Plan Ahead with Wilkins: Checklist PDF and Guide for a Smooth Reading Relocation
Planning a home move in 2025? Whether you’re relocating locally, nationally, or internationally, having the right plan in place can make all the difference to your moving experience.
That is why as trusted residential and home removal & storage experts, with over 140 years of experience, Wilkins Removals has created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate every step of the moving process. From professional packing to secure storage and transportation, we’ve got you covered.
Your Ultimate Moving Guide
Our expert team at Wilkins have developed a comprehensive moving home checklist, available for you to download to streamline your home removal process.
Step 1: Begin with a Plan
When to start: 8-12 weeks before your move.
- Create a moving timeline: Outline key tasks and notable deadlines throughout your entire moving journey.
- Book your removal company: Secure your date early with a trusted removal company like Wilkins Removals, a member of the British Association of Removers, to ensure you receive safe and secure removal services.
- Set your budget: Account for packing materials, removal services, and storage if needed. This might be in the form of container boxes, a professional service to protectively pack and transport high-value assets or even warehouse storage space to temporarily house your home’s items.
Step 2: Declutter Your Home
When to start: 6-8 weeks before your move.
- Sort through your belongings: Decide what to keep, donate, recycle, or discard.
- Create an inventory: Document valuable items for insurance and packing purposes. Some specialist removal and storage companies, like Wilkins Removals, offer services to properly pack and transport any highly valuable assets you might want to prevent being damaged during the move. Our experienced team of domestic movers treat your possessions with the utmost care to make sure they maintain their condition throughout.
Wilkins Removals are able to offer:
- Fragile packing services for ornaments and glass
- Dismantling services to disassemble furniture
- Reassembling services
- Full or part packaged services
This gives you the flexibility to add on those extra essentials to make your home removal and relocation as easy as possible.
Step 3: Organise Packing Materials
When to start: 5-6 weeks before your move.
- Gather quality supplies: Any reputable and professional domestic removal company will provide most packing materials. For example, Wilkins Removals provides durable boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and more. Not only does this save you the hassle of having to source these materials for yourself, but it ensures that items requiring special packing can be done so to prevent damage during your move.
- Label everything: Mark boxes by room and contents to streamline unpacking for both yourselves and any other personnel involved with your home’s removal and storage.
Step 4: Notify Relevant Parties
When to start: 4-6 weeks before your move.
- Utilities and subscriptions: Arrange final bills and schedule transfers.
- Change of address: Notify your bank, insurance providers, and other essential contacts.
- Mail redirection: Set this up with Royal Mail to avoid missing important correspondence.
Step 5: Plan for Packing Day
When to start: 3-4 weeks before your move.
- Pack strategically: Start with non-essential items and seasonal belongings.
- Use professional packing services: Wilkins Removals’ expert team can handle everything, ensuring your belongings are protected and organised. This is especially important for the removal, moving and storage of high-value assets that are likely to be tarnished during your home removal.
- Separate essentials: Keep items like documents, toiletries, and chargers in a designated box for easy access.
Step 6: Confirm Final Details
When to start: 1-2 weeks before your move.
- Reconfirm your booking: Touch base with Wilkins Removals to finalise your schedule.
- Plan for pets and children: Arrange care or ensure their comfort on moving day.
- Prepare your new home: Schedule cleaning or repairs as needed.
Step 7: Moving Day
Key tips for a smooth day:
- Stay organised: Keep your checklist handy to ensure nothing is overlooked.
- Communicate with the team: Wilkins Removals’ experienced professionals will work closely with you to ensure a seamless process. As a family owned business serving the local Reading and Berkshire community since 1920, we pride ourselves on making your move stress-free.
- Inspect your new home: Confirm utilities are running and everything is in place.
Step 8: Settling In
Post-move tips:
- Unpack strategically: Start with essentials and gradually move to less critical items.
- Check for damages: If you notice any issues, report them immediately to your removal company. At Wilkins Removals, our job is to make your move safe, easy & simple. From the initial quote, handling of your property, the full move and unpacking at the other side. We have a long-standing history of happy customers due to our ability to respond and act quickly to clients queries should they have any,
- Update your address: Confirm your address change with all necessary organisations.
Need to Know Information
Flood Zones in Reading
Certain parts of Reading, especially those near the River Thames and River Kennet, are prone to flooding. If your new home is located in these areas, it’s important to monitor weather forecasts and be aware of flood warnings. For those moving house into flood-prone areas, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with local flood maps and consider taking out relevant insurance to protect your belongings during your Reading removal.
Navigating Central Reading during your house move
The central part of Reading has several one-way streets, particularly around the Oracle shopping centre and other busy areas. If your home move involves navigating these roads, it’s important to be aware of the local traffic flow and plan your route carefully. Larger vehicles, such as removal trucks, may need to follow specific routes or detours. Wilkins Removals has experience navigating these routes, ensuring your Reading home removal is as efficient as possible.
For those bringing bicycles, the city also has a growing network of cycle lanes—ideal for environmentally-conscious movers. You can arrange for safe transport of your bicycles with Wilkins along with all your other belongings.
Why Choose Wilkins Removals for Your 2025 Move?
Wilkins Removals offers more than just packing, removal, and storage services. As a member of the British Association of Removers, we uphold the highest standards of quality and care. Whether you need safe and secure removal services or professional packing expertise, our dedicated team is here to make your move straightforward & stress-free so you can settle into life in your new home right away.
Ready to make your move? Contact Wilkins Removals today to discuss your requirements and let us handle the heavy lifting for you!
