Text guides

Moving house

Turn a move into specific jobs, from measuring furniture to handing over the old keys.

10 practical tasks. Each guide includes a sample request and a way to check the answer.

Build your own change-of-address checklistMail forwarding catches some letters for a while, but it doesn't update anyone's records. Your checklist should name each organization, how you'll update it and how soon. Sort by urgency so the ones handling money, identity or deliveries come first.
Decide what to keep before paying to move itMoving something costs money and space, so weigh that against what it would take to replace it. You need each item's rough size, a replacement cost from your own research, the new place's room sizes, and any pickup or donation deadlines.
Pack a first-night box for a moveThe first-night box holds what you'll need before anything else gets unpacked: easy food, a few tools, chargers, clean bedding and toiletries. Build it around your actual household, including medications, mobility aids and anyone with specific needs, and carry it yourself.
Check whether furniture will fit through the doorwayWhether a piece fits depends on the whole route into the room. You need the furniture's height, width and depth, plus every door, hallway, stair turn and ceiling along the way. Even with good numbers, the answer is an estimate you'll need to confirm in person.
Compare moving quotes on the same termsMoving quotes are comparable only when every company priced the same job. Send each one the same inventory, date window, access details and packing needs, then compare them line by line. Questions about contract terms or liability go to the company or a qualified advisor.
Make box labels that survive moving dayA good box label tells a mover where the box goes and how to carry it in a few seconds. Room name, a short contents line, an unpacking priority and a fragile mark cover most of it. Keep anything personal off the outside.
Keep a pet out of moving-day trafficMoving day means open doors, loud noise and strangers, and that's when pets slip out. Decide who's responsible for the animal, set up a closed room or another place for them to stay, and pack their supplies separately. Health questions go to your veterinarian.
Build a room-by-room moving inventoryA room-by-room inventory lets you count what left and what arrived. Number each box, note its room and a short contents line, and save a dated version each time the count changes. Keep valuables on a separate list you don't share.
Plan the photos to take before handing back keysPhotos taken right before you hand back the keys give you a dated record of how you left the place. Plan the shots in advance: each room, the appliances, fixtures, known damage and meter readings. Your lease defines what you're actually responsible for.
Organize utility handovers for a moveUtility handovers go smoothly when you plan stop dates at the old place and start dates at the new one together. Providers decide what's possible, so get dates and confirmation details from them directly, and keep reference numbers in a private record.

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