How to Move House While Working Full-Time: A Step-by-Step Guide

Relocating can be a tricky process at the best of times, but moving house while working can feel like an immense task!

However, with the right plan in place, you can navigate both responsibilities without feeling too overwhelmed.

White & Company’s step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know about moving while keeping your job commitments in order.

With over 150 years of experience moving customers across the globe, we have a few tricks and tips that will help make your move as seamless as possible.

So, let’s delve into the best way to move house while working full-time!

1. Understand Your Timeline and Commitments

Make sure you have a good grasp of the timeline of your move so you can plan accordingly.

Begin by taking a realistic look at your schedule.

If you’re juggling full-time work with preparations to move house while working, there’s little room for leaving tasks to the last minute.

Identify the dates you need to vacate your current property, pin down your move-in date, and map out any deadlines for paperwork or utilities.

Working backwards from your moving date will give structure to your plan.

By clearly marking key milestones in a calendar—such as dates for giving notice to your landlord or finalising contracts for your new property—you’ll reduce the chance of clashing work obligations with major move-related tasks.

2. Create a Clear Strategy for Packing

Having a plan for how you are going to pack can make the process less stressful.

Packing is often the most time-consuming aspect of moving house.

With a full-time role to consider, you’ll benefit from a room-by-room approach.

Rather than tackling everything at once, break the job down into small daily or weekend tasks.

Label boxes carefully and keep an inventory, ensuring you can locate essential items when unpacking.

Spreading tasks out over several weeks, rather than cramming everything into one frantic weekend, will help you stay on top of work duties.

You could also set aside a designated “packing area” in your home so the chaos doesn’t spill into your living areas.

You may also wish to consider selling some of you belongings online or donating them to charity.

Websites like Ebay are a great way to offload any unwanted items – giving you a little extra cash and reducing the amount of items you need to move to your new home!

3. Inform Your Workplace Early

Let your employer know about your move ahead of time.

Open communication with your employer is vital when you move house while working.

Let your manager or HR team know about your upcoming move as soon as you confirm the dates.

This can help secure flexible scheduling or request time off for the actual move day.

Where possible, try to cluster essential moving tasks—such as estate agent appointments or property surveys—on days off or during quieter work periods.

The more proactive you are in sharing your situation, the more likely your workplace will support you through flexi-time or remote working options.

4. Book Professional Help in Advance

Booking a professional removals can make the moving process a lot more manageable. 

When your schedule is already occupied by a 9-to-5 (or beyond), leaving the heavy lifting to professionals can be a lifesaver.

Research reputable removals companies early, reading customer reviews and confirming what’s included in their service packages.

White & Company has a longstanding reputation for reliability, offering bespoke solutions tailored to your timetable.

From packing assistance to secure storage, our team ensures your move is orchestrated efficiently, allowing you to do your job rather than worrying about every detail of the relocation.

5. Consider Additional Services

White & Company offer a range of additional services designed to make your move as easy as possible.

If you’re in a high-pressure job or short on free time, exploring extra support can make all the difference.

Many removal firms provide optional services such as packing, dismantling furniture, or even unpacking at your new address.

Although these services come at an extra cost, the time and stress they save can be invaluable, particularly if you’re determined to maintain focus at work in the days leading up to the move.

Take an honest look at your situation to see if it’s worth investing in professional help that minimises the mental load.

6. Schedule Your Key Duties Wisely

Finding time for viewings, deliveries, and general move-related tasks can be tricky when you have fixed work hours.

Consider arranging property visits or final checks outside your busiest periods.

Book half-days or use annual leave for key milestones like moving day itself, if possible.

Creating a dedicated move diary, either digitally or on paper, will allow you to fit important tasks into your calendar more effectively.

Colour-coding personal commitments versus professional appointments can also help you maintain clarity in a hectic period.

7. Prepare an Essentials Bag

There are certain items you will need to keep handy on moving day.

On moving day, having an essentials bag can be a game-changer!

Fill it with items such as a change of clothes, important documents, phone chargers, snacks and basic toiletries.

Keep it accessible so you don’t have to rummage through boxes after a long shift at work.

Taking this step prevents frustration when you arrive at your new home, possibly late in the evening, and just want to unwind without searching for your toothbrush or laptop charger.

8. Keep Communication Open

Moving doesn’t stop once you’ve left your old property.

You’ll need to coordinate with utility providers, estate agents, and possibly your new landlord, all while balancing workplace demands.

Keep contact details easily accessible, and don’t hesitate to reach out if any concerns crop up.

It’s also polite to inform your current neighbours if the removal van might inconvenience them and to introduce yourself to new neighbours before your move (if that’s possible).

These small acts of courtesy help you maintain a positive impression before and after the move.

9. Final Checks Before Leaving

Have a run-through of your property before you leave to make sure everything is in order.

Before handing over your old keys, have a final walkthrough to confirm nothing is left behind and that all utilities are switched off or set to an appropriate level.

Dispose of any rubbish responsibly and leave behind any agreed fixtures or information that may help the new occupants.

These finishing touches ensure you depart on good terms, leaving your old home in a condition you’d like to find if you were the one moving in.

10. Arriving and Unpacking

Take your time unpacking, fitting this task into your work schedule can be tricky. 

Unpacking can seem overwhelming, especially when juggling work commitments right after the move.

Take it steadily, focusing on essential rooms such as the bedroom and bathroom first.

The living areas, decorative items, and finer details can follow in your spare time.

If you’ve enlisted professional help, some unpacking may already be completed.

Once your belongings are organised, you can settle in and tackle your next priority, returning to a normal routine as soon as possible.

How White & Company Can Help

At White & Company, we know how challenging it can be to move house while working.

With decades of experience, our team offers everything from professional packing and furniture assembly to secure storage solutions, all designed to align with your schedule.

Our goal is to ensure your transition is seamless, allowing you to concentrate on your job without feeling overwhelmed by the demands of relocation.

If you have an upcoming move that you need to start planning for, we’re here to help!

Simply call us on the number listed at the top of the page or complete our quick contact form. 

A team member will be happy to answer any questions you may have and start your move.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.