Some of the steps you often need to take when moving house include:
- Find a uplift and mover service
- Collect packing boxes
- Consolidate and pack
- Pay outstanding bills
- Disconnect and connect all utilities
- Arrange cleaners
- Organise insurance
- Update your address details
- Redirect your mail
- Cancel or redirect other regular deliveries
Before you begin packing, it’s a good idea to take stock of your belongings to see where you can cut back. Often you may find the same box is moved from house to house without being totally unpacked. If you haven’t used it in the last few years, do you really need it?
Also, you could try to start packing the non-day-to-day items earlier, to reduce the workload closer to your move date.
To help get you started when planning your move, We have devised a simple checklist of some of the essentials:
1. Do you need a removalist service?
When moving, you generally have two choices – moving your belongings yourself (perhaps with the help of friends or family), or finding a professional removalist. If you would rather hire a removalist service, word-of-mouth can be an effective way to find a one that has a good track record in your area.
You can also check reviews online or consider using a platform like Airtasker to request people nearby to offer their services, but it could be a good idea to formally agree on a price in writing before you engage a third party, to avoid last-minute confusion or haggling.
You can often choose the level of support you need, from helping to pack and unpack everything through to simply loading up your pre-packed boxes and furniture.
2. Collect packing boxes
Are you packing your household items yourself? If so, you’ll usually need a supply of good-quality moving boxes and strong packing tape that won’t give way. Many removalists and storage facilities sell boxes, or you can ask for any spares at local stores.
3. Consolidate and pack
When you begin to pack, you may rediscover belongings you had long forgotten about. Think about whether you need to organise a skip bin to dispose of rubbish, arrange a garage sale for any sellable (but unwanted) items or collect pre-loved items you could donate.
When packing, make sure you use adequate padding for your fragile items and double-check the weight limits of the boxes you are using. Clearly marking which room the box is intended for can speed up the unpacking process at the other end.
4. Take care of outstanding bills
Double-check if you have any outstanding rates or utility bills. If you can, it could be a good idea to pay them off before you move or let your provider know you are moving, to reduce the risk of losing the paperwork or accidentally accruing late fees.
5. Disconnect and connect utilities
When you know your move-out date, you can arrange for your utilities to be disconnected at the house you are moving out of, and connected ready for your arrival at your new house. These include:
- Landline/broadband/
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
Sometimes utility providers will require access to your new house which may mean a delay in getting connected, so it could be worth ensuring you have a contingency plan in place.
6. Arrange cleaning
When it comes to cleaning a rental property, often you have a choice of whether you want to do it yourself or hire the services of a professional (depending on which state or territory you live in). There are many cleaners who specialise in helping people who are moving house, whether you want a bond clean after you move out of a rental property, or for your new home to be pristine before you move in. When deciding whether you want to hire a cleaner, keep in mind most bond cleaners guarantee their work, saving you the hassle of returning to finish any cleaning a real estate agent or landlord may deem unsatisfactory, however this option will cost you more than cleaning it yourself.
7. Consider insurance
Whether you are buying or renting, it is a good idea to consider organising insurance to protect your belongings. You can also ask your provider about cover during your move just in case anything doesn’t arrive at the new property in its original condition.