To mark National Moving Day, Barratt and David Wilson Homes are sharing practical tips for North Yorkshire residents to help ease the stress of relocating.

National Moving Day, observed on August 19, aims to drive awareness and bring together players in the home moving industry, including removals, storage, estate agents, and solicitors.

It falls just before the busiest moving day of the year, according to Barratt and David Wilson Homes.

Sam Wood, sales director, said: “With many people looking to take their next step along the property ladder this time of year, we at Barratt and David Wilson Homes are here to help make that move easier and more achievable.

“For anyone with an existing home to sell, we would like to offer our industry insight into how to best prepare your home and yourself for that big move.”

According to Compare My Move, summer—especially August—is the most popular time to move house.

Families often use the school holidays to settle children before the new term begins, and the longer days and better weather make the process less challenging.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes recommend starting preparations early.

A moving checklist with dates and deadlines, ideally four to six weeks before moving day, can help keep things on track.

Booking a reliable removal company early is also advised, especially during the busy summer season.

Decluttering is another key step recommended by the house builder.

Sorting items into keep, donate, sell, and recycle piles can reduce both the workload and moving costs.

It also makes unpacking at the new home easier.

The builder says important documents—such as IDs, contracts, and insurance papers—should be kept close and easily accessible, as losing these in the move can cause complications.

They suggest using a clearly labelled folder or digital copy to help prevent this.

People are also urged to notify banks, schools, and utility providers of the address change, and to take meter readings at both properties.

Labelling boxes by room and contents—such as ‘study – books’—is a suggested way of saving time and confusion during unpacking.

Colour-coded stickers or tape can make the process smoother, and cleaning as you pack is recommended.

The builder suggests cleaning drawers and cupboards as they’re emptied to avoid a last-minute rush.

When it comes to the final stages of moving, they advise packing an essentials bag with chargers, mugs, tea bags, toiletries, and pyjamas.

They also suggest arranging childcare or pet care to help ease the transition.