Removal day is the culmination of weeks (sometimes months) of planning, and your preparation in the final days beforehand will make an enormous difference to how smoothly it goes. At Roadwise, we've helped thousands of families and individuals through their moving day, and we know exactly what makes the difference between a stressful scramble and a well-orchestrated move. Here's everything you need to do.
The evening before moving day is crucial. Don't leave anything important until the morning.
All boxes should be packed, sealed, and labelled before the removal team arrives. Leaving packing until the morning of the move is one of the most common causes of delays and unnecessary stress on moving day. If you're struggling to get everything packed in time, consider our professional packing service – we can pack an entire household efficiently and safely.
Your essentials bag – containing phone chargers, snacks, toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, and anything else you'll need on the day – should be packed and placed separately from everything else. Don't let it get loaded onto the van with your other boxes.
If you haven't already done so, defrost the fridge and freezer the evening before moving day. This gives them time to drain and dry out properly, reducing the risk of water damage during transport. Don't forget to empty and clean them as well.
If possible, dismantle beds and other large flat-pack furniture the evening before. This saves significant time on moving day and is generally safer than attempting to navigate doors and stairwells with assembled bed frames. If you'd prefer the removal team to do this for you, let us know in advance and we'll factor it into the quote and schedule.
Our removal teams typically start between 8am and 9am. Being well-organised and ready to go when the team arrives makes a significant difference – delays at the loading stage can have a knock-on effect throughout the day, particularly if you're also waiting for keys to become available at your new property.
If you need a parking suspension for the removal van, arrange this well in advance with your local council – Coventry City Council typically requires several working days' notice. On the day itself, ensure the parking space is clear before the team arrives. Parking difficulties are one of the most common causes of delays on moving day.
Make sure you have access to your old property, and confirm the arrangements for collecting keys to your new property. If you're waiting on your solicitor or estate agent to release keys, keep your phone close and communicate with them throughout the morning.
Moving day is not a good day for young children or pets to be on site. Having them looked after elsewhere – by a family member, friend, or childminder – makes the move faster, safer, and considerably less stressful for everyone involved. If this isn't possible, designate one adult to look after the children or pets away from the moving activity.
Before loading begins, walk through the property with the team leader. Point out any fragile items, anything that requires special care, and any access restrictions they should be aware of. This brief conversation sets the tone for the whole day and reduces the chance of misunderstandings.
Stay on site and remain available to answer questions throughout the move. The team may need clarification on what to take and what to leave, where certain items should go in the new property, or advice on the best route for large pieces of furniture.
Before the removal van leaves, do a thorough final walkthrough of every room in the property. Check:
It's surprisingly easy to leave things behind in the rush of moving day – particularly items stored out of sight. A methodical final check is the only way to be sure you haven't forgotten anything.
Before you leave your old property, take photographs of all utility meter readings – gas, electricity, and water. Do the same at your new property when you arrive. This is essential for ensuring your utility accounts are settled correctly and avoiding any unexpected charges.
To speed up unloading at your new home, put a simple label on each door showing the room name (e.g., "Master Bedroom", "Living Room"). This allows the team to place boxes and furniture in the right rooms without having to ask you every time.
If possible, keep an eye on items as they're unloaded. This allows you to flag any concerns immediately, while everything is still fresh and the team is on site to address them.
Once you're in your new home, your essentials bag will be the first thing you need. Keep it with you throughout the day so you can make tea, charge your phone, and access anything you need without having to dig through boxes.
If you notice any damage to your belongings or property, report it to the removal company as soon as possible and take photographs as evidence. At Roadwise, we carry full goods-in-transit insurance, and any genuine claims will be dealt with fairly and promptly.
In the days following your move, work through the list of organisations that need to be notified of your new address. Don't forget: bank, HMRC, DVLA, employer, GP, dentist, subscription services, electoral roll, insurance providers, and any online shopping accounts.
For more detail on everything to do before, during, and after your move, see our ultimate moving house checklist.
And if you'd like the most experienced, professional removal team in Coventry at your side on moving day, give Roadwise Removals a call on 07458 314305. We're open 24/7 and ready to help you plan the smoothest move possible.
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