The night before: how to prep for a stress-free move

You have done the big planning. Now it is the night before and you want tomorrow to go smoothly. Here is a checklist to run through.

Pack an essentials bag. Keep a separate bag with everything you will need on night one: phone charger, toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, a towel, snacks, tea bags, and a mug. You do not want to dig through fifteen boxes at midnight looking for your toothbrush. Use the Casamates shopping list to track what you still need to grab before the move.

Confirm key collection. Double-check what time you can pick up your keys, where to collect them, and who to contact if there is a delay. Save the letting agent or landlord's number in your phone; you will want it accessible, not buried in an email chain.

Confirm your transport. If you booked a van, confirm the pickup time and check the route. If friends are helping, send them a reminder with the address and parking info. If you are using movers, confirm the arrival window.

Label your boxes by room. If you have not already, grab a marker and label the top and side of every box with the room it belongs in. This saves hours of shuffling things around once you arrive.

Charge everything. Phone, laptop, portable speaker: charge it all overnight. Moving day eats battery life, especially if you are relying on your phone for directions, group chats, and the inevitable "where are you?" calls.

Get some sleep. Seriously. Moving day is physically tiring and often longer than you expect. Go to bed at a reasonable hour. Tomorrow-you will be grateful.