A house move can look straightforward until the last fortnight, when spare-room contents, cancelled utilities and missing documents begin competing for attention. Knowing how to prepare for house move properly means dealing with those details in the right order, rather than trying to pack your life into boxes in a single weekend. This is particularly true when moving to, from or within Spain, where access, storage, shipping schedules and customs paperwork may all affect the plan.
Start With a Proper Survey and Written Quote
The first decision should not be which boxes to buy. It should be how the move will be assessed. A reputable remover needs to understand the volume of goods, the access at both properties, any difficult or high-value items, and the services you actually require. A video survey can work for many homes, but an in-person survey is often preferable for larger properties, awkward access, antiques, pianos or moves involving storage and international transport.
Be accurate about what is moving. Garages, sheds, lofts, roof terraces and external stores are regularly overlooked, yet they can add a surprising amount of volume. Mention flights of stairs, narrow roads, parking restrictions, lifts, gated developments and whether a long carry from the vehicle will be necessary. These details affect labour, vehicle choice and the time allowed on the day.
Ask for a written quotation that clearly states what is included. It should distinguish between packing, materials, dismantling and reassembly, collection, delivery, storage, insurance and any additional services such as customs clearance. A low figure with vague wording is not necessarily a saving. It can become expensive once access difficulties, packing materials or waiting time are added later.
For international moves, establish whether the price is based on a dedicated vehicle, part load, groupage service or container. Each has a different balance of cost, speed and flexibility. A part load is often sensible for a modest consignment where the delivery date is not critical. A dedicated service may be better for a full household or a fixed completion date.
How to Prepare for a House Move: Work Backwards
A move date creates urgency, but the most useful preparation begins six to eight weeks beforehand where possible. If your date is uncertain, you can still complete the tasks that reduce clutter and improve the accuracy of your quotation.
Six to eight weeks before
Sort every room before packing begins. Separate items you will take, sell, donate, recycle, place into storage or dispose of responsibly. Moving unwanted furniture across Spain or overseas is rarely good value simply because it is already in the house.
This is also the right time to measure large furniture against doorways, staircases and lifts at the new address. A sofa that fitted through one property may not fit through another. Decide early whether it should be dismantled, professionally moved through a balcony opening, placed in storage or replaced after the move.
Book your mover once dates are reasonably firm, particularly for peak periods, school holidays and long-distance routes. Check that the company has a physical operating base, suitable vehicles, clear terms and a written inventory process. A remover should be willing to explain how your belongings will be handled, where they will be stored if necessary, and who is responsible at each stage.
Three to four weeks before
Notify the organisations that need your new address or final meter readings. This usually includes banks, insurers, doctors, schools, utility suppliers, vehicle registration services and subscriptions. Keep a simple record of reference numbers and the date each change was requested. It prevents the common problem of discovering, months later, that a policy or account still uses the previous address.
For a move between the UK and Spain, or elsewhere outside the relevant customs territory, gather paperwork well before collection. Requirements depend on your route, residency status, the nature of the goods and whether you are importing household effects, so do not rely on hearsay from neighbours or social media groups. Passports, residency evidence, inventories and any documents requested by the shipping agent or customs broker need to be available when asked.
Check restrictions on goods such as alcohol, tobacco, food, plants, medicines, cleaning chemicals, aerosols, gas bottles and batteries. Some items cannot travel in a removals vehicle or shipping container at all. Others may be allowed only under particular conditions. Declaring goods honestly and asking before packing is far safer than facing delay, disposal or an unexpected customs issue.
One to two weeks before
Pack non-essential possessions if you have chosen a self-packing service. Use strong, clean cartons of a manageable weight, and avoid overfilling large boxes with books, tiles or tools. Label each carton with the room it belongs in and a short description of the contents. Numbering boxes is useful, but only if it matches a simple inventory that you can keep with your paperwork.
Professional packing is worth considering for fragile collections, artwork, mirrors, glassware, electronics and international consignments. Export packing is designed to protect goods through handling, loading and longer transit, not just a short journey down the road. It may add to the initial cost, but it can reduce the risk of damage and give a clearer basis for insurance cover.
Run down food in the freezer and cupboards. Set aside the items that will travel with you rather than in the removal vehicle: passports, keys, medication, valuables, jewellery, important paperwork, chargers, a change of clothes and any items needed by children or pets. Do not leave these until the morning of the move.
Protect Your Belongings, Not Just the Schedule
An inventory is one of the most valuable documents in a house move. It records what has been collected and provides a point of reference at delivery. Read it before signing, and make sure it reflects any particularly valuable or fragile items. Photographs can be helpful for documenting condition, especially for furniture, artwork and electrical goods.
Do not assume that standard household insurance automatically covers removal or storage. Cover can vary according to the policy, the value declared, how goods were packed and the route being used. Ask what transit insurance is available, what exclusions apply, whether there is an excess, and how a claim would be handled. The objective is not to expect a problem, but to know exactly where you stand should one occur.
Storage also needs closer attention than many people give it. If completion dates do not align, short-term storage can take the pressure out of the move. For longer periods, a secure containerised warehouse offers protection from repeated handling and keeps each consignment separately identified. Confirm the minimum storage period, access arrangements, notice required for redelivery and whether insurance is included or optional.
Make Moving Day Easier for Everyone
Confirm collection times, addresses, contact numbers and parking arrangements with the removal company a few days before the move. Reserve loading space where this is required, speak to building management if there are lift rules, and let neighbours know if a vehicle will need access to a narrow road or shared entrance.
On the day, walk through the property with the crew before loading starts. Point out items that are not moving, goods requiring special care and anything being collected from a shed, terrace or separate store. Keep children and pets safely away from loading areas, and avoid packing last-minute items into unlabelled bags that can be misplaced.
Before leaving, check every cupboard, wardrobe, drawer, garage and outside area. Take meter readings, photograph them where appropriate, hand over keys as agreed and retain a copy of the signed inventory. At the new property, direct cartons by room and inspect delivered items as they are unpacked. If anything appears damaged or missing, note it promptly and follow the claims procedure provided.
A well-run move is not about doing everything yourself. It is about making informed choices early, keeping the paperwork clear and using capable people for the parts where mistakes are costly. Britannia Southern has moved households on the Costa del Sol and internationally for decades, and the same principle still applies: careful preparation gives your possessions the protection they deserve and gives you room to settle into the next chapter.