Anyone who has experienced a house move before will know that moving day can feel overwhelming long before the first item is loaded. Our aim at JKM Services is to make every part of moving as stress free as possible. Whether you are moving from a flat or a house, relocating with a family or downsizing after many years in one property, good preparation makes a huge difference.
Start Planning Your House Move Early!
As soon as you have a likely moving date, begin planning. Removal companies can become busy around weekends, school holidays and month-end, so early booking gives you more choice over dates and services. Here at JKM Services we will always do our best to get your preferred moving date and time.
Start with a realistic view of what needs moving. Walk through every room, including lofts, garages, sheds and cupboards. It is common to underestimate how much you own, as items stored out of sight are easily forgotten. Take a note of any large, awkward or valuable belongings, such as wardrobes, pianos, artwork, garden furniture, large potted plants, and large mirrors. These details help us provide an accurate quote and send the right vehicle, crew and protective materials.
It is also worth checking access at both properties. Consider parking restrictions, narrow roads, staircases, lifts, loading distances and whether large furniture can fit through doors or around tight corners. A reliable removals team will ask these questions because access has a direct impact on timings and cost.
Arrange a Survey
A house visit or video survey is particularly useful for larger moves. It allows us to assess volume, access and special handling requirements properly. Be cautious of estimates made with very little information. A low price can become less appealing if it does not include enough staff, suitable insurance or the time needed to complete the move safely.
Declutter Before You Pack
A house move is a perfect opportunity to decide what deserves space in your next home. Moving unwanted furniture, old paperwork, and unused kitchen equipment adds packing time and clutter at the other end. Work room by room and separate items into keep, sell, donate, recycle and dispose of.
Be practical rather than sentimental about everyday items. If something has been untouched for years and has no clear purpose in your new home, it may be time to let it go. Do not leave this until the final weekend. Decluttering can take longer than expected, especially when you are sorting family possessions or arranging the collection of larger items.
Pack With Care
Packing is where many house moves become stressful. Rushed boxes, poor labeling and unsuitable materials can cause unnecessary damage and make unpacking frustrating. Use strong boxes and avoid overfilling them. A box should be manageable to lift without straining or splitting.
Wrap fragile items individually and fill empty spaces so they cannot shift during transport. Plates are generally safer packed upright rather than flat, while books should be split into smaller boxes because they become heavy quickly. Keep screws, bolts and small fittings from dismantled furniture in labelled bags, then tape the bag securely to the relevant item.
Wrap plates and bowls securely and individually. 
Fill gaps to minimise movement in transport. 
Group boxes, furniture and other items together to make them easier to organise. 
Stack boxes to the side of each room where possible. 
Ensure glass doors are secured to minimise risk of damage. 
Ensure fridge freezer doors are secured to reduce risk of damage and leakage. 
Mirrors should ideally be wrapped and secured with bubble wrap. 
Make sure to wrap and secure any fragile and/or expensive items. 
Where possible, make sure all plants are potted and pruned to reduce risk of damage. 
Where possible, make sure all plants are potted and pruned to reduce risk of damage.
Clothes and other fabrics can be packed in strong black sacks if you don’t have enough boxes or cases. Just make sure not to overfill them, or you risk the bags splitting and the contents spilling everywhere.
Label every box with its destination room and a short description of the contents. Writing “Kitchen – mugs and glasses” is far more useful than simply writing “Kitchen”. Mark fragile boxes clearly.
For anything you need immediately, prepare an essentials box. Include kettle supplies, chargers, medication, toiletries, basic tools, toilet roll, cleaning products, important documents and a change of clothes. If you have children or pets, plan their first evening too, with familiar items, snacks and anything needed for bedtime.
Confirm the Details Before Moving Day
The week before the house move is the time to turn plans into firm arrangements. Confirm your completion date, collection time and contact details with your removals company. Make sure we have the correct postcodes, parking information and a clear list of any items that need dismantling or extra care.
Arrange parking suspensions or permits where required. Our removal team loses valuable time if the vehicle cannot stop close to the property.
Take final meter readings and photographs on moving day. If you are renting, photograph the condition of the property after it has been emptied and cleaned. This creates a useful record if there are later questions about bills or deposits.
What to Expect on Moving Day
A professional removal starts with communication. The team should confirm the plan, walk through the property and identify priority items before loading begins. Keep your phone available but let the team work. Constantly changing instructions can slow the process, so agree on clear decisions early.
Before the vehicle leaves, check every room, cupboard, loft space, garage and garden area. Look behind doors and inside appliances. It is much easier to retrieve a forgotten item before the lorry departs than after it has reached the new address.
At your new property, guide the team on where each labelled box and piece of furniture should go. This is where your labeling pays off.
There can be delays beyond anyone’s control, such as key-release hold-ups, traffic or late completion. A dependable removals provider will keep you informed and adapt the plan where possible.