10 Things to Do Before Moving Day to Avoid Last-Minute
Moving day has a way of sneaking up on you. One week you’re casually browsing listings, and the next you’re surrounded by unboxed items wondering where the time went. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way. Here are 10 things every Nairobi homeowner should do before the moving truck arrives.
1. Declutter Before You Pack
The worst thing you can do is pack everything you own and move clutter from one house to another. Before you touch a single box, go room by room and separate items into three piles: keep, donate, and discard.
This does two things — it reduces the volume of items you need to move (which can lower your moving cost) and gives you a fresh start in your new home. Clothes you haven’t worn in a year, duplicate kitchen items, broken appliances — leave them behind.
2. Book Your Movers Early
Professional movers in Nairobi get booked up fast, especially around end-of-month periods and public holidays. As soon as you have a confirmed moving date, reach out to your moving company and lock in the slot.
Waiting until the last week often means you either can’t get your preferred mover or you end up paying a premium. Booking early also gives you time to get a proper quote, compare services, and ask important questions about how your items will be handled.
3. Notify Your Landlord and Utility Providers
Give your landlord adequate notice as required by your tenancy agreement — usually 30 days or more. This protects your deposit and keeps things professional.
At the same time, contact your utility providers — Kenya Power, water company, internet service provider — to either transfer or disconnect services. You don’t want to keep paying for utilities at a house you no longer live in.
4. Start Collecting Packing Materials
Boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, markers, and old newspapers are your best friends during a move. Start collecting them early. You can get boxes from supermarkets, hardware stores, or ask your moving company if they supply packing materials as part of their service.
Label every box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to. This simple step saves enormous time when unpacking at the new house.
5. Pack Room by Room
Avoid the temptation to pack randomly. Start with rooms you use least — guest rooms, store rooms, and decorative items — and work your way toward the rooms you use daily like the kitchen and bedroom.
Pack one room completely before moving to the next. This keeps things organized and ensures nothing from one room ends up mixed in with another.
6. Handle Valuables Separately
Important documents — title deeds, passports, birth certificates, financial records — should never go into a moving box. Keep them in a separate bag that stays with you personally throughout the move.
The same applies to jewelry, cash, and sentimental items. Don’t hand these over to movers; transport them yourself for peace of mind.
7. Take Photos of Electronics Before Disconnecting
Before you unplug your TV, home theatre, or computer setup, take photos of how everything is connected. Cable setups can be surprisingly difficult to remember, and having a photo reference makes reassembly at the new house much easier.
8. Clean and Prepare the New House First
If possible, do a thorough cleaning of your new home before moving day. It’s far easier to clean empty rooms than to work around boxes and furniture. Check that taps, lights, sockets, and doors all work properly. Fix anything that needs attention before your belongings arrive.
9. Arrange for Children and Pets on Moving Day
Moving day is hectic, noisy, and full of open doors. It’s not the safest environment for young children or pets. Arrange for them to spend the day with a trusted family member or friend so you can focus on the move without worry.
10. Confirm Everything With Your Movers the Day Before
Call your moving company the evening before to confirm the time, address, access instructions, and any special requirements. This eliminates any confusion on the morning of the move and ensures everyone shows up ready to work.
Moving soon in Nairobi? Let Topmark Movers handle the heavy lifting. From careful packing to safe delivery, we make your relocation smooth and stress-free.
