Moving Guide

We have the Knowledge - Helping your move take shape.

Moving Guide

Tips and tricks for moving home or offices

Moving house doesn’t have to be stressful with the right preparation and advice. Our moving guide is designed to help you plan every stage of your move, from packing and organisation to moving day itself. With expert tips from Hackworthy & Sons Removals, a trusted removal company covering Devon and Cornwall, you can feel confident knowing your move is in safe, experienced hands.

Our friendly and expert staff are on hand to talk you through the removal process – contact us or check out our get a quote page.

Moving Guide - Two to Four Weeks Before Your Move

Packing

Bills and Suppliers

To help your relocation go smoothly, it’s worth thinking about who you need to notify about your change of address in advance. Here’s a quick checklist for some of the most important people or organisations you’ll need to contact:

Your utility suppliers - Gas, Electric, phone and broadband.
Your Bank, Insurance, pension and credit card providers.
Stocks and Shares, Savings and Loan Companies.
Council Tax and Electoral Roll.
Subscriptions e.g. magazines – contact any companies have subscriptions with and let them know you’re moving.
Doctor/Dentist/Optician – make sure you de-register if you’re moving out of the area and find an alternative surgery nearer to your new address.
Inland Revenue – You’ll need to give them your reference number which (you can find this on your P60, payslip or coding notification).
DVLA Driving Licence – Change your address online.
Vehicle Licence – send the appropriate section of your Vehicle Registration Document to the Vehicle Licensing Centre, Swansea, SA99 1AB.
Royal Mail – Arrange to redirect your mail online .
TV Licence – Update your details online.

Other things to consider

Pets – if you have any pets you may need to book them into kennels/cattery or arrange for them to be looked after by friends or family during your move. You’ll also need to find a new vet and arrange for the transfer of your pet’s records.
Hotels – if you need to stay in a hotel during your move, we advise that you book your hotel well in advance, especially over the busy summer months.

Moving Guide - One Week Before your Move

Suppliers

Water – for disconnection and reconnection of water you need to give at least 48hrs notice.
Update your delivery address for online Retailers and food delivery services.
Library – if you’ve borrowed any books, make sure you take these back before you leave.
Milk/papers – settle any outstanding balances and cancel the service.
Dry cleaning – don’t forget to pick up anything that you’ve taken to get dry cleaned.

General

Arrange to have children and pets looked after by relatives, friends or neighbours to give you time to prepare for your move.
Put safety first and arrange for appliances such as gas cookers to be disconnected by a professional if you’ll be taking them with you.
Try to use up any food left in your freezer that may not survive the journey. You could have a leaving party to use everything up.
Email you friends and family with your moving date and new address details.

Moving Guide - Three Days Before your Move

It’s a good idea to pack an overnight bag around this time – make sure that you include clean clothes, towels, toiletries and any medication you’ll need.
If you’ve got any furniture that needs dismantling before your move, make sure you keep any specialist tools you need handy.
If you plan on putting your things into storage for a long time, remember to hold on to some clothes for different seasons.
Gather up the keys to your current property including spares left with family or friends.
Check that the keys to your new home will be available when you arrive, or arrange to pick them up en-route.

Moving Guide - Two Days Before your Move

If your belongings are being put into storage or you’re moving a long way, make sure you empty, defrost and dry out your fridge/freezer.
Pack a box with a few kitchen essentials like plates, cutlery, a kettle and pans handy for when you first arrive at your new home.
Pack valuables and documents and put them in a safe place – preferably in one of the boxes or bags that will go in your car.
Consider you might be without broadband for a few days at your new property - Download important documents and some movies for the kids.
Make sure there’s somewhere for the removal lorry to park outside your home. Ask your neighbours to help you keep a space about the same size as a double decker bus free.

Moving Guide - The Day Before your Move

Organise some refreshments for the next day – moving is hard work! It’s always a good idea to have basics such as tea, coffee, juice, fruit and biscuits easily accessible.
Pack emergency supplies like toilet rolls and soap, a screwdriver (make sure it's charged up), pliers, paper towels and light bulbs in the boot of your car so they’re handy if you need them.
Do last-minute laundry.
Prepare plants for travel – bubble wrap can be useful to help protect them.
Put your mobile on charge before you go to bed!

Moving Guide - Moving day

Before the Crew Arrive

If you’ve got children, make sure they’re settled with whoever’s looking after them while you’re busy with moving day preparations. Some older children like to be included and may well want their own special tasks, like packing a personal box.
Strip the beds. We suggest packing the bed linen in a box that travels with you so you can pull it out for the first night.

When the Crew Arrive

Our moving team with introduce themselves to you when they arrive. Show them around the house and make sure that they know exactly what you want, and if anything’s changed since you met with the surveyor.
Once the van’s loaded, walk around the house to make sure everything that needs to be moved has been loaded up.
Make sure you give the removal supervisor your mobile number – this is especially important if you’re travelling long distances.

When the Crew Have left

At your New Address

If you plan to deep clean start now before you unpack.
If you’ve booked our unpacking service our moving team will unpack and unwrap everything at your new home and make sure it’s all put in the right place.
Take metre readings and check utilities all up and running,.
Check you have keys for the doors and windows.
Check bin collection day
STOP - take the night off and order a takeaway!

Thinking of Moving?
Need some advice - Call us!

Plymouth 01752 228 815

Torquay 01803 203 355

Truro 01872 263 447

What do our customers think? Testimonials

We strive to exceed the expectations of our customers and that’s the reason customers recommend and return to us.

Hayley Sanders-Page

11:37 04 Apr 25

The gentlemen from Hackworthy who have now moved us twice are professional, helpful and create such a positive atmosphere on moving day. Happy repeat customers.

Georgina Bishop

11:28 03 Apr 25

Our move turned out to be far from straightforward with two sales falling through just before exchange and the sale that went through having several changes of date and extensions. Hackworthy staff remained calm in the face of our escalating tensions.
Our move eventually happened, a year after they dropped the moving boxes off, we are so pleased to be in our new home. Thank you

Mark Bishop

09:46 01 Apr 25

Excellent service. The removers worked hard & were courteous, friendly & respectful. They were very efficient & timely. Having them helped a lot. Worth every penny. I reccomwnd Hackworthys removers. Thank you.

Eddy

14:27 28 Jan 25

Professional and polite, nothing was too much trouble.
Many thanks
Eddy

Caroline Carroll

13:38 28 Jan 25

From start to finish Hackworthy and Sons made our move from Cornwall to the Malverns as smooth as possible. Despite awkward, narrow stairs in our new home, they were able to find innovative ways to navigate delivering our furniture safely and securely. The two removal men worked solidly over the two days and were friendly and informative throughout. I would highly recommend them for your removal requirements.

Caroline & Paul.

Ben Caunter

13:01 20 Nov 24

Naomi Hills

19:37 20 Oct 24

We used Hackworthy for our home move from Devon to East Sussex and simply couldn’t rate them highly enough! From the moment they turned up in the morning the guys were professional and reassured us every step of the way that we would fit everything in the lorry safe and sound. It was a 3 day move because of the distance and safe practice for loading and unloading, and this reflects the care of the company both for their staff and for not wanting to rush the job and sacrifice quality. Everything arrived in perfect condition and we were thrilled with the service. A top notch job well worth the money. Highly recommended.

shane ferguson

06:01 02 Oct 24

Went well , they know what they are doing. Overseas removal . They offered a choice of ports in one country for arrival of goods. They keep you updated and help with customs.

JOE90

21:11 25 Sep 24

NICE...

Andrea

We would just like to thank you and your team…. they worked so hard and efficiently.. our grateful thanks for a job well done

Nadine

I used this company to store goods for a year, then had them to move me to new home. First class company , not expensive for all the work involved. I would definitely use this company again.

Maggie

Please pass on our thanks…. They worked very hard, wee extremely helpful and worked with great humour

Les

Family run business. Always friendly. Have used them over the years for home contents move, self-storage, and document shredding. Price competitive. They like a sticky bun as a treat!

Steven

Moved from Wiltshire to Cornwall with Hackworthy and the service was excellent. Plenty of communication beforehand and the timings were spot on

Bob

Just wanted to leave some great feedback….Ontime, friendly and helpful…. Thanks again for their efforts

Steven

The two man team were quick and efficient whilst taking care of all our goods

Susan Nicholas

Thank you for fitting in my move at short notice. The members of staff that I spoke to on the phone were very helpful and answered all my questions. The crew that arrived were brilliant. They were all very different characters (!), but worked well as a team.

Joanne

We found the three men doing our move very friendly and efficient. They worked hard and respected our house and belongings. We would certainly recommend them and thank them for their efforts. The follow up service of removing the used boxes is also very helpful.

Wilfred

We received excellent service from Hackworthy, and the two engineers were extremely helpful and efficient - thank you!

Leah

I found Hackworthy & Sons to be efficient, helpful and seamless in their approach to my move. The move team were very friendly and were careful with our belongings.

Jan

Great service from everyone at Hackworthy, the people who I spoke to on the phone and the men who supplied the muscle! Thank you all.

Rodney

We would thoroughly reccomend this Company, very competiive prices. We moved from Wiltshire to Devon The two chaps, Ollie and Connor were professional friendly and swift, nothing was to much truoble for them. A big thankyou and well done again.

Mr W Cole

A truly remarkable service from start to finish. Highly recommend this removal company.

Martin

Excellent service. On day of removal the came early and git in with it straight away in the pooring rain. No complaining just got on with it. Went the extra mile for my mum by sorting the washing machine. Would use again and recommend

Teresa Turner

What a fantastic company and the two guys who moved us were awesome. Couldn't do enough to make our stressful move non stressful and so easy from start to finish. Absolutely recommend this company for a smoith house move and first class customer care too.

Shane Harris

Love using Hackworthy, 3rd time a few weeks ago. No fuss, huge lorry, great guys, job done.

Keith

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you and your team most sincerely for the excellent service by Jason and Steve who carried out the move. Nothing was too much trouble.... they were extremely helpful, courteous and polite.... and certainly made what is generally known to be a most stressful experience somewhat pleasant! I certainly would have no hesitation in recommending your company to any of my friends or colleagues who need removal services.

Matthew

A very quick email regarding our recent move....Simply put Ollie and Josh were brilliant. They turned up and immediately set about getting us packed. Throughout the move they were polite, friendly and worked incredibly hard. We couldn't have asked for two better chaps to help us with our move and the breathtaking amount of stuff we've accumulated!

Sue

I was very impressed with the service and all the staff. The office staff were friendly and helpful over the phone/via email, and the removal team were one of the best we have ever used. We have moved 14 times and had some very poor experiences, we had two exceptional experiences prior to this one, and now we have had three exceptional experiences. We were very happy with the move and all the staff and I hope we let them know how pleased we were. I would definitely use them again if needed.

Mark

The Hackworthy ethos far exceeds a customer's expectations. We have used you twice for ourselves, and you recently moved our friend - but had to go through me for the whole aspect of the removal service due to her work commitments - not once did any of your staff call or email her with anything - she said it was the most stress free move she has ever done in her life. Thank you Hackworthy's. Wish there were more companies with your attitude to the unexpected!