Moving House: Ultimate Timeline for a Successful Move
Take the stress out of moving by following our comprehensive guide on which tasks to tick off, when
The prospect of moving house can feel daunting, but with proper planning and a positive mindset, it is possible to get through it with your sanity intact. The keys to a successful move are giving yourself plenty of time to get organised (I’d suggest between four and six weeks) and ticking off tasks at the right time. This will help you keep track of everything and avoid any nasty, last-minute surprises. Here is my checklist for a pain-free move.
Four to six weeks before moving
- Start researching removalist companies and ask for recommendations from trusted friends or neighbours. Have a list of questions on hand to ask, including their availability on the day you want to move. Ask if they offer a packing service and boxes, how big their vans or trucks are, if they provide blankets to wrap furniture and mattresses, and if they have transit insurance.
- When you’ve chosen which company to use, book your removalist in advance for the day you want to move house.
- If it’s a DIY move, consider booking a trailer or truck to move large items.
- Arrange delivery of boxes and packing materials.
- If your removalist doesn’t provide boxes, start collecting boxes and packing materials (labels, bubble wrap, tape, markers and butcher’s paper). Alternatively, consider renting boxes.
- Working room by room, start packing the items that you don’t use regularly.
- Pack lighter items in larger boxes and heavier items in smaller boxes, with the heaviest items at the bottom.
- Wrap breakable objects in clean white butcher’s paper – not newspaper, which can soil items.
- Clearly label the contents of each box and its room destination on the tape (it can be helpful to label the side of each box, too).
- Prepare an inventory list of each carton. Note all dents and scratches on items and mark fragile items clearly.
- Make a note of any precious items that require special care for the move.
- Dispose of anything you no longer need or use. Book a skip bin or rubbish removal if you have a lot of items to get rid of. Recycle or donate items that are still in good condition (most charities don’t accept mattresses or certain electrical appliances).
- Draw up a floor plan of your new home for furniture and appliance placement. Measure the spaces to ensure that pieces will fit, particularly the fridge. Also check that items will fit through doorways.
- Sort through clutter in the areas you might not spend a lot of time in, such as the garage, garden shed or under the house.
Three weeks before moving
- Notify the Australian Electoral Commission of your new address. Also update your driver’s license and car registration.
- Arrange to have your mail held or redirected to your new address.
- Fill any prescriptions you’ll need in the weeks either side of your move.
- Gather together medical records for your family and pets, including dental records and school records.
- If you have a trailer or any other large vehicles that will need to be moved, organise transportation for them.
Two weeks before moving
- In the kitchen, use up all opened food packets and dispose of anything past its expiry date.
- Start using up the food in your freezer.
- Book time off work for moving day.
- Arrange for family and friends to mind children and pets on the day you move, or book daycare and pet care for the day.
- Return borrowed or rented items, such as library books.
- If you need to store your household items, book a storage facility.
- Disassemble outdoor items, such as children’s play equipment.
- Create a folder for all your moving documents.
- Put all important paperwork (such as family medical records) in a clearly marked box.
- Put together a first-aid kit and include any prescription medications.
- Create a DIY kit with a hammer, allen keys, screwdrivers, light bulbs, nails, wall hooks and a pocket knife.
One week before moving
- If you’re renting, arrange for a property inspection so you can recoup any bond owing.
- Take any further rubbish to the local tip or donate and recycle items in good condition. If applicable, arrange for collection of your skip.
- Book house cleaners.
- Arrange final readings of gas, water and electricity meters with your utility companies, and book reconnections at your new address, if possible.
- Check with your new council whether you need to apply for a parking permit.
- Cancel or redirect deliveries such as groceries.
- Clean out the fridge and pantry.
- Check if your washing machine or large appliances have any special moving instructions.
- Safely dispose of all flammable liquids such as garden chemicals and paint thinners.
- Dismantle furniture that comes apart. Tape screws in an obvious location or pop them in a labelled ziplock bag and put them in a box for essentials. This box should also contain items such as remote controls for your television and sound system, as well as other small, important items such as shelf supports, keys to furniture cabinets, manufacturer’s instructions to reassemble items, and (if you have space) the removed items themselves such as bed legs.
- Prepare a ‘survival kit’ box containing a kettle, tea and coffee, breakfast requirements, disposable cutlery, paper plates, phone and laptop chargers, special children’s toys, school uniforms, lunch boxes, pet leads and bowls, bathroom necessities, toilet paper, snacks, a corkscrew, spare light bulbs, scissors and tools. Pack this box on the truck last (so it’s the first you pull off) or take it in your car.
- Set aside bed linen and towels for the first night.
- Water indoor plants and pack them lightly inside plastic-lined boxes.
- Back up your computer hard drive. If you have one, prepare your printer for travel.
- Plan and schedule any necessary repairs for your current and new home.
- Reconfirm all moving or property details with your removalist, real estate agent and solicitor.
- Confirm that your removalist has all your relevant contact numbers and the addresses of your new and current home.
- Provide your removalist with a floor plan of the new house and parking information.
- Arrange access and parking for the removalist’s truck and check the maximum height of both the truck and garage.
- Consider writing a friendly welcome note for the new residents of your current home with relevant information to help them settle in (the numbers of a good takeaway cafe or plumber, for example).
- Drain fuel from your lawnmower.
The day before moving
- Defrost and empty the fridge. Fill an Esky or portable cooler with ice to transport any remaining contents from your fridge.
- Clean the oven and give the floors a quick vacuum.
- Pack your personal luggage.
- Unplug and tie up appliance cords.
- Take out some cash for any last-minute expenses on moving day.
- Prepare an action plan for moving day.
- Fill a box with kitchen essentials: detergent, wipes, a washing-up brush and kitchen sponge.
- Say goodbye to your old neighbours.
Don’t Let the Little Costs of Moving House Surprise You
Moving day
- Don’t forget your inventory list! Ensure that items you are moving yourself (such as medications, documents and valuables) aren’t mixed up with items the removalists are responsible for.
- Gather together your jewellery, essentials, first-aid kit and moving-documents folder and transport these to your new home yourself.
- Consider taking very sentimental and personal items in the car with you too.
- Check off all items as they go into the moving van.
- Do one final check of the premises to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
- Check the tops of cupboards, in the garden shed and inside the garage.
- Turn off the gas, electricity, water and all switches.
- Lock all doors and windows and turn off the hot water system if necessary.
- Remove any electric or remote-control garage openers from your car.
- Give all keys and the electric garage opener to the real estate agent, new owner or tenant.
- Assemble beds and make them up as soon as possible.
- Settle children and pets with familiar items for reassurance.
- Notify the moving company immediately if anything is missing.
- Check that you have all keys and relevant instructions for your new residence.
- If you’re renting, check the entry condition report and add your own phots and comments. Note that different states require this report to be handed back to the agent at different times – anything from three to seven days from key collection.
- Keep cats inside for a few days.
After you’ve moved
- Say hello to your new neighbours.
- Ensure the garden is safe so pets and little children can’t escape.
- Arrange for empty moving boxes to be collected.
- Contact the local council for garbage collection information and new residents’ folders.
- Happy unpacking!
Your turn
What’s your secret to a successful house move? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more tips for getting organised? Don’t miss 6 of the Best Home Storage Containers… And When to Use Them
What’s your secret to a successful house move? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more tips for getting organised? Don’t miss 6 of the Best Home Storage Containers… And When to Use Them