Moving House Checklist

Even if you're excited about moving to a new area, there's a good chance you won't be excited about starting the moving process itself.

But don't worry; we've compiled the ultimate moving house checklist, to help you keep track of what to do at each stage of moving into your new house.   

From locating the right number of moving boxes to cancelling home services to defrosting your freezer, here’s your step-by-step guide to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible during your move. 

Make sure you keep this moving house checklist handy on your moving date so that you can cross out any leftover tasks.

Separate any possessions you don’t want to keep into two piles, sell or give away, and group them in clearly labelled boxes. You should also decide which items to get rid of and throw them away.

Organise any important documents related to your move and store them in a folder or binder.

Make sure you include:

• Estimates from removalists
• Copies of contracts and/or rental agreements from your real estate agent
• Keep birth certificates, passports and other important documents somewhere secure
• A list of important items that may be damaged or lost throughout the move.

Contact your child's/children's current schools to organise a transfer certificate before contacting their new school.

These could be belongings with a high personal value or ones that would be expensive to replace. If you're using a professional removal service, you should consider photographing any breakable items to document their condition before they get packed away.

Determine where your furniture is going to go in your new home. Create a furniture floor plan so that once everything arrives, you won't have to worry about not knowing where to put it.

You may wish to consider using professional removalists, truck rental services and/or professional cleaners to clean your old home after you moved out.

Try to finish any remaining food and drinks left in your fridge and save money for a larger restock when you move into your new home.

You should figure out the size and shape of the boxes you'll need. Start by gathering boxes from friends and family members, find them online or from businesses that may have extra boxes they plan on throwing out.

You can sell unwanted items online (e.g. through Facebook Marketplace) or even through a garage sale.

If you have items that are still in good condition, either donate them to charity or give them to friends who may be interested.

If you've booked professional removalists, make sure to confirm any price quotes, appointment times as well as any other important details. 

To make the process easier, with Muval you can compare prices, read reviews and book trusted moving companies with confidence.

Start by first packing items that you won't need before you move to your new address. Leave items that you'll need day-to-day until later. And make sure to label the boxes as you go so that you know their contents and where the boxes should go in your new home.

Don't overpack any of the boxes and spread out the heaviest items at the bottom of each box to avoid any potential breakages or the boxes becoming heavy or misshapen.

When you start packing, make sure to separate fragile items (such as jewellery) and keep them in a box with bubble wrap or soft materials that you will transport yourself.

Cancel any applicable utility services and transfer the rest to your new address so you'll have all the services you need as soon as you move in.

Before you move don't forget to update your address. You should provide your new address to:

• Financial institutions (e.g your bank)
• Medical professionals
• Service providers (e.g. mobile phone companies)
• Government agencies (e.g. Medicare)
• The Australian Electoral Commission
• Your legal representation
• Your children's school (if you are staying in the same school district)
• Your employer (if you are staying in the same job)

On top of changing your address don't forget to redirect your mail to the new address via Australia Post.

Don’t forget to notify your insurance company for your car, home and life insurance etc. If you’re insured with Budget Direct, call 1-800-179-417 or log into Policy Manager to update your details.

If you’re staying in the same job, speak with your employer and schedule time off work on the day of your move. You may also wish to take a few days off after the move to get your new home in order.

Identify items that you’ll need on your first night in your new home (toilet paper, sleepwear, bedding, etc.) and place them together in a box. Label this box "pack last" so that it’s the last box that leaves your old home and the first box removed from the truck when you arrive at your new home.

Make sure that you've taken care of all steps listed above before proceeding any further.

Ask your removalists to give you a specific arrival time, as well as an estimated completion time.

And if you’re conducting the move yourself, make sure to contact any friends or relatives that have agreed to help on the day.

Before you move, make sure you empty and clean your whitegoods (e.g washing machines or dryers) and defrost refrigerators or freezers as well.

And if you're taking these appliances with you, make sure they're ready to put on the moving truck when the day arrives.

As items are loaded, check your packing list to make sure nothing has been forgotten.

Check your furniture and other personal belongings to make sure nothing has been lost or damaged. Once you're finished, you should report any damage to the removal company.

This is so that you can make sure that everything is how it should be, including:

• Are all windows closed and locked?
• Is the heater and/or air conditioner turned off?
• Is the water shut off?
• Have you turned in all the house keys and garage door openers?
• Have you contacted all your utility providers?
• Are all doors closed and locked?
• Has the home been damaged in any way as a result of the move?
• Have you left anything behind?
• Is there anything else that you may have forgotten?

Locate and make note of the following:

• Circuit breaker
• Gas line shut-off
• Water line shut-off
• Water heater
• Heater/Air Conditioner
• Hot water system
• Previously-installed connections for internet access and telephone and television hookups.

Be friendly and introduce yourself to your neighbours. Locate each of the following:

• Grocery stores
• Petrol stations
• Restaurants
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Hospitals
• Post offices
• Your children's school

Ask a friend or former neighbour to check your old home for any mail that may arrive after you've left.

Let your relevant Department of Transport know that you have changed your address so it can be updated on your car registration accordingly.