Completion Day Checklist: Hour by Hour

Before You Go to Bed the Night Before

• Charge your phone fully (you need it with you all day)
• Confirm your conveyancer's phone number is saved in your phone
• Confirm the estate agent's phone number is saved in your phone
• Check the route to the estate agent's office and to your new property
• Confirm which estate agent office you're collecting keys from
• Arrange for someone to be available with you if needed (emotionally or practically)
• Plan your day: block out 10am–3pm as unavailable
• Arrange parking near the estate agent if needed
• Set an alarm to be up and ready by 9:30am

7:00 AM–9:00 AM

• Get up and be ready and dressed
• Have breakfast (completion days are long, you need fuel)
• Make sure your phone is fully charged and within arm's reach
• Check you have access to funds (if bringing any own money, ensure it's arranged)
• Confirm your conveyancer's details are correct
• Be in one location and available for phone contact (don't plan to be out shopping)

9:00 AM–10:00 AM

• Your conveyancer may contact you with final confirmation
• Be ready to answer "Are you ready to proceed with completion?"
• If anything has changed overnight (your employment, your funds, anything), tell your conveyancer now
• Confirm you're available by phone all day
• Most conveyancers don't need much contact at this stage—just stay available. According to the Law Society's Conveyancing Protocol, conveyancers conduct final checks before proceeding

10:00 AM–12:00 PM

This is when the money transfer happens.

• Keep your phone with you constantly
• Don't leave the house without your phone
• Don't go to the supermarket or for a long journey
• Your conveyancer is sending funds via CHAPS to the seller's conveyancer
• The seller's conveyancer is receiving and confirming receipt
• Usually takes 2–4 hours for this to complete, but it can vary

12:00 PM–1:00 PM

• Still keeping phone with you
• Funds should be clearing soon (or already have)
• The seller's conveyancer should be authorizing key release soon
• Timing varies between cases—you may not hear anything yet
• The funds clear on a rolling basis throughout the afternoon

1:00 PM–2:30 PM

This is when the estate agent usually calls with keys ready.

• Expect a phone call from the estate agent saying keys are ready
• If you haven't heard by 2:30 pm, it doesn't mean there's a problem—just later timing
• Prepare to head to the estate agent's office
• Check you have your phone, ID (might be needed), and payment if you've arranged payment
• Plan your route to the estate agent

At the Estate Agent's Office

• Collect all keys
• Test that keys work in the front door
• Ask the agent to list all keys you've received
• Collect garage remote, alarm codes, and any access equipment
• Get a receipt for the keys
• Don't leave until you have all keys and they're tested
• If a key is missing, tell the agent immediately

On Arrival at Your New Home

First things first: don't start thinking about moving furniture. Do this:

• Locate and photograph meter readings (final-walkthrough is critical)
  • Electricity meter (front/back of house, outside)
  • Gas meter (usually outside or in garage)
  • Water meter (often under stairs or outside, might be hard to find—ask the agent if unsure)
• Write down or photograph all three meter readings
• Photograph the date and time so you have proof of when readings were taken

Property Walkthrough (First 30 Minutes)

• Go through every room systematically
• Check all agreed fixtures are present (fitted kitchen, fitted wardrobes, etc.)
• Verify no new damage since your final walkthrough
• Test light switches work (basic functionality)
• Check heating system works
• Test water runs hot and cold
• Check all doors and windows lock
• Locate the stopcock (water shut-off—you need to know where this is)
• Locate the electrics box
• Locate the gas meter
• Photograph any unexpected damage or issues
• If you find major issues, contact your conveyancer immediately

First Evening Checks (Within 2–3 Hours)

• Contact your conveyancer if you found any issues or missing items (see what can go wrong for guidance)
• Small issues (missing keys) can be sorted with a locksmith—these aren't urgent
• If major items are missing, report immediately to your conveyancer
• Confirm your conveyancer has your email/phone to send completion statements
• Ask when the HM Land Registry application will be filed

Same Day Evening (Within 24 Hours)

• Contact utilities to provide meter readings
  • Electricity: provide reading and request first bill in your name
  • Gas: provide reading and request first bill in your name
  • Water: provide reading and request first bill in your name
• Take a photo of your meter readings on your phone for your records
• Set alarm clocks if the property doesn't have them (security)
• Make sure windows and doors are locked
• Set the alarm if applicable
• Arrange to stay somewhere (removals might not happen today)
• Keep all keys safe

Within 48 Hours (Next 2 Days)

• Sort removal company final details if not already done
• Arrange home contents insurance if you need it (buildings insurance is sorted, but contents is up to you)
• Check that completion statement has arrived from conveyancer
• Confirm all bank transfers have gone through correctly
• Confirm your buildings insurance is still active and registered to your new address

Within 1 Week

• Update electoral register (online via gov.uk)
• Update council tax (local council should contact you, but verify)
• Update HMRC address (online or by post)
• Update your bank address
• Update insurance provider with new address
• Update employer with new address
• Update doctor and dentist if changing
• Update car insurance with new address
• Set up postal redirection if needed (Royal Mail)

Keep Safe

• Keep completion statement from conveyancer
• Keep keys receipt from estate agent
• Keep photos of meter readings
• Keep photos of property condition on day of completion
• Keep insurance policy documents
• Keep all completion-related emails

Completion Day Summary

Completion day is usually anticlimactic. It's a phone call, a wait, a key collection, and a walkthrough. But having this checklist means you know exactly what to do and when, which removes the stress of wondering if you're missing something.

What if my conveyancer doesn't call by 10am?

Some conveyancers are busier than others. Especially in busy periods, early contact isn't guaranteed. Wait until mid-morning, then call them for an update. Don't worry if you haven't heard anything by 10:30am—this is normal.

What if funds haven't cleared by 3pm?

Contact your conveyancer for an update. Delays happen and are usually just a matter of a few hours. Completion may happen in the evening or next business day. Keep your removal company informed.

What's the most important thing to do first when I get the keys?

Take meter readings (electricity, gas, water) and photograph them with the date visible. These readings mark the point between seller and buyer responsibility for utilities and are crucial for your first bills.

Should I arrange removals for completion day or the day after?

Day after is safer. Completion timing is unpredictable—funds could clear mid-afternoon, and you don't want your removal lorry waiting outside. Book flexibly or target the day after completion instead.