2025 Moving House Tips: Security and Home Safety Advice

Moving House Tips to Guarantee a Stress free Transition

Moving to a new home can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience. Whether you are moving across town or to a new city, good planning and organization can help make the move easier.

There are many moving house tips that you can action to ensure the move is successful from start to finish. Did you know that as a PhoneWatch customer, you can get a brand new house alarm system in your new home free of charge. Or if you move into a home with a PhoneWatch already, we can give you a special offer.

1. Start Early: The Key to Stress Free House Moving

One of the most important moving home tips is to start the process early. Packing up your entire life can take much longer than you expect, so the earlier you begin, the better. Starting 4-6 weeks before your move is ideal to give you ample time to organise, pack, and take care of any last-minute details. Devising a moving house checklist is beneficial to help you keep on track of all the tasks required.

Tip: Create a Timeline

Create a moving home timeline or schedule. Write down specific tasks you need to complete each week and break them down into manageable steps. This will help you stay organized and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

2. Declutter Before You Pack

Take this opportunity to go through your belongings and get rid of items you no longer use. If you’re in the process  of downsizing your home, it’s a great time to declutter and reduce your possessions.

Tip: Sort Items into Categories

Divide your belongings into categories: "Keep," "Donate," "Sell," and "Trash." You can handle items in the "Donate" and "Sell" categories before you pack. This helps you lighten your load and earn some extra cash or help others in need.

3. Label Everything: Packing with Purpose

Packing is one of the most time-consuming parts of the moving process. Proper organization while packing can save you time and stress on the other side. Be sure to label every box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will help you and your movers know exactly where to place everything when you arrive at your new home.

Tip: Use Color-Coded Labels

For added clarity, use color-coded labels or stickers for each room. For example, use blue for the kitchen, green for the bedroom, and red for the bathroom. This will make the unpacking process much more efficient.

4. Secure Your Moving Services Early

Hiring professional house movers can make the process much easier, but be sure to book them well in advance.  Home moving companies can get very busy at certain times of the year. This is especially true during peak moving seasons, like summer or around holidays.

Tip: Get Multiple Quotes

Don’t settle for the first moving company you find. Get multiple quotes and read customer reviews to ensure you're choosing a reliable and trustworthy company. Verify that they have the proper insurance and experience to handle your belongings safely.

5. Take Care of Utilities and Services

It’s easy to forget about the logistics of disconnecting and reconnecting utilities. Make sure to schedule disconnections for your current home and connections for your new one well in advance.

Tip: Create a Utilities Checklist

Here's a list of utilities and services you’ll need to address:

• Electricity

• Gas

• Water

• Internet and Cable

• Trash and Recycling Collection

Also, don’t forget to transfer or cancel any subscriptions or services linked to your old address.

Another important moving house tip is to make sure you update your address with important institutions well before you move. This will ensure that your mail is forwarded to your new home and that you continue to receive important correspondence.

Tip: Who to Notify:

• Post office (for mail forwarding)

• Banks and credit card companies

• Employers

• Insurance providers

• Schools (if you have children)

• Subscription services (magazines, streaming services, etc.)

• Healthcare providers (doctor, dentist, pharmacy)

• If you have a home security system, you’ll need to notify your provider. If you’ve a PhoneWatch home security system, you can contact us and we’ll arrange for your alarm to be moved to your new home. For more details, click here.

6. Pack an Essentials Box

Our final moving house tip is to pack a "first-night" essentials box that contains the items you'll need as soon as you get settled in.

Tip: What to Include in Your Essentials Box:

When you arrive at your new home, there will be a few essential items you'll need right away:

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.)

• A change of clothes

• Bed linens and pillows

• Basic cooking utensils and dishes

• Chargers for your phones and electronics

• Important documents (ID, contracts, etc.)

Having these essentials on hand will help you feel more comfortable as you begin to unpack and settle into your new space.

The journey to a new home starts long before moving day. If you're still at the buying a house stage, it’s worth preparing now for what comes next. Once the paperwork is signed and the keys are in hand, our moving tips will help you take the next step with confidence!

Moving House Checklist

To make sure you don’t forget any important tasks while moving house, here’s a comprehensive moving checklist that breaks down everything you need to do at each stage of the process.

6 Weeks Before your House Move:

• Sort and declutter your home.

• Research moving companies and request quotes.

• Begin gathering packing supplies (boxes, tape, bubble wrap).

• Start packing non-essential items.

• Notify schools, employers, and other relevant parties of your move.

4 Weeks Before your House Move:

• Confirm your moving company or truck rental.

• Arrange for the disconnection and connection of utilities.

• Begin packing items you use less frequently (books, seasonal clothing, decorations).

• Update your address with important organizations (post office, banks, etc.).

2 Weeks Before your House Move:

• Continue packing and labelling boxes.

• Confirm details with your moving company, including the time and address.

• Pack an essentials box with items you’ll need immediately.

• Cancel or transfer any local memberships or subscriptions (gym, library, etc.).

1 Week Before the Move:

• Clean your current home (or arrange for cleaning services).

• Confirm your move-in date with the new property manager or landlord.

• Pack up the rest of your belongings, leaving only what you need for the last few days.

• Check that all documents related to the move (lease agreements, utility records) are in order.

Your Moving Day Tips:

• Do a final walk-through of your old home.

• Ensure movers have access to your new home (if applicable).

• Supervise the loading of the truck to ensure everything is securely packed.

• Keep important documents and valuables with you.

After the Move:

• Unpack essential items first (bed, kitchen essentials, toiletries).

• Organize and unpack the rest of your boxes room by room.

• Set up utilities in your new home.

• Register your vehicle and update your driver’s license address (if applicable).

• Explore your new neighborhood!

• Once your PhoneWatch house alarm is moved to your new home, ensure to arm it every day and night, whether your at home or away. Did you know you can arm your alarm whilst on the go with the PhoneWatch app.

By following these moving house tips and using the moving house checklist, you'll be able to approach your move with confidence and minimize any stress. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new home and the fresh start that comes with it!

From house alarm systems to tailored home security, PhoneWatch create and install alarm systems to match your budget and give you peace of mind. Over 118,000 homes in Ireland trust us to keep them safe every day. Get a personalised home security quote today.