Moving house ranks among life’s most stressful events, but with proper planning and a detailed timeline, your Irish move can be smooth and organised. This comprehensive 8-week countdown ensures nothing gets overlooked, from initial research to settling into your new home.
8 Weeks Out: Research & Budgeting
Begin your moving journey by gathering quotes from at least three reputable moving companies in Ireland. Local Movers provides free, no-obligation estimates tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re relocating a one-bedroom apartment in Dublin or a four-bedroom house in Athlone. Create a realistic moving budget that accounts for removal costs, packing supplies, utility connection fees, and a contingency fund of 10-15% for unexpected expenses.
This is the ideal time to start decluttering systematically. Go room by room and sort items into four categories: keep, donate, sell, or discard. Donating unwanted items to Irish charities like St. Vincent de Paul or the Salvation Army not only lightens your load but also supports your local community. Selling furniture and household goods through Facebook marketplace, DoneDeal or Adverts.ie can offset some of your moving costs.
6 Weeks Out: Booking & Logistics
Confirm your booking with Local Movers and secure your preferred moving date. Peak moving season in Ireland runs from May to September, so booking early is essential to guarantee availability. Request written confirmation of all agreed services, costs, and insurance coverage.
Begin gathering packing supplies including sturdy cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and permanent markers for labeling. Local Movers offers eco-friendly packing materials and reusable plastic crates as sustainable alternatives to single-use cardboard. Notify employers, schools, and childcare providers of your upcoming move, providing at least four weeks’ notice where possible.
4 Weeks Out: The Big Pack Begins
Start packing non-essential items such as out-of-season clothing, books, decorative items, and spare linens. Pack one room at a time to maintain organization and clearly label each box with its contents and destination room. Use a color-coding system or numbering scheme to make unpacking more efficient.
Contact your utility providers to arrange transfers or final meter readings. Key providers to notify include ESB Networks for electricity, Gas Networks Ireland for natural gas, your internet service provider, and your local waste collection company. Schedule disconnection at your old property and connection at your new address, ensuring minimal service disruption.
2 Weeks Out: Final Arrangements
Reconfirm all details with Local Movers, including arrival time, parking arrangements, and any special requirements like stairs or narrow access. Set up An Post’s Mail Redirection service to forward your post to your new address for at least three months. This service costs €65 for three months or €155 for twelve months and ensures you don’t miss important correspondence during the transition.
Pack a personal essentials bag containing items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Include toiletries, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, important documents, and basic kitchen supplies like tea, coffee, and snacks. Keep this bag with you rather than loading it onto the moving van.
Moving Week: The Final Countdown
Complete your final packing, leaving only daily essentials accessible. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day, allowing time for proper cleaning and drying. Clean your old property thoroughly, or arrange for professional end-of-tenancy cleaning if required by your lease agreement.
Prepare for moving day by ensuring clear access to your property, arranging parking permits if needed in urban areas, and protecting floors and doorframes from potential damage. Conduct a final walkthrough of your old home, checking cupboards, the attic, and the garden shed for forgotten items. Keep your essentials bag, important documents, valuables, and keys with you at all times during the move.
Moving Day Success Strategies
On moving day, be present to supervise the loading process and answer questions from your Local Movers team. Take meter readings for electricity, gas, and water at both properties as proof of final consumption. Keep a detailed inventory list and check off items as they’re loaded and unloaded.
Upon arrival at your new home, direct the movers on where to place furniture and boxes. Conduct a thorough inspection of your belongings before signing off on the delivery. Take meter readings at your new property and photograph any pre-existing damage for your records.
First Week in Your New Home
Unpack systematically, starting with essential rooms like bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. Update your address with critical institutions within your first week, including the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social Protection, and your local Property Tax office. Register with a local GP, dentist, and pharmacy in your new area.
Introduce yourself to neighbours and familiarise yourself with local amenities including shops, public transport routes, and community facilities. Take time to explore your new neighbourhood and locate essential services like the nearest Garda station, post office, and recycling centre.
