A Series of Small, Predictable Steps
People build moving day up into a single huge event. In reality it is a series of small, predictable steps spread over 8 to 10 hours. Here is what an average UK move actually looks like, from the kettle on at 6 am to the takeaway at 8 pm.
6:00 to 7:00 am — Final Prep
- Get up, shower, dressed in comfortable clothes you can move in
- Strip the bed (or leave it for the crew to dismantle)
- Pack the last toiletries and bedding into a labelled bag
- Make a brew, eat something
- Walk through every room with a checklist — anything still out that should be packed?
This is the calmest hour of the day. Use it.
7:30 to 8:30 am — Crew Arrival
The crew leader will:
- Introduce the team
- Do a walkthrough with you, flagging fragile or "do not load" items
- Confirm the route and destination
- Ask about parking at the new place
- Get started — usually with big furniture first
Your job: be available for decisions, not in the way.
8:30 am to 12:00 pm — Loading
The bulk of the morning. The crew works methodically:
- Big furniture out first (sofas, wardrobes, dining tables)
- Boxes by room
- Loose items wrapped and labelled as they go
You should be:
- Keeping the kettle going
- Handling phone calls (estate agent, solicitor, mortgage)
- Looking after children and pets (ideally elsewhere — see our guides on moving with young children and moving with pets)
- Doing one final sweep of cupboards, drawers, lofts and sheds
Around 11 am, take final meter readings — gas, electricity, water. Photograph them.
12:00 to 1:00 pm — Final Sweep and Keys
- Last items loaded
- Walk through every room with the crew leader to confirm nothing is missed
- Check the garden, shed, garage, loft
- Drop keys at the estate agent (or hand to the buyer if direct)
- Lock up
This is also when chain moves can get tense. If you are waiting on completion confirmation, your mover can usually wait 1 to 2 hours — but check during booking. See our guide on what to do if completion day slips.
1:00 to 2:30 pm — Transit
For local moves (under 20 miles), this is one trip. The crew will often stop briefly for lunch — most bring their own, no need to feed them.
You can:
- Drive to the new place
- Stop for lunch yourself
- Pick up keys from the new agent
- Do a quick photo or video walkthrough of the empty new house before furniture arrives (handy for inventory and any pre-existing damage)
2:30 to 6:00 pm — Unloading
The crew arrives, parks up, and unloading begins. Your job:
- Stand at the door (or near it) and direct
- Have a colour key visible if you have used one — see how to label moving boxes
- Decide where larger furniture goes — the crew will not want to move it twice
- Keep drinks coming
Furniture goes in first, then boxes by room. Beds and dining tables get reassembled before the crew leaves.
6:00 to 7:00 pm — Finishing Up
The crew leader will:
- Walk through with you to confirm everything is off the van
- Get you to sign the job sheet
- Hand back any paperwork
This is the moment to flag anything damaged or missing. Reasonable claims are easier to settle on the day than weeks later.
If you are happy with the service, this is also when a tip is appreciated — £10 to £20 per crew member is standard, though entirely optional.
7:00 pm Onwards — Your Evening
The first few hours in a new house feel slightly surreal. Do not try to unpack everything. A realistic plan:
- Make the beds first (or get to them via the P1 boxes)
- Set up the kettle, kids' tea, basic kitchen
- Find the fuse box and stopcock — useful to know now, not at 2 am
- Order takeaway, sit down
For the full new-home checklist, see the first 48 hours in your new home.
Things That Throw the Day Off (and How to Handle Them)
- Parking issues — call your mover early if there is a problem; many will sort cones in advance
- Chain delays — keep your solicitor's number handy, stay calm, the crew has seen it before
- Late key release — the crew can usually wait 1 to 2 hours
- Rain — the crew has wet-weather kit, but flag rugs and mattresses that need extra protection
- A missing item — most "missing" items are still on the van or in a different room; do a full check before flagging
Quick Checklist for the Day
- First-night box and valuables in your car
- Phone fully charged
- Meter readings taken and photographed
- All keys, fobs and alarm codes ready
- Cash for tips
- Colour key or room signs ready at the new house
- Takeaway plan for the evening
Book a Crew Who Keep the Day on Track
Use our calculator to benchmark a fair price for your move, then compare quotes — looking at Trustpilot vetting is the single best way to find a crew who actually deliver on time.