Moving House Checklist

There is plenty to do in preparation for moving house, but here are some of the most important things to include on your checklist:

1. Book in a removal company
   Once you know your moving day, get a quote from a quality local removal company and lock them in for the job.
   
   If you don’t think you will have time to pack everything yourself, some moving companies also offer a professional packing service as well as door-to-door transfer of all your furniture, appliances and other household items for a stress-free move.
   
   
2. Declutter
   The less you have to pack up and move to your new house, the easier the task of moving is going to be.
   
   Start going through your possessions and see if there are things that you no longer need.
   
   Start taking these items to local opportunity shops, giving them away to family and friends or disposing them through recycling or rubbish facilities.
   
   
3. Get your packing supplies
   Before you start packing, you’ll need a whole stack of moving boxes and other supplies.
   
   Acquiring some butcher’s paper is also a good idea for individually wrapping fragile items.
   
   Get yourself some good-quality packing tape as well to reinforce your boxes and ensure everything doesn’t fall out the bottom of them when they are moved.
   
   
4. Get packing
   If you are packing yourself, the earlier you get started the better.
   
   Packing up one room at a time is a good approach, starting with the rooms or items that you use least often and leaving your most frequently used rooms and items until last.
   
   
5. Arrange cleaning
   Your current house should be left sparkling clean for the new owners or tenants.
   
   You can do a deep clean yourself, but it could be a better idea to call in a professional given you will also have a lot of other things on your plate.
   
   
6. Make a list of organisations to notify of your move
   You are going to need to let a lot of companies and government agencies know about your move ahead of time.
   
   You’ll need to get in touch with energy and internet providers about transferring your service to your new address.
   
   You’ll also have to update your bank, credit card and insurance providers of your new billing and mailing address and update your driver’s license and other local, state and federal government agencies.
   
   
7. Arrange house insurance
   If you have purchased a new house that you are moving into, you should make sure you have home and contents insurance that commences the day you get the keys.
   
   If you are renting your new house, ensure you arrange contents insurance.
   
   
8. Organise a locksmith
   Most people moving into a new house like to have the locks changed as soon as they move.
   
   Book a locksmith to do this the day you get the keys or soon after.
   
   
9. Arrange care for children or pets
   Moving day is a busy day and children and pets can get in the way and make it harder.
   
   See if family members or friends can look after your children or pets on your moving day.
   
   
10. Label your boxes
    It will make unpacking at your new house a lot easier if your boxes are well labelled before your move.
    
    Clearly label them with the room they belong in at your new house so your movers can leave them there.