The Ultimate Moving House Checklist
Whether you’re moving interstate, internationally or just to another suburb - moving house is stressful. With so many things to do and consider, it’s easy to forget simple things along the way. We’ve crafted this checklist to help you stay organized when moving house, and efficiently navigate the process.
4-8 Weeks Out
Organize a rental property to move into
Our expert relocation consultants can assist you in sourcing and securing a property to suit your requirements, as this can be near impossible to do on your own if relocating from another city or country
Give notice at your current property and settle any outstanding bills
Organize a removalist company
We can assist you with providing quotes from multiple removalist companies to ensure you are given a competitive price. Ensure you book your removalist well in advance and go with a reputable and reliable company to reduce the stress on moving day
Use this as an opportunity to Spring clean
When moving house, you might realize how much “clutter” you have accumulated over the years. Moving house is a great opportunity to sort through what you want to keep, donate, sell or dispose of.
As a brief rule of thumb, if you haven’t used something in a year or don’t plan on using it in the next year, you should consider selling or donating it.
There are many places to sell items online - such as gumtree, facebook marketplace or ebay, and many charities where you can donate unwanted items.
Invest in boxes with wheels for heavier items
You can purchase these quite cheaply at your local Bunnings or hardware store. Shop in advance to avoid buying overpriced ones last minute
Start packing sooner than you think.
Packing items two months prior to your move may seem like overkill, but the key to a stress-free relocation is preparation, so it’s important to start packing much sooner than you think. Items which you don’t use regularly or won’t need in the near future can be packed first, such as winter clothes, if you’re moving in summer. Using this method, you can slowly pack over the weeks leading up to your move and avoid leaving everything to last minute (which creates a lot of stress!)
Pack boxes by section for each room, with heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top. Label each box with it’s room destination and a brief inventory list so you know what’s inside
Ensure valuable or fragile items are packaged properly to reduce the risk of damage when moving.
Allow for extra time to properly package your prized possessions so they can be transported safely. Removalist and storage companies offer many solutions for packaging items, including bubble wrap and styrofoam balls.
Make sure to label any boxes which require extra care when moving as “FRAGILE”
Collate all your important personal documents in a safe place
Birth certificates, passports, wills, degrees or any other important documents should be placed together in a safe place - ideally something that’s waterproof and can transport the documents securely
Organize a rental car in your destination
If you require a car when you arrive at your new destination, organize your rental car in advance to secure a good deal and make sure a car is available from a pickup location
Organize your pet transfer
If you’re relocating with a furry friend, ensure to organize this well in advance, as often there are vaccination requirements which must be started weeks prior to moving. You can read more information about relocating with a pet here.
Shop smart - use up what you have, and don’t buy as much until after you move.
Use up the consumables you have at home leading up to your move - including toiletries, kitchen pantry items and perishable food in your fridge and freezer. Don’t stock up on foods or toiletries like you normally might, so you can reduce the amount you need to move with
Research your new home
Find out where all the amenities such as gyms, supermarkets, doctors and cafes, are located in your new suburb
Create a floor plan of furniture placement for items in your new home
Our relocation consultants can take measurements of each room in the property on your behalf, so you can create an accurate floor plan and ensure your furniture will fit
Book your flights
Book your flights as far in advance as possible to achieve the best price
Get excited!
2-3 Weeks Out
Notify your change of address
Change your address on your driver’s license, vehicle registration and notify the electoral office of your new address
Arrange for your important mail to be redirected to your new address
Obtain a copy of important medical records
If moving from overseas or interstate, obtain a copy of family medical records from your doctor and/or dentist, and pet medical records from your local vet
Fill any prescriptions which may be needed the week before or after the move
Start to use up all fresh food in your fridge and any open packages of food
Arrange for family or friends to look after your children and pets on moving day
Create a “handyman kit” equipped with a hammer, Allen keys, a screwdriver, nails and a stanley knife
1 Week Out
Pack your clothes on hangers easily by wrapping 10 hangers in a garbage bag and tying the bag at the bottom
Take all rubbish to the local tip and organize a council collection for white goods.
Dispose of all flammable liquids
Arrange for an end of lease clean
Arrange for final readings of gas and electricity meters with your utility companies.
We can assist you with disconnecting your old utilities and connecting you with new utilities at your new address
Organize a parking permit through the local council at your new address if you require it for street parking
Cancel or redirect any deliveries such as groceries or subscription services
Clean out the fridge and pantry
Dismantle any furniture which may be dismantled
Dismount the TV from the wall and organize for it to be gyprocked if required
Back-up computer hard drive and prepare printer and scanner for travel
Set aside bed linens and towels to be used on the first night, so beds can be made up as soon as possible on arrival day
Re-confirm all moving details with your removalist and real estate agent.
Confirm that your removalist has your contact numbers, current and new address details and clear instructions for the day.
Arrange access for the removalist truck if required
Provide the removalist with parking information at both addresses and floor plans for where each box or piece of furniture is to be taken
Organize a place and time to collect the keys from the real estate agent
Prepare a survival kit with a kettle, tea and coffee, breakfast requirements, disposable cutlery and paper plates, phone and laptop chargers, special children’s toys, school needs, pet requirements (especially leads), bathroom necessities, toilet paper, medications, snacks, corkscrew, spare light globes, scissors, first aid essentials and tools
Lightly water indoor plants and pack in plastic-lined boxes and drain the lawnmower
The Day Before Moving
Pack personal luggage to take with you
Unplug and tie up appliance cords
Say goodbye to your old neighbours
Prepare an action plan for moving day
Moving Day
Ensure items which you are moving yourself (such as medications, documents, survival kit and valuables) aren’t mixed up with the items which the removalists are responsible for, and take these with you
Ask the removalist to load kitchen boxes and bed linen/towel boxes last so they are first off the truck
Check off all items as they go into the moving truck
Do one final check of the premises to ensure you haven’t left anything behind. Make sure to check every cupboard and storage space
Turn off all the gas, electricity and water switches
Lock all doors and windows
Gather the keys for the old property and deliver them to the real estate agent
Leave a note for the new occupants, specifying your forwarding address
Assemble beds and make them up as soon as possible
Settle children and pets with familiar items for reassurance. Keep pets (especially cats) inside for a few days so they don’t run away.
Notify removalist company immediate if any items are missing or damage
Most removalist companies’ insurance policies only cover damage if notified on the same day.
Check you have all keys and relevant instructions to your new residence
Check the Entry Condition report and take photographs of the new property
Introduce yourself to your neighbours and open a bottle of champagne - you did it!
