Moving house is one of the most stressful events of adult life, but a clear checklist makes everything calmer. Whether you are moving across Bournemouth, from Poole to Christchurch, or from Dorset to anywhere else in the UK, this is the timeline our team at Dorset Removals recommends.
Eight weeks before moving day
Confirm your completion or moving date. Get three written quotes from local Dorset removal companies. Check insurance — a reputable removal firm will be a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or carry equivalent goods-in-transit and public liability cover. Start a dedicated moving folder for receipts, contracts and contact numbers.
Six weeks before
Begin decluttering. Anything you have not used in two years is unlikely to come with you. Donate to local Dorset charity shops, sell on Facebook Marketplace or book a bulky waste collection with your council. Less volume means a smaller, cheaper move.
Four weeks before
Notify your utility providers, council tax office, GP, dentist, schools, banks, employer, DVLA and TV licence. Set up Royal Mail redirection — it is the single best £35 you will spend on moving day. Begin packing non-essential rooms such as the loft, garage and spare bedroom.
Two weeks before
Confirm the moving day plan with your removal company. Arrange parking suspension permits if you live in central Bournemouth or Poole. Pack everything except daily essentials. Defrost the freezer and use up perishables.
One week before
Pack an “essentials box” — kettle, mugs, tea, milk, toilet roll, phone chargers, medication, a change of clothes and bedding. This box travels with you in the car, not in the van. Take meter readings and photograph them. Confirm key handover times with your solicitor.
Moving day
Be on site when the removal team arrives. Walk them through the property and point out anything fragile or marked “Fragile—Handle with Care”. Keep your essentials box separate. At the new property, direct the team room by room — a labelled box system saves hours.
The week after
Test smoke alarms, check the boiler is working, take new meter readings and update your address on every account. Walk around the local area: the best way to settle into a new Dorset home is to find your local pub, butcher and beach within the first week.
Need help with your Dorset move?
Get a free, fixed-price quote from Dorset Removals or call our team on 07712 568407. We have been helping Dorset families move stress-free since 2013.
