Moving House: A Checklist

There are a lot of things to remember when moving house. As well as that, leaving a home – particularly one you might have lived in for a long time – can be emotional. The entire process of moving can be pretty overwhelming, particularly the first time you do it.

With that in mind, here are some tips for getting organised and making sure your move goes according to plan.

Have a timeframe

This is not a process that happens quickly! Leaving things until the last minute is guaranteeing disaster. Start planning as soon as you can; work out what needs to be done stage-by-stage, three months out, two months out, one month out, two weeks before, and then on the day of the actual move.

Don’t underestimate the difficulty

You probably own a lot more stuff than you think. By the time you’ve emptied out the cupboards and wardrobes and cleaned out under the bed, you’ll be very glad you ordered extra packing crates and hired a larger truck. Many moving companies can assist with packing; in some cases, it will be worth getting help from a professional.

Calculate the cost

Do your research and find a removalist that gives you bang for your buck. For a local move, you can expect to pay around $100 an hour, and there’s often a two hour minimum charge. If you’re moving a long way or one of the properties is difficult to access, expect the price to increase. And be sure to check for hidden fees – for example, some movers will only insure items they’ve packed themselves, or may charge a ‘fuel surcharge.’ If you can, take a day off work and book your removalist outside of peak hours.

Take only what you need

For some long distance moves, it will be more economical to sell larger items and buy them new once you reach your destination. Unless there’s a sentimental attachment, the cost of shipping large items to your new place may not be worth it.

Take care of essentials

Have the phone, gas, electricity, internet, and pay TV disconnected and reconnected at your new place. Also sit down and make a list of every institution that will require your new address, including banks, insurance companies and magazine subscriptions. It’s also worth getting your dental, school, vet and medical records transferred to providers near your new home.

Clean. After everything’s been cleaned out you’ll need to clean the carpets and walls before the new owners or tenants arrive. Again, calling in the professionals will mean one less thing you need to worry about.

Remember, you can never start planning for a move too early!