The Ultimate London Moving Checklist: How to Make Your Move Stress-Free

By Crown Removals – London, UK

Moving in London is a different sport: bus lanes, red routes, residents-only bays, tight stairwells, and strict loading zones. This step-by-step checklist from Crown Removals helps you move smoothly from start to finish — without stress.

Four Weeks Before: Plan and Prepare

  • Confirm your move date and times. Coordinate with agents or solicitors if buying or selling.
  • Book your removals slot early. London weekends and month-ends fill up fast.
  • Decide on packing service. Full, part, or DIY packing – we can supply eco-friendly materials.
  • Start decluttering. Donate, sell, or recycle unused items to cut costs and time.
  • List special items. Pianos, artwork, safes, or heavy furniture needing extra care.

Two Weeks Before: Logistics & Admin

  • Parking & permits: We’ll help check if your borough requires a suspension or dispensation.
  • Measure access points: Tight staircases, lifts, or narrow doors may need extra planning.
  • Sort utilities: Notify suppliers and set up gas, electric, and internet for your new address.
  • Insurance: All moves are fully insured – let us know about any high-value items.
  • Pet & child care: Arrange help for moving day if possible.
Pro tip: Notify your building management early – some require lift bookings or protective coverings for move-ins.

One Week Before: Pack with Purpose

  • Label every box clearly. Include room, contents, and priority level.
  • Pack an essentials box. Kettle, mugs, chargers, medication, toiletries, and bedding.
  • Mark fragile items. Add “FRAGILE” on all sides for extra care.
  • Disassemble large furniture. Keep screws and fixings in labelled bags.
  • Defrost your freezer. Do this 24–48 hours before the move to avoid leaks.

48–24 Hours Before: Final Checks

  • Confirm parking access is reserved.
  • Take photos of meter readings.
  • Set aside valuables like passports, laptops, and keys.
  • Keep hallways clear for movers.

Moving Day: Step-by-Step

  1. Meet your team leader. Walk through your property and highlight fragile or heavy items.
  2. Protect and load. We wrap, lift, and load safely using professional equipment.
  3. Final sweep. Double-check all cupboards, lofts, and sheds.
  4. At your new address. We’ll unload and place boxes by room.
  5. Reassembly & setup. We’ll rebuild furniture and ensure you’re comfortable before leaving.
Essentials to keep with you:

  • IDs, keys, and phone chargers
  • Medication and basic first aid
  • Snacks, tea, and kettle
  • Night bag with clothes and toiletries

After the Move: Settle In Smoothly

  • Submit move-in meter readings. Test all utilities and Wi-Fi.
  • Unpack strategically. Start with essentials first.
  • Recycle boxes. We can collect reusable packing materials.
  • Update your address. Notify banks, employers, HMRC, and online accounts.

Common London Moving Challenges

Parking and Access

London streets can be tricky. We handle permit checks and parking logistics to keep your move legal and on schedule.

Tight Spaces

Our trained movers handle narrow stairwells and small lifts using protective wraps and furniture disassembly when needed.

Traffic & Timings

We plan routes to avoid congestion and red route restrictions, ensuring prompt arrivals and minimal downtime.

Crown Removals is a trusted London moving company offering home moves, office relocations, and man-with-a-van services across Greater London and the South East.

Quote Form

Why Customers Trust Crown Removal

Frequently Asked Questions (Crown Removal)

How do I get a quote?

You can request a free quote by filling out our online form or calling us on 07507500084. We’ll ask a few quick questions about your move or handyman job and give you a clear, upfront price—no hidden fees.

Yes. All our removals, transport, and handyman services are fully insured for your peace of mind. From fragile furniture to mounted TVs, your belongings are protected from start to finish.

We offer same-day and next-day bookings where possible. For larger house moves or office relocations, we recommend booking at least 2–5 days in advance to secure your slot.

Absolutely. Our team is experienced in moving items safely through staircases, narrow hallways, and high-rise apartments across London and Essex.

Not always. As long as we have clear instructions and access, we can carry out your move or handyman job without you needing to be on-site.

Yes. We offer flexible booking 7 days a week—including evenings and weekends—to fit around your schedule.

We cover London, Essex, and surrounding areas. Long-distance moves are available as long as pick-up is within our coverage area.

Our fleet includes small vans, medium/large vans, and Luton vans with tail lifts—perfect for everything from single items to full house moves.

Yes. We can provide packing materials, help with boxing, and even offer handyman services like furniture assembly, TV mounting, and small repairs so your move is 100% stress-free.

We treat your belongings as if they were our own. In the rare event of damage, our insurance has you covered and we’ll resolve it quickly and fairly.

No. We believe in clear, honest pricing. What you see on your quote is exactly what you pay—no surprises on moving day.