|
|
 |
Moving House Checklist
Moving house is something that we all do at least once in our lifetimes and it can be an incredibly stressful task. This is why we have put this list together to help make the process easier and save your sanity.
The First Things to Do
As soon as you know that you will be required to move, the first thing that you need to do is decide whether you are going to use a furniture removal professional or if you are going to do it yourself. Even if you are going to do it yourself, you will still need help, and the sooner that you can let friends and family know, the better.
Also, when you know that you are moving and where you are moving to, consider the levels of access that you will have in your new home. How easy will it be to move furniture and other large items into the home? Is your new home on the ground floor or is it on a higher level (especially important to consider if you are moving into an apartment)?
Finally, consider the costs of the move and how much time you will have to complete it in. If you are short on time, or cannot get time off work, a removalist will be your best option. If you are on a budget, shop around to find a reasonably priced removalist or consider doing it yourself. Remember, the DIY option will still require you to hire a truck.
Changing your Address
This is often one part of the moving process that is put on the backburner or overlooked altogether and, as a result, people rush to change their addresses with the relevant companies and often leave out some companies altogether, resulting in a whole heap of hassle later down the track. Four to six weeks before the move, it is a good idea to begin the process of changing your address and mail direction. Signing up to have your mail redirected at the local post office can save you remembering having to do it in the busy few days before the move.
People that will need your new address include:
- the taxation office
- the road traffic authority
- phone company
- mobile phone provider
- internet provider
- pay TV provider
- electricity company
- landlord/real estate agent
- doctors
- dentists
- solicitors
- councils
- insurance companies
- superannuation fund
- employers
- Centrelink
- schools/day care
- banks/building societies
- Medicare
- magazine/newspaper subscriptions
- relevant charities
- club memberships
- libraries
- loyalty memberships
- catalogues
- electoral office
Before the Move
There are some things that you can do in the weeks leading up to the move that will make your life easier. Go through the stuff that you own and get rid of whatever you don’t need. Use up the food that is sitting in your cupboards and freezer. Check your insurance policy to make sure that it will cover the move. It is a good idea to make a list of the things that you will need on moving day so that you don’t accidentally pack something essential.
If you are renting your place, contact your landlord or real estate agent to confirm the date that you will be leaving your property. Remember to arrange for the return of your bond upon final inspection. You may need to arrange carpet cleaning and/or house cleaning services to make sure you get that bond back in full.
If you have a pet, and depending on how far you are moving, you may need to buy a special carrier for the pet for the move or would you rather hire a company that specialises in the transportation of animals?
In the two weeks before the move, it is important to confirm the arrangements that you have made for the move, whether it is with a professional removalist or with your family and friends. All bookings should have written confirmation. Arrange for the disconnection and reconnection of your electricity, gas, telephone, internet, and pay TV provider. Remember that some service providers require notice of five working days in order to connect or disconnect utilities.
Also remember to cancel any local services that you have such as newspaper deliveries, cleaning, gardening, and pet grooming. Return library books and pick up your dry cleaning etc.
The Day of the Move
On the day of the move, arrange or confirm key collection arrangements. Ensure that you have a box of the items that you will need straight away in the new home. This box may include toiletries, a change of clothes, toilet paper, soap, towels, kettle, cups, cutlery, tea and coffee, and snacks.
As the moving van is being loaded, be sure to check off furniture and boxes against your list, to ensure that nothing is forgotten. Turn the electricity off at the meter, and check that all windows and doors are securely locked. Ensure that all important papers and valuables travel with you at all times. In the rush of moving, it is easy to leave something behind so be sure to do a final check of your home after everything has been loaded on to the moving van.
At the new home, try and have the beds put together and made up as soon as possible. It will make things so much easier at the end of a long day!
Packing
Packing is an inescapable part of the move but there are some things that you can do to make the packing process easier. Things that you will need include:
- sturdy packing cartons of various sizes
- wardrobe cartons
- packing tape
- scissors
- permanent markers
- packing materials such as polystyrene, paper for wrapping items, bubble wrap etc
- a handcart or trolley – these will save you heaps of time and make moving much easier on your back
When packing your home, it is a good idea to start early and only pack one room at a time. The best place to start is in the rooms that you don’t use often, as you are less likely to need the things that they contain in the weeks leading up to the move. As you are packing, create a list of each carton and what they contain. Numbering the cartons against the list will help you find which box you need in your new home and minimise the risk of anything getting lost in transit.
As you are packing, a general guide is to place some cushioning at the base of each box, to protect the contents against breakage. Items that need to be wrapped should be done so individually. Heavy items should be packed into smaller boxes where possible, or at the bottom of larger boxes. Remember to mark the boxes as being “heavy” or “fragile” wherever appropriate. Label the boxes with the room into which it is going. This will save the hassle of “mystery boxes” in the future! Don’t forget to load the boxes containing essential items into the removal van last, so that you can access these straight away when you reach your new home.
Printer Friendly Version
References
Related Categories
Furniture Removal