Moving House: A Week-by-Week Countdown of Reminders

Moving house is one of those projects where nothing is difficult on its own, but everything has a deadline. Book the van. Give notice. Redirect the post. Take meter readings. Cancel the internet. Pick up the keys. Each task is small, but there are dozens of them, and they all land in the same few weeks when you're also packing, working and probably not sleeping well.

Most moving-day disasters aren't dramatic. They're things like arriving at the new place with no internet for two weeks, paying for an old utility account for months, or realising the van was never actually confirmed. A countdown of well-timed reminders can prevent most of them.

Why moves go wrong

• Too many small tasks to hold in your head at once.
• Lead times you don't know about, like how far ahead a removal company or internet installation needs booking.
• Other people's deadlines, such as your landlord's notice period or the date your buyer or new landlord needs something.
• Stress and tiredness in the last week, exactly when you need to be most organised.

The fix is to decide when each task needs doing while you're calm, then let reminders tell you when to do it.

A moving countdown you can adapt

Every move is different, and your contract, landlord or solicitor may set specific deadlines. Use this as a starting point and adjust the timings.

Six to eight weeks before

• Check your notice period and give notice in writing if you rent.
• Get quotes from removal companies or book a van.
• Start decluttering: sell, donate or recycle what you won't take.

Four weeks before

• Confirm the removal booking and date in writing.
• Arrange internet at the new address, as installation can take time.
• Tell your employer, bank, doctor, dentist and any schools about the move date.
• Arrange post redirection if it's available where you live.

Two weeks before

• Start packing rooms you use least.
• Arrange childcare or pet care for moving day.
• Book time off work if you need it.
• Use up food in the freezer.

One week before

• Confirm times with the removal company.
• Pack a "first night" box.
• Defrost the freezer if it's moving with you.
• Arrange how you'll collect and return keys.

Moving day

• Take meter readings and photos at both properties.
• Check every cupboard before you leave.
• Hand over or collect keys.

The first week after

• Update your address with any remaining accounts, subscriptions and government services.
• Register with local services if needed.
• Check that the old utility accounts are closed with final readings.

Sample reminder wording

The best reminders include the exact action, not just the topic:

• "Give written notice to the landlord today. Notice period is one month."
• "Call two more removal companies for quotes."
• "Book internet installation at the new flat."
• "Confirm the van for Saturday 8am. Ask for a written confirmation."
• "Pack the first-night box: kettle, mugs, chargers, toilet roll, bedding, medication."
• "Take meter readings and photos before leaving."
• "Update your address with the bank and the doctor."

The first-night box

On moving day, you'll be tired, and nothing will be where you expect it. A clearly labelled first-night box can make the evening much calmer. Common items:

• Kettle, mugs, tea or coffee
• Phone chargers and a power strip
• Toilet roll, soap and a hand towel
• Bedding and pyjamas for everyone
• Any medication you or your family need
• Basic tools: scissors, screwdriver, light bulbs
• Snacks and bottled water
• Important documents and keys

Set a reminder a couple of days before the move to pack it, so it isn't thrown together at midnight.

Moving with family

If you're moving with a partner, housemates or older children, split the list. Give each person their own tasks and their own reminders, so the whole move doesn't rest on one person. If you're helping an older parent move, reminders that reach them directly can be kinder than repeated phone calls from you asking "have you done it yet?"

After the move

A few weeks later, set one more reminder to check that post is arriving at the new address, the final bills from the old place have been paid, and any deposit you're owed has been returned.

How ReminderIt helps

In the chaos of a move, notifications pile up and get ignored. ReminderIt reminds you with a real phone call at the time you choose, plus a WhatsApp message with Done and Snooze buttons. If you miss the call, WhatsApp keeps the reminder, and ReminderIt tries the call once more about five minutes later.

You can set up a whole countdown in a few WhatsApp messages, in plain words:

• "Remind me on 3 October at 10am to book internet at the new flat."
• "Remind me the day before the move at 7pm to pack the first-night box."
• "Remind me on moving day at 8am to take meter readings and photos."

Type "list" to see everything you've set, and change or cancel any reminder the same way. If you have a removal booking confirmation or letter, you can send a photo and ReminderIt will turn it into reminders for you to confirm. You can also add a partner, housemate or parent as one of up to five people you remind (they accept once).

Start with a 7-day free trial, no card. Moving soon? Message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/14786061901 and set your moving countdown today.