Top 5 Things People Forget When Moving House – And How to Avoid Them
Moving house is exciting – a fresh start, new surroundings, and the chance to create a new home. But it’s also one of life’s most stressful events. With so many things to organise and decisions to make, it’s no wonder people forget key tasks along the way.
At Cotswold Services Removals Ltd, we’ve helped hundreds of families and individuals move across Gloucester and the surrounding areas. Over the years, we’ve noticed the same things often get overlooked – and they can cause avoidable stress if not planned for.
Here are the top 5 things people forget when moving house – and how you can avoid them.
-
Redirecting Your Post
It’s surprisingly easy to forget to redirect your mail – until you realise important letters are still being sent to your old address. This can cause problems with banks, utility providers, insurers, and more.
✅ How to avoid it:
Set up Royal Mail’s Redirection Service at least a week before you move. You can do it online, and it covers you for 3, 6 or 12 months while you update your address with individual companies. Make a checklist of all the places your address is stored – including DVLA, your GP, dentist, subscriptions, and online shopping accounts.
-
Labelling Boxes Properly
It may seem obvious, but when you’re in a rush, it’s easy to toss everything into boxes without much thought. Then, once you arrive at your new home, you’re faced with a mountain of unlabelled chaos.
✅ How to avoid it:
Label each box clearly with:
- What’s inside
- Which room it belongs in
- Whether it’s fragile or needs to be unpacked first
Better still, use colour-coded labels or tape for each room. If you choose our full or part packing services, we’ll handle all the packing and labelling for you – making unpacking simple and stress-free.
-
Defrosting & Cleaning White Goods
Freezers, fridges and washing machines are often left until the last minute – and it’s a mistake that can lead to leaks, smells, or even damage during transport.
✅ How to avoid it:
- Defrost your freezer at least 24 hours before moving.
- Unplug and empty washing machines, dishwashers, and fridges.
- Wipe down and leave doors open to prevent mould or odours.
If you’re unsure how to disconnect appliances, our experienced removals team can assist – and we’ll even help reconnect them where possible once you’ve moved in.
-
Creating an Essentials Box
When you arrive at your new home, the last thing you want is to dig through 20 boxes just to find the kettle, loo roll, or phone charger.
✅ How to avoid it:
Pack a clearly labelled “Essentials Box” and take it with you in your own car. Include:
- Kettle, mugs, tea/coffee/milk
- Snacks or sandwiches
- Loo roll and toiletries
- Chargers, phone, power bank
- Bedding and nightwear
- A change of clothes
- Any medication or baby supplies
This will help you get through the first night without stress – even if the unpacking waits until morning!
-
Not Booking Removals Early Enough
Many people wait until the last minute to book their removal company – especially if they’re unsure when their completion date will be. But leaving it too late can limit your options and lead to rushed or poorly planned moves.
✅ How to avoid it:
As soon as you have a rough idea of your moving window, get in touch for a quote. At Cotswold Services Removals, we offer flexible scheduling and can often accommodate last-minute requests – but booking early gives you the best chance of securing your ideal moving date.
To make things even easier, we now offer a video/photo quote service. Just send us a quick walk-around video or photos of the items you’re moving, and we’ll get back to you with a competitive quote – often within 24 hours. And if you do this, you’ll receive 10% off our full packing service!
Final Thoughts
Moving house doesn’t have to be stressful – especially when you’re prepared. By staying organised, making a checklist, and working with a trusted local removal company, you can make the process smooth and even enjoyable.
At Cotswold Services Removals Ltd, we’re proud to help families across Gloucester, Cheltenham, Swindon, and Oxford move with ease. From packing and dismantling furniture to careful transportation and friendly service, we take care of the heavy lifting – so you don’t have to.
Ready to get moving?
Get your free quote today – and don’t forget your walk-around video for 10% off!
www.cotswoldservicesremovals.co.uk/quote