The truck has left. It is getting dark, the generator is not yet connected, and the box with the kettle is somewhere under three wardrobes. Many families spend the first night of a move eating biscuits on the floor because nobody planned what comes off the truck first.
A little thinking before moving day makes the first night comfortable and the next morning easy.
Pack an essentials box before anything else
On the last evening in the old place, fill one or two boxes you will carry yourself, or mark clearly, and put them last on the truck so they come off first.
Include:
- Phone chargers and a power bank.
- Torch or rechargeable lamp, and spare bulbs.
- Toilet paper, soap, towels and a change of clothes for each person.
- Medicines and any baby supplies.
- Kettle, a pot, plates, cups, cutlery and a sharp knife.
- Water, tea, bread, noodles or other food that needs little cooking.
- A basic tool kit: screwdriver, pliers, tape and a few extension sockets.
- Bedding for everyone.
Write "OPEN FIRST" on every side of the box in big letters.
What should come off the truck first
When you tell the helpers the order, you save an hour of searching. A sensible order is:
- The essentials box.
- Mattresses and bed frames.
- Fridge and freezer, if they need to be stood and left before switching on.
- The kitchen box and a table or counter.
- Wardrobes and chests for the bedrooms.
- Living room furniture.
- Everything else.
Put a person at the door with a list, so each item goes straight to the right room instead of piling up in the corridor.
Beds before everything
A bed made by 8pm changes the mood of the whole day. Assemble the frames, put the mattresses on them and make them up with sheets and a mosquito net where needed. Children and tired adults sleep better, and you can unpack the next day with a clear head.
If a bed frame needs tools, keep the screws in a bag labelled with the room name, taped to the headboard.
Check power, water and security
Before the helpers leave, take ten minutes for three checks:
- Do the lights, sockets and your inverter or generator work in each room?
- Do the taps and the toilet run, and is there water in the tank?
- Do the gate, doors, windows and locks close properly?
If something is wrong, tell the landlord or caretaker straight away, and photograph the problem so it is recorded as it was on day one.
Read our note on moving into a new-build or unfinished house in Lagos if the building is not fully finished.
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Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
Set up the kitchen in a simple way
Do not unpack every plate on night one. Find the kettle or pot, a few cups, plates and cutlery, and a place to wash them. Leave the rest in labelled boxes until the shelves are wiped.
If you have a gas cooker or cylinder, set them up in a ventilated place with the right connections. Follow the manufacturer's guidance, and see moving a gas cooker and cylinder for a short checklist.
The next morning: three jobs, then rest
Start with a short list, so the day does not swallow you.
- Walk through every room and compare the furniture with your inventory. Anything missing should be reported to the driver the same day.
- Unpack the kitchen and bathroom fully, because they are used all day.
- Flatten and stack the empty boxes in one corner, and arrange for them to be taken away.
Leave pictures and ornaments for later. A house feels like home when it works, not when it looks finished.
If you labelled boxes well, unpacking becomes a matter of reading. See labelling and numbering boxes for a method that works.
How to do this on Sphere
When you request a truck or pickup van on Sphere, add a line in the load description such as "essentials box to come off first, mattresses next". Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer, and tell them the offload order. Propose a price and compare the offers and counter-offers you receive.
You can also look at house moving in Lagos for more planning ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the one box I should not forget?
The essentials box with chargers, lamp, toilet paper, kettle, towels and bedding. Mark it clearly and make sure it is loaded last.
Should I assemble beds on moving day?
Yes, if you can. A made bed makes the first night much easier, especially with children.
How soon should I check the new house?
Before the helpers leave. Test the lights, taps and locks, and photograph any problem straight away.
Can I leave unpacking for a few days?
Yes. Do the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom first, then unpack the rest at your own pace.
What should I do with the empty boxes?
Flatten them, stack them in one corner and arrange to have them collected or reused within a few days, so they do not take over the house.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
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