Moving Day Checklist: Everything to Do Before Your Man and Van Arrives
A moving day checklist is the difference between a smooth move and a chaotic one. Use this complete guide to prepare for your man and van from 4 weeks out to the moment the van pulls away.
Get a Free QuoteWhy You Need a Moving Day Checklist
Moving house is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events. The good news is that most of that stress comes from poor preparation rather than the move itself. A solid moving day checklist turns a chaotic day into a logical sequence of tasks you can work through calmly.
Whether you are booking a man and van in Sevenoaks, moving a flat in Woolwich, or relocating from Croydon to Kent, the same core moving day checklist applies. This guide breaks it down week by week so nothing gets missed.
Book your man and van first. Everything else on your moving day checklist can flex around the move date, but a good man and van team in your area books up fast, especially on Saturdays and at the end of the month.
Moving Day Checklist: 4 to 6 Weeks Before
Start your moving day checklist at least a month out. These tasks take the most time and cannot be left until the last minute.
- Book your man and van and confirm the date, address and team size in writing
- Give notice to your landlord (usually 1 month) or confirm your completion date with your solicitor
- Start collecting free boxes from supermarkets, off-licences and local Facebook groups
- Begin a room-by-room inventory of everything you own and decide what to keep, donate or throw away
- Notify your employer, bank, HMRC, GP and any subscriptions of your upcoming change of address. Update your address with HMRC here
- Set up a Royal Mail post redirect to your new address (takes 5 working days to activate)
- Arrange home insurance for your new property from the move date
- Book a parking suspension if your street has controlled parking and you need to reserve space for the van
Moving Day Checklist: 1 to 2 Weeks Before
The week before your move is when your moving day checklist gets practical. Packing should start now.
- Start packing non-essential rooms first: loft, garage, spare bedroom, books and decorations
- Label every box with the room it is going to at the new property, not just the contents
- Defrost your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day
- Confirm your man and van booking with a reminder call and provide any access details they need
- Notify your utility providers (gas, electric, water, broadband) of your moving date and arrange final meter readings
- Confirm your new council for council tax registration at GOV.UK
- Pack an essentials box: kettle, mugs, phone charger, toilet paper, towel, snacks, documents, change of clothes
- If moving to or within London, check the TfL ULEZ checker to confirm your van is compliant. Affordable Man and Van vans are all ULEZ compliant at no extra charge.
Moving Day Checklist: The Day Before
Your moving day checklist for the day before is short but critical. Do these tasks the evening before and moving day itself will run much more smoothly.
- Finish packing everything except your bed linen and the essentials box you will need in the morning
- Disassemble flat-pack furniture and beds where possible. Keep all fixings and screws in a labelled zip-lock bag taped to the item
- Take photos of every room before packing is complete, and after it is done, to document the condition of the property
- Confirm the arrival time with your man and van team and double check their contact number
- Move your car away from the loading area and arrange parking for the van if needed
- Charge all devices, print or screenshot any confirmation emails and gather all keys
- Get a good night's sleep. Moving day is physically demanding even when you have a team helping you
Moving Day Checklist: On the Day
The day has arrived. Work through this part of your moving day checklist as the team loads the van.
When the Man and Van Team Arrives
- Walk the team through the property and point out any fragile, awkward or high-value items
- Keep children and pets out of the way during loading for safety
- Keep your essentials box and valuables with you, not in the van
- Stay available throughout loading to answer questions and direct the team
Before Leaving Your Old Property
- Do a final walk through every room including loft, garage, garden shed and under stairs
- Check all windows are locked, taps are off and all appliances are switched off or unplugged
- Take final meter readings for gas, electric and water and photograph them
- Hand keys to the landlord, estate agent or new owner as agreed
At Your New Property
- Direct the team on where each box and item goes, referring to your room labels
- Check for any damage to items as they are brought in
- Take meter readings at the new property immediately
- Test that water, heating and electricity are all working before the team leaves
If you are moving to or from a flat with a lift, always confirm lift booking times with the building management before moving day. Most London apartment buildings require at least 48 hours notice to reserve the service lift. Your man and van team should know this but it is worth confirming yourself.
After Moving Day: Final Checklist Tasks
- Submit final meter readings to your old supplier and set up new accounts with your chosen provider
- Register on the electoral roll at your new address at GOV.UK
- Update your driving licence address with DVLA within 1 month
- Check that your Royal Mail redirect is working by having a letter sent to your old address
- Leave a review for your man and van team if you are happy. It really helps small businesses.
Moving Day Checklist: Frequently Asked Questions
A moving day checklist covers everything from booking your man and van to redirecting your post, notifying utility providers, packing an essentials box, and completing a final walk-through of your old property before handing over keys.
Start your moving day checklist at least 4 to 6 weeks before your move date. Book your man and van as early as possible, especially for weekend or end-of-month dates which fill up fast.
Pack your essentials box last so it goes into the van last and comes off first. Include kettle, mugs, phone charger, toilet paper, change of clothes, important documents and anything you will need in the first few hours.
Yes, you or a trusted person should be present at both the collection and delivery address. You need to direct the team, sign off the inventory if you have one, and confirm everything has arrived safely.
Use furniture blankets, bubble wrap and packing paper for fragile items. Disassemble large pieces where possible. A good man and van company like Affordable Man and Van carries protective blankets and straps on every job.
Park your car away from the loading area to give the van easy access. On London streets, consider applying for a parking suspension for the van 48 to 72 hours in advance.
Yes, always defrost your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day. A running fridge cannot be transported safely on its side and the water from defrosting can damage floors and other items.
Keep your tenancy agreement or completion paperwork, ID, insurance documents, utility account numbers, and new address details in a folder you carry personally, not in the van.
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