The Ultimate Moving House Checklist 2024 (Printable PDF)

Updated : February 6, 2024

Written by Christina & reviewed by Shveta

Planning to move your house soon? Looking for a reliable removalist in Adelaide or any other location?

You have a pretty intimidating to-do list for packing, organizing and cleaning.

We have created a customized moving house checklist based on our experience of moving thousands of home and commercial moves.

Our ultimate checklist of moving house will help you keep track of your every task.

To make your work even easier, you can download our ultimate house moving checklist printable PDF for free to keep it handy for reference.

Download Now

You will also find packing and moving house tips to make the entire process stress-free.

So whether you are planning to go with a professional removalists company or want to tackle the moving process on your own, follow our removalist checklist:

General checklist:

Always remember to start early. Start your preparation 4-6 weeks before the moving date.
Make up your mind whether you want to do it yourself or hire a removalist. Hiring one has many advantages and ease your task of packing, moving and unpacking. Choose one carefully which offer quality service along with a reasonable price and to do that use removalist cost calculator to get the estimate of your moving.
Make sure that your new home is ready and in a condition to receive the valuables.
Give a prior notice to redirect all your bills, newspapers, and periodicals to your new address. (Refer this blog for Change of Address Checklist)
Start to use up all the minor things you have in your current house which you might not need in your new home such as food items. This will prevent unnecessary wastage and cost of moving.
Start merging and keeping all the essential documents, insurance papers, and medical records in one place.

Things you need to do before 4-6 weeks of Moving Day

Even though you have hired a removalist, you might want to pack certain things yourself. Following is the moving house checklist to make it easier for you.

Get quotations from moving companies
Ask for moving transit insurance
Book a removalist company in advance. Irrespective of your location, be it Moonee ponds removalists or Sydney removalists, you need to book them prior.
Get household insurance for the new place
Book car transport
Arrange for pet transport
Hire handyman
Inform the Electoral office about your address
Notify Car registration and driver’s license
Update your address in the following place:

– Banks
– Cell Phone Companies
– Credit Cards
– Subscription services
– Friends and family
Create a floor plan of your new place for furniture placement
Prepare inventory and note down dents and scratches
List precious and fragile items that need special care
Dispose of items that are no longer required
Check manufacturer moving instruction
Use all your open packets in the kitchen
Start throwing the goods that have met their expiry date
Start cooking all the food available in the fridge
Start sorting through the garden and garage
Dispose of flammable liquids

– Paint
– Garden chemicals
– Bleach
– Cleaning fluids
– Aerosols
– Fuel
Empty air bottles and gas cylinder with valves open
Make a folder having your moving documents
Redirect your new address
Arrange for school or Day-Care transfers
Cancel or redirect subscriptions to the new address
Arrange your tickets and accommodation when traveling
Confirm with your real estate agents about the date and key collection
Return rented and borrowed items
Make a plan on how to carry your jewelry and documents
Look for storage facilities
Schedule the required repairs
Collect your family and pet medical records
Set up utilities at the new home
Give notice to your landlord
Review your car and home insurance
Time to start packing your possessions
Book professional team of packers to assist you
Arrange packing material or cartons from Removalist

– Moving boxes
– Fragile warning tape
– Packing paper and tape
– Sharpies
– Bubble wrap
– Dolly
Here are a few tips if you are packing yourself

– Don’t use newspaper to pack the items rather use clean white butcher’s paper
– Label cartons about the content and room destination
– Make a list of fragile items and note any scratches
– Use small cartons for heavy items and place them on bottom
– Use large cartons for light items and keep them last
– Dismantle your furniture- keep the things required for reassemble them together
– Prepare a survival kit that has:
– Tea and coffee
– Children toys
– Snacks and breakfast
– Children and pet requirements
– Telephone headset
– Bathroom necessities
– Medication
– Scissors
– Toilet paper
– Take personal items and valuable items with you

Things you need to do one week before moving Day

Keep your bed linens, curtains and towel aside, you may need them as soon as possible
Create a plan for each room
Water the indoor plants and pack them in plastic boxes
Contact dentists, specialist, doctor or any other medical professional to forward your records to the new ones
Let your household help know about your shift- like gardener babysitter, cleaner
Prepare scanner and printer for travel
Backup your important hard disk
Take out memory card from video cameras and place them safely
Drain house to avoid leaking during the transit
If you work from home then inform your clients about the move and update them with your new address
Rearrange new facilities like domestic help, cleaner and gardener at the new place
If you are planning to move your pet by yourself, then visit a vet to know how to make the move safe and comfortable
Confirm your new address, contact number, packing and unpacking requirements, tools, payment options and other details with your Removalists
Arrange parking facility for the Removalist’s vehicle
Apply for leaves
Confirm order place to the new home address are on schedule (For example new carpet)
Organize mail redirection
Service your car
Conduct a formal inspection of your new house
Get over with your packing
– Check jars and lid to avoid any spills
– Vertically pack the plates
– Drain oil and petrol from equipment

The Day Before Moving into a New House Checklist

Keep your essential and survival cartons handy
Give removalist the new parking address and floor plan
Instruct them to unload as per the room
Pack bag for every family members with their basics
Defrost your fridge and clean it
Drain liquid from ice makers, washing machines, etc.
Charge your mobile and keep it at a safer place
Jot down all the important numbers
Take note of meter readings
Double check items when they are uploaded in the truck
Turn off the hot water system
Lock all door and windows
Cross-check the garden area, cupboards, garage and sheds
Return the old house key to a new tenant or Real Estate Agent
Remove garage opener from your car

Moving Day Checklist

Instruction to be followed at your old home:

Give a detailed tour to the removalists with clear instructions
Ensure your high priority boxes can be accessed easily
Carry important things with you
Set out all the rubbish for council cleanup
Leave a note for deliverers and mail
Make sure the house is secure

Instructions to be followed at your new home:

Ensure that removalists can access all the points
Have a photocopy of the furniture floor plan
Check if all utilities are connected
Before signing, double check your inventory especially packed ones
Take pictures of the house you are renting
Double check if there are any items left behind by the previous tenants or occupants
Leave your fridge in the upright direction before switching
Start with assembling your bed
Unpack your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and other rooms
Change your security locks
If your possessions have moved from storage, check before signing the inventory
Notify removalist company if you find anything missing
Contact all your utility providers
Settle pets and children with familiar things
Unpack your moving day kit based on your requirements
Place your important documents in a safe place
Take photos of your utility meters
Check all the keys and might book a locksmith to make new locks
Inspect the garden before your kids and pet start playing
Do a clean-up and make your beds so you can sleep after the busy day
Plug in your phone
Settle younger children with toys
Make an emergency contact number list
Don’t start unpacking everything in a single day
Say hello to your new neighbors

After you have moved in

The first few days in your new home might be unsettling, as each time you walk around, you might see your piled boxes. But, relax! You deserve it!

Having successfully handled months of planning for the move, you and your family are in your new home. That is an accomplishment in itself. On the day you move in, make your beds first and have a sumptuous meal to celebrate a perfect finish to your relocation journey.

If the house feels cold, start up the boiler before you settle down.
Check the washrooms and do a basic clean up. Lay down your toiletries and toothbrushes neatly for the next day.
Check your surroundings first, do a cursory clean up if needed and make your beds. Good sleep is essential to take on unpacking with renewed energy.
Toddler beds need to be made as a priority. Toddlers might feel stressed due to strange smells and sounds in your new home. You can make the room more personal and comforting, by hanging a few family photos or arranging personal items around.
In case of pets, settle them with some treats and toys in their usual bedding. It is ideal to leave pets with a caregiver until you settle down in your new home.
Activate your telephones and plug-in essential appliances
Rearrange all essential deliveries like milk, newspaper, supermarket grocery and subscriptions
Note all emergency contact numbers for essential services like doctors, taxis, vets etc
Unpack and arrange your kitchen first. Rest can wait! Start with 1-2 boxes at a time, to avoid clutter and chaos. This will make the process efficient and effortless.
Encourage your older children to help you unpack. You can assign them the job of organizing their rooms. Believe us, children love that kind of responsibility.

The main thing to bear in mind – don’t expect everything to be done immediately. This might end up stressing you, even before you start on the job. Take your time to settle down comfortably!

Are you ready for a move?

This moving into first house checklist will hopefully make your move seamless and hassle-free.

Suggested Reading

Services you might be interested in
– House Moving
– Office Moving
– Van and Man Hire ($99/hr)
– Museum Removalists
– Warehousing Services

Speak to our moving expert if you are searching for Local Removalists in Melbourne.

Suburbs we cover:
– Eastern Suburbs Removalists
– Western Suburbs Removalists
– Northern Suburbs Removalists
– Southern Suburbs Removalists
– South East Melbourne Suburbs Removalists

Check out the complete list of suburbs we cover in Melbourne.

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writer's bio

Christina

Christina, a highly productive writer with a half-decade of experience in the realms of moving, transportation, and logistics, stands out for her ability to create content that goes beyond mere information—it genuinely helps! Her writing not only delves into the complexities of the industry but also serves as a valuable resource for readers seeking accurate and insightful perspectives. With a commitment to staying current on industry trends, her versatile portfolio includes blog posts, articles, and technical guides, showcasing a passion for bringing the dynamic world of logistics to life through words.