Moving day goes well when the decisions have already been made. The crew know where to park, every box says which room it belongs in, the kettle is in the car and nobody is hunting for the dog’s lead. This checklist is for anyone using removals in Kent, from a flat in Rochester to a family house outside Ashford, and it works for a full removal company booking and for a man and van alike.
The week before
- Confirm the booking in writing with the removal company: date, start time, crew size, vehicle, both addresses and the price.
- Apply for a parking suspension if either street has restrictions. In Kent this is handled by the district or borough council for the town, and the notice period varies, so do not leave it to the last days.
- Tell the managing agent of any flat the date and ask for the lift to be padded or booked.
- Finish packing everything except the kitchen and one bag per person. Label every box with the room at the new house, not the room it came from.
- Book a Gas Safe registered engineer to disconnect any gas cooker and an electrician for hardwired appliances.
- Defrost the freezer, run down the fridge and use up or give away open food.
- Arrange care for pets and small children for the day.
- Redirect post and take meter readings at the old property on the day you leave.
The night before
- Pack an essentials box that travels in your car: kettle, mugs, tea, toilet roll, phone chargers, basic tools, bedding for the first night, medication and documents.
- Strip beds and dismantle anything you agreed to dismantle yourself. Bag the screws and tape them to the item.
- Put a sign on the front door of the new house if it is empty, and photograph meters there too when you get in.
- Charge your phone and write the crew leader’s number down on paper.
- Walk the house and make a list of what is not going, so nothing is loaded by mistake.
On the morning
- Be ready when the crew arrive. Walk them round, point out fragile items and anything staying behind.
- Keep passports, keys, jewellery, laptops and cash with you.
- Stay out of the way but stay available. One person should answer questions; the other handles the children, the pets and the kettle.
- Before the lorry leaves, check every room, cupboard, loft hatch and the shed.
- Photograph the empty rooms for the landlord or the buyer, then read the meters and lock up.
What is different in Kent
Kent is a large county and moves within it are often long. A move from the coast at Margate or Folkestone to a commuter town near the M25 is an hour or more on the road, and a crew that loads in the morning may not unload until mid-afternoon, so the essentials box matters. The housing stock splits two ways. Older centres such as Canterbury, Rochester and Faversham have narrow streets, listed buildings and on-street parking where a suspension from the district council is close to essential; the newer estates around Ashford, Ebbsfleet and the Medway towns have tight parking courts and management companies with rules about where a lorry may stand. Removals in Maidstone and Sittingbourne sit between the two: terraces near the stations, estates on the edges. Kent County Council runs the highways and the household waste sites, while the twelve district and borough councils handle parking and bulky waste, so for a cross-county move you may be dealing with two councils. Coastal weather can turn quickly; a crew unloading in a sea wind needs dust sheets held down and doors wedged.
After the van leaves
Check the inventory or the number of boxes against what was loaded. Note any damage the same day and report it in writing; goods in transit insurance claims usually have a short window. Unpack the kitchen and the beds first and leave the rest. If part of the load went into removals and storage, get the storage inventory and the access arrangements in writing before the crew drive off.
When to call a professional
A checklist should not tempt anyone into jobs that belong to a trade. Gas appliances are disconnected and reconnected only by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Hardwired electrical items and any new circuits at the new house are for a qualified electrician and, in England, new circuits and consumer unit work are notifiable under Part P. Whoever clears what you leave behind must be registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier; keep the transfer note because the duty of care stays with you. Pianos and safes need a specialist crew, and old panels or boards in a pre-2000 house should not be broken up if asbestos is possible.
When your date is fixed, describe the move, the two addresses and anything unusual to The Household Daily help desk and we will help you take the next step towards removals in Kent.
Questions people ask
When should I confirm a removals booking?
In writing at least a week before, covering date, start time, crew, vehicle, addresses and price. Reconfirm by phone a day or two ahead.
Who do I ask for a parking suspension in Kent?
The district or borough council for the town, not Kent County Council. Each sets its own notice period and fee, so apply early.
What goes in the essentials box?
Kettle, mugs, tea, toilet roll, chargers, basic tools, first-night bedding, medication, documents and keys. It travels in your car, not the lorry.
How soon do I need to report damage after a move?
The same day if possible and always in writing. Goods in transit insurance usually has a short claim window set out in the firm's terms.
Ready to take the next step?
Tell the household desk what has happened, where you are and when you need help. We will review it and explain your options.
Describe your job →Guidance is general and refers to the authority that sets each rule. Costs are indicative ranges; always get written quotes. Trade availability and credentials are confirmed when you enquire.
