Moving house in Greater Manchester: a removals checklist

Moving house is easier when you break it into small jobs and start early. Whether you're moving across Manchester or just round the corner in Failsworth, here's a simple checklist to keep things on track.

Four to six weeks before

• Confirm your moving date with your landlord, letting agent or solicitor.

• Book your removals as soon as you have a date. Weekends and the end of the month fill up quickly.

• Have a clear-out. The less you move, the quicker and cheaper it is. Sell, donate or recycle what you don't need. Your local council tip or bulky waste collection can help with larger items.

• Measure big furniture and check it will fit through doors and up stairs at the new place.

• If you're renting, check your tenancy for notice periods and what's expected at move-out, including cleaning.

Two to three weeks before

• Start packing rooms you use least, like the loft, spare room and garage.

• Get boxes, tape and marker pens. Label each box with the room it's going to and what's inside.

• Keep heavy items in small boxes and light items in big ones, so boxes aren't too heavy to lift safely.

• Think about parking. Is there space for a van outside both properties? Are there permit zones, double yellow lines or narrow streets? Some Greater Manchester streets need a bit of planning, so check with the council if you need a parking suspension.

• Tell people you're moving: your bank, employer, GP, dentist, DVLA, insurers and the electoral register. Set up Royal Mail redirection if you want it.

One week before

• Tell your energy, water, broadband and council tax providers your moving date.

• Defrost the freezer a day or two before moving.

• Pack a "first night" box with kettle, mugs, tea, phone chargers, toilet roll, basic tools, bedding, medicines and a change of clothes.

• Keep valuables and documents with you. Passports, jewellery, cash and important paperwork shouldn't go in the van.

• Confirm the time and both addresses with your removals team, and mention anything tricky: stairs, no lift, a long walk from the van, or very heavy items.

Moving day

• Take meter readings and photos at the old property before you leave.

• Do a final walk round: cupboards, loft, shed, garden and behind doors.

• Hand back keys to your landlord or agent, or leave them as agreed.

• At the new place, take meter readings, check the boiler and water stopcock, and put beds together first so you've got somewhere to sleep.

After the move

• Unpack the kitchen and bathroom first.

• Update your address anywhere you've missed.

• If you rented the old place, keep an eye out for your deposit return and the check-out report.

Don't forget the clean

If you're leaving a rented property, the end-of-tenancy clean is often the last thing on your mind, but it makes a big difference to getting your deposit back. Booking the clean for after your things have gone means the property is empty and every cupboard can be cleaned.

How we can help

VC Services is based in Failsworth and helps people move across Greater Manchester. We do furniture removals from £80 per round, and end-of-tenancy cleans at fixed prices:

• Studio / 1 bed: £179

• 2 bed: £219

• 3 bed: £259

• 4 bed: £299

You can book the move and the clean together, so it's one less thing to organise. Tell us what you're moving and where, and we'll give you a clear price before we start.

Book online: https://www.vcservices.co.uk/book-online or call us on 07377 506921 for a removals quote.