Guide
Moving house checklist: four weeks out to the last box
Book the van 4 to 6 weeks ahead and apply for any parking suspension at least 10 working days before in councils such as Lambeth, then defrost the freezer at least 48 hours before the van comes. On the day, photograph every meter, keep keys and documents with you, and check each room before the van leaves.
What should you do four weeks before moving?
Four weeks out, book the van and crew, and sort parking. Konnect You (formerly Compare My Move) recommends booking 4 to 6 weeks ahead (September 2026). Confirm the van size, crew size, start time, hourly rate, minimum hours and what is included, in writing.
Apply for a parking bay suspension at both addresses if the streets have controlled parking. Lambeth asks for 10 or more working days and Bedford at least 14 days. If either address is a flat, book the lift and any loading slot with the managing agent.
Start packing the rooms you use least: lofts, spare rooms, books and out-of-season clothes. Konnect You suggests starting 4 to 6 weeks before. Order boxes, tape and a marker now rather than in the last week.
What should you do one to two weeks before?
Set up post redirection and tell the people who bill you. That means your council tax office at both ends, your energy and water suppliers, broadband, your bank, your employer, your GP and dentist, and TV Licensing. Your driving licence and vehicle log book also need the new address once you move: GOV.UK says changing the address on a licence is free, and you can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling DVLA.
Confirm the key handover with the agent or solicitor, including the time and who to ring if completion runs late. Send the man and van firm both addresses, the floors, any lift, the parking arrangements and a list of large items. Use up frozen food and sell or give away anything not coming with you.
What should you do in the last 48 hours?
Defrost the freezer and fridge at least 48 hours before the van comes, Konnect You advises, and leave the doors open on a towel. Disconnect the washing machine and fit its transit bolts, which AnyVan says keep the drum still during the move, and drain the water left in the pump.
Take beds and tables apart and tape the screws in a labelled bag to each piece. Pack a first-night box and a bag of documents. Charge phones and a power bank, take cash or a card for parking, and put the parking suspension confirmation on your phone. Confirm the arrival time with the firm the day before.
What should you do on the morning of the move?
Take a dated photo of every meter, gas, electricity and water, before the first box goes out, and note the readings. Walk round with the crew leader to point out fragile items, anything not going and the order you want the van loaded.
Keep your keys, phone, documents, medicine, cash and jewellery with you, not in the van, because goods in transit cover commonly excludes cash and valuables. Check the job sheet or inventory the firm gives you, and keep a copy.
What should go in the first-night box?
The first-night box holds what you need before the rest is unpacked. Put in a kettle, mugs, tea or coffee, a few plates and cutlery, toilet roll, soap, towels, bedding for each bed, phone chargers, a torch, light bulbs, a basic toolkit with a screwdriver for flat-pack screws, scissors, bin bags, any medication and pet food.
Pack it last, mark it on every side and carry it in your car if you can. Children's bedtime things and a change of clothes for everyone go in the same box or a separate bag.
What should you check before the van leaves and at the new home?
Before the van leaves, walk every room at the old home: cupboards, the loft, the shed, the garage, behind doors and the garden. Leave keys where agreed, take the final meter photos and lock up.
At the new home, take opening meter photos before you use anything. Tell the crew which room each box goes to, as marked on its label. Check furniture as it comes off, and note any damage on the job sheet before you sign it. Stand the fridge upright before you plug it back in; AnyVan advises giving it time first, and the manufacturer's manual gives the waiting time for your model.
Common questions
How far in advance should I book a man and van?
Konnect You recommends 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Book earlier for a Friday, a month-end or August, and allow time for a parking suspension, which needs 10 or more working days in some councils.
When should I defrost my freezer before moving?
At least 48 hours before the van comes, Konnect You advises, so it is dry when it is loaded.
Do I need to take meter readings when I move?
Yes. Photograph gas, electricity and water meters at both homes on moving day and send the readings to your suppliers, so you pay only for what you used.
What should I keep with me on moving day?
Keys, phone, documents, medicine, cash and jewellery. Goods in transit policies often exclude cash and valuables.