Begin with a room-by-room inventory
Walk through the property and list the main furniture, appliances and estimated boxes in every room. Include lofts, garages, sheds, garden furniture and anything stored outside the main living space. Mention unusually heavy, fragile or high-value belongings before a quotation is agreed. A clear inventory helps establish the likely vehicle space, labour and timing. If photographs are useful for explaining access or larger items, avoid including personal documents, security details or people who have not agreed to be photographed.
Explain access at both houses
Describe the distance from the likely vehicle position to each entrance, along with steps, narrow paths, gates, steep drives or restricted roads. Confirm whether parking permits or loading permissions are needed and who will arrange them. Measure doorways and turns for large furniture rather than assuming an item will leave the same way it entered. At the destination, identify any room or floor that is difficult to reach so that placement can be planned before unloading starts.
Decide what will be dismantled
Beds, tables, wardrobes and other larger furniture sometimes need preparation before they can be moved safely. Confirm which items you will dismantle and whether any agreed dismantling or reassembly is included in the written quotation. Keep fixings in labelled bags and attach them securely to the relevant item. Flat-pack furniture may not be designed for repeated disassembly, so check its condition and instructions. Disconnect appliances only when it is safe and appropriate, and follow manufacturer or professional guidance where required.
Pack with unloading in mind
Use strong boxes, avoid overfilling them and place heavier belongings in smaller cartons. Label the top and at least two sides with the destination room and a short contents description. Mark fragile boxes clearly but do not rely on a label as a substitute for suitable wrapping. Keep keys, medication, chargers, paperwork, jewellery and overnight essentials outside the main load. Preparing a simple first-night box can save time when most possessions are still packed and the new property is unfamiliar.
Coordinate dates and keys
House moves often depend on completion, tenancy or key-release arrangements. Share fixed times and uncertainties early, and explain when confirmation is expected. Avoid promising access to the new property before you actually control it. If a delay is possible, discuss the practical implications before booking. Keep contact details for the relevant people available on moving day. Trades, deliveries and cleaning appointments can compete for space, so schedule them carefully rather than creating a narrow and congested arrival window.
Check the written quotation
Read the quotation carefully and confirm the addresses, date, inventory assumptions, included labour, packing or furniture preparation, price, payment terms and exclusions. Ask what happens if the move changes or access differs from the information supplied. An enquiry does not reserve a date, and verbal assumptions should not replace a written scope. Notify Saints promptly if your box count grows, extra rooms are added or a large item needs different handling so the plan can be reviewed.
Prepare the property for moving day
Create clear walkways, keep children and pets away from loading areas and identify belongings that are not moving. Empty and prepare appliances as agreed, check cupboards and remove loose items from furniture. At the new home, use visible room labels and decide where larger furniture should be placed before it comes through the door. After unloading, compare the delivered belongings with your inventory, inspect accessible areas and raise any concern promptly while the details are still clear.