Moving Guide
The Ultimate House Moving Checklist for Kent
Moving house in Kent? This complete 8-week timeline ensures nothing gets forgotten. From booking your removal company to settling into your new home.
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
Week 1-2: Initial Planning
- Book your removal company - Get quotes from 2-3 Kent removal companies (L&K Removals offers instant quotes)
- Create a moving folder - Keep all contracts, quotes, and important documents in one place
- Start decluttering - Go room by room, donate or sell items you don't need
- Measure furniture - Check large items will fit through doorways in new property
- Notify schools/employers - Give notice if changing children's schools or work location
6 Weeks Before Moving Day
Week 3-4: Utilities & Services
- Notify utilities - Contact electricity, gas, water providers for final readings
- Set up new utilities - Arrange connections for new address in Kent
- Update address - Notify bank, DVLA, insurance, HMRC, electoral roll
- Arrange broadband - Book installation for move-in day if possible
- Cancel/transfer subscriptions - Gym, clubs, milk delivery, newspapers
- Redirect mail - Set up Royal Mail redirection (£36 for 12 months)
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
Week 5-6: Packing Preparation
- Order packing materials - Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers
- Start packing non-essentials - Loft items, seasonal clothes, books, decorations
- Label boxes clearly - Mark room destination and contents
- Defrost freezer - Give it 48 hours to fully defrost
- Use up perishables - Reduce food to minimize waste
1 Week Before Moving Day
Week 7: Final Preparations
- Confirm removal company - Final check with L&K Removals on time and details
- Pack "moving day" bag - Kettle, tea, mugs, toilet paper, phone chargers, snacks
- Finish packing - Everything except daily essentials
- Take meter readings - Photo evidence of final utility readings
- Arrange parking - Check if removal van needs parking permit in Margate/Thanet
Moving Day
Day 0: The Big Day
- Be ready early - Have everything packed before removal team arrives
- Final walkthrough - Check all rooms, cupboards, loft, shed, garage
- Keep valuables with you - Jewelry, documents, cash travel in your car
- Take final meter readings - Submit to utility companies
- Hand over keys - To estate agent or new owners
First Week in New Home
Week 8: Settling In
- Register with GP/dentist - Find local practices in Kent
- Update car insurance - New address may affect premium
- Explore local area - Find nearest shops, schools, amenities
- Unpack systematically - Start with kitchen and bedrooms
- Update council tax - Register with new local authority
Essential Contacts to Update
Don't forget to update your address with these organizations:
Financial
- • Banks and credit cards
- • Insurance providers
- • Pension providers
- • Investment accounts
Government
- • DVLA (driving license)
- • HMRC (tax records)
- • Electoral roll
- • Council tax
Services
- • Utilities (gas, electric, water)
- • Broadband & phone
- • TV license
- • Mobile providers
Health & Education
- • GP and dentist
- • Schools
- • Pharmacy
- • Optician
Packing Tips: What to Pack First
The secret to stress-free packing is doing it in the right order:
- 1. Loft and storage areas - Items you rarely use (Christmas decorations, suitcases, old clothes)
- 2. Out-of-season clothes - Winter coats in summer, or summer clothes in winter
- 3. Books and DVDs - Pack books spine-down in small boxes (they get heavy fast)
- 4. Spare bedrooms - Guest rooms, home offices
- 5. Decorative items - Photos, ornaments, artwork (wrap carefully)
- 6. Kitchen non-essentials - Special occasion dishes, extra utensils
- 7. Living room - Pack 1-2 weeks before, keep TV until last
- 8. Bedrooms - Pack 3-4 days before, keep one set of bedding out
- 9. Kitchen essentials - Pack morning of move, keep kettle and mugs accessible
- 10. Bathroom - Pack last, keep toiletries bag separate
Moving Day Survival Kit
Keep these items accessible (don't pack them):
Essential Items
- • Kettle, tea, coffee, sugar
- • Mugs and spoons
- • Toilet paper
- • Hand soap and towels
- • Phone chargers
- • Snacks and water
- • First aid kit
- • Basic tools (screwdriver, scissors)
Important Documents
- • Passports and IDs
- • Moving contract and quote
- • New house keys
- • Insurance documents
- • Medical records
- • School records
- • Bank cards
- • Pet records (if applicable)
Kent-Specific Moving Tips
🚗 Moving in Thanet (Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs)
- • Parking permits: Many Margate/Broadstairs areas have resident parking - inform your removal company
- • Victorian terraces: Narrow doorways common in Old Town Margate - measure large furniture
- • Seafront properties: Check tide times if moving seafront in Ramsgate or Broadstairs
- • Summer peak: Thanet gets busy with tourists June-August - book removals early
Related Moving Guides
💰 Removal Costs Guide
How much do removals cost in Margate?
📅 Best Moving Season
When to move for best prices
✅ Moving Day Prep
How to prepare for movers
Need Help With Your Kent Move?
L&K Removals has been helping Kent families move stress-free for over 10 years. Based in Margate, we serve all of Thanet, Canterbury, Ashford, and beyond with transparent pricing and professional service.