Room-by-room inventory:
Label boxes: room, number (Box 1 of 5), dangerous items.
Fragile items:
Use clothes/towels, bubble wrap for tech, custom boxes for antiques.
Important documents:
Place passports, warranties, mortgage documents in a fire-proof box.
7. Notifying & Updating Important Parties
- Utilities: Provide move-out/move-in dates.
- Council: Change council tax.
- Banks: Update addresses.
- Insurers: Update buildings & contents, car insurance.
- Postal redirection via Royal Mail.
- Subscriptions: SaaS services, streaming, magazines.
8. School, Doctor & Vet Transfers
Register your children in time—term planning matters.
Transfer medical records.
Book new vet registration, if you have pets.
9. Making the Most of Moving Day
Day-of Plan:
- Morning: Movers arrive—check access & parking.
- Middle: Move essential boxes + personal items.
- End: Final walkthrough, clean room by room.
Essentials Kit:
Contains: kettle, mugs, snacks, phone chargers, toiletries, change of clothes, pet items, cash for tips/Sunday meals.
10. Post-Move Must-Do Tasks
- Take meter readings
- Set up Wi-Fi, broadband, TV license
- Register with GP, dentist, school
- Neighbour greeting
- Check boiler, locks, smoke alarms
11. Dealing with Delays & Chain Breaks
Chain falls? Call SellTo—get an offer in 48 hours and complete within 21 days.
Postpone non-urgent packing—keep essentials at hand.
Always consult agent for bridge loans or jurisdictional help.
12. Renter’s Guide: Moving Between Lettings
- End current tenancy properly
- Deposit protection 10-day rule
- Return keys/document condition
- Begin tenancy: inventory, digital deposit notification, setup council tax
13. Moving with Pets & Children
Pets:
Keep them in one room on moving day to prevent lost escapes.
Use crates, familiar beds/hooks.
Children:
Plan a fun sleepover/diversion away from the moving chaos.
14. Don’t Forget the Garden & Outdoor Areas
- Prune and mow before move-in photos
- Label any plants you’d like to take
- Check fences, gates, drains—clear if needed
15. Green Moves: Sustainability Tips
- Recycle unwanted furniture & clothes
- Switch to eco cleaning
- Choose electric or low-emission vans
- Reuse boxes or purchase recycled boxes
- Compost leftover food, DIY zero-waste welcome plants
16. Bonus: Fast Sale with SellTo
When speed matters, SellTo can provide:
- Transparent cash offer in 48 hours
- Completion in 7–21 days
- No estate agent fees or marketing
- As-is purchase, any condition or tenancy status
A perfect back-up if your chain breaks or you need fast relocation.
17. Common Moves Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
❌ Underestimating packing time
✅ Start early and follow daily targets
❌ Losing important documents
✅ Keep them safe and out of crew hands
❌ No daylight photography
✅ Ensure lighting and staging for a friendly first impression
❌ No post-move insurance updates
✅ Change your details before day 1
18. Stress-Busting Tips During the Move
- Regular exercise & sleep
- Mindfulness breaks
- Plan comfort meals
- Accept help from friends/family
19. Final Day Walkthrough Checklist
- Lock windows, switch off lights
- Leave keys in agreed spot (solicitor/agent)
- Fit alarm and smoke detectors
- Final dust and vacuum
- Ensure rent, mortgage or bills are squared away
20. Settling In Tricks
- Host a house-warming—even small groups
- Mark meter readings on day 1
- Create a home binder
- Arrange garden or cellular updates
- Unpack room-by-room
21. Your Ultimate Summary Checklist
[6 months+]
- Declutter, budget, survey prep
[3–4 months]
- Choose sale path, quotes from movers
[2 months]
- Pack non-essentials, notify services
[4–6 weeks]
- Confirm contracts, school transfers
[2–4 weeks]
- Start serious packing, legal paperwork
[1 week]
- Essentials kit, meter readings, final paperwork
[Moving day]
- Execute scheduled plan, walkthrough
[Post-move]
- Update utilities, register, set up
Whether you’re choosing the traditional agent route or a fast-sale option like SellTo, this full moving guide ensures that everything—legal, emotional, financial, and practical—is covered. You’re not just moving house; you’re setting the foundation for your next chapter decisively and smartly.
