Our Complete Moving House Checklist

Moving is an exciting process but it is also notorious for how overwhelming, intimidating,  and stressful it can be.

Our biggest recommendation for taking some of the stress out of moving is planning ahead and following a detailed house moving checklist.

Whether you are hiring a professional removalist or moving on your own, we created our ultimate moving house checklist to help you feel organised and prepared throughout the moving process. In this, you’ll find an interactive checklist that allows you to tick off what you’ve done (and what’s not applicable), as well as an explanation for why each is important.

 

Download Our Free Printable Moving House Checklist

 

Our ultimate moving house checklist includes:

• What to do 4 to 6 weeks before you move
• Checklist for 3 to 4 weeks before you move
• Checklist for 2 weeks before your move
• What to do 1 week before you move
• What to do 1 day before you move
• What to do the day of your move

 

Interactive House Moving Checklist

Time Frame	Checklist Items
4 to 6 weeks before you move	Decide if you are using a removal company or moving yourself Gather documents and records Downsize and declutter your home Plan for your move Check on appliances, decide which appliances to be moved Don’t forget to start cleaning and organising the garage and shed
3 to 4 weeks before you move	Complete your change of address checklist Continue downsizing and sorting through your belongings Buy and organise moving supplies Schedule utility disconnection
2 weeks before your move	Schedule a professional cleaning for your old and new home Create a “handyman” kit to make youre you have easy access to tools in your new location Prepare a moving survival kit so you have easy access to daily essentials during your first couple of days in your new home.  Discontinue local subscriptions and services, return any library books, etc. Notify neighbours and police if your home will be vacant after the move Pack up seasonal or infrequently used items Label boxes with what AND where Get appraisals for high value items such as jewellery or antiques to confirm their value
1 week before you move	Disassemble bulky items and furniture Prepare plants for moving Re-confirm all moving details Clean and prep appliances such as microwaves, ovens, the fridge, etc. Complete final tasks such as getting rid of rubbish
1 day before you move	Make sure you have all remotes packed, cables organised, and equipment prepped (routers, scanners, printers, TV) When unplugging, disassembling, or packing electronics, take pictures before and after and pack the manuals with them for easy reassembly Vacuum and complete last minute cleaning Pack your personal luggage, valuables, survival kit, and handyman kit and have them ready to go Check your car tyres Collect extra keys for gates, the garage, etc. Disassemble any furniture or bulky items that you haven’t prepared yet Pack each family member’s overnight bag Charge your mobile phone and keep it handy Take photos of your home and yard for memories (this can be easy to forget amidst the hustle and bustle of moving but you’ll be so glad you did!) Make sure you have the keys for your new residence Decide which boxes to load first and last according to how quickly you need to access items, their value, etc. Prep a convenient breakfast of grab and go items. Choose options that require no cooking or dishes for the day of the move (good options include granola bars, trail mix, boiled eggs, string cheese, etc.)
The day of your move	Gather items you are moving yourself, such as your survival kit, handyman kit, valuables, jewellry, snacks, and legal documents Pack any fridge or freezer food (make sure to use a cooler with ice packs) Meet the removalists and let them know you are happy to answer any questions throughout the process Make sure to keep some cash handy for last-minute expenses during the moving process Leave old keys with the real estate agent, new residents, or landlord If your home will be vacant after the move until a new tenant or owner moves in, notify neighbors and police Make sure your removalist knows the new location and any parking restrictions Take final meter readings and notify your utility providers As boxes are loaded in moving vehicles, check them off of your inventory list Do a last minute sweep, checking the garage, closets, sheds, tops of cabinets and the fridge, etc. Make sure to remove the garage door opener from your car Lock all doors and windows on your way out Turn off the hot water system if required

 

Checklist for Moving House: 4 to 6 Weeks Before 

 

Decide If You Are Using a Removal Company or Moving Yourself 

The first step on a moving home checklist is deciding if you are hiring a removalist company. If you plan to hire a removalist company, many people wonder how far ahead to book a removalist.

We recommend booking a removalist company 4 to 8 weeks ahead of time. During peak times, we recommend booking 8 to 12 weeks in advance.

Look for an AFRA-accredited company with good reviews, insurance, and proven experience.

Learn More: Benefits of Hiring an AFRA Accredited Removalist

 

Gather Documents and Records

Start gathering important documents (insurance papers, medical records, school records, vet records) in one place. Ideally, place these items in a small safe and transfer it yourself on moving day.

 

Downsize and Declutter

Moving offers the ideal time to downsize and declutter. Go through your house and make a list of items you no longer need. Decide which items you want to sell, which items go to charity, and which items go to the dump.

 

Plan For Your Move

Here are a few things to consider of ahead of your move:

• Make a plan for how you’ll be moving food items
• Be sure you schedule time off of work for the move
• Ask your removalist if there are any items they cannot move (i.e dangerous goods such as pool chemicals or paint)
• Determine if you will need a storage facility
• If needed, arrange transport for pets to your new home
• Arrange transport for oversized items or vehicles to your new home (boats, cars, trailers, etc.)
• Do you need moving insurance?
• Are you moving cross country? Do you need to book flight tickets?
• If you take prescription medications, make sure you have enough to last through your move until you can find a doctor in your new location

 

Start Prepping Your Kitchen

Take a look around your kitchen and decide:

• Are there foods you can start eating up out of your pantry or freezer?
• Will your fridge fit in your new home?
• Are there items you can throw out? (i.e. foods past their expiration date)
• Are there dishes or cutlery you hardly ever use? Can you pack it up ahead of time?

 

Check on Appliances

Make note of all the bulky appliances you own (washer, dryer, dishwasher, fridge, etc.) and decide which appliances are being moved.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for any restrictions. For instance, many dryers are not meant to be placed on their sides. Make note of any dents or scratches on appliances and take measurements to ensure your appliances will fit in your new residence.

 

Don’t Forget the Garage and Sheds

It’s easy to focus all your efforts on the interior but don’t forget your yard. Are there garden benches you are taking? A child’s playset that needs to be disassembled?

Start cleaning and organising these areas and creating inventory lists for your:

• Garage
• Garden sheds
• Storage sheds
• Ask your local council how to dispose of flammable liquids, chemicals, pain thinners, fuel, aerosols, cleaning fluids, etc.
• Clear the garden or landscaping of any plants to you to transplant to your new house
• Ask your local council about scheduling a rubbish pick-up

 

 

Checklist for Moving House: 3 to 4 Weeks Before

 

Complete Your Change of Address Checklis

It is important to notify the ATO, the Australian post, your employer, your child’s school, your doctor, and other organisations and local utility and service providers ahead of time about your change of address.

For a complete change of address checklist, we put together this guide to help: Change of Address Australia: Our Complete Checklist

 

Continue Downsizing

Continue sorting through your belongings and selling or donating items you no longer need. Make a detailed inventory list of everything you will be moving.

 

Buy and Organise Moving Supplies

If you are handling the move yourself, purchase necessary moving supplies. We recommend the following items for a move:

• Cardboard boxes
• Packing tape
• Black permanent markers for labeling boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Tie downs
• White butchers paper (newspaper can stain items)
• Tarps
• A trolley
• Ropes

 

Schedule Utility Disconnection

Arrange for disconnection of your utilities once you move and be sure your new utility accounts are scheduled to be connected a day or two before you move in (landline phone connection, TV, security systems, water, gas, electricity. etc.).

 

 

Checklist for Moving House: 2 Weeks Before

 

Schedule Cleaning

Schedule a professional cleaning for your old and new home, if needed. Make sure carpets are vacuumed and steamed, appliances are cleaned, and floors and cabinets are cleaned. 

 

Create a “Handyman” Kit

When making your moving home checklist, we recommend including a handyman kit. This kit will make sure you have easy to access tools in your new location rather than having to rummage through boxes.

Here are items we recommend including in your handyman kit:

• Hammer
• Scissors
• Screwdriver
• Pen knife
• Spare light bulbs
• Nails

 

Prepare a Moving Survival Kit

Pack a moving survival kit so you have easy access to daily essentials during your first couple of days in your new home. 

• Toilet paper and bathroom necessities
• Several days worth of clothes
• Tea, coffee, and breakfast options
• Medications
• Cell phone
• Snacks
• Bed linens so you can make up the bed right away the first night
• Towels
• A favourite toy for your pet, who will appreciate having something familiar in a new place
• Your pet’s leash, kennel, food, food dish, and water bowl
• Your child’s favourite blanket, book, or toy
• Scissors
• Paper towels
• Garbage bags
• Dish soap
• Hand soap
• Plates, cutlery, and mugs

Load your moving survival kit and handyman kit last so you can access them right away at your new location.

 

General Reminders

• Discontinue any local services and subscriptions, such as newspapers or automated payment plans
• Discontinue any local memberships
• Return any library materials, such as DVDs or books
• Return any items you have borrowed from friends or neighbors
• Collect dry cleaning
• Book a locksmith if necessary to change the locks on your new home once you move in
• Schedule for any minor home issues to be repaired, if needed
• Check with your homeowners or life insurance to transfer policies if needed and update your address

 

Pack Up Seasonal or Infrequently Used Items

Start packing seasonal items or things you do not use often, such as:

• Wall decor
• Pictures
• Books or magazines
• Seasonal items (Christmas or holiday decor)
• Photo albums
• Small appliances (waffle iron, cookie sheets, etc.)

 

Label Boxes With What AND Where

As you begin packing, decide on where the items will be moved to in your new residence.

When labeling boxes, list what items are in the box and where the box should be placed in the new house. This simple step is our favourite way to streamline the unloading and unpacking process.

 

Get Appraisals

If needed, obtain appraisals of valuables, such as jewellry or antique items to conform their value. Notify your moving company or insurance company of high value items being moved.

 

 

Checklist for Moving House: 1 Week Before

 

Disassemble Bulky Items and Furniture

Take apart any bulky furniture or oversized items you won’t be using. Disassembling bulky items or furniture in advance prevents last minute scrambling and makes the items easier to move.

If you have any screws or supports, label them clearly and make sure to keep them with the item.

 

Prepare Plants

Prepare your indoor or outdoor plants to be moved. Transplant them into plastic lined boxes and keep them lightly watered.

You may want to wait until about 2 to 3 days before the move to do this to minimise stress on the plants. If you are using a removalist company, label any packages with plants clearly so they can be handled with extra care.

 

Re-confirm All Moving Details

Confirm the moving date and time and make sure your mover has the correct new address and your current contact information.

This is also a good time to confirm parking details and make sure there are no restrictions or access issues.

 

Clean and Prep Appliances

Clean and prep all appliances, such as the microwave, oven, and fridge. Defrost your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before the big day. Make sure to drain liquid from all appliances (i.e. washing machine, ice makers,  etc.).

 

Complete Final Tasks

• Drain equipment, such as your propane tank, water hoses, or the oil and gas out of lawn mowers
• Confirm any travel arrangements for family members or pets
• Back up your computer
• Confirm the cut-off date for local services and utilities (i.e. garbage, water, gas, electricity, cable)
• Pack a lockbox with cash, high value items, important documents, legal documents, and jewelry
• Finish as much packing as you can
• Get rid of any rubbish

 

Checklist for Moving House: The Day Before

It’s getting close now! Tackling a few things the day before can make moving day that much smoother.

Here is a last minute moving checklist to complete the day before:

• Make sure you have all remotes packed, cables organised, and equipment prepped (routers, scanners, printers, TV)
• When unplugging, disassembling, or packing electronics, take pictures before and after and pack the manuals with them for easy reassembly
  
• Vacuum and complete last minute cleaning
• Pack your personal luggage, valuables, survival kit, and handyman kit and have them ready to go
• Check your car tyres
• Collect extra keys for gates, the garage, etc.
• Disassemble any furniture or bulky items that you haven’t prepared yet
  
• Pack each family member’s overnight bag
  
• Charge your mobile phone and keep it handy
  
• Take photos of your home and yard for memories (this can be easy to forget amidst the hustle and bustle of moving but you’ll be so glad you did!)
  
• Make sure you have the keys for your new residence
  
• Decide which boxes to load first and last according to how quickly you need to access items, their value, etc.
  
• Prep a convenient breakfast of grab and go items. Choose options that require no cooking or dishes for the day of the move (good options include granola bars, trail mix, boiled eggs, string cheese, etc.)
  

 

 

Checklist for Moving House: Things to Do on the Day of the Move

The big day is here! Here are things to do on moving day:

• Gather items you are moving yourself, such as your survival kit, handyman kit, valuables, jewellry, snacks, and legal documents
• Pack any fridge or freezer food (make sure to use a cooler with ice packs)
• Meet the removalists and let them know you are happy to answer any questions throughout the process
  
• Make sure to keep some cash handy for last-minute expenses during the moving process
  
• Leave old keys with the real estate agent, new residents, or landlord
  
• If your home will be vacant after the move until a new tenant or owner moves in, notify neighbors and police
  
• Make sure your removalist knows the new location and any parking restrictions
  
• Take final meter readings and notify your utility providers
  
• As boxes are loaded in moving vehicles, check them off of your inventory list
  
• Do a last minute sweep, checking the garage, closets, sheds, tops of cabinets and the fridge, etc.
  
• Make sure to remove the garage door opener from your car
  
• Lock all doors and windows on your way out
  
• Turn off the hot water system if required
  

 

 

Relocate with Ease with Mayfair Removals

Part of a stress-free moving experience is good planning, and we hope our moving house checklist helps you get started.

We’re here to help make your relocation as smooth as possible. If you have questions or are looking for reliable removalists in Sydney, please give our team a call on 1300 174 907. Our AFRA Accredited Removalists offer end-to-end moving service within Sydney’s Eastern suburbs and Lower North Shore so you can relocate