House moving checklist

Your new Gleeson home is almost complete, and the excitement is building. As you approach completion day, it’s important to be prepared and have everything in order.   
 
To help make the process as smooth as possible, we’ve created a helpful checklist highlighting the top things to do when moving house. From organising your belongings to ordering your bins and utilities, we’ve got you covered. 

When you have a date confirmed for your completion, make sure you book a removal company. Explain to them how many items you will have to move, including beds, your sofa and large appliances, this will ensure you get an accurate quote. Unless you have relatively little to move, hiring a professional company really does help. There is an art to packing fragile items so that they’re protected and don’t break in transit, plus removal workers are used to carrying large weights and can do so in a safe way.

If you’re moving out of your parents’ home, you’ll likely have everything stored in one place, ready for moving house. If you’re moving from a rented home or an existing property, it can be a little more complex with a whole house to pack up. Before moving day, we recommend gathering essential packing supplies, like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and tape. Having these items offers the best way to pack a house for moving.  

To make things easier, pack the contents of each room one by one and label boxes religiously, by room and by what’s inside. It’s also worth making sure you keep things you’ll need urgently on the day in one separate box, such as toiletries, spare clothes, and your kettle. Packing is also a great time to get rid of clutter you might not use or want.

Your home is such an important asset, so it’s crucial for it to be insured from the moment that you legally own it. All our new build homes have a 10-year NHBC warranty, which includes a two-year Gleeson warranty, but having buildings and contents insurance is important too. You can shop around online with insurance providers to get a range of quotes, based on various attributes such as house size, location and belongings.  

From utility suppliers to service providers and online retailers, there are various companies you’ll need to notify or update your address with when moving home. Don’t make the mistake of ordering any parcels to your old address! 

Make sure to get your mail redirected to your new home by Royal Mail. Not only will this ensure you don’t miss any important letters, but it also protects your information from identity theft. You can set up your redirect to commence from your moving day, and it can be in place for as long as you need it to be. You can do this at your local post office or online. 

As your new home is totally new, there will never have been any dustbins. Ordering your bins is a simple process. You will need to contact your Local Council and arrange to have your bins delivered; there may be costs associated with this, subject to your local council. Be sure to make the council aware that you have moved in; this will notify them to send you the most up-to-date bin collection rota so that you know what days your bins will be emptied.

If you have a property to sell, you’ll want to ensure you prepare your home for the new owners. Keep cleaning supplies to hand and focus on areas that are often overlooked, like behind furniture, inside appliances and high surfaces. This will also allow you to inspect each room thoroughly to ensure you aren't forgetting any personal items. Alternatively, you might want to arrange for a local cleaning company to visit your existing property to give it a thorough clean before the keys are handed over.  

Don’t get caught out with a long wait for broadband. Booking an appointment in advance with your provider will save any hassle or delays. We’d recommend you do this once you have an expected completion date, so you know the timescales you are working to.

If this is your first home, closer to moving in, you’ll need to arrange a TV licence. Additionally, if you’re moving from your existing property, your TV Licence doesn't automatically move with you, you will need to update your address (you can do this up to three months before you move). To find out more, visit the TV Licensing website here.

Pack an overnight bag with essentials for the first night in your new home. Keep important items like medication, phone chargers, pyjamas and basic toiletries easily accessible. If you want to be extra organised, pack some snacks and drinks ready for a busy moving day! 

We hope your moving day is as enjoyable as it can be and that our checklist for moving house has helped outline some of the most important steps to follow.

Explore our brand-new homes available near you, with a wide choice of homebuying schemes to help make moving easier. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or have a home to sell, we have something for everyone.