Removal planner
Checklist for moving house
Here is a checklist for moving house. It covers the necessary tasks for moving locally, interstate or overseas. There’s much more to moving house than packing boxes, so we’ve given you a timeline with reminders of the important things you need to organise to help your move go smoothly. The time frames provided are guides and may alter depending on your specific circumstances.
4 weeks to moving day
Have you booked your move with us? Make sure you detail everything you want moved when you make your booking and advise us if there are any changes. You’re welcome to call us to talk about any changes right up until the day of your move.
It is essential to research and organise transit and storage insurance for your move. We have a range of options available to protect against the possibility of loss or damage during your move.
- Notify your childrens’ daycare and school of your move, and if you’re moving out of the area arrange for their records to be transferred to the new school.
- When you are moving out of the area, get a copy of your medical notes from your doctor or dentist for your new health professionals.
- If you’re moving overseas, obtain visas, residency and work permits. Check that your passports are up to date and arrange any necessary vaccinations.
- If you’re packing up your household yourself, it’s a good idea to begin the packing process early to make sure you don’t run out of time. Our DIY packing tips provide useful information to make the process easier.
- Have a spring clean, sell your unwanted furniture online and arrange donations to local community organisations such as the Salvation Army.
- Begin reducing the amount of food you have stored in your freezer and pantry.
- Organise a farewell party.
2 weeks to moving day
- Arrange to have your mail redirected. If you have any regular subscriptions make sure you advise the providers about your change of postal address.
- There are many important people that need to know you are moving. Advise any of the following as necessary:
- Bank.
- Phone and internet provider.
- Electricity and gas company.
- Subscription TV.
- Insurance company.
- Tax department.
- Electoral Registrar.
- Doctor and dentist.
- Other medical specialists.
- Return items you have on loan from friends, neighbours or the library.
- If you have a pet, this is the best time arrange relocation and boarding.
- If you have a children, arrange for someone to look after them for you on moving day.
1 week to moving day
- Make sure you have completed and returned all documentation relating to your move to us.
- Ensure any last minute maintenance that you need to do at your property is complete before moving day.
- Mow the lawns and take any garden waste or rubbish from the property to the tip.
- Purge all gas cylinders.
- Prepare a package for your children during the move with a change of clothes, something to eat and an activity they will enjoy.
- The day before moving day
- Defrost your fridge and freezer and clean it out.
- Disconnect sound systems, computers, televisions, appliances (where possible) and other electronic devices. Tie up cords and package them in the original boxes if you still have them.
- Secure your important documents.
- Empty fuel from mowers, line trimmers, chainsaws, heaters, lamps and stoves etc before removal.
Moving day
- Call your power company with your final reading if you don’t have a smart meter.
- Complete any final cleaning tasks required and check your home thoroughly to make sure nothing gets left behind.
- Check you have turned off the water, gas and electricity and turn off your hot water cylinder if you have one.
- Make sure you lock all the doors and windows.
- Give all your old house keys to the new owners or rental company.
- Enjoy your move.