Expert moving tips
from the professionals.
After over 40 years and thousands of home moves, we know what makes moving day go smoothly — and what causes problems. Here's our practical guide to help you prepare.
What to do and when
Good preparation is the difference between a stressful move and a smooth one. Follow this timeline and you'll be ready for everything.
Secure your removal company as soon as you have a confirmed date — especially at month-ends or during summer, which are peak periods. Find out more about our moving home service →
Moving home is the perfect time to reduce what you don't need. Donate, sell or recycle unwanted items — fewer items mean a quicker, more efficient move.
Update your address with banks, utilities, broadband, insurance, DVLA, GP and dentist.
Start with items you don't use daily — books, ornaments, spare bedding and seasonal clothing. Prefer us to pack for you? See our pack & move service →
Mark each box with the room it belongs to and clearly label fragile items. This makes unloading at your new home much quicker and more organised.
If you live in a busy area, check whether parking permits or access arrangements are needed for moving day well in advance.
Double-check arrival time, access at both properties, parking arrangements and key collection details. At DS Carriers Ltd, we confirm everything in advance.
Pack a box with kettle, mugs, toiletries, cleaning supplies, important paperwork, snacks and phone chargers. Keep it with you — not on the van.
If there's a gap between leaving and moving in, or you're renovating, our secure storage service can bridge the gap safely.
Moving day checklist
Even with great preparation, moving day can feel hectic. Keep these in mind to make sure nothing gets missed before you hand over the keys.
Ensure everything is packed and dismantled (unless arranged otherwise) before your removal team arrives to keep things running on schedule.
Passports, jewellery, contracts and keys should always remain in your personal possession throughout the move.
Photograph gas, electricity and water meters before leaving your old property — you'll need these for final billing.
Check every room: cupboards, wardrobes, loft, garage, shed, garden areas and behind doors. It's easy to leave something behind.
Prepare for key delays.
Delays on moving day can happen — especially when waiting for solicitors to release keys or if there's a hold-up in the property chain. Being prepared makes a significant difference to your stress levels.
At DS Carriers Ltd, we never charge extra for key delays — our team will wait with you at no additional cost. We believe in fair, honest service.
Keeping these items with you ensures you're comfortable should there be any waiting time before accessing your new property.
If you're packing yourself, these guidelines will help protect your belongings and make unloading far easier at the other end.
- Use strong, quality boxes — avoid supermarket flimsy ones
- Don't overfill boxes — keep them liftable
- Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper or bubble wrap
- Fill empty spaces to prevent movement during transit
- Keep screws and fittings in clearly labelled bags
- Pack heavier items at the bottom of boxes
Appliances need to be properly prepared before moving day to avoid damage and ensure they're safe to transport.
- Defrost fridge and freezer 24 hours in advance
- Disconnect washing machines and dishwashers
- Drain all water from appliances before moving day
- Ensure everything is clean, dry and ready to load
- Secure drum on washing machine before transport
Everything you need for your move
From the removal itself to packing, storage and business moves — we cover every aspect of your relocation.
Full residential removal service with premium protection as standard. 40+ years of experience moving families safely across the UK.
Learn more → 📦Let our professional team handle all the packing. We arrive the day before with all materials and take care of everything.
Learn more → 🗄️Clean, dry and 24/7 monitored storage. Every item professionally wrapped. Short-term or long-term, with collection and return included.
Learn more → 🏢Office and commercial relocations with minimal downtime. Evening and weekend moves available with full dismantling and reassembly.
Learn more →A team you can rely on
With over 40 years of removals experience, DS Carriers Ltd is trusted for professional, reliable home moves — backed by 400+ five-star reviews.
Get a Free Quote →Our professional team takes pride in their work and handles your belongings with care throughout every move.
Premium protective materials for furniture, mattresses, sofas and TVs — all included as standard, not charged as extras.
We confirm all details in advance and keep you informed throughout — so there are no surprises on moving day.
Unlike many removal companies, we don't charge extra if keys are delayed. Fair service with no hidden costs.
