Why a written inventory beats a mental list
Almost everyone underestimates what they own until it is sitting in boxes on the floor. A written inventory fixes that early, while there is still time to declutter, order the right supplies and book the right vehicle. It also becomes the one document everyone can work from: removal companies quote more accurately when they can see an itemised list, insurers ask for one if something is damaged, and you will know exactly which room a missing charger went into.
How to walk your home
Work from the top of the house downwards and move clockwise around each room so you never double back. Open every cupboard, drawer, wardrobe and under-bed space. Finish with the places people forget: the loft, the space under the stairs, the shed, the garage and the garden. Doing one room per session is fine — the tool above keeps a running total as you go.
What to record for each item
- What it is and how many — “Dining chair × 6” is quicker to read than six separate lines.
- Where it is going — note the destination room so movers can place it directly.
- Dimensions for anything large, so you can check doorways and stairs at the new home.
- Condition — existing scratches and dents, ideally backed up with dated photos.
- A decision — move, sell, donate, recycle or dispose.
- Fragility — flag anything that needs special wrapping or should travel with you.
Room-specific checkpoints
Kitchen and dining
- Food cupboards: use up or donate what will not travel
- Appliances: defrost the freezer well before moving day
- Glassware and crockery: count sets to plan paper and dish boxes
Bedrooms
- Bed frames: note which need dismantling
- Wardrobes: count hanging clothes for wardrobe boxes
- Mattresses: record sizes for mattress bags
Office and living room
- Cables and devices: photograph set-ups before unplugging
- Paperwork: separate identity and financial documents to carry yourself
- Bookcases: plan small boxes for books
Garage, loft and garden
- Fuels, paints and chemicals: check what movers will not carry
- Tools: bundle long-handled items together
- Bikes and outdoor furniture: note awkward shapes
Keep, sell, donate or recycle
| Decision | Upside | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | No replacement cost | Adds volume, boxes and time |
| Sell | Money back and less to move | Listings and collections take time |
| Donate | Quick, and helps others | Some charities cannot take certain items |
| Recycle or dispose | Clears clutter immediately | May involve disposal fees or trips to a local recycling centre |
Match your labels to the inventory
Give each destination room a colour and each box a number. Write the room, the number and a short contents summary on two sides of every box, and record the same number in your inventory notes. On moving day, a quick glance at the list tells you whether box 37 has arrived — and where it should go.