Store More’s Moving House Checklist: 10 Steps To A Stress-Free Move

Moving house is an exciting new chapter, but let’s face it—it can also feel like a whirlwind of chaos. Here’s our comprehensive moving house checklist to help you stay organised and enjoy the journey to your new home.

Moving can be one of the most stressful tasks you have to endeavour during your adult life. From packing up memories to navigating the endless to-do list, the process can quickly become overwhelming. When you’re not folding clothes into boxes, you’re likely double-checking which utility bills still need canceling. Staying organised and keeping track of your moving checklist is the secret to a smoother, stress-free moving experience.

Whether you’re buying or renting, it feels like the whole process should be a lot easier than it is! Here at Store More, we aim to make the moving process as smooth as possible, and we’re starting that with our top 10 steps…

Key Takeaways:

• Declutter before you pack to save time, money, and effort on your moving day.
• Plan ahead by ordering packing supplies and scheduling services.
• Pack smart, take your time unpacking, and enjoy the process of settling into your new home.

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INDEX

1. Declutter
2. Change of address
3. Be organised
4. Packing
5. Arrange storage
6. Order a food shop
7. Arrange a sitter
8. Leave time for cleaning
9. Unpacking
10. Don’t rush, and keep a level head

Why Choose Store More for Your Storage Needs?

1. Declutter

Once your move is confirmed with your chosen removal company and estate agent of your new house, dig out the black bin liners and start sorting for the tip – be ruthless! 

• Toss out broken or unused items.
• Sell what you can. Plan a car boot sale or list items on Gumtree to make extra cash.
• Recycle responsibly. Check local recycling centers for electronics, batteries, or bulky items.

Pro Tip: Consider ditching any clothes you haven’t worn in the last year and any items you haven’t used since the last move, you’ll be glad you did when there’s less to shift.

2. Change of address

If you know you’re moving a few weeks or months in advance, take note of the mail you’re receiving and ensure you inform everyone and everywhere of your new address. If you’re super organised, you might be confident you’ve remembered all those important places. If not, it’s worth signing up for a mail redirection service, just for peace of mind.

• Create a list of contacts to notify, such as the post office, insurance providers, banks, utility providers, and subscriptions.
• Take meter readings and submit them to your old utility suppliers.
• Update your ID. Change your address on your driver’s license, voter registration, and vehicle documents.
• Redirect mail. Sign up for a mail redirection service for at least three months to catch any missed updates.

Pro Tip: Use an online address change service to save time and ensure you don’t forget anyone.

3. Be organised

Preparation is key to avoiding last-minute stress. Try to be smart and generous when you’re estimating the amount you’ll need when buying packing supplies – no one wants to be scrabbling around for wrapping, newspapers, and extra boxes at the supermarket on your moving day.

• Order your packing boxes, tape, and bubble wrap in advance from our Box Shop. 
• Create a moving timeline. Outline tasks for each week leading up to your moving date.
• Measure furniture. Check if large items will fit through doorways or up staircases in your new home.

Pro Tip: Keep all important moving documents, like contracts and receipts, in a labeled folder or digital app.

4. Packing

Pack efficiently to make unpacking a breeze. Pack up your rooms in order of least used to most used and label your boxes with room names and priorities – is it really essential to unpack your best glassware on moving day?

• Use soft items as padding. Wrap fragile items in towels or clothes to save on bubble wrap.
• Pack by zone. Keep items from each room together to avoid mix-ups.
• Mark fragile boxes. Clearly label boxes with breakable items and handle them with care.
• Photograph electronics. Snap a photo of the wiring setup for easy reassembly.
• Pack a separate bag with all the essentials, such as toiletries and a change of clothes, and keep it handy during the move. 
• Pop some key items into a separate box so you can access them as soon as you’ve got into the new place, such as toilet roll, cleaning items, snacks, tea, coffee, kettle, mug, phone chargers, etc.

Pro Tip: Pack a moving day survival kit, which includes a cooler with water bottles, snacks, and quick meals.

5. Arrange storage

Flexible storage solutions can ease the transition. Whether you’ve got to move more than once or wait for other people in a chain, if you’re moving cities or just don’t have room in the new place for all your beloved items at once, don’t forget you can store your items with ease locally.

• Assess your needs. Decide what items you’ll store versus what will move directly.
• Choose a convenient location. Opt for a storage facility close to your new home.
• Pack smart for storage. Use clear bins to easily identify stored items.

At Store More, we offer 50% off your personal storage for up to four weeks, which could be just the right time to help you get things sorted. We can also save you from making numerous trips in the car, squeezing everything in, with our new FREE van hire service.

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6. Order a food shop

Most supermarkets allow you to place an order for delivery at least a week in advance. Think ahead and schedule a food shop to arrive on the day after moving day, when you’ll be a little more settled and probably in need of some good hearty grub – if you’ve found the pans by this point, that is!

• Order basics. Milk, bread, coffee, and ready-to-eat snacks are must-haves for your first day.
• Stock easy meals. Include frozen pizzas, pasta, or microwaveable options for convenience.
• Don’t forget drinks. Pack some tea, coffee, and juice to keep energy levels up.
• Grab paper plates and disposable cutlery for the first few meals to avoid washing up.

7. Arrange a sitter

As much as it can be an exciting time and potentially a milestone for your family, the novelty will soon rub off for the little ones. Arrange for them to stay with family or friends, likewise with any pets… it can be stressful for them to settle into new surroundings, not to mention dangerous if they’re running about the place while you’re moving things plus, you don’t want them escaping through any open doors!

• Reserve babysitters, pet boarding, or help from a family well in advance.
• Pack a bag. Include snacks, toys, and comfort items to keep kids or pets calm.
• Research vets and pet-friendly spaces near your new home.

8. Leave time for cleaning

No matter how many times you view a new property before you move in, you’re probably not going to notice those tiny specs of dust left on the skirting boards or layers of grease on the kitchen cupboards. Take the time to give your new home a good old spring clean before piling everything in – this will most likely be the only time you’ll have the opportunity to clean the whole place without having to pull all of the furniture out.

• Pack cleaning supplies. Include gloves, disinfectant, and microfiber cloths.
• Start with key areas. Clean the kitchen and bathrooms first since you’ll need them immediately.
• Check hard-to-reach spots. Tackle skirting boards, inside cupboards, and behind appliances.

Pro Tip: If time is tight, hire a professional cleaning service for a deep clean before moving in.

9. Unpacking

When you arrive at your new home, it’s important to inform your removals company of any special instructions. Also, make sure that everything on your inventory is accounted for before your moving company leaves.

If you’ve prioritised your boxes, unpacking should be a breeze. 

• Start with essentials. Unpack toiletries, bed linens, and kitchen basics first.
• Set up key areas. Focus on the bedroom and kitchen to create functional spaces quickly.
• Unpack a few boxes daily instead of trying to do it all at once.

10. Don’t rush, and keep a level head

It may take you a day, a month, or even six – but it’ll all get done eventually. Your health and wellbeing are important, so don’t let the move stress you out, give you anxiety or cause any arguments with your loved ones. Any move is a new chapter in your life, don’t let something (which may seem a big deal at the time) ruin the experience.

• Take breaks to enjoy meals or treats as you complete tasks.
• Ask friends or family for unpacking assistance.
• Decorate gradually. Take time to envision yourself as new owners of the space and arrange it to your liking.

Why Choose Store More for Your Storage Needs?

If you find yourself needing storing, whether it’s short or long-term, our two state-of-the-art storage facilities in Hull and Beverley offer convenient and safe solutions tailored to your individual needs.

We’ve made storing your items simple and easy. With free 24-hour access, we’re unique in that every single room at Store More is individually alarmed and can only be accessed by inputting your unique PIN code. We also sell strong, dedicated storage boxes so you can be even more organised.

A family-run, SSA–approved business, we will match any cheaper quote, and we’re offering your first four weeks storage half-price. Pop in to have a look around, drop us an email or give us a call.

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