Moving house can be a massive upheaval and a busy, distressing time. It can be difficult to know how to move into your new home without losing your mind, so we’ve put together this complete moving house checklist for Exeter residents – covering everything you need to do before, during and on the day of your move.
“Chill out! Moving house is reportedly the third most stressful event in life – but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be.”
Whether you’re moving across Exeter or relocating to Devon from further afield, our moving house storage solutions are here to make the whole process simpler and less stressful.
Before you start packing a single box, have a thorough declutter. The less you move, the easier and cheaper the whole process will be. Sort everything into three piles – keep, donate and discard. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it.
If you’re not ready to part with certain items but don’t have space for them in your new home, our personal storage units in Exeter offer a flexible, affordable solution – store items safely until you’re ready to decide.
Start packing weeks before moving day, not the night before. Items you rarely use – old books, seasonal clothing, Christmas decorations, loft contents – can all be packed early. This leaves only everyday essentials to pack at the last minute, making moving day far less chaotic.
Don’t leave booking a removal company until the last minute, especially if you’re moving in summer – August is the busiest month for removal companies in the UK, and availability fills up fast. Get at least three quotes and compare. For smaller moves, hiring a van yourself could save significant money.
Label every single box with its contents and the room it belongs to in your new home. This saves enormous time when unloading and means fragile items are clearly identified. Colour coding by room is even better if you want to keep things really organised.
Set up a Royal Mail mail redirection before you move. This protects you from identity theft and ensures important correspondence reaches you. It can be arranged online in advance for a small fee and is one of the most overlooked steps on any moving house checklist.
Work through this list methodically before you move:
Moving day with young children and pets is significantly more stressful. Arrange for children to stay with a relative or give them specific jobs to keep them occupied – labelling boxes, bubble-wrapping items, packing their own belongings.
For pets, moving is genuinely disorienting. Keep cats and dogs in a quiet room away from the activity, or arrange for them to stay with someone you trust until you’re settled in.
This is the step most people forget – and regret. Before packing everything away, set aside a clearly labelled box or bag of essentials for your first 24 hours. You do not want to be hunting through 40 boxes for a teabag at 9 pm on moving night.
Kitchen essentials:
Bedroom essentials:
Bathroom essentials:
Practical essentials:
If you have valuable items like antiques, instruments or business equipment to store during your move, read our guide to Exeter self storage for any asset to understand how we keep your belongings fully protected.
If you’re buying new furniture or having carpet fitted in your new home, book these in advance and coordinate delivery dates carefully. Having a sofa delivered the day after you move in is ideal – having it arrive on moving day when the house is full of boxes is not.
If you need to take time off work, book it well in advance. Consider whether a weekday or weekend works better – weekday moves are often cheaper for removal companies. Give yourself the whole day rather than trying to squeeze the move around other commitments.
“Did you know August is the busiest month for removal companies? It is also a popular time for personal storage, as we have found out at Your Store Exeter.”
Good packing on moving day makes a real difference to how smoothly everything goes:
If you’re planning to store items for an extended period rather than just during the move itself, read our complete guide to long term storage unit packing for everything you need to know.
If you have a long drive to your new home, pack a separate bag for the journey:
Even the most carefully planned moves don’t always go smoothly. Completion dates get delayed, new homes need work before you can move in, or you simply have more belongings than space. This is where short-term storage in Exeter becomes invaluable.
At Your Store Exeter, our moving house storage solutions give you a secure, flexible, affordable place to keep your belongings between exchange and completion, during renovations, or while you decide what to keep in your new home.
For more advice on using storage during a house move, read our guide How Can Exeter Self Storage Help You Move House? and our blog on Simplifying Moving House With Exeter Short-Term Rentals.
Q) How far in advance should I book a removal company in Exeter?
A) Ideally, 4-6 weeks before your moving date, and longer if you’re moving in summer. August is the busiest month for removals in the UK and good companies book up fast. Leaving it too late could mean paying a premium or having limited choice.
Q) How long does moving house typically take?
A) For an average 3-bedroom house, expect the full move to take 6-8 hours. Larger homes or long-distance moves can take the full day. Always give yourself more time than you think you need – delays are common.
Q) What size storage unit do I need when moving house in Exeter?
A) This depends on how much you’re storing. As a rough guide, a 25 sq ft unit suits a studio flat, a 50 sq ft unit works for a 1-2 bedroom home, and a 75-100 sq ft unit covers a 3-4 bedroom house. Our team at Your Store Exeter can advise you on the right size – just get in touch.
For a full breakdown of unit sizes and what fits in each, read our dedicated guide What size Exeter self storage unit do I need?
Q) Can I store items between exchange and completion?
A) Yes – this is one of the most common reasons people use our moving house storage in Exeter. If there’s a gap between leaving your current home and moving into your new one, we offer flexible short-term storage with just seven days notice required.
Q) Is self storage in Exeter secure?
A) Your Store Exeter is fitted with anti-climb fencing, electronically operated gates, 24/7 CCTV, and uniquely coded access for each unit. Your belongings are fully protected. We also recommend taking out contents insurance for added peace of mind.
Q) What should I do with items I don’t want to take to my new home?
A) Consider selling on eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, donating to local charities, or using our personal storage units to keep items safely while you decide. Read our guide 10 Decluttering Tips For Your Home for more help.
Whether you need storage for a week between moves or somewhere to keep belongings long-term, Your Store Exeter is here to help. Get a free no-obligation quote by contacting us at info@yourstoreexeter.co.uk or calling us on 01392 253119.
