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Quick answer: start planning a house move in Nairobi three to four weeks ahead. Book movers who survey your home and give an itemised written quote, avoid month-end dates if you can, declutter before you pack, pack room by room with clear labels, and confirm lift, parking and access at both homes. On moving day, keep valuables and documents with you and check the inventory as items arrive. The week-by-week checklist below covers every step.
Our crews move homes every week across Nairobi, from bedsitters in Kasarani to five-bedroom houses in Karen. This guide brings together what we have learned from more than 1,000 moves since 2019.
House moving checklist: week by week
4 weeks before
- Confirm your moving date, your lease end and the date you get the keys to the new home.
- Ask two or three movers for a home survey and an itemised written quote.
- Start decluttering: sell, donate or dispose of anything you will not take.
- If the new home is not ready, arrange short-term storage.
3 weeks before
- Book your movers and confirm the date, start time, crew size and what is included.
- Give notice to your landlord and agree the handover and deposit refund.
- Arrange school transfers, and book any repairs or cleaning at the new home.
- Measure doors, stairwells and rooms at the new home for large furniture.
2 weeks before
- Transfer or book internet, DStv or other subscriptions for the new address.
- Buy prepaid KPLC tokens or confirm the meter account, and check the water supply.
- Start packing rooms and items you use least: guest rooms, books, seasonal clothes.
- Use up food in the freezer and pantry.
1 week before
- Pack everything except daily essentials, and label each box with its room and contents.
- Ask both buildings about lift bookings, gate access, parking for the truck and moving hours.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, KRA and delivery services.
- Pack an essentials box: documents, chargers, medication, toiletries, a kettle and a change of clothes.
The day before
- Defrost and dry the fridge and freezer.
- Charge your phone and keep the movers’ contact number handy.
- Set aside cash, jewellery, laptops and important documents to carry yourself.
Moving day
- Be there when the crew arrives and walk them through the house.
- Point out fragile, valuable and heavy items, and anything that is not moving.
- Do a last walk-through of every room, cupboard and the roof or store before you leave.
- At the new home, tell the crew where each room is and check items off as they come in.
After the move
- Unpack the kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom first.
- Check furniture and appliances for damage and report any issues to the movers straight away.
- Change the locks or gate access codes if you can.
- Meet the caretaker and neighbours, and find the nearest shops, hospital and police station.
Packing your home room by room
- Kitchen. Wrap plates and glasses individually, stand plates on their edge, and fill gaps with towels or paper. Mark boxes as fragile.
- Bedrooms. Leave clothes on hangers in wardrobe boxes, pack bedding in bags, and keep bolts and screws from dismantled beds in a labelled bag taped to the frame.
- Living room. Pack TVs in their original box or wrap them in blankets. Photograph cable connections before you unplug.
- Bathroom. Seal liquids in plastic bags and pack medication in your essentials box.
- Store and outside. Drain fuel from generators and lawn mowers, and clean and dry garden tools.
Use strong boxes or plastic crates, and do not overfill them: heavy items go in small boxes, light items in large ones. For glassware, mirrors and art, see our guide to packing fragile items.
Moving an apartment: stairs, lifts and building rules
Apartment moves in areas like Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Westlands need extra planning. Book the service lift with the caretaker or management, and ask whether moves are only allowed at certain times. Check that the truck can park near the entrance, and protect lift walls, floors and corners. If there is no lift, tell your movers at the survey so they bring enough crew for the stairs. Measure your sofa, wardrobe and fridge against the doors and stairwell so nothing gets stuck.
Moving furniture without damage
- Dismantle. Take apart beds, wardrobes, dining tables and TV units, and keep fittings together and labelled.
- Wrap. Cover wood and upholstery in blankets, padding and stretch film, and protect corners and glass panels.
- Load carefully. Heavy items go in first against the truck wall, strapped in place.
- Reassemble. At the new home, the crew rebuilds furniture and places it where you want it.
Full-service or DIY: which suits you?
| Option | What you do | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full service | Nothing: the movers pack, move, unpack and set up | Busy families, larger homes, fragile items |
| Partial service | You pack, the movers load, move and set up furniture | Smaller homes and tighter budgets |
| Transport only | You pack and load, the movers drive | A few items over a short distance |
Whichever you choose, pick a mover who surveys before quoting and puts the price in writing. Our guide on how to choose movers in Nairobi lists what to check and the red flags to avoid.
What affects the cost of a house move
- The size of your home and how much you are moving
- The distance between the two homes, and Nairobi traffic on the route
- Packing materials and whether the movers pack for you
- Stairs, lifts, narrow roads and parking at both homes
- Fragile, heavy or high-value items such as pianos, safes and artwork
- The date: month-end and weekends book up fastest
Every house move is quoted after a free survey, so you know the full price before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Book at least one week ahead for a small home and two to four weeks ahead for a larger house. Month-end dates fill up quickly, so book earlier if you are moving then.
Mid-month weekdays are usually easiest to book and often cheaper. Starting early in the morning helps you avoid the worst traffic.
With a full-service move, yes. The crew brings boxes, wrapping and padding, packs every room, and unpacks at the new home.
Yes. Beds, wardrobes, tables, cribs and TV units are taken apart, wrapped, moved and rebuilt at your new home.
Carry cash, jewellery, important documents, laptops, medication and an essentials box with chargers, toiletries and a change of clothes.
Tell your movers at the survey so they send enough crew and plan the carry. Measure large furniture against the stairwell and doors, and dismantle anything that will not fit.
Planning a house move?
Nairobi Movers handles house moving across every Nairobi estate and to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, with packing, furniture setup and secure storage if you need it. We work 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. Call 0724 225 178 or WhatsApp us to book a free home survey.
