- 2 Months
- 1 Month
- 2 Weeks
- 1 Week
- 1 Day
2 Months to Moving Day
- Arrange pet transport— If you’re not planning on doing this yourself, you will want to book transportation for your pets.
- Arrange transport by car— Book in all of your relocation vehicles like caravans, trailers and boats.
- Do a spring clean— Take inventory of your belongings and decide what you want to bring with you, what you’ll donate or sell and what you want to discard. You may have to organise a curbside collection, skip or a garage sale.
- Hire a contractor— If your lease or contract of sale outlines any repair or maintenance work before the move date, you want to get started early.
- Organise your paperwork— Work to ensure that your moving budget stays on track by getting an itemised list together of all of your expected moving expenses. Get a folder for all of your moving documents like receipts and quotes. Collect your personal, important documents like your wills and birth certificates and put them in a secure, waterproof location.
- Pick out a moving company— Now is the perfect time to start researching and gathering quotes from professional movers.
- Research your new home— If you’re moving to a new city or suburb, you will want to find out where your amenities are, such as the supermarkets, doctors and dentists.
- Secure storage facilities— Don’t do this at the last minute, you may find yourself paying premium prices for last-minute storage solutions.
- Shop smart— Try to use up as many perishables and frozen foods as possible. Put together a meal plan that’ll empty the freezer, fridge and pantry by the time you have to move.
One Month to Moving Day
- Apply for leave— Organise time off work and talk to your employer to explain why. Depending on the scale of your move, you may need to book additional days off for moving, such as the day before and after.
- Arrange insurance coverage— Most traditional contents insurance doesn’t extend to your items during a move. Ask your moving company about moving insurance packages and ensure you are fully covered.
- Begin packing— Secure and safe packing is very time-consuming. You will want to start packing as soon as possible and give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. You can also organise professional packing services with your removalist company to handle it for you.
- Change your address— Notify the tax office, electoral commission, banks and other important contacts of your address change. If you have pets, you’ll have to take a trip to update their details with your future and current city council office.
- Check instructions— Take a look at the manufacturer instructions on all of your large appliances like refrigerators or washers for moving tips and recommendations.
- Collect your keys— You should have all of the keys to your current home, and don’t forget to ask for spare keys from any of your neighbours, friends or family members.
- Dispose of dangerous goods— Ensure that all air bottles and gas cylinders are empty with the valves open. Arrange to have them safely disposed of with any dangerous materials you find.
- Finalise moving day plans— Lock in your moving day time and dates with your moving company. This will give you a clear timeframe of how long the moving process is likely to take.
- Give notice— If you’re renting the house, you will want to give your landlord notice and organise any final inspections to secure the refund of your bond.
- Note fragile items— Get a separate checklist of all special, precious or fragile items that you’ll move. Organise packing materials and protective wrapping to ensure they don’t break.
Two Weeks to Moving Day
- Back up computers— Ensure that all of your important devices and computers are backed up. You should store your files securely and separately.
- Book babysitters— If you don’t plan on having your pets or kids around on moving day, consider organising babysitters.
- Cancel services— Cancel any domestic services you have, such as house cleaners or gardeners.
- Confirm your moving company— Contact your moving company and confirm any particular requirements, details you are unsure of and payment details.
- Contact Canada Post— Stop or redirect all of your deliveries and subscriptions and organise mail redirection.
- Create a floor plan— Get measurements for every room in your new home to ensure all of your pieces of furniture fit. This will give you time to replace anything that doesn’t fit.
- Note regulations— Take note of any moving requirements you have, like access restrictions, parking restrictions, traffic management and lift protocol that your local council, building manager or body corporate may impose.
- Notify utility companies— Notify all of your utility providers of the move and arrange for service disconnection and reconnection.
- Organise your incidentals— Return any items you borrowed like DVDs and library books. Refill any medications and ensure that you have enough until you move. Return your property keys and pick up any dry cleaning.
- Service your vehicle— If you plan on driving long distances during your move, your vehicle should be in good working order.
One Week to Moving Day
- Collect your keys — Arrange for your agent or solicitor to collect the keys for your new home. You can also collect the keys yourself. Consider booking a locksmith to change the locks straight away.
- Confirm your travel plans — If you’re moving overseas or cross-state, confirm any accommodations or flights.
- Confirm your moving specifics — You will want to confirm the little details with your moving company including: access details; additions or changes to your moving plan, including settlement times, destination, and unpacking or packing requirements; insurance requirements; mobile phone contacts; new and old addresses; payment requirements and options
- Finish up packing — Check that all of your jar lids are screwed on tightly to avoid spills. Pack your plates vertically to prevent breakage during the move and to keep them more secure. Water your indoor plants lightly and pack them into boxes with plastic lining. Drain oil and petrol from equipment and tools. Use up any food in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator.
- Organise a final inspection — If you bought a new home, it’s time to set up a final inspection 24 to 48 hours before you actually move in. This will ensure that your new property is up to the standard you agreed on.
- Set any essentials aside — Keep important, small items like chargers, keys and remotes in a specially marked box or basket. Keep towels and bedding for moving day in a marked and separate box.
The Day Before You Move
- Clean appliances— Clean out the refrigerator and defrost the freezer. Also, drain any liquid from your appliances like irons, washing machines and ice makers. Make a point to fit your washer with shipping bolts to prevent any damage.
- Charge devices— Make sure that all of your mobile phones have a full charge and put the chargers in a safe spot. Write any important numbers down in case the phone dies mid-move.
- Create an essentials kit— This kit will have basic needs for your moving day, such as a first aid kit, bottles of water, phone chargers, important documents and prescription medications.
- New home check— Double-check that your new home is clean and ready to go.
- Pack bags— Each family member should have a bag that contains clothing for moving day, toys for kids and toiletries.
- Provide packing instructions— If you chose to go with professional packers, they should arrive today. Make sure they have clear instructions.
- Touch base with the moving company— If there are any changes, you want to touch base with the company today.
- Utilities— Call the utility companies and confirm your service disconnection times and reconnections.
