Moving house ranks alongside divorce and bereavement as one of life's most stressful events. Around one in three people say it's the most stressful thing they've ever done. In London, the process comes with an extra layer of complexity that most checklists don't cover well. This guide walks you through what to do before the removals crew arrives, so your move-day actually runs to plan.
One easily forgotten item has a deadline attached. Registration is not transferred automatically when you move, so GOV.UK electoral register needs updating at the new address in its own right.
Book Your Removals Company Earlier Than You Think
Friday is the most popular moving day in the UK. Summer months are the busiest period of all. In London, demand for professional crews spikes between May and September, and many firms are fully booked four to six weeks out. Leave it until two weeks before your completion date and you may struggle to get the vehicle and team you need.
For a standard three-bedroom house move, you'll typically need a Luton van and a two-person crew as a minimum. Larger properties often need a 7.5-tonne lorry and a three-person team. The house removals team at Just Removals London matches the right vehicle and crew size to your property, not a one-size-fits-all slot.
Book your preferred date as soon as you have a provisional completion date from your solicitor. Don't wait for it to be confirmed. You can always adjust the booking later if dates change.
Sort Out London Parking Before Anything Else
This is the step most London movers forget until it's too late. If your property doesn't have a private driveway or an off-street loading bay, you'll need to apply to your local council for a parking suspension.
A suspension legally clears a dedicated space directly outside your door for the duration of your move. Without one, the van may have to park 50 metres away, adding time and risk to every single trip. Most London boroughs, including Camden, Islington and Westminster, require at least 10 to 14 working days' notice for an application. Moving costs hit record highs in 2025, and an avoidable delay on the day only adds to the bill.
You'll usually need a suspension at both your current address and your new one. Costs vary widely by borough, running from around £30 to £130 per day. The Congestion Charge zone adds £15 per day per vehicle for moves in central London, and the ULEZ (which covers all of Greater London) adds £12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles. A professional removals company handles all of this for you. Nothing gets added to your bill afterwards.
Declutter Before You Start Packing
Everything you take to your new home costs time and money to move. More boxes, more van space, more loading time. A proper clear-out before you pack saves all of it.
Go room by room. Anything you haven't used in a year and can't see yourself needing goes. Charity shops, Facebook Marketplace and your local tip are all options. For larger items you'd rather not deal with yourself, a furniture collection service will remove them cleanly without you having to arrange it yourself.
Aim to have the declutter done at least two weeks before moving day. Trying to sort and pack at the same time is one of the most common reasons people feel overwhelmed on the day itself.
Pack Smart and Label Everything Clearly
Start with the rooms you use least: spare bedrooms, loft storage, garage. Leave the kitchen and your main bedroom until two or three days before the move. Wrap breakables individually in paper or bubble wrap, and mark every box with the room it's going to and whether the contents are fragile.
Label the top and at least one side of every box. A box sitting in a stack can only be read from one angle. Pack heavy items into smaller boxes to keep the weight manageable, and fill any gaps with clothing or soft items to stop things shifting in transit.
Don't want to do it yourself? Just Removals London's packing and unpacking service covers everything from wrapping individual breakables to packing an entire house, including all the materials. Many people pack most of their home themselves and use the service just for the kitchen and fragile items.
What to Do If Your Completion Dates Don't Line Up
Chains fall through. Completions get delayed. If the gap between leaving your current property and getting the keys to your new one is more than a day, you'll need a plan for your belongings.
Secure storage is the most practical option here. The removals crew loads your belongings into a locked, monitored unit. When your new property is ready, everything is delivered. You pay only for the time you use.
This is far simpler than trying to store things with family or independently renting a self-storage unit and arranging a second van. Ask about storage when you get your initial quote, so the option is already costed in if your dates shift.
What a Professional Crew Actually Does on Moving Day
A good removals crew does more than carry boxes. That's worth understanding before your move, because it changes what you need to do yourself.
Before loading starts, the team lays floor coverings to protect your carpets and hallway. They wrap and protect large furniture items, dismantle beds and wardrobes where needed, and load the van in the right order so nothing shifts on the road. At your new property, they bring everything in, place boxes in the correct rooms according to your labels, and reassemble the furniture they took apart. Your job is to direct where things go, not to move anything yourself.
For a three-bedroom house move with a two-person crew and a Luton van, allow six to ten hours depending on distance and access. Larger properties, or moves involving a piano, antiques or other specialist items, will need a bigger team and more time. If you're moving a flat with no lift and awkward staircase access, tell the company when you book and a good firm will already know how to handle it.
Man and Van or Full Removals: Which One Do You Need?
It's worth being clear about this before you start getting quotes. A man and van suits smaller moves: a studio flat, a single room, a few items between two nearby addresses. It's quick, flexible and cost-effective for the right job.
A full removals company is what you need for a house move. You get a trained, insured crew, the right vehicle for the job, protective wrapping, floor coverings, furniture dismantled and reassembled, and someone who knows what they're doing when the stairs are narrow or the street is restricted. The price difference between a van with one driver and a proper two or three-person crew often works out to just a few hundred pounds, and the difference in how your moving day feels is considerable.
A Few Final Things to Sort Before Moving Day
Set up a Royal Mail redirect at least two weeks before your move date. Notify your bank, utility providers, GP surgery, HMRC, the DVLA and your employer of your new address. Update your electoral register once you've moved in.
Keep your passports, keys, completion letters and contracts in a bag you carry yourself on moving day. Don't box them up. Put together a first-night bag with the essentials you'll need before you start unpacking: phone charger, kettle, mugs, a change of clothes and anything the kids or the dog will need on arrival.
If you're also leaving a rented property, arrange a professional clean in advance. Most cleaning services need at least a week's notice, and your checkout is usually the same day as the move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a removals company in London?
Aim for at least four to six weeks ahead. Fridays, weekends and the summer months between May and September fill up fast. Booking early also gives you time to sort parking suspensions at both addresses before the 10 to 14 working day council deadline.
Do I need a parking suspension for my London house move?
Yes, if your property doesn't have a private driveway or dedicated loading bay. Most London boroughs require at least 10 to 14 working days' notice. A professional removals company will apply on your behalf as part of the service, so you don't have to navigate the council process yourself.
How much does a house move in London cost?
The total cost of moving home reached £17,831 on average in 2025, with London typically higher. The removals element varies by property size, distance and what's included. A fixed-price quote shows you exactly what you'll pay before you commit, with no extra charges for stairs, mileage or wrapping.
Should I pack myself or use a packing service?
Either works. Many people pack most of their home themselves and hand over the fragile items, artwork and kitchen to a packing service. A full packing service covers everything from individual breakables to an entire property, including all packing materials, wardrobe cartons and bubble wrap.
What happens if my completion date gets delayed?
Delays are more common than people expect. If your new property isn't ready when you leave your current one, secure storage is the most practical solution. Your belongings are collected, stored safely in a locked monitored unit, and delivered when you're ready. Ask about storage when you get your quote so it's already costed in if your dates change.
Do I need to be present on moving day?
It's helpful but not always required. Most people stay at the property for at least the loading phase to direct the team and hand over keys. At the new property, being there to show the crew where rooms are makes the unloading much quicker and saves you rearranging things later.
Moving day doesn't have to feel like a gamble. Sort your parking early, book a crew that knows what they're doing, and let the professionals handle the heavy work. If you've got a London house move coming up, get a free, fixed-price quote from Just Removals London. The price agreed is the price you pay, with no nasty surprises on the day.