Moving House in Sussex: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

This moving house guide takes you through a Sussex move step by step, so nothing important gets forgotten in the rush. Moving is one of life's more stressful jobs, but almost all of that stress comes from leaving things to the last minute. Work back from your completion day, tackle the tasks in a sensible order, and the whole thing becomes a series of manageable steps rather than one overwhelming week. Here is how to plan it, from around eight weeks out to settling in.

Around eight weeks before: plan and book

The early jobs are the ones that save you later. Confirm your likely moving date, then book a removal company as soon as you can, because good firms fill up fast for weekends, month-end and the summer. Get two or three quotes based on a proper survey rather than a phone guess; our guides to choosing a removal company in Sussex and removal costs in Sussex explain what to look for and what to pay. This is also the time to start decluttering, since the less you move, the cheaper and quicker the day.

Around four weeks before: declutter and notify

Now the move becomes real. Work through the house room by room, selling, donating or tipping what you will not take, and gather packing materials. Start notifying the organisations that need your new address: bank, employer, GP and dentist, the DVLA, insurers and any subscriptions. Set up a Royal Mail redirection, and tell both councils so your council tax is correct at each end. Book time off work for moving day, and arrange childcare or pet care if you need it, because both make the day far smoother.

Two weeks before: pack in earnest

Begin packing everything you will not need before the move: books, out-of-season clothes, spare kit and decorative items. Label every box clearly with its room and a note of the contents, and keep a running list. Confirm arrangements for gas, electricity, water and broadband at the new home so you are not left without them, and arrange to take final meter readings. If you are weighing whether to hire a crew or do it yourself, read our comparison of DIY removals versus a removal company before you commit.

The final week: confirm and prepare

Reconfirm the date and timings with your removal firm and check parking and access at both properties. Pack almost everything now, leaving out only daily essentials, and put together a clearly marked box of first-night items: kettle, mugs, phone chargers, medicines, toiletries, a change of clothes and basic tools. Keep important documents, keys and valuables together to carry yourself. Defrost the freezer, and run down fresh food so little is wasted.

Moving day: keep it calm

On the day, be ready before the crew arrives and clear a path for the van at both ends. Let the movers do the heavy lifting while you direct where boxes go, room by room, using your labels. Do a final sweep of every room, the loft, the garden and any outbuildings before you leave nothing behind. Take meter readings at the old and new homes, and hand over or collect keys as your solicitor has arranged. Keep your essentials box and valuables with you rather than on the van.

After the move: settle in

Once you are in, unpack the essentials first, the kitchen and beds, then work through the rest at a sensible pace. Test smoke alarms, find the stopcock and fuse box, and confirm your utility accounts are set up with your opening meter readings. Register with a local GP and dentist if you have moved area, update the electoral roll, and get to know your new neighbourhood. Take your time; a house does not have to be finished in a weekend.

Make your Sussex move easier

A good move is really just good planning plus the right help on the day. Book a reputable local firm early, keep your admin on a simple checklist, and pack ahead rather than in a panic. To line up trusted movers and get quotes for your move, browse local firms on the Move Sussex homepage and read our guide on how to get an accurate removal quote.

Frequently asked questions