You’ve packed, you’ve planned, and the crew is booked. Now it’s about the day itself. These ten tips keep move day calm, on schedule, and free of the last-minute problems that catch people out.
The night before
Pack your essentials box last and keep it separate. You’ll want it the moment you arrive: phone charger, a change of clothes, a couple of mugs, tea bags, toilet paper, basic toiletries and anything else you’ll need in the first 24 hours. Put it somewhere the crew won’t load it into the van by accident.
Defrost the freezer the evening before if you haven’t already. A damp, dripping appliance on a van is no one’s idea of a good start. Drain and disconnect washing machines and dishwashers too.
Charge your phone fully. You’ll be making calls, checking in with the estate agent and photographing meter readings all day. A dead phone halfway through a move is a genuine inconvenience.
The morning of the move
Be up, dressed and ready before the crew arrives. An early start gives everyone a buffer for traffic and the inevitable last-minute jobs. A good London removals team will arrive on time; meet them at the door.
Do a final walk-through before the van is loaded. Check every cupboard, every shelf and behind every door. It takes five minutes and saves you the frustration of discovering something was left behind once you’re already on the road.
Protect your floors and doorframes. A professional crew will lay floor coverings and pad doorframes as standard, but point out anything you’re particularly worried about so they know.
Keep things moving on the day
Parking is one of the most common causes of a delayed move. If you haven’t already, arrange parking suspension at both addresses if there’s no driveway or off-road parking nearby. Just Removals London handles parking permits and congestion charges on your behalf as part of every move.
Keep children and pets out of the way during loading and unloading. It speeds the team up and keeps everyone safer. A family member, a neighbour or a short trip to the park makes a real difference.
Dismantle flat-pack furniture before the crew arrives if you haven’t asked for a dismantling service. Beds, wardrobes and bookshelves that are already broken down load faster, travel safer and take up less space in the van. Our team can handle this for you if you need it.
Before you lock up
Take meter readings at your old property and photograph them on your phone. Do the same at the new place when you arrive. This protects you from being billed for energy used by the previous occupants.
Photograph every room at your old property once it’s empty. This is your record of condition on move-out day. If you’re a tenant ending a tenancy, this evidence matters if any deposit deductions are later disputed.
Hand back keys in person if you can, and ask for written confirmation they’ve been received. Keep that confirmation until your deposit is returned or your property sale completes.
When you arrive at the new place
Tell the crew which room each box goes into as they unload. If your boxes are clearly labelled with destination rooms, this happens naturally. A well-labelled move means you’re unpacking from the right room on day one, rather than searching through a stack of boxes in the hallway.
Get beds and sofas into position first. Once the heavy furniture is placed correctly, everything else falls around it. Moving a sofa after the room is fully unpacked is a lot harder than placing it before anything else goes in.
Check your belongings as they come off the van. Any concerns about condition should be raised with the crew on the day, not days later. A reputable removals company carries goods-in-transit insurance as standard, but the sooner any issue is flagged, the better.
Frequently asked questions
What time should I book my removals crew to arrive?
Early is almost always better. An 8am start gives the team room to work before London traffic builds, and it leaves plenty of the day for unloading and settling in at the new place. If you’re moving on a completion day and can’t get keys until midday, book the crew to pack the van in the morning and wait for the call.
Should I be there on moving day?
Yes, or send someone you trust. The crew needs access, may have questions about specific items, and will need someone to sign off when the job is done. Being there also means you can do a proper final walk-through before you lock up for the last time.
What if something gets damaged on moving day?
Just Removals London carries goods-in-transit cover and £5m public liability insurance on every move. If anything is damaged, raise it with the team on the day and follow up in writing. Keep a note of what happened and any photos as evidence.
Do I need to tip the removal crew?
There’s no expectation. That said, a tip is always appreciated if the team have worked hard and the move went well. A few pounds per person, or a round of hot drinks during the day, is a kind gesture. It’s entirely your call.