8 weeks before moving
Make a folder for your move
Buy a physical binder or set up a digital document or folder that you can use to plan and document your move by saving quotes, keeping receipts, and storing any and all other important documents for details about the moving process.
Work out your budget
Work out whether you would prefer to hire professional movers or if you would like to handle the move yourself so you can buy that new couch, and draw up a budget that enables you to do what you most want so you can stay on track.
Do your removals company homework
You should never choose a removal company without first researching them to see if they are friendly, reliable, and affordable first. That’s just asking for trouble. If you aren’t sure what you should be looking for, this blog has a great guide to choosing a removalist in your area.
Book time off work
Moving is stressful enough without having to factor work in, so as soon as you know when you’ll be moving, file a request for time off to move.
Clean and declutter
Before you move, it’s a good idea to do a little decluttering to get rid of anything you don’t need or love, so your moving load will be a little lighter. Spring cleaning anything you do keep will mean you start fresh at your new place.
Make any necessary repairs
If you are renting, then before you move, make sure you hire a handyman or do a spot of DIY to get the place back to looking how it did when you moved in. This will ensure you get your deposit back.
Start eating the contents of the fridge
Perishable food will probably not survive the move, so if you don’t want to waste the contents of your fridge, freezer, and pantry, take the time to start cooking more homemade meals with the stuff you already have in.
Get the kids’ paperwork together
If your child is moving to a new school, you will usually need to get a transcript and various other pieces of paperwork together for enrollment. Do this now and you won’t have to chase it up later.
6 weeks before moving
Look for packing hacks
Packing hacks will make your life simpler so scour the net for them now.
Gather your packing materials
Start picking up free boxes and getting other packing supplies like bubble wrap and tape together.
Hire a storage unit
If you will need to store various possessions, it’s a good idea to reserve a secure storage unit right now.
Choose your movers
If you still haven’t selected a company from your shortlist, now is the time to do so. Leave it any longer and you may not be able to get a company to move you on the day you need it most.
Note down your furniture measurements
Measure all of your furniture and also take the details of the width of the stairways, entrances and elevators to ensure you will be able to move your furniture in.
Take photos of your decor
If you love your home’s decor and you want to replicate it in your new home, now is the perfect time to take a few snaps.
Photograph your tech too
Photographing your tec is a really good way of ensuring you can reconnect it the right way once you unpack it at your new home.
Start the packing process
Start packing small items you are not likely to need before the move. Do this every day and eventually, you will have packed up the whole house with very little effort.
Plan your swansong party
Plan and hold barbies or dinner parties to say farewell to your home and make as many good memories as you can before the move.
4 weeks before moving
Gather your documents
Having all of your documents together in one place will make it less likely that anything gets misplaced.
Agree your quotes and budget
Check over your budget and finalise any quotes so you know exactly where you stand for this move.
Confirm with the moving company
If you have not done the deal already, now is the time to close a deal with your removalists to hire them for the move.
Add documents to your file
Make sure that all receipts relating to your move, along with any important documents, are correctly filled in your folder or digital space for future reference.
Arrange an internet connection
Now is the ideal time to find a good internet/ cable and phone provider for your new home. It can take a while for these services to be switched on, so the sooner you organise it, the less time you will spend without internet, cable or telephone service at your new place.
Safely dispose of dangerous items
Take the time to safely dispose of things that are flammable, poisonous, corrosive or otherwise too dangerous at your local recycling centre.
Purchase more packaging materials
If you have not already been able to gather together all of the supplies you need to safely and securely pack up your possessions, now is the ideal time to buy or collect anything that you still need.
2 weeks before moving
Make a meal plan
If you have been working your way through the fridge and pantry, you have probably eaten most of the perishables, but if you still have any left over, it is a good idea to make a plan for them, and a shopping list to cover any basics you may be missing so that you can still eat well ahead of the move, while also using things up so they do not go to waste.
Change your details with various organisations
Take some time out to get in touch with banks, building societies and other businesses like insurance companies, for example, and organisations who need to stay in touch with you. Let them know that you are moving and give them your new address so you will be able to start getting your mail at your new home immediately.
Cancel or transfer important memberships
If you are a member of a local gym or club, cancel or transfer your tour subscription to the new location so you do not end up paying for a service you do not use, or even worse, paying twice for a service you do use.
Back up your data
It is a good idea to back up the data on laptops, iPads and other devices so that if they do end up getting lost or damaged during the move, you will not lose all of your precious photos, work documents or other vital data that you would hate to lose.
Give things back
If you have borrowed items from friends, family members or the local library, of course, then it is a good idea to give them back now before you get really busy with packing and forget about them. It’s so easy to pack away something that isn’t actually yours and it can cause bad feelings, or result in fines, which we’re sure you want to avoid.
Clean the furniture
It’s a good idea to clean the furniture before you move so that it is one less thing to worry about when you get to your new home and because dirty garden furniture, for example, could get messy when it is being transported by the removalists.
Stick labels on
Labelling your boxes by room is a great way to make packing and unpacking a whole lot less stressful. Use a different colour label for each room and pack things from the same rooms in the same boxes and you will be able to very quickly find what you need when you get to your new place.
1 week before moving
Unassemble the furniture
If your furniture can be unassembled, then it is a good idea to start the process of taking it apart so that it is much less bulky and therefore a lot easier to transport when moving day comes around.
Pack some essentials
Fill a suitcase with enough essentials to get you through the last day at your current home and the first day at your new home.
Spring clean the new property
No one wants to move into a home that is unclean and which still has signs of the previous owners. So, if it is possible to do so, take this time to give the new home a real deep lean so that you can move into a fresh and inviting new home.
Disconnect the fridge and freezer
The day before you move, you should disconnect your fridge and freezer from the main. If you aren’t sure what to do with your fridge ahead of your move, this post explains it all very well.
Take more pictures
Snapping more photos of your place when it is empty will provide you with the proof you need that you have left the place in excellent condition so you can reclaim your deposit if applicable.
Make a plan for unpacking
Work out which rooms it will be most important to unpack first and draw up a rough schedule for your day’s unpacking. You might also want to create a fun playlist you can listen to while you take all of your things back out of the boxes.
Pack anything that is leftover
This is one part of your moving checklist, which needs the most attention. If you still have things to pack, then do it now. Gold Line Removals offers a professional packing & unpacking service in Sydney, just give them a call!
Moving day
Have an early start
It’s a good idea to get up early so you can shower, have breakfast and get your head in the game for the task ahead.
Cover floors and carpets
Cover your floors and carpets with a protective cover so that they will not get scuffed by furniture or the removers and yourself when you are moving things out of the house.
Clear a route
Clear a route through your home so that it will be easy for the removalists to take your stuff out of the house and get it safely into their trucks without tripping and falling or having to dodge various obstacles.
Do your last walkthrough
Doing a walkthrough, ideally with your landlord so you can check for damage and ensure everything is as it should be is the last thing you need to do in your old home before moving on.
At the new house
Unpack the bedroom and bathroom
Unpacking the bedroom and bathroom will mean that you can freshen up and get some rest at the end of a long day.
Change the locks
Changing the locks will ensure that you and your family are safe in your new place.
Ensure the utilities are working
Check the utilities are working, and if they are not, call up your utility company to deal with the issue.
Set up the internet
Set up the internet so you can stay in touch and entertain yourself in those early days at your new home.
Go food shopping
Hit the grocery store and stock up on everything you need to feed your family. Just remember you may need to wait a day to use the fridge and freezer as they will have been unplugged for a spell.
Plan a party
Housewarming parties are the best part about moving house, so you know you’re going to want to plan one ASAP!
Phew! That was a lot to get through, but if you have ticked everything off this printable moving checklist, then you can be pretty sure that you have done everything that is in your power to ensure your move is smooth and your stress levels stay low.
We hope it all goes well and we hope this printable moving checklist has been useful to you.
