Apartment moving checklist

Checklist: 2–4 weeks before

• Confirm your moving date and coordinate the key handover or collection. Booking your move in advance gives you a wider choice of moving companies and often results in more competitive prices.
• Request a detailed moving quote including the pickup address, destination, floor level, lift availability, and the approximate volume of your belongings. The more information you provide, the more accurate your quote will be in terms of price and estimated working time.
• Check lift access, parking, and building entry at both addresses. Easy access allows the moving company to work more efficiently and helps avoid unexpected delays or additional costs.
• Declutter your home by sorting items into those you want to keep, donate, sell, or recycle. Most people discover they own many things they no longer need, making the move easier and more affordable.
• Notify utility providers (electricity, water, gas, internet, and other services) about your change of address. Doing this in advance helps prevent unnecessary charges after you move out.
• Prepare packing materials, including sturdy moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and strong tape. Use suitable protective materials for fragile, valuable, or easily scratched items.

Checklist: 1 week before

• Label every box with its destination room and clearly mark fragile items. This makes unloading and unpacking much faster in your new home.
• Prepare a first-day essentials box containing important documents, phone chargers, medications, toiletries, a change of clothes, and basic kitchen supplies.
• Disassemble large furniture where possible and keep all screws, bolts, and fittings in clearly labeled bags. Completing this step yourself can reduce labour time and lower your moving costs.
• Empty and defrost appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. Disconnect them properly and drain any remaining water to avoid leaks that could damage your belongings.
• Confirm the moving schedule with your moving company before the move to ensure everyone is prepared.
• Inform the movers about bulky or valuable items, such as large wardrobes, king-size beds, pianos, or safes. Some furniture may need to be dismantled before it can be safely removed from the property.

Checklist: moving day

• Keep corridors, entrances, and loading areas clear at both properties. This helps the movers work safely and reduces the risk of damage.
• Keep important documents, keys, wallets, jewellery, and other valuables with you instead of loading them onto the moving van.
• Supervise the loading of fragile or valuable furniture and point out any boxes that require special care.
• Check every room, including built-in wardrobes, balconies, terraces, garages, and storage rooms, before leaving your old home.
• Inspect walls and floors after unloading is complete.
• Confirm everything has arrived before closing the service.

Preparation tips

• Pack one room at a time and avoid placing heavy items together with fragile objects in the same box.
• Take photos of furniture, cable connections, and electronic equipment before disassembly. Keep all screws and fittings together so reassembly is quicker and easier.
• Inform your moving company in advance about narrow staircases, the absence of a lift, restricted access, or building time limitations. This allows the movers to prepare the right equipment and enough staff.
• Allow buffer time if key handover and van loading happen on the same day.
• Keep personal belongings with you, including passports, laptops, medications, cash, and important documents, rather than transporting them in the moving van.

Useful information for requesting a quote

For a clear quote, prepare full origin and destination addresses, floor level and lift availability, approximate volume (rooms or boxes), preferred date, and whether you need help with bulky furniture or appliances.

Need help with your apartment move?