10 things to do before moving house

Whether you plan to rent, or you’ve bought a new home (congratulations - you’ve almost made it through the confusing settlement process), make a plan to get your life sorted well in advance of moving. This handy 6-week countdown, and downloadable checklist, will keep your next move as stress-free as possible on the big day.

6 weeks out

Book your removalist

Whether DIY or professional, the removal method you choose has a huge impact on the calm or chaos of the whole experience. If you choose the professionals, get trusted advice from friends and family based on firsthand accounts. It’s also a good idea to compare options and do your own research to really make sure you know what you will be getting for the price quoted.

Consider:

• What are the charges by the hour and for the entire job?
• How many hands will be on deck?
• What type of truck will be used, and will it fit in the driveway or streets?
• Will my goods be covered by insurance during transit?
• What happens in the event of damage to my property?
• Do I need a packing service too, and what’s it going to cost?
• Are boxes provided or are these an extra cost?
• Do they have any testimonials they can share for extra peace-of-mind?

5 weeks out

Prepare an inventory

Now is an opportune time to take stock of what you own and de-clutter. Sort your unwanted items into three categories: things that can be sold, donated or sent to the tip - remember one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Giving yourself this much leeway means you can get that now-too-small outdoor dining set polished, photographed and listed on Gumtree before the big day. More cash in your pocket, and less hassle of moving things from house-to-house.

Can’t sell that broken chair? Take advantage of your local council’s hard rubbish facility by booking them to come and take away furniture and large items that are no longer fit for purpose.

Measure twice, cut once

Get out that crumpled up sales pamphlet with the floor plan and start planning where your furniture and appliances are going to go (see? It wasn’t just going to be a nice keepsake). Get in contact with the real estate agent to get details about any potential alcoves, tricky doorways or other crucial measurements so you’re not caught out on moving day to discover your new beautiful French door fridge doesn’t quite fit.

4 weeks out

Be insured

When you move, it’s a priority to make sure you’re insured for the whole duration of your move. Your current home insurance policy should cease the day after you’ve moved out and your next insurance policy should start the day before you move. This covers all bases, especially on the day of the move when you technically aren’t living anywhere!

3 weeks out

Keep your Netflix flowing

Internet providers can be booked weeks in advance, and technical glitches always happen; so, book the new home connection from three weeks out to make sure you have something to watch when you collapse on the couch at the end of the day.

2 weeks out

Check and connect your energy

You will need to reconnect the gas and electricity in your new home to your name. If you’re happy with your current providers, you just need to make a phone call or login to your energy accounts online and follow the prompts with your new address and move-in date. Do take note that many providers only need one or two business days to reconnect you, so if you are renting it might be more important to do this closer to your move, so you don’t get charged for a previous tenant’s usage!

But, with bills soaring sky-high, know there’s always a better deal out there. All energy providers are ready to offer you something better, so we recommend you suss out your options. Try one of the online comparison sites – Finder, Canstar, or Mozo – or call your current provider to see if they can increase your pay-on-time discount.

Notify the world of your new address

You don’t want the new occupiers of your current abode to receive your “Horse & Hound” magazine subscription, because, let’s be honest, they won’t be forwarding this on to you. It’s wise to make sure your mail is moving to the correct home and (more importantly) your friends know where to go to deliver the housewarming bubbles!

Update the address for these as a priority:

• Arrange with Australia Post to redirect all mail for up to 12 months.
• Bills, bills, bills – contact any bill provider such as your car insurance and registration, heath and life insurance, gym memberships, TV subscription services and the like.
• Update your address on your driver’s license and identification.
• Your magazine or newspaper subscription services and regular deliveries.
• Notify you children’s school, pre-school or daycare of any transfers.
• Scan your mobile apps and emails to check your most frequented online shopping sites.
• Update your details on the electoral roll to avoid the pesky fines.
• Let your bank know.
• Your employer and superannuation funds need to be informed too.

Clean and cut

Ensure you have your current residence spick and span by booking in a professional cleaner the day after you move out. Or don’t be afraid to ask a favour from your mates in advance.

Also check if your new home needs a professional clean before you move in, particularly to steam clean the carpets (so they’re smelling fresh), and in the well-trodden kitchen and bathroom areas.

Its also important to ensure you’ve referred to your building inspection (wait, do I need a building inspection?) to make sure all the required renovation work is done first. It’s probably a good idea to fix the dodgy condition of the roof before it's officially over your head, and it rains!

Another handy hint is to have extra sets of spare keys cut for friends and family you trust, and for each member of the household. It’s too easy for keys to get lost or locked inside the house.

1 week out

Sort your precious cargo

What about your prized pooch or terrible terribly adorable toddler who wants to be carried around while mummy is trying to pack boxes? Avoid the barks and tears by asking your in-laws, relatives or a good friend to babysit on moving day so you can focus on organizing the move. This is extra-handy to keep those pesky in-laws away or good friendships in-tact without having either add to the day’s freneticism.

Pack your “unpacking kit”

It’s a clever idea to have all those handy items that make unpacking stress-free and easy at the ready when you arrive at your new home. Think any tool to help reconstruct furniture like allen keys, nails and screws, your electronics cords labelled and colour-coded, scissors, tape, screwdrivers, gloves, dust cloths, a dustpan, surface cleaners, extra bin bags and a toilet roll (no explanation needed). Having these items all in the same, easily accessible box will save you time (and sanity) when setting up your new home.

Don’t forget a “first night box”

Just as (if not more) important is the essential “first-night box”. To ensure a seamless transition, pack a change of clothes, basic toiletries, pyjamas, towels and any other essentials you require such as tea bags (or the coffee plunger) in a separate easily accessible box.

For peace of mind keep important legal documents and your precious family heirlooms together in a similar kit.

It’s the little things that makes us feel at home so having these essentials ready will go a long way towards enjoying your first night in your new home!