Moving Day Essentials: Complete Moving House Essentials Checklist

When you’re packing up an entire home, it’s surprisingly easy to pack away something you’ll need five minutes later. This moving day essentials checklist covers the important things to keep separate from your main boxes, from documents and chargers to cleaning supplies, snacks, toiletries and everything you’ll want for your first night.

Use it to create a small collection of moving house essentials that stays with you throughout the move rather than disappearing into the removal van.

What Are Moving Day Essentials?

Moving day essentials are the items you are likely to need while your belongings are packed away or in transit. Instead of putting everything into the main moving boxes, keep these items together and easy to reach.

Think of them as your moving day survival kit. You should be able to manage the move and spend your first night in the new home even if you don’t unpack another box.

Important Documents & Valuables

Some things are too important to disappear into a stack of moving boxes. Keep essential paperwork and valuables with you.

• Photo ID
• House purchase or tenancy paperwork you may need
• Removal company contact details
• New property address and key collection details
• Wallet, purse and bank cards
• House and car keys
• Important phone numbers
• Prescription medication
• Small valuable items and jewellery
• Phones, tablets and laptops

Moving Day Packing & Tool Kit

Even if you’ve finished packing, you’ll almost certainly need to open, close, label or adjust something on moving day.

• Strong packing tape
• Permanent marker pens
• Spare labels
• Scissors
• Utility knife or box cutter
• Screwdrivers
• Allen keys
• Tape measure
• Small hammer
• Torch
• Spare batteries
• Extension lead
• Phone chargers and power bank
• A few spare boxes and bags

Keep these together in one small box or tool bag so you aren’t searching through the removal van for a screwdriver.

Phone & Technology Essentials

• Mobile phones
• Phone chargers
• Power bank
• Laptop and charger if needed
• Tablet and charger
• Headphones
• Extension lead
• Any internet equipment you are taking with you

Food & Drink for Moving Day

Moving days can be long, so don’t rely on finding food once everything is underway.

• Bottled water or refillable water bottles
• Easy snacks
• Sandwiches or other simple food
• Kettle
• Tea and coffee
• Mugs
• Milk or suitable alternative
• Sugar or sweetener
• Paper towels or kitchen roll
• A few plates and pieces of cutlery if needed

Moving Day Cleaning Essentials

Keep a small cleaning kit available for last-minute cleaning at the old property and anything that needs attention when you arrive at the new one.

• Multi-purpose cleaner
• Disinfectant
• Cleaning cloths
• Kitchen roll
• Bin bags
• Rubber gloves
• Dustpan and brush
• Vacuum cleaner if practical
• Washing-up liquid and sponge
• Toilet cleaner
• Toilet roll

For the full room-by-room list, use our Moving House Cleaning Checklist.

Personal Essentials to Keep With You

• Prescription medication
• Basic first-aid kit
• Glasses or contact lenses
• Hand sanitiser
• Toilet roll
• Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Towels
• Change of clothes
• Comfortable footwear
• Weather-appropriate coat or clothing

First Night Box When Moving House

Your first night box is one of the most useful moving house essentials. Pack everything you need to get through the evening and following morning without opening dozens of boxes.

Label this box clearly FIRST NIGHT – DO NOT LOAD and transport it yourself if possible.

Moving Day Essentials for Children

• Favourite toy or comfort item
• Snacks and drinks
• Change of clothes
• Tablet, books or games
• Chargers
• Nappies and wipes if required
• Any medication
• Nightwear and bedtime essentials

Moving Day Essentials for Pets

• Food
• Water and bowls
• Lead or carrier
• Bedding or familiar blanket
• Waste bags or litter supplies
• Medication
• Favourite toy
• Any paperwork you may need

Essentials for Your New House

There are also a few things worth having immediately available when you reach the new property.

• Light bulbs
• Basic toolkit
• Cleaning supplies
• Bin bags
• Toilet roll
• Extension leads
• Chargers
• Basic food and drinks
• Bedding
• Towels and toiletries

Once you’re in, our New House Checklist takes you through what to do during your first day, first week and first month.

What Shouldn’t Go on the Removal Van?

Exactly what a removal company will or won’t carry can vary, so check directly with your chosen company. Regardless, there are some things it makes sense to keep under your own control.

• Important documents
• Medication
• Keys
• Phones and chargers
• Wallets and purses
• Small valuables
• Your moving-day essentials box
• Anything you will need before the van is unloaded

When Should You Pack Your Moving Day Essentials?

Start putting essentials aside during the final week before the move. By the night before moving day, everything you need should be together and clearly separated from your normal packing. If you’re still working through the rest of the house, our Moving House Packing Checklist gives you a room-by-room plan.

Moving Day Essentials Checklist at a Glance

Moving Day Essentials FAQs

What should I keep with me on moving day?

Keep your keys, important documents, medication, valuables, phone and charger, drinks, snacks, cleaning basics and first-night essentials easily accessible.

What should I put in a moving day essentials box?

Useful items include toilet roll, cleaning products, kettle, mugs, drinks, snacks, chargers, basic tools, tape, scissors and anything you’ll need before your main boxes are unpacked.

What should I put in a first night box when moving house?

Pack bedding, toiletries, towels, medication, chargers, nightwear, clothes for the following day and basic food and drink supplies.

Should I take my moving essentials in the car?

If practical, yes. Keeping your essentials with you means you can access them even if unloading is delayed or the items you need are buried behind other boxes.