A move feels overwhelming when everything lands at once. Spread it across eight weeks and it becomes a series of small, manageable jobs. Work through this week-by-week checklist and nothing slips through the cracks.
8 weeks to go
Confirm your moving date and get your removals company booked as early as possible. End-of-month dates and weekends fill up fast in London, and the best crews are gone weeks ahead. Get a free fixed-price quote now rather than scrambling later.
Start decluttering. Walk through every room and make three piles: keep, donate and bin. The less you move, the less you pay. Selling furniture you won’t need at the new place is worth doing at this stage.
If you’re in rented accommodation, give notice in writing to your landlord. Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, most private tenants in England can give two months’ notice at any time.
6 weeks to go
Start collecting packing boxes. Double-walled boxes from a removals company are sturdier than supermarket boxes and stack properly in a van. Order enough for your whole property: a rough guide is 10 to 15 boxes per bedroom.
Notify your utility providers: gas, electricity, water and broadband. Give them your moving date and arrange final meter readings. Set up new accounts at your new address if your suppliers don’t cover the new area.
Redirect your post with Royal Mail. The service takes a few days to set up and typically runs for three to twelve months. Do it now rather than the day before the move.
4 weeks to go
Start packing non-essential items. Books, out-of-season clothes, decorative objects, spare bedding and anything you won’t need before moving day can all be boxed up now. Label every box clearly: contents and destination room.
Update your address with banks, your GP, your employer, DVLA, HMRC, and any subscriptions or memberships. Work through them in one sitting so you don’t forget anyone.
If you need short-term storage because your moving dates don’t align, arrange it now. Just Removals London can collect, store and deliver your belongings around your schedule.
Confirm parking at both properties. If there’s no driveway, you may need to apply for a parking suspension to keep the road clear for the van. Your council requires notice, sometimes up to two weeks in advance.
2 weeks to go
Confirm all the details with your removals company: arrival time, both addresses, access notes (floor number, lift availability, stair width, parking), and any items that need special care. The more information they have, the better the crew can plan.
Pack most of the kitchen apart from items you’re using daily. Wrap plates in packing paper and stand them on edge, not flat. Wrap glasses individually. Use small boxes for anything heavy.
If you have a professional packing service booked, confirm the date and make sure someone is home. The team will bring all the materials and work through the property methodically.
Arrange care for children and pets on moving day if you can. Having them out of the way means the crew can work faster and everyone stays safe.
Moving week
Defrost the freezer two or three days before the move. Drain washing machines and dishwashers the day before. Check that your boiler and any gas appliances are properly shut down before the van leaves.
Dismantle flat-pack furniture if you haven’t asked the team to do it. Keep screws and fittings in labelled bags taped to the relevant piece. Beds, wardrobes and shelving units break down in minutes once you know how.
Pack your essentials box on the last evening: phone charger, a change of clothes, two mugs, tea bags, toilet paper, a few plates and cutlery, basic toiletries and anything else you’ll need the moment you arrive. Keep it somewhere obvious so the crew doesn’t load it with everything else.
Moving day
Be ready before the crew arrives. Do a final walk-through of every room, every cupboard and every shelf before the van is loaded. Take meter readings at your old property and photograph them. Hand keys back in person and ask for written confirmation.
At the new place, take meter readings immediately on arrival. Direct the crew to place furniture and boxes in the right rooms as they unload: it saves hours of moving things around later. Check your belongings as they come off the van and raise any concerns straight away.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I book a removals company in London?
Four to six weeks is sensible for an end-of-month or weekend move. For a mid-week move in a quieter period, two to three weeks may be enough. The earlier you book, the more choice you have on dates and crew size.
What happens if my moving date changes?
Contact your removals company as soon as you know. Most will reschedule without charge if you give reasonable notice. Just Removals London works with you to find an alternative date that fits.
Do I need to pack everything before the crew arrives?
Yes, unless you have a full packing service booked. A removals crew is there to carry and transport: having everything boxed and labelled before they arrive means the job runs on schedule and within the quoted time.
Can I move and put some things into storage on the same day?
Yes. Just Removals London can collect your belongings and split the load between your new address and secure storage in a single move. Let us know at the quote stage so we can plan the logistics properly.