The Ultimate Moving House Checklist

Moving house is often quoted as one of the more stressful experiences in life – but it doesn’t have to be! With a bit of planning and organisation, you can start to tick items off your moving checklist long before the big day arrives, leaving you free to focus on the important work of getting all your stuff from your old place into your new one.

Get packed

Packing up your whole house can be a stressful experience, so it’s a good idea to have a plan in place. Start early and work your way through rooms methodically. If you come across items that you don’t use or need, sell them or donate them to charity – there’s no point moving things you don’t want into your new home! Carefully wrap fragile items so they survive the journey, and clearly mark all boxes so it’s easy to know where things go when you arrive in the new house.

Switch your accounts

Contact your energy providers to make sure that you are ready to disconnect your electricity and gas on moving day and have it ready to go in your new place. This needs to be done a few days beforehand to allow for smooth transition, so it’s best to be organised to avoid being left in the dark! Make sure your internet is ready to move with you as well; contact your internet provider well in advance in case you need to arrange a technician to get connected.

Redirect your post

Australia Post offer a service to help redirect your mail – check out their website for more information. Most major services, such as your bank and government departments, will allow you to change your address online. Other places may require you to call them and provide your new details.

Organise removalists

If you’re hiring professional removalists, it’s worth doing some research to find the best price. Read reviews as well – a cheap option might look tempting but won’t be good if your furniture ends up scratched and broken! If you’re doing it solo or with friends, be careful when lifting heavy objects and make sure everything is properly secured before heading off.

Consider kids and pets

Children will most likely be excited about moving into a new home, but on the day they can be a bit of a liability. If you can, arrange for someone to watch your kids so you can focus on moving. For pets, it’s best to introduce them slowly to the new home if you can – unfamiliar environments can be frightening for some animals. Make sure they’re registered with local council, and that their microchip details are up to date.

Familiarise yourself with your new neighbourhood

When you finally get to your new place, take some time to find out more about the neighbourhood. This includes practical information like what days the bins go out and where your nearest public transport options are. It also can be checking out local eateries, shops and other places of interest. Start getting to know your neighbours and local vendors – you’ll be part of the community in no time!