Moving house is often talked about as one of life’s most stressful experiences, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re moving across town in Preston or relocating from Blackburn to Burnley, being organised is the key to a smooth, stress-free experience.
At Flexi Removals, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners navigate their move successfully. Below is our ultimate step-by-step checklist, designed especially for homeowners in Lancashire. Follow this plan and you’ll stay on top of every detail.
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
Start Decluttering
Go through your home room by room and decide what to keep, sell, donate or discard. Less clutter means less to pack and transport. Why pay someone to move stuff that you’re going to throw out at a later date anyway? Less stuff to move means a cheaper removal service!
Research and Book a Removal Company
Start getting quotes and secure your chosen date. If you’re moving on a Friday or at the end of the month, book as early as possible. Luckily, Flexi Removals offers free moving advice and free quotes. You’ve already found the right removal company for you.
Create a Moving Folder
Start a folder to keep track of quotes, checklists, contacts, receipts and legal documents. This will come in handy when liaising with solicitors or estate agents. When you start packing everything, you’d be surprised how easy it is to lose that vital piece of paper. You’ll thank yourself later.
6 Weeks Before the Move
Notify Schools and Work
Let schools and employers know about your moving date. This is particularly important if it will affect childcare or commute routines and it’s an easy thing to forget.
Start Using Up Food and Supplies
Try to use up frozen and perishable food, and reduce what you’ll need to pack from cupboards and cleaning supply areas. For a lot of our customers, it’s always a last minute dash to unpack all the food from the fridge when we’re about to move it for them! Plan ahead and run your food down. It’s usually a take away night anyway on a moving day!
Order Boxes and Packaging
Buy all your moving boxes and packaging materials from us. We stock everything you need, including strong boxes, bubble wrap and tape, plus we deliver everything straight to your door. We’ll even pack everything for you if you like.
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
Confirm Moving Date with Your Solicitor and Estate Agent
Check timelines and confirm your completion date. It’s common for final confirmation to come at short notice, so try to build in flexibility if possible. One stress relieving option a lot of our customers opt for is putting some or all of your items into a local storage facility.
Book Additional Services
Consider booking:
- Packing services
- Furniture dismantling and reassembly
- Storage (short- or long-term)
- Plumbing and unplumbing of washing machines
- Long-distance removal services
Luckily, Flexi Removals are your one stop shop for all of the above. Just let us know what you want and we’ll take care of the rest.
3 Weeks Before the Move
Start Packing Non-Essentials
This one’s easy – just ask us to pack and we’ll make sure everything is good to go for the moving day. However, if you’d rather do it yourself, check out the information below:
Box up books, seasonal clothes, and decorative items. Don’t forget to label boxes with the rooms they need to go into and label fragile boxes. We would highly recommend numbering boxes and having corresponding notes for each number that shows you what is in each box. This will save a lot of time searching for items after the move.
Arrange Time Off Work
Try to take the day of your move off. Maybe even take an additional day or two off if you can to settle in.
Notify Utility Companies and Update Your Address
Contact your:
- Gas and electric provider
- Water supplier
- Internet and phone provider
- TV Licensing
- DVLA
- Banks and online shopping accounts
Also, set up post redirection with Royal Mail to catch anything you’ve missed.
1 Week Before Moving Day
Finish Packing
Leave only daily essentials unpacked. If you’ve booked our packing service, we’ll take care of this for you with care and speed. The idea on the day of the move is for everything that we’re moving for you to be packed and ready to go. You’d be surprised how much more difficult a move is made by having loose items lying around. On the moving day, the idea is to ‘grab n go’!
Dismantle Furniture
Take apart large furniture items, unless we’re doing it for you. If that is the case, don’t worry, you don’t even need to think about it.
Prepare an Essentials Box
Include:
- Kettle and mugs
- Tea, coffee and snacks
- Phone chargers
- Basic toiletries
- Cleaning cloths and sprays
- Toilet paper
- Bedding
Keep this box with you on the day. It’ll be the first thing you’ll want once you’re in your new home.
The Day Before
Defrost the Freezer
Wipe it dry and leave the doors open overnight to avoid smells or leaks during the move.
Pack Overnight Bags
Prepare a bag for each family member with a change of clothes, medication and personal items.
Confirm Handover Details
Check key handover times with your estate agent or solicitor to avoid delays.
Moving Day
Final Walkthrough
Check every cupboard, drawer and loft space before leaving the property.
Stay Contactable
Keep your phone handy. Solicitors or estate agents may call with last-minute updates, and we might need to check something with you on the day.
Meter Readings
Take photos of all utility meters and note them down.
Lock Up and Hand Over Keys
Make sure the property is secure and hand over the keys as arranged with your agent.
After the Move
You’ve done it! Unpack at your own pace. If we’ve reassembled your furniture, you can begin settling in right away. Don’t forget to update any remaining services or subscriptions with your new address.
Need help post-move? Our team is happy to advise on storage, item placement or follow-up services.
Long-Distance Moves? No Problem
While we’re based in Lancashire, Flexi Removals handles long-distance moves across the UK. Whether you’re heading north to Scotland or south to Surrey, our professional and friendly team is here to help make your journey seamless.
Let Flexi Removals Help You Move with Confidence
We offer everything you need for a smooth move:
- Expert packing and packaging
- Reliable local and long-distance removals
- Secure storage options
- Washing machine plumbing and unplumbing
- Friendly, helpful support by phone or email
Looking for removals in Preston, Blackburn or Burnley? Get in touch with Flexi Removals today for a no-obligation quote.
