Downsizing? Jobs to Do Before Moving to a Smaller Home

Downsizing is more than just moving to a smaller space - it's often a significant life transition. Here's how to make both ends of the move go smoothly.

Preparing Your Current Home to Sell

First Impressions

Fix the obvious:

• Front door (repaint if faded)
• Door furniture (replace if worn)
• House number (visible?)
• Path and steps (safe, clean)
• Garden (tidy, mowed)

Inside first impressions:

• Hallway (light, clean, uncluttered)
• Lighting (bright, working bulbs)
• Smells (fresh, neutral)

Maintenance Catch-Up

Buyers notice deferred maintenance. Address:

Dripping taps: Easy fix, big perception change Sticking doors: Makes house feel unloved Squeaky hinges: WD-40 takes 2 minutes Loose handles: Quick tighten Cracked tiles: Replace or at minimum, regrout

Paint Touch-Ups

Fresh paint sells houses. Priorities:

• Hallways and stairs (everyone sees them)
• Kitchen (second most viewed room)
• Bathroom (ditto)
• Any room with obvious marks

Colour choice: Neutral. White, magnolia, light grey. Not the time for personality.

Declutter Visible Storage

Overstuffed cupboards suggest "not enough storage":

• Clear out kitchen cupboards (pack excess)
• Tidy wardrobe contents
• Garage and shed organisation
• Loft if viewable

Garden

Essentials:

• Lawn mowed
• Borders weeded
• Paths cleared
• Shed tidy
• Fences in reasonable repair

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Preparing Your New Home

Before Move-In (If Possible)

Do while empty:

• Deep clean (easier without furniture)
• Paint (much easier without furniture)
• Floor finishing if needed
• Major repairs

Saves later hassle:

• Run cables (TV, ethernet) before furniture
• Install curtain poles
• Add extra sockets if needed
• Fit grab rails (if needed for accessibility)

Safety Checks

Verify:

• Smoke alarms work
• CO detector present (if gas appliances)
• Locks work and keys match
• Window locks function
• Nothing obviously unsafe

Practical Preparation

Before the boxes arrive:

• Know where stopcock is
• Know where fuse box is
• Know where meter is
• Have basic tools available
• Arrange utilities (gas, electric, water, internet)

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Adapting for Accessibility

Many people downsizing are also planning for the future. Consider:

Grab Rails

• Bathroom (beside toilet, in shower)
• Stairs (extend rails if needed)
• External steps

Cost: £30-70 per rail fitted

Lighting

• Brighter bulbs in key areas
• Night lights on stairs and landings
• Motion-sensor lights outside

Trip Hazards

• Secure rugs or remove them
• Tidy cable runs
• Address uneven thresholds
• Consider grab rails at step changes

Door Furniture

• Lever handles (easier than knobs)
• Contrasting colours (visibility)

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What to Take, What to Leave

Measure First

Before assuming furniture fits:

• Measure new doorways (especially bedrooms)
• Measure staircase width and turns
• Check alcoves and recesses
• Don't forget ceiling height

Common discovery: The big sofa doesn't fit through the cottage door.

What Usually Doesn't Fit

• Large wardrobes
• Big sofas
• Dining tables for 8
• King-size beds in small bedrooms
• Large appliances (American fridges)

What to Donate/Sell

• Duplicate items
• "We've always had it" stuff
• Furniture that won't fit
• Hobby equipment for abandoned hobbies
• Collections you no longer want to maintain

Services to Consider

• House clearance
• Charity collections
• eBay/Gumtree for valuable items
• Skip for items beyond saving

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Jobs Often Forgotten

At Old Property

• Final meter readings (photograph)
• Redirect mail
• Cancel deliveries
• Inform council tax
• Key handover (how many sets?)

At New Property

• Register with GP
• Update driving licence address
• Update vehicle registration
• Change bank address
• Notify relevant subscriptions

Practical Handover

Leave for new owners:

• Appliance manuals
• Service history records
• Spare paint (labelled by room)
• Spare tiles if available
• Heating system instructions
• Bin collection day info

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Timeline

4-8 Weeks Before

Current home:

• Touch-up painting
• Minor repairs
• Deep clean
• Declutter and organise

New home:

• Measure for furniture
• Plan any works needed
• Get quotes for adaptation work

2-4 Weeks Before

Current home:

• Maintain presentation
• Final fixes

New home:

• Arrange cleaning
• Book any work (painting, carpet, etc.)
• Order new furniture if needed

Week Before

Current home:

• Final clean
• Last maintenance checks
• Prepare for inventory/handover

New home:

• Verify utilities connected
• Check access for move day
• Have essentials box ready

Move Day

Current home:

• Final readings
• Key handover
• Walkthrough with agent/buyer

New home:

• Check everything works
• Unpack essentials first
• Don't try to do everything

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Getting Help

What I Can Help With

Before sale:

• Touch-up painting
• Minor repairs
• Quick fixes list
• Declutter support (practical, not emotional)

At new property:

• Painting before move-in
• Grab rail installation
• Curtain pole fitting
• Picture hanging
• Furniture assembly
• General move-in tasks

Time and Cost

Job	Time	Typical Cost
Pre-sale touch-up (half day)	3-4 hrs	£150-200
Minor repairs list	Varies	£60-200
New home painting (per room)	1-1.5 days	£150-300
Move-in handyman session	Half day	£150-200

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Downsizing and need practical help? From preparing your current home to setting up your new one, I help with the hands-on side of moving. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.