Back

How to prepare for moving into a new build

Laura Gordon
Laura Gordon
Jun 7, 2023
Whenmovingintoanewbuildhouse,youhavetheopportunitytocreateahomethatiscompletelytailoredtoyourpreferences.However,you’llwanttobeproperlypreparedinadvance. 

How to prepare to move into a new build

As well as providing moving day tips , we’ve outlined the key ways you can prepare for moving house, and how moving into a new build can be a little different than moving into a standard new house.

Moving into a new build house checklist:

  1. Plan ahead
  2. Familiarise yourself with the floor plan
  3. Set a budget
  4. Visit your new build before moving in
  5. Register your new build address
  6. Notify people about your new address
  7. Invest in quality storage solutions
  8. Check the measurements
  9. Ask what the best internet provider is in your area
  10. Get to know your neighbours beforehand

Plan ahead

Before you start packing, it's important to create a plan for your move. This should include a timeline of when you need to complete certain tasks, such as:

  • Notifying utility companies about your move.
  • Arranging for a home removal company to collect your things.
  • Gradually packing up your belongings.

By creating a clear plan, you can avoid any last-minute panic, and ensure a smooth moving-in process. If in doubt, refer back to the stages of a new build home to see where your home is in the process, and how close you are to your move-in date!

Familiarise yourself with the floor plan

One (of the many) advantages of buying a new build home is that you’ll have access to your floorplan early on – . which definitely isn’t always the case if you buy a traditional home.

This is really helpful for when you’re ordering furniture, or moving furniture and trying to see if your current L-shaped sofa  will fit into your new living room!

Having access to your floor plan means you can start practically planning the furniture you want to buy, and see how that fits in with your budget.

Set a budget

Speaking of which - when you prepare to move house, you’ll need to consider all the costs involved aside from the actual price of your house.

After all, moving into a new home – or any home - can be an expensive process. So, you should set a clear budget to aim for, and stick to it! Make sure you’ve factored in how much it costs to move home, and then look at creating a quick budget based on:

  • Removals
  • Utilities
  • Furniture
  • Décor and soft furnishings

Try to make sure you have enough money set aside to cover them all. This will make the process of moving in much easier in the long run.

Visit your new build before moving in

Also, try and visit your show home before you move in to get a sense of the layout and the space you have to work with. This will help you visually figure out where to place furniture and other items.

Register your new build address with Royal Mail

Luckily, this is a step that you can actually skip – while plenty of people moving into new builds have to worry about registering a new address, at Strata, your Experience Manager will make sure that your new address is registered and ready to go for when you move in.

If you run into any issues at all with registering your new build address, you can get in touch with Royal Mail and update your address with them directly.

Notify people and companies about your new address

Since you’ll be moving soon, and you have all the security that comes with a new build, you can prepare for moving house as everyone wants to – by sending your loved ones and neighbours your new address. You can also start redirecting mail to your new address closer to the time, to avoid mail arriving once you’ve moved out.

We recommend using SlothMove, a change of address service that takes just 5 minutes and covers majority of companies that you would need to notify in just a few clicks. It costs just £35, which is cheaper than a Royal Mail redirect!

Invest in quality storage solutions

Moving into a new build is a great opportunity to declutter and get rid of any items you no longer need or want, and probably already features on your moving house checklist. However, it's important to make sure you have good storage solutions (and plenty of them), for the items you do keep.

So, consider investing in quality storage solutions, such as built-in wardrobes or shelving units. This helps you make the most of the room in your home, without over-cluttering it, to begin with! In some Strata homes, built-in wardrobes are included in the master bedroom, offering a great storage space that is hidden away and blends seamlessly with the room.

Check the measurements

Before you start buying furniture or other items for your new home, you’ll need to check the measurements for each and every room. You can find the room dimensions on your floorplans. This helps you avoid buying items that are too large or too small for the space, and can also help you plan where you’ll be placing them.

Ask what the best internet provider is in your area

Ask your friends, family, and neighbours about the internet service providers they currently use (and would avoid) in your area. This gives you a first-hand account of the reliability and speed of the services they provide, and stops you from wasting money on a provider that isn’t as helpful for your new home.

Get to know your neighbours beforehand

Moving into your new build home is also a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours and build a sense of community. So, when you prepare for moving house:

  • Introduce yourself to your neighbours
  • Sign up for any upcoming events or gatherings
  • Join the community Facebook group or other online communication channel
  • Use #MyStrataStory to find your neighbours on Instagram and chat to the wider Strata homeowner community.

And there you have it, our top preparation tips for moving into a new builds.

By following our checklist, you can ensure a stress-free transition into your new build home. Here at Strata, we’re here to help you with your home-buying journey, so head over to our home-buying advice hub to find other guides on different, home-related topics, like how to reserve a new build.

Other articles you might like
How To Sell Your Home In 6 Simple Steps
Insights How To Sell Your Home In 6 Simple Steps
Laura Gordon
Laura Gordon
Jul 25, 2024
Are Green Mortgages Better For New Build Buyers?
Insights Are Green Mortgages Better For New Build Buyers?
Natalie Wilson
Natalie Wilson
Jul 19, 2024
Should I Part Exchange My House?
Insights Should I Part Exchange My House?
Laura Gordon
Laura Gordon
Jul 17, 2024
Other articles from this author View all
Do new builds keep their value?
Insights Do new builds keep their value?
Laura Gordon
Laura Gordon
Jul 8, 2024
What are the differences between buying and renting a property?
Insights What are the differences between buying and renting a property?
Laura Gordon
Laura Gordon
Jan 29, 2024
How to reserve a new build
Insights How to reserve a new build
Laura Gordon
Laura Gordon
Dec 11, 2023
View all