Countdown to Moving Day – Stay Organised, Stress Less
Moving internationally (or even locally) can feel overwhelming with so many things to organise. To make it easier, we’ve put together a handy week-by-week moving checklist. Print it out, stick it on the fridge, and tick things off as you go!
5–6 Weeks Before Moving
- Check passports and visas are valid
- Confirm if you need permits (residency, work, or vehicle)
- Double-check travel documents and tickets
- Gather personal records (birth, marriage, medical certificates)
- Notify solicitor, bank, doctor, dentist, insurers, building society
- Cancel subscriptions (clubs, magazines, streaming services)
- Advise schools of your move
- Keep invoices for new purchases (handy for customs/imports)
3–4 Weeks Before Moving
- Complete insurance forms for your shipment
- Declutter – donate, sell, or dispose of unwanted items
- Provide a contact number for after the move
- Share your new overseas address and phone number
- Request final accounts from utility providers (gas, water, electricity)
- Clear any outstanding credit agreements
- Cancel rental agreements if applicable
- Start using up pantry and freezer food
- Confirm your removal date with BBC Removals
1–2 Weeks Before Moving
- Arrange mail redirection
- Clean garden tools, bikes, BBQs, and outdoor items
- Organise childcare and pet care for moving day
- Schedule disconnection of mains services
- Settle accounts with local services (newsagent, milkman, subscriptions)
- Empty school/work lockers
- Return borrowed items
- Drain fuel from mowers or power tools
- Dispose of plants and perishables
1–2 Days Before Moving
- Keep essential items separate (keys, passports, tickets, cash, clothes, documents)
- Disconnect, clean, and dry appliances before shipping
- Arrange parking access for the removal truck
- Pack an “essentials box” with tea, coffee, snacks, and cleaning supplies
On Moving Day
- Stay available to answer any questions from the movers
- Walk through every room, cupboard, loft, garage, and shed
- Check nothing is left behind before the truck leaves
- Then relax — let BBC Removals handle the rest!
Notification Checklist
Here’s a list of organisations and people you may need to notify about your move:
- Doctor & Dentist
- Health, house & car insurers
- Electricity, water, and gas providers
- Phone & internet providers
- Bank, building society, Inland Revenue
- Post Office (mail redirection)
- School/college, local council, library
- Sports/social clubs, milkman, newsagent, subscription services
- Roadside assistance or motoring organisations
- Satellite/cable TV providers
- Church/place of worship
- Vet
