Your Moving Day Survival Kit
By Lauren Prescott, removals specialist with 15 years of industry experience · Updated January 2025
A moving day survival kit should cover tools, cleaning supplies, food and paperwork, all kept with you rather than loaded onto the lorry. One clearly marked box and one bag per person is all it takes to avoid opening fifteen crates just to find a phone charger.
The short answer
- Keep your survival kit in the car, never on the removal lorry.
- Pack basic tools for reassembling furniture and fixing small problems.
- Both properties usually need a quick clean, so bring basic cleaning kit.
- Feed everyone, crew included, to keep the day moving efficiently.
- Put all paperwork in one folder you can find instantly.
Why a survival kit matters
On a long moving day, the last thing you want is to start unpacking boxes in search of a phone charger or a roll of bin bags. A single clearly labelled kit, kept apart from the main load, means you always know exactly where the essentials are.
Tools and practical items
A small tool kit earns its place in almost every move, whether you are reassembling flat pack furniture, fixing a stuck drawer or simply opening paint tins to check colours against your new walls.
- A set of screwdrivers and an allen key set
- Scissors and a sharp utility knife
- Spare packing tape and a permanent marker
- A torch, since fuse boards are not always where you expect
- A multi socket extension lead and spare batteries
Cleaning kit for both properties
Even a professionally cleaned house benefits from a once over, and your old home will usually need a final tidy before you hand back the keys.
- All purpose cleaning spray and cloths
- Bin bags, plenty of them
- Kitchen roll and a dustpan and brush
- A hoover kept back rather than loaded early, if space allows
Food and comfort
Removal crews and families alike work faster and in better spirits when everyone is properly fed. Plan for tea and a snack mid morning, lunch, and a simple dinner once the day is done.
- Kettle, mugs, teabags and coffee
- Bottled water and some easy snacks
- A takeaway menu or two for the first night
- Disposable cups and plates, so there is no washing up
Paperwork to keep close
Keep every document related to the move in a single folder you carry yourself. This avoids a stressful search through boxes if a query comes up on the day.
- Your removal company's quote and booking confirmation
- Tenancy agreement or completion statement
- Meter readings for both properties
- Insurance documents and policy numbers
- Estate agent, solicitor and removal company contact numbers
A one page checklist
Use the table below as a last check before the van arrives, to confirm nothing essential has been packed away by mistake.
| Item | Where it should be |
|---|---|
| Phone chargers | With you, not on the lorry |
| Medication | With you at all times |
| Passports and ID | With you at all times |
| Kettle and mugs | Last box loaded, first box unloaded |
| Toolkit | In the car boot |
Frequently asked questions
Should the survival kit travel in the removal van?
No, it should travel in your own car. The point of the kit is to have it accessible the moment you arrive, which is not guaranteed if it is loaded among the rest of the furniture.
What do I need for the crew, not just myself?
Tea, coffee and somewhere to sit for a break go a long way. Crews moving heavy furniture all day appreciate it, and a well fed team tends to work at a steadier, safer pace.
Do I need cleaning supplies if I have booked a cleaner?
It is still worth keeping a small cleaning kit handy for spot cleaning or dealing with an unexpected mess, even if a professional clean is booked for later.
What is the most commonly forgotten survival kit item?
Phone chargers and a torch are the two items people most often pack away by accident, usually because they end up in a box with other electrical items rather than kept separately.
Planning a move?
BlueSky Removals gives fixed written prices after a free video or home survey. Call 0800 090 3125 or request a quote online.