Moving Day Prep Checklist: Jobs to Do Before the Van Arrives

Moving day is stressful enough without realising you've forgotten to take down the curtain rails or fill the holes from your TV mount. Here's everything you need to sort before the van arrives - and before you hand over the keys.

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4-6 Weeks Before Moving

Declutter First

Moving is expensive per box. Don't pay to move stuff you don't want:

• Charity shops - book a collection for furniture
• Facebook Marketplace - sell what has value
• Tip runs - clear out the rubbish
• Freecycle/Gumtree - give away usable items

The less you move, the cheaper and easier moving day will be.

Book Your Services

• Removal company (get quotes from 2-3)
• Cleaners (book for after you've emptied)
• Handyman (if you need help with disassembly/repairs)

These get busy - especially at end of month and in summer.

Start the Admin

• Redirect mail (Royal Mail, allows 3-12 months)
• Notify everyone (bank, DVLA, doctor, subscriptions)
• Transfer/cancel utilities (gas, electric, water, broadband)
• Home insurance (update address, cancel old)

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2 Weeks Before Moving

Disassembly

Large furniture needs to be disassembled before the movers arrive. They can do it, but it eats into your time (and their quote).

Common disassembly jobs:

Item	Difficulty	Notes
Beds	Easy-Medium	Keep bolts in labelled bag
Wardrobes	Medium	May need two people
Dining table	Easy	Usually just legs
Desks	Easy-Medium	Check for hidden fixings
Billy bookcases	Medium	Reverse of assembly
Wall-mounted TVs	Easy	Keep bracket if going with you
Trampoline	Hard	Consider if worth moving
Shed contents	N/A	Empty completely

💡 Pro tip: Take photos before disassembling anything complicated. You'll thank yourself when reassembling.

Fixtures and Fittings

What's coming with you?

Usually stay:

• Light fittings (unless replaced with basic fitting)
• Curtain poles (unless agreement says otherwise)
• Built-in furniture
• Carpets

Usually go:

• Freestanding furniture
• Curtains themselves
• Portable appliances

Check your contract:

• TV wall mounts (you may need to fill holes)
• Shelving (floating shelves often leave)
• Light fittings you've upgraded

If you're removing something that was there when you arrived, you'll need to make good.

Appliance Prep

Washing machine:

1. Run empty hot cycle to clean
2. Drain filter
3. Turn off water supply
4. Disconnect hoses
5. Secure drum (transit bolts if you have them)

Dishwasher:

1. Run empty cycle
2. Turn off water
3. Disconnect hoses
4. Leave door ajar to dry

Fridge/Freezer:

1. Use up food over 2 weeks
2. Defrost freezer 24-48 hours before
3. Clean inside
4. Leave doors open to air
5. Secure shelves or remove them

Cooker (if taking):

1. Gas cooker = qualified disconnection
2. Electric = turn off at isolator, disconnect
3. Clean before moving (dried-on food gets worse)

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1 Week Before Moving

Repairs and Touch-Ups

Now's the time to fix what needs fixing:

Walls:

• Fill picture hook holes
• Fill rawlplug holes (TV mount, shelves, mirrors)
• Touch up paint where filled (if you have matching paint)
• Repair any scuff marks or damage

Doors:

• Fill any holes (draft excluders removed, etc.)
• Check all handles work
• Ensure doors close properly

Floors:

• Fix any damage you've caused
• Replace any threshold strips you've damaged

Windows:

• Replace any cracked panes
• Ensure all locks work
• Clean window sills

Garden:

• Fill any holes
• Remove anything you're taking
• Tidy generally

For Renters Specifically

Your deposit depends on leaving the property as you found it (fair wear and tear excepted).

Check your inventory against current state:

• Any damage beyond wear and tear?
• Anything missing that was there originally?
• Cleanliness to required standard?

Take dated photos of everything when you leave. Disputes happen.

For Sellers

The new owners expect the house in the condition agreed at exchange:

• All fixtures included in sale still there?
• Nothing removed that should stay?
• Any damage since their viewing fixed?

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The Day Before Moving

Final Packing

• Essentials box packed last, loaded first (kettle, mugs, toilet roll, phone chargers, snacks)
• Valuables kept with you (documents, jewellery, laptop)
• Overnight bag if staying elsewhere
• Kids'/pets' essentials easily accessible
• Cleaning supplies out (if you're cleaning after the movers leave)

Defrost Check

• Freezer completely defrosted
• Water mopped up
• Interior wiped down

Confirm Everything

• Movers - confirm time and address
• New property - confirm key collection arrangements
• Cleaners - confirm time (if booked)

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Moving Day

Before the Van Leaves

• Walk through every room (including loft, garage, shed)
• Check all cupboards and storage areas
• Open all drawers
• Look behind doors

Things commonly forgotten:

• Loft contents
• Items hung on back of doors
• Medicine cabinet contents
• Garden shed items
• Things "we'll grab later"

Meter Readings

Take readings from all meters:

• Electric meter (photo + note reading)
• Gas meter (photo + note reading)
• Water meter if applicable

Submit these to your suppliers immediately. Disputes about readings can drag on for months.

Final Checks

Utilities:

• Turn off water at stopcock (if property will be empty)
• Turn off gas at meter (if property will be empty)
• Turn off immersion heater

Security:

• Check all windows closed and locked
• Set heating to frost protection (if winter)
• Cancel any alarm monitoring

Keys:

• Gather ALL keys (including spares you'd forgotten about)
• Check drawers for spare keys
• Include window keys, meter cupboard keys, shed keys
• Hand over or arrange return per your contract

Leave for New Owners

In a prominent place (kitchen worktop works well):

• All keys, clearly labelled
• Appliance manuals and warranties
• Heating/alarm system instructions
• Boiler service records
• Any relevant certificates (electrical, gas safety)
• Bin collection day info
• Your forwarding address (for any stray mail)

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The Deep Clean

Whether you do it yourself or hire cleaners, the property should be left clean:

Kitchen:

• Oven (inside and out)
• Hob
• Extractor fan and filter
• All cupboards (inside and out)
• Fridge space (if fridge gone)
• Worktops and splashbacks
• Sink and taps
• Floor

Bathrooms:

• Toilet (including behind and around base)
• Bath/shower
• Tiles and grout
• Sink and taps
• Mirror and cabinets
• Floor

All Rooms:

• Windows (inside)
• Window sills
• Skirting boards
• Light switches and sockets
• Doors and door frames
• Floors (vacuum and mop/clean)
• Inside all cupboards and wardrobes

Often Forgotten:

• Inside oven (most complained about)
• Extractor fan
• Top of kitchen cupboards
• Behind toilet
• Light fittings (dust)
• Air vents

For rentals, a professional end-of-tenancy clean costs £150-300 depending on property size, but can save you that amount (or more) in deposit deductions.

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Common Moving Day Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)

"We can't fit the sofa out"

Measure doorways, stairwells, and any awkward corners BEFORE moving day. Sometimes furniture has to come apart, or go out a window.

"The freezer flooded the van"

Defrost at least 24-48 hours before. Mop up all water. Leave doors open to dry completely.

"They charged us for 2 extra hours"

Movers quote based on what you tell them. Be honest about:

• How much stuff you have
• Access difficulties (stairs, parking, distance to door)
• Large/awkward items

"We left [important thing] behind"

Walk through EVERY room. Open EVERY cupboard. Check BEHIND every door. Then do it again.

"The new owners complained about..."

Take photos of the property when you leave. Disputes about condition are much easier to resolve with evidence.

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Quick Reference: Moving Timeline

When	Tasks
6 weeks	Declutter, book movers/cleaners/handyman
4 weeks	Start admin (mail redirect, notify services)
2 weeks	Disassemble furniture, prep appliances
1 week	Repairs, touch-ups, defrost freezer
Day before	Final pack, confirm everything
Moving day	Meter readings, final walkthrough, keys handover

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Need help with moving prep? I can handle furniture disassembly, wall repairs, fixture removal - all the jobs that need doing before you hand over the keys. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.