Moving House in the UK: Checklist and Who to Hire

By UKListingz Editorial Team Published 6 November 2026 Updated 6 November 2026 12 min read

A moving house checklist works best when it puts the jobs in the right order. Book removals and cleaners early, check your insurance before you pack, tell the right organisations about your new address, and keep written records of every booking. The sections below cover timing, choosing a removal firm, insurance and admin.

Key takeaways

• Work backwards from your completion date, and book removals and cleaners as soon as your dates are firm.
• Ask for a written quote that states the price basis, the date, what is included and what is excluded.
• Ask any removal firm what its insurance covers, and request evidence before you pay a deposit.
• Read your home contents policy to see whether your belongings are covered while they are being transported.
• Arrange meter readings, broadband and post redirection early, because several tasks depend on the moving date.
• Keep a folder of quotes, booking confirmations, photos and receipts in case something goes wrong.

Moving house timeline: what to do and when

Start from your completion date and work backwards. Most moves fall into four stages: early planning, the booking period, the final weeks, and the days around moving day. The table below shows the main tasks for each stage, along with the people or organisations you will need to contact.

Treat the timings as a guide rather than a fixed schedule. A chain of sales with several moving parts needs more coordination than a single purchase, so agree dates with your solicitor or conveyancer early. If your completion date moves, go back through the table and check which bookings can be shifted without a penalty.

How do you choose a removal company?

Choose a removal company by comparing written quotes for the same job, checking how the firm will handle your belongings, and confirming its insurance. Price matters, but a very low estimate can rise on the day if the firm has not seen the property. Good firms ask questions before they quote.

Ask for a survey, either in person or by video call, so the firm can see the volume of goods, the stairs, parking and access. A quote based on a phone conversation alone is more likely to change once the van arrives. Ask whether the price is fixed or charged by the hour, and what happens if the job takes longer than planned.

Make sure the quote says clearly what is included. Packing, dismantling and reassembling furniture, packing materials, storage and stair carries can each be charged separately. Ask for the list in writing, and read the terms on cancellation and late arrival. Compare like with like, because a quote that includes packing cannot be compared fairly with one that does not.

Local and national firms each have trade-offs. A local firm may be easier to visit and question in person, while a larger firm may have more vehicles for a long-distance move. Neither is automatically better. Check that the business has a physical address and a phone number you can call, and read individual reviews rather than relying on a summary score. You can browse removal companies by town to build a shortlist before requesting quotes.

Common mistakes when booking removals

• Paying the full amount upfront, before any work has started.
• Accepting a verbal estimate and assuming it covers everything.
• Failing to mention large or awkward items, which can cause access problems or a van that is too small.
• Choosing the cheapest firm without checking what it says about insurance.

If you plan to pack yourself, think about the materials as well as the boxes. Sturdy cartons, bubble wrap, tape and marker pens are worth buying in good time, because running short on the day creates pressure to pack carelessly. Pack heavier items into smaller boxes, keep fragile items wrapped individually, and label anything you will want to find quickly. Ask the removal firm whether it will supply materials and whether it will pack certain items itself, such as china, electronics or artwork.

Families with children or pets can plan separately. Arrange a safe room or a friend's home for the day of the move, and pack a bag of essentials for each child, pet and older relative so that everything needed for the first night is easy to reach.

Which insurance do you need when moving house?

Insurance during a move covers three things: your belongings, the removal firm's liability, and the property you are leaving or entering. Each one works differently, so check each before moving day rather than assuming one policy covers everything.

Your home contents policy may or may not cover belongings while they are in transit. Some policies cover goods only while they are inside your home, while others include limited cover for removals. Read the policy wording, check any limits per item, and ask your insurer to confirm in writing whether a professional removal is covered. If you are carrying high-value items yourself, ask about those separately.

Ask the removal firm what liability cover it holds. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for most businesses that employ staff, with a minimum of £5 million cover, so a firm with crew members should be able to confirm that it has it. Public liability insurance is usually not a legal requirement, but many customers and building managers ask for it, so ask for evidence of that as well.

Be cautious about any firm that cannot explain its cover. Ask for a copy of the certificate or the insurer's name, and check that the cover is current on the date of the move. A firm that says it is insured but cannot show anything should be treated as a warning sign rather than a reassurance.

Finally, keep buildings insurance in place on the property you are leaving until the sale completes, and make sure the new property is insured from the point you take responsibility for it. The exact start and end points depend on your contract and your insurer, so confirm them with both.

Do you need cleaners and locksmiths as well?

Many people hire cleaners before they move out or move in, and some need a locksmith to change or check the locks at the new home. Both jobs are easier to manage if you agree the scope and the price before the day.

For cleaners, agree whether the job covers the oven, fridge, windows and skirting boards, and whether cleaning products and equipment are included. Ask whether the price is fixed or hourly, and whether the cleaner carries public liability insurance. A written scope protects both sides and makes it easier to raise a problem if the finish is not what you expected. You can browse cleaners in the area you are leaving or moving to.

Locksmiths are a different case. Some people are locked out during a move because keys have gone astray in the rush. Others want every lock changed for security reasons. A good locksmith will explain what work is needed and give you a written price before starting. The Master Locksmiths Association is a trade body you can check when you are comparing businesses. Read more about how to hire a locksmith safely, and browse locksmiths by town if you need one.

Who should you tell about your new address?

Telling the right organisations early avoids missed bills, lost post and interrupted payments. Start with the ones that take money from you or send you money, then move on to the rest.

• Banks, building societies and card providers, plus any direct debits and standing orders you have set up.
• Energy and water suppliers, with final meter readings for the old property and opening readings for the new one.
• Broadband, television and phone providers, because switching can take time and some services are tied to a contract.
• Your employer, pension providers and any government department that pays you.
• HMRC, if you are self-employed or file a Self Assessment return.
• Your local council, for council tax and the electoral register.
• Royal Mail, to arrange redirection of post for a set period.

Keep a simple tracker with the date each organisation was told and any reference number. That record is useful if a payment goes astray. If a conveyancer is handling your sale or purchase, ask them which changes need to be sorted before completion, because some are linked to the transaction itself.

What should you do on moving day?

Moving day is busy, so a short routine helps you avoid the common mistakes. Follow these steps in order, and keep your phone charged.

1. Confirm the crew's arrival time and a contact number the day before.
2. Take dated photos or video of each room in the old property, and of the meter readings.
3. Keep valuables, important documents, medication and chargers with you rather than on the van.
4. Label boxes by room, and mark any fragile items clearly.
5. Check the inventory before you sign it, and note any damage on the paperwork.
6. Walk through each room before you hand over keys, checking cupboards and loft hatches.
7. At the new home, check items off against your list and report anything missing the same day.

Take your time at this stage. Signing a clean inventory without checking it properly can make a later damage claim much harder to prove.

What happens if belongings are damaged or lost?

Report damage as soon as you spot it, in writing, with photos. Quick reporting helps both the firm and your insurer, and it gives you the best chance of a fair outcome.

Services are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. A removal firm must carry out the work with reasonable care and skill, for a reasonable price if none was agreed, and within a reasonable time if none was agreed. If the work is not done properly, you can ask for it to be put right or ask for a reduction in the price. Consumer rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position.

If you paid by credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may make your card provider jointly liable when a purchase cost between £100 and £30,000, subject to conditions. Ask your card provider about other options too, such as chargeback, which can apply to some card payments.

If the firm does not resolve the complaint, start with a clear letter that sets out the problem, what you want, and a reasonable deadline for a response. The steps for complaining about a business explain how to escalate. For more on your options when work is poor, read your rights when a tradesperson does poor work.

In England and Wales, the small claims track generally covers claims up to £10,000. Scotland has the simple procedure for claims up to £5,000, and Northern Ireland has its own small claims system. Citizens Advice can help you work out which route applies to you.

What to do next

Use this checklist to put the plan into action this week:

• Set your moving date and work backwards to create a dated task list.
• Request at least two written quotes from removal firms after a survey.
• Check your contents policy, and ask each removal firm for its insurance details.
• Book cleaners and any locksmith work with a written scope and price.
• Start your change of address list and record every notification you make.

Once you have a shortlist, UKListingz can help you find more options. Each business page shows the name, category, address, town, postcode and phone number, so you can call firms and ask the questions in this guide. UKListingz does not verify insurance or accreditation, so you still need to check those yourself. If you are looking for other services, browse all categories to see what is available near your new home.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should I book a removal company?

Book as soon as your moving date is confirmed, especially if you need a weekend or the end of the month, when firms tend to be busiest. Early booking gives you time to compare several written quotes, arrange a survey, and fit the move around your conveyancing dates. If your dates might change, ask whether the firm allows the booking to be moved, and what it charges if you cancel or change at short notice.

Do I need to tell my insurer that I am moving house?

Usually yes. Home insurance is based on the property and its details, so a new address normally needs to be confirmed with your insurer before the move. Ask whether your current policy continues until the new property is covered, and whether belongings in transit are included. Keep the insurer's confirmation in writing. If you are buying with a mortgage, your lender will also expect the new property to be insured from completion, so check that step too.

What should a removal quote include?

A written quote should name the moving date, the start time, both addresses, the number of crew and vehicles, and the price basis, such as fixed or hourly. It should also list extras such as packing, dismantling, storage, stairs and parking, and explain what happens if the job takes longer than planned. Ask for the terms on cancellation and damage claims as well. If a firm will not put the scope in writing, compare other quotes before deciding.

Can I cancel a removal booking I made online?

It may be possible. Contracts made online or by phone generally carry a 14-day cancellation period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If you ask for the move to start within those 14 days, you may have to pay for the work already done. Check the firm's terms and GOV.UK for the current position, and ask the firm to confirm any cancellation in writing.

Who should I tell first about my new address?

Start with organisations that take payments from you or send you money, such as your bank, card providers, pension providers and employer. Then tell your energy and water suppliers, and any broadband or phone provider. Your local council and the electoral register come next. Arrange post redirection early so that anything still addressed to the old property reaches you. Keep a dated record of each change you make.

What if my belongings are damaged during the move?

Photograph the damage, note it on the paperwork if you can, and report it to the firm in writing as soon as possible. Ask the firm for its claims process, and keep copies of your quote and any messages. If the firm does not respond fairly, your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may apply, and your insurer may also be able to help. Citizens Advice can explain your options if you are unsure what to do next.

Sources and further reading

• Citizens Advice consumer help – free advice on consumer problems, traders and complaints.
• GOV.UK consumer protection rights – official guidance on your rights when you buy goods and services.
• Which? – independent consumer advice and practical guides.
• MoneyHelper – free, impartial guidance on money matters, including planning for major costs.

This article is general information, not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act.

Written by UKListingz Editorial Team. How we write and check our articles.