Prepare for your move
A moving house checklist you can work through
What needs a decision now, and what can wait? This checklist separates the planning, preparation and moving-day tasks. Treat the suggested weeks as a flexible timeline and adjust them to your confirmed access and handover dates.
Request a moving quote
Start with the dates and the scope
Before buying boxes, establish when you can enter the new home, when you must hand over the old one and which belongings are coming with you. An overlap between tenancy dates does not automatically mean you have the keys. Confirm actual access at both addresses.
Keep one shared task list with an owner and a due date for each item. Distinguish confirmed appointments from preferences. You can then see whether furniture needs dismantling before collection or whether the lift is available only during a specific time window.
- Collect both addresses, floor numbers and key-handover arrangements.
- Decide what is moving, what you will do yourself and where you need help.
- Name a contact person at collection and at delivery.
Around six to eight weeks before: inventory and quotes
Work through every room, including storage areas, the cellar and outdoor spaces. Divide items into three groups: moving with you, being given away and travelling separately. The remaining load is the basis of your moving enquiry. Take photographs and measurements of large or delicate items, including details of any dismantling.
Compare quotes using the same inventory. Check whether packing, assembly and carrying are included and how changes are handled. A lower total is difficult to assess if one quote includes rebuilding a wardrobe while another covers transport only.
- Arrange collection for furniture you are giving away.
- List furniture and boxes; mark quantities that are still estimates.
- Check parking, carrying distances, stairs and lifts at both addresses.
- Agree the date and the included work in writing.
Around two to four weeks before: services and access
Contact your internet, energy and other household service providers about the move. Check your own contracts for notice and transfer arrangements. Registration requirements depend on your destination; consult the relevant local authority and book an appointment if necessary.
Ask the building manager or owner about access, lift use and building rules. If reserved parking may be needed, establish who arranges it, what approval is required and how much notice is necessary. An empty parking space during a viewing is not a reservation for moving day.
- Prepare address changes for relevant organisations.
- Consider mail redirection and doorbell or mailbox labels.
- Arrange care for children or pets during loading and unloading.
- Gather packing materials and start with things you rarely use.
The final week: finish packing and confirm the plan
Label boxes with their destination room, a brief description and a consecutive number. Put the room label on a side as well as the top so it remains visible in a stack. Spread heavy items across manageable boxes and follow the packaging manufacturer’s load limits.
Confirm the current inventory, contact details and special requirements with your moving provider. Report extra furniture, blocked vehicle access or a broken lift as soon as you know about it. These changes can affect the job more than the order of smaller boxes.
- Keep screws and fittings together in labelled bags for each furniture item.
- Prepare appliances for transport according to their manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep documents, keys, valuables and medication you need with you.
- Pack a first-night bag with clothes, toiletries, chargers and bedding.
Moving day: handover, loading and arrival
Walk through the property with the team before loading starts. Point out items that are moving and items that must stay. Keep stairs, corridors and doorways clear. Discuss delicate surfaces and unusual furniture before it is moved. Arrange for children and pets to stay away from carrying routes and loading areas.
Before leaving, check cupboards, storage rooms and outdoor areas. Record the property’s condition, meter readings and key handover. At the destination, room labels on doors make it easier to place boxes correctly. Check the delivery together and record visible issues promptly.
- Keep the designated contact reachable by phone.
- Carry the first-night bag separately.
- Photograph meter numbers alongside their readings.
- Make the bed, bathroom and basic kitchen essentials usable first.
After the move: close the remaining tasks
Unpack according to immediate needs: sleeping, washing and eating before less essential rooms. Match numbered boxes and larger items against your inventory. If you have questions about the delivery or agreed services, collect clear descriptions and photographs.
Finish address changes and the registration steps required at your new location. Keep your quote, written agreements, handover records and invoice together. For moves within Germany, the consumer advice organisation Verbraucherzentrale also provides a checklist covering housing and household contracts; the resource is in German.
Moving at short notice? Prioritise these essentials
With only a few days available, start with access, transport, inventory and the basics for your arrival. Confirm that the moving date works with both key handovers. Then make a realistic list of the load and ask about availability for that specific job.
Set aside important documents and first-night essentials before tackling the rest of the household. Delay other tasks only where contractual or official deadlines allow it. A short agreed list is more useful than a detailed schedule that nobody can carry out.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start planning a move?
Start once the date and destination are becoming clear. Six to eight weeks can be a useful organisational framework, but this is not a booking deadline or a promise of availability. International moves and uncertain access arrangements may need more preparation.
What should go in a first-night bag?
Keys, important documents, medication you need, clothes, toiletries, chargers and sleeping essentials. For children, include familiar items and supplies they will need. Carry the bag yourself.
Can I print this moving checklist?
Yes. Use your browser’s print function and mark the tasks that apply to your household. Add a person responsible and a due date to each task.
What information does Smoover need for an enquiry?
Provide the collection and destination locations, preferred dates, the belongings being moved and the services you need. Floors, lifts, carrying distances and unusual items help establish the scope.
Request a moving quote
Tell us about your move in the existing questionnaire.