Moving House Checklist

Your Complete Moving House Checklist

There are a lot of things to consider when planning to move, we've put together a helpful moving house checklist.

Start Here - 6 Weeks Before Moving Day

Use the John Ryan Removals folder to hold all of your move documents.
Take a closer look at your insurance options - talk to John Ryan Removals.
Make a floor plan of your new home and plan the furniture placement.
Consider selling furniture items that you won’t be using in your new home.
Plan your packing - either include it in your removal requirements with the John Ryan Removals or organise the delivery of boxes from John Ryan Removals if you wish to pack yourself.
Use proper equipment like tape, paper, marking pens, etc. which John Ryan Removals can provide.

Wash and thoroughly dry all dishes and prepare them for packing.
Check your medicine cabinet. Take items you still need to use and get rid of unwanted drugs.
Double check your drawers. Remove heavy or fragile items or those containing liquids.
Prepare your washing machine as per the manufacturers specifications.
Prepare your waterbed for packing, if you have one.
Leave your contact number and forwarding address for the new occupants/owners of the house.
If the house will be vacant for a while, notify the police and neighbours.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day

Start Packing this week - if you opt for DIY packing

Pot plants in your garden if you wish to take them with you.
Check the garage, shed and under the house for items you may want to sell or take with you.
Organise a garage sale and sell items you no longer need.
Make sure to use or consume all frozen food in your freezer, unless you’re only moving locally.
Dispose of paints, flammable items like fuel and hazardous substances like garden chemicals.
Burn off the gas from the BBQ or have the bottle purged at an approved provider.
Make arrangements to have pets looked after for at least 2 days before you move. If you are moving interstate, book your pet transport through John Ryan Removals.
Make arrangements to have your entertainment surround sound system disconnected and flat panel TV removed from the wall – if required.
Make necessary arrangements for school, day care and other transfers.

Label every box by room identification. Keep your own list of the contents so you can easily find and identify the boxes.
Inform family, friends, colleagues and businesses regarding your change of address. Check your list of important contacts and update them with your new address.
If any of your furniture needs dismantling before the move, do it at this time. Place all screws, bolts and other attachments into a small bag or a Ziploc and fasten it to the item where it belongs. You may also place all small parts in one box along with other items of the same kind.
If you are driving your car any distance to the new address, have the vehicle checked. Or arrange for car transport if applicable.
Arrange electricity, gas, water supplies and telephone line for your new home.
Return library books and videos.
If a boat or trailer is being included in the load, make sure all items within the boat are secured.
If you are moving to one of the major cities, purchase a street directory of the city or town you are moving to.

1 Week Before Moving Day

Arrange with the Post Office to have your mails redirected.
Cancel newspaper, magazine and other deliveries being made to your current address.
Reconfirm travel arrangements for the vehicles and care for your pets. Your pets may be becoming anxious when they see all the upheaval. Ensure they are enclosed at all times so they don’t disappear and cause unnecessary grief.
Make a To-Do list for Moving Day.
If you happen to have a waterbed, make arrangements to prepare the bed for the move following the manufacturer’s instructions. You may have a contractor come to your home the day before you leave. Your removalist may be able to help you out with this.
If you have a wall mounted dryer, you may need to remove the bracket from the wall.

If battery powered items are going into store, or overseas, remove all batteries.
If you are taking special light fittings with you that need to be disconnected by an electrician, organise this now.
Make sure your lawnmower and other containers are drained of fuel at this time.
Establish final reading dates or cut off times for phone, water, electricity and gas.
Collect any items that are being fixed or have been loaned out.
Dispose of unsold items from your garage sale.
Make special access or parking arrangements for the removalist to your new home if needed.

2 Days Before Moving Day

Arrange the necessary payments on moving day.
If travelling by car, any distance, be sure to check oil, water, tyres, etc.
Pack luggage and other things you will immediately need after moving.
Collect dry cleaning.
Do the laundry, fold, and pack.
Discard remaining chemicals and flammables. Dispose of garbage properly. Do not dispose of poisonous substances down the drain.

Tightly seal bottles, cans and jars containing non-flammable liquids. Pack them in waterproof plastic bags or containers.
If you intend to keep blinds and curtains, take them down at this time and pack them.
Conclude your packing, making sure all of your items are listed and inventoried. Each box must be numbered and should match the inventory.
Place things you wish to take with you in a separate area and let the removalist know.

1 Day Before Moving Day

If you’re having things packed professionally, it should be done on this day following your instructions.
Separate items you’ve packed (handbags, documents, cameras, jewellery, etc.) that you will be taking with you from those to be packed. Place them in a separate area so that the removalists will know they shouldn’t be collected.

Defrost your freezer and clean out the entire fridge. Wipe the inside surface thoroughly with vanilla essence to prevent nasty smells or mildew buildup. Check with the manufacturer for any special instruction on keeping the fridge motor secure.
Get rid of any food items that will likely spoil if not unpacked or consumed within 2 days.

Moving Day

Inform the removalist where their vehicles can be parked. It may be a good idea to park your cars overnight where the removal van will need to park so the position is available when they arrive.
If you won’t be available on this day, you must have an acting agent or authorized person who can oversee things on your behalf. We cannot collect goods without a person present.
Show the removalist exactly how you want things done. Let them know what you want or ow you want things to be when you arrive at your new house. Items you’ll need immediately can be packed last and unloaded first.
Pack a go-bag with survival items such as food, beverages, toiletries, spare clothing, first aid kit, cleaning equipment and other personal items.
Make sure pets are confined to avoid interrupting the removalists. Children should also be kept out of the way. You may consider getting a friend or family member to watch over them for this day.

Collect your current house keys and try to avoid disrupting the removalists.
Place all items you want to transport yourself in your car. Lock the doors and keep the keys
If renting, keep keys in the car ready to be delivered to the agent as you leave.
Do a final inspection on all your storage areas, cupboards and cabinets to make sure you’re not leaving anything behind.
Double check your sheds and garden area.
Check all areas before the removalists leave. If you’re moving interstate or storing your goods in a facility, double check the inventory before signing.
Don’t forget to turn off the power as well as the gas. Turn off all electrical switches and tighten all taps.
See to it that all the doors and windows are locked.

Your New House

If renting, take time to walk through the house before delivering furniture. Document the current state of the place.
Have the removalists position heavy furniture where you want them in the room. It could be difficult to move or rearrange heavy items without assistance.
If your goods are coming from storage, interstate or overseas, check the inventory carefully and sign off on it once satisfied all items on the list are accounted for.

Locate all your keys to the new house. You may label them for easy identification.
If you have security concerns, you can change all the locks.
Check the power, telephone and gas making sure they are connected.
Turn on the hot water system.
Ensure the safety of your pets while settling in.
When appropriate, meet your immediate neighbours.

Essential Contacts

Doctor
Accountant
Lawyer
Vet
Dentist
Private Health funds
Bank - Credit Card
Financial Institutions
Share Companies
Schools
Electricity
Water
Gas
Telephone
Council
RTA - Motor Registry (within 7 days)
Automobile Associations
Rental and Hire Purchase Authorities
Insurance –
- life assurance
- car insurance
- home and contents

Government Departments

Print out your printer friendly CHECKLIST here.

If you have any questions or need more information about your moving house checklist, contact our friendly team today.