Before You Start: Understand the New Build Completion Process
Unlike buying a resale property, your completion date on a new build is set by the developer and can shift. Builders typically give you a 10-day notice window once the property passes final inspection. This means you need to be flexible with your moving arrangements.
Key things to confirm with your developer before planning your move:
- The estimated completion date and how much notice you will receive
- Whether you will get a home demonstration (a walkthrough where the site manager explains how your heating, ventilation, and appliances work)
- What time you can collect keys on completion day
- Access restrictions on the estate for large removal vehicles
- Whether communal areas, driveways, and gardens will be fully finished by your move-in date
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
Book Your Snagging Inspection
A snagging inspection identifies defects in your new build before you move in. Common issues include paint imperfections, poorly fitted doors, scratched worktops, uneven tiling, and minor plumbing faults.
You can carry out the inspection yourself using a checklist, but many buyers hire a professional snagging company. Expect to pay between £300 and £600 depending on the property size. The developer is legally obligated to fix defects reported within the first two years under your builder warranty.
Get Removal Quotes
Start collecting quotes from at least three removal companies. For a typical two to three bedroom house in the UK, expect to pay:
- Local move (under 50 miles): £400–£800
- Long-distance move (over 50 miles): £800–£1,500
- Packing service add-on: £150–£400 extra
Check that the company is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and confirm their insurance covers accidental damage. Book early — removal firms fill up fast, especially around school holidays and month-ends.
Start Decluttering
Moving fewer items saves money on removal costs and makes unpacking faster. Sell unwanted furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, donate clothing to charity shops, and recycle anything beyond repair. The less you move, the cheaper and quicker the process.
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
Set Up Utilities and Broadband
New build estates often have pre-installed meters, but you still need to register accounts with energy suppliers. Contact the developer to find out which suppliers are connected by default — you can switch later if you find a better deal.
Broadband is critical to arrange early. Many new build estates require a fresh line installation from Openreach, which can take two to four weeks. Order your broadband now to avoid weeks without internet after moving in. Check whether your estate has fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) — most new builds do.
Notify Key Organisations
Update your address with the following:
- Royal Mail redirect: Set up mail forwarding (from £35.99 for 3 months) to catch anything sent to your old address
- Bank, credit cards, and savings accounts
- HMRC and your employer for tax records and payroll
- DVLA: Update your driving licence and vehicle registration (free online)
- Council tax: Inform both your old and new local councils
- Electoral roll: Register at your new address to protect your credit score
- Insurance providers: Home, car, and life policies
- GP, dentist, and optician: Register with local practices near your new home
- Schools: If you have children, confirm catchment areas and notify the school
- TV Licence
2 Weeks Before Moving Day
Start Packing Methodically
Begin with rooms and items you use least — spare bedrooms, books, decorative items, and seasonal clothing. Work towards everyday essentials last.
- Label every box with the room name and a brief description of contents (e.g. "Kitchen — pans and baking trays")
- Use colour-coded tape or stickers for each room to help movers place boxes correctly
- Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap or packing paper — newspaper ink can stain
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in larger ones
- Photograph electronics before disconnecting cables so you can reconnect them easily
Prepare Your Essentials Box
Pack a clearly marked box (or suitcase) with everything you will need on your first night. This should include:
- Kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, sugar, and long-life milk
- Toilet roll, hand soap, and towels
- Phone chargers and a portable power bank
- Basic toolkit (screwdriver, hammer, tape measure, utility knife)
- Bedding and pillows for the first night
- Snacks and bottled water
- Any medication you take regularly
- Important documents (contracts, ID, warranty paperwork)
1 Week Before Moving Day
- Confirm the removal company — call to verify the date, arrival time, and any access requirements for your new estate
- Take meter readings at your current property for final utility bills
- Defrost your freezer at least 24 hours before the move
- Clean your current property if renting or arrange a professional end-of-tenancy clean
- Check parking and access at your new build — some estates restrict large vehicle access during construction. Ask the site manager if you need a permit or specific delivery slot
- Collect keys information — confirm with your solicitor what time completion will go through and when you can collect keys from the developer
Moving Day
At Your Old Property
- Take final meter readings and photograph them
- Check every room, cupboard, loft, and shed before leaving
- Lock up and hand over keys to the estate agent or landlord
At Your New Build
- Take meter readings as soon as you arrive and photograph them
- Test everything: Run all taps, flush toilets, test the boiler, check that all light switches and power sockets work
- Check for damage: Walk through every room and note anything that looks damaged or incomplete — this supports your snagging report
- Locate your stopcock, fuse box, and boiler controls — your home demonstration should have covered these, but double-check
- Direct the movers using your colour-coded labelling system so boxes go straight to the right rooms
- Set up beds first — after a long day of moving, having somewhere to sleep is the priority
Your First Week in the Property
- Register for council tax with your new local authority
- Register on the electoral roll at your new address — this is important for your credit file
- Register with a local GP and dentist
- Set up your home insurance if you have not already — your mortgage lender will require buildings insurance from completion day
- Submit your snagging list to the developer in writing, keeping a copy for your records
- Read your NHBC or warranty documentation — most new builds come with a 2-year builder warranty for defects and a 10-year structural warranty (typically NHBC Buildmark, LABC, or Premier Guarantee)
- Meet your neighbours — on a new build estate, many of you will be moving in around the same time, which makes it easier to build a community
New Build-Specific Tips Most Guides Miss
Expect Some Settling
New build homes settle over the first 12 months. Small hairline cracks in plaster and slight gaps around door frames are normal and are not structural defects. The developer should address these under your two-year warranty if they are excessive.
Ventilation Matters
Modern new builds are built to be airtight for energy efficiency. This means condensation can be an issue, especially in the first winter. Keep trickle vents open on windows, use extractor fans when cooking and showering, and avoid drying clothes on radiators without ventilation.
Gardens and Landscaping
Many new builds come with a basic turfed garden or bare soil. Your garden will need attention — especially if the topsoil is thin or compacted from construction. Adding quality topsoil, compost, and proper drainage early on will save you problems later.
Know Your Developer Contact
After completion, your main point of contact shifts from the sales team to the customer care or aftercare team. Get their contact details, response times, and the process for reporting defects. Most developers have an online portal for logging issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move into a new build?
Beyond the property purchase, budget around £500–£2,000 for removal costs, £300–£600 for a snagging inspection, and a few hundred pounds for essentials like curtains, blinds, and light fittings — which are often not included in new builds.
Do new builds come with white goods?
This varies by developer. Some include an oven and hob as standard, while others include a full kitchen appliance pack. Check your specification document carefully. Washing machines, fridge-freezers, and tumble dryers are rarely included unless specified.
Can I move in before snagging is complete?
Yes. Most buyers move in and then submit their snagging list within the first few weeks. However, booking a pre-completion snagging inspection (before you move your furniture in) gives the inspector full access to walls, floors, and fittings.
What if my new build completion date gets delayed?
Delays are common with new builds. If your completion is pushed back, your solicitor can advise on your rights under the contract. You may need to extend your mortgage offer, arrange temporary accommodation, or extend your current tenancy. Keep your removal company informed — most will rebook free of charge with sufficient notice.
Do I need to fit my own curtains and blinds?
In most cases, yes. New builds typically come with bare windows. Order curtain poles, blinds, or shutters in advance and arrange fitting for soon after you move in. Measure windows after completion, not from plans — dimensions can vary slightly from drawings.