Moving house involves more moving parts than any single to-do list quite captures, but a timeline helps — especially working out where storage fits in before you're improvising on the day.
6-8 Weeks Before
Start decluttering room by room. Anything you're keeping but won't need before the move is a good early candidate for storage — it's much easier to clear a loft or garage in good time than the week of completion. This is also the point to get a storage quote if you know you'll need a unit, so pricing and availability are confirmed early.
4 Weeks Before
Book your removal van or company, and confirm your storage move-in date if you're using one — particularly if there's any chance your completion date could slip. Start collecting boxes and packaging supplies; we stock these on site if you'd rather not make a separate trip.
2 Weeks Before
Begin packing non-essential rooms — spare bedrooms, garages, anything you won't use daily. Label every box clearly (see our packing tips for more detail), and start a simple inventory if you're storing a significant amount.
1 Week Before
Pack everything except daily essentials. Confirm timings with your removal company and, if relevant, your storage facility — arrange access hours in advance if you'll be arriving outside standard opening times.
Moving Day
This is where storage often earns its keep. If there's any gap between leaving your old home and moving into the new one — a chain delay, an early completion, decorating before you move furniture in — storage bridges it without a second, rushed removal trip. Our House Moving Storage page covers this scenario specifically.
The First Week After
Unpack essentials first, then work through the rest at a manageable pace. If you've stored furniture or boxes, there's no rush to empty a unit on day one — our contracts are monthly rolling, so you can collect items as you're ready for them rather than all at once.
A Few Things Worth Doing Early
- Redirect post and update your address with banks, GP, and utilities
- Take final meter readings on move-out day
- Confirm parking arrangements for the removal van at both addresses
- Check whether your new home has van access, or if you'll need to carry items further
Storing during your move? Get in touch for a free quote or browse our storage sizes to plan ahead.