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Are you moving house soon? We’re willing to bet you’ve got a pretty daunting to-do list of things to pack, clean and organise. To help, we’ve created a handy checklist to keep track of tasks essential to a well-organised and stress-free move. Start the count-down.
FOUR WEEKS TO GO
Local services
Scout out the local services in your new neighbourhood, such as doctors, schools, shopping centres, chemists and vets. Tell your doctor, optometrist, dentist and other medical specialists of your new address.
Sort out furnishings and belongings
Suss out where you might sell your furniture. Organise a garage sale for any unwanted items or contact your local charity to donate items. For the furnishings you’re keeping, plan and measure where you want to put them in your new house.
Look at policies and how to budget
Enquire about any changes to your insurance policies, including house and contents and vehicle. Arrange quotes and cover notes for your new home. Allocate a moving out budget.
THREE WEEKS TO GO
Transfer records
If moving further away, remember to get a copy of your family’s medical records and those of any pets. Notify your work, including payroll, of your new address. Back up your computer and store the backup safely.
If you have children, advise their school and have records transferred. Ensure you have all your children’s immunisation records safely stored.
Packing tips
A high priority for your moving checklist should be buying moving boxes. Find cheap cardboard boxes by scouting around moving companies. Buy packaging supplies such as packing tape and big black markers to write on the boxes. Start packing things unlikely to be used before moving, including clothes, room by room. Encourage friends and family to help with your move.
TWO WEEKS TO GO
Redirect your mail
Arrange the redirection of mail (through Australia Post), newspaper and magazine subscriptions and home deliveries.
Create a house cleaning checklist
Book domestic cleaners for a final house cleaning (it might help to create a cleaning schedule to make sure you cover off everything). Remember to keep your electricity and gas connected until after your house has been cleaned.
Return any library books, DVDs or items borrowed from neighbours. Start using perishable food from the freezer.
Organise insurance
Finalise home and contents insurance to cover your new home from day one.
Confirm moving day bookings
Confirm the moving company booking to ensure everything is set. Decide whether you want to take removals insurance.
ONE WEEK TO GO
Organise your electricity and other services
Contact us at least four days before moving to get your electricity and gas to be connected at your new address.
Arrange connection and disconnection of all other services with your utility providers (i.e., water, phone, internet and pay TV).
Inform people of your change of address
Create a change of address checklist, including such essentials as updating your driving licence. Check what you can change online, and what needs to be done in person. Contact service providers, including financial institutions and your tax agent, to advise them of your change of address. Tell your friends, too.
Check the weather and anything requiring repairs
Check the weather forecast for the day of the move. Ensure completing any repairs around the house is on the moving house checklist.
Appliances
Clean the oven. Collect instruction books for the stove, dishwasher, and air conditioner for the new owner or tenant.
THE DAY BEFORE
Pack an overnight bag
Pack a ‘first day bag’ including all your usual bathroom needs to tie you over until you start unpacking.
Check your car tyres
If hiring a trailer to move things yourself, pump up your car tyres.
Organise access for the new owner/tenant
Collect all keys for the household including the garage, gates and any padlocks.
MOVING DAY
Organise the move
Allocate tasks to different people in the family and helpers. Leave a note at your previous residence with your forwarding address.
Look after the hot water system
Turn the hot water system off at the old address. Switch on the hot water system at your new address.
Security
Lock all doors and windows on your way out. At your new home, test all keys and change any locks if required.
Packing
Take a final walk around your old house to make sure you haven't left anything behind. Pack valuables like jewellery and important documents in a bag to take with you, and lock them in the car boot for safe keeping. If using a moving company, open packing boxes with fragile items as soon as possible to check for breakages and to make insurance claims.
Keep your pets happy
Take a pet travel kit including food and bowls, lead, treats, a can opener, a favourite toy and their sleeping rug, blanket or bed.
ONE WEEK LATER
Start settling in
Contact local council for a new residents’ kit. Keep cats indoors for at least a week to familiarise them with their new surroundings.
Contact removalists
Arrange pick up and/or return of used packing boxes to the moving company, or find a recycling centre near you. If there were any breakages or damage, don’t forget to contact the removalist and insurance company.
