Checklist for Moving Into A New House

Have you found your new home and planning to move in? It might initially seem daunting, requiring plenty of careful planning and physical labour. But don't worry! Because this article is your guide to navigating the moving process from start to finish. Below you will find our moving house checklist that includes the most important and common things you need to organise when moving into your new home.

Starting from weeks out and going all the way up to the moment you are handed the keys, this Brighton Homes guide will organise every stage of your move and keep you smiling through it all.

General Moving Checklist Before Getting Started

Before undergoing a move, the first steps of any checklist for moving out should involve planning and organising everything you own. By starting the moving process as early as possible, you're making the journey smooth instead of stressful as you race to get everything done before the deadline. Here is a general moving checklist that you can start ticking off today:

• Estimate the Size and Difficulty of Your Move: A little planning goes a long way, potentially saving you money and time.
• Take Stock of your Belongings: Sort through your belongings and decide what is coming, what is going and what can be sold or donated.
• Redirect to Your New Address: Give prior notice that you are moving and redirect all bills, newspapers, and subscriptions to your new address.
• Research Removalist Companies: Take the time to find the right removalist and gather as many quotes as possible before deciding.

4-6 Weeks to Moving Day

4-6 weeks out from moving day is the most intimidating part because it's all about putting everything together and packing up. It's usually around this time that we realise just how much we own and taking that first step towards organising it all can be difficult. To make it easier, we've broken down this stage of the moving home checklist into categories you can follow along with and tick off as you go.

1. Book Your Removalists in Advance

You have done your research, got a great quote and booked a removalist company in advance; here's what to do next:

• Ask for moving transit insurance
• Arrange packing material or cartons from the removalist: these can include moving boxes, fragile warning tape, packing paper and tape, sharpies, bubble wrap, and dollies.

2. Booking Other Services

As well as booking a moving company, there are other services available that can help out before the moving day, such as:

• Schedule handyperson or other tradespeople to help out with any repairs
• Arrange for pet transport
• Hire a cleaning company to help final condition inspections closer to the moving day.

3. Organising Household Items

If you've ticked the boxes in the general moving checklist and organised your personal belongings, the next step is to cover all those household items that will not be making it in the move. It can go if it's not being used now and won't be used in the coming weeks. So, here's a list of essential items you need to organise:

• Donate any old clothes, furniture or old toys
• Dispose of flammable liquids, including paint, garden chemicals, bleach, cleaning fluids, aerosol cans and petrol
• Empty any remaining air bottles and gas cylinders with valves open
• Use or dispose of all open packets in the kitchen
• Throw away any goods that have reached their expiry date
• Cook or use anything available in the fridge or freezer that might be approaching its expiry date.
• Sort through the garage and garden sheds.

4. Packing

With all your personal belongings and household items organised, now is the time to pack it all away. Your removalist should provide you with the packing materials you need to get the job done, so here are some tips to streamline the packing process:

• Use clean white butcher's paper instead of newspaper as it doesn't protect against breakage and isn't water-resistant.
• Label every box clearly by contents (dishes, clothes etc.) and its room destination and prepare an inventory list of each box.
• Mark FRAGILE where needed and check for any dents or scratches.
• Pack lighter items in large boxes, heavier items in small boxes, and heavier items on the bottom.
• Dismantle any furniture that comes apart, remembering to include any screws or parts, allen keys and manufacturers' instructions for reassembly of items.
• Label and place TV, set-top boxes, sound systems, game consoles and other necessary technology with ESSENTIALS.
• The last box to pack should be a SURVIVAL KIT with tea and coffee, breakfast requirements, special children's toys, school needs, pet requirements (leads, dog toys, snacks etc.), bathroom necessities, medications, spare light bulbs and toilet paper.
• Consider taking anything sentimental personal items with you in the car.

2-3 Weeks To Moving Day

At this stage of the moving house checklist, the majority of your belonging and household items should be organised and ready to go. Now with a couple of weeks to go until moving day, these are the things you need to check off:

• Service your car.
• Fill any medical prescriptions needed the week before and after the move.
• Arrange for final readings of gas and electricity meters.
• Arrange for time off work on moving day.
• Book a locksmith to change the keys at your new home on moving day.

Changing Address Checklist

Now that you're moving, you'll need to contact the relevant authorities and utility providers with your new address. This ensures that when moving day comes, you will save time redirecting significant correspondents from your old address. Make sure you notify the following about your new location:

• Banks
• Electoral office
• Car registration and driver’s license
• Phone companies
• Credit cards
• Subscription services
• Internet
• Telephone
• Gas
• Electricity.

1 Week to Moving Day

The big day is right around the corner, and it's time to put the finishing touches on your checklist for moving out. A lot of what you'll need to do involves small things that will make a big difference in helping you prepare for the day, including:

• Re-confirm all details with the removalists and real estate agent, confirming that your mover has all contact numbers, new address and clear, detailed instructions
• Draw up a plan of each room of your new home, complete with furniture placement
• Set aside bed linens, pillows, and towels to be used on the first night of moving into your new home
• Back up any important files and documents onto a hard drive
• Arrange access and parking for the removalist's truck
• Arrange your cleaning or repair services, if you organised them earlier
• Prepare a friendly welcoming note for the new residents and any relevant information to help them settle in, such as your contact details.

The Day Before Moving

It's the day before, your moving checklist is looking good and the whole family is excited about the big move tomorrow. The hard work is all done, and now it's time to put everything you'll need aside, ready to go for the big day. These include:

• Pack personal luggage and items to take with you
• Ensure all packing boxes are out with the essentials in front to make it easier for the removalists
• Unplug and tie up appliance cords
• Keep cash on hand for any last-minute expenses and necessary finances for moving
• Inform any neighbours if you know the house will be empty for a while
• Visit your old neighbours and say goodbye.

Moving Day

The day has arrived, and it's time to move into your new home. Before we grab the keys and make the drive over to your brand new home, there are still some important things left to do at your old house, including:

• Give your removalists clear instructions
• Ensure that high-priority boxes can be accessed easily by the removalists
• Check off all boxes as they go into the moving truck
• Arrange for pet transport if you organised it earlier
• Ensure all meters are read and car and house key collection is organised
• Lock all doors and windows and turn off the hot water system if required
• Store any other essential and sentimental items in the car
• Set out all of the rubbish for the council cleanup
• Return all keys to the Real Estate Agent or new owners
• Do a final check - lock the house, turn off the power, tighten all taps, and check gas and electrical.

When you arrive at your new home, there are still some important instructions to follow to make sure it's a day you'll never forget:

• Direct removalists and give them clear directions for where you want the furniture placed
• After unloading, check everything is to your satisfaction and whether anything is missing
• Have security checked and locks changed if concerned
• If the move is from storage, interstate or overseas, review and sign the Inventory
• Check all utilities are connected hot water service is on
• Assemble beds and make-up as soon as possible
• Check that you have all the keys and relevant instructions for your new home
• Contact your new local council for garbage collection information and new residents' folders
• Say hello to your new neighbours!

Thinking of making a move of your own and putting this moving house checklist to good use? Brighton Homes has a wonderful range of home designs that have been built with the modern family in mind.