Moving house is quite a daunting task – particularly if you’re moving for the first time. So, careful planning is essential. To help make the experience less stressful, we’ve prepared a comprehensive checklist. It includes everything you need to know to make your move so much easier. From paperwork to kitchen essentials, redirecting mail and more, we’ve created the ultimate checklist for moving house.
What you must prepare before moving day
Utilities – If you are moving into a rental house or unit, it’s essential to check whether the rent covers the cost of utilities. In this case, it is generally the landlord’s responsibility to ensure the utilities are activated before you moving in. Most of the time, your landlord will do this; however, in some cases, it’s the tenant’s responsibility. Make sure everything is activated once you move in. Otherwise, you’ll be sitting in the dark with no electricity and no Wi-Fi.
Water – If you’re purchasing a home, it’s vital to have the water transferred over to your name. This should be done before your move-in date. If you are renting, however, water is generally something you have to worry about. The reason is, usually, the water is connected in your landlord’s name. Having said that, each state has different tenancy guidelines regarding water bills. We advise you to check your state’s relevant guidelines.
Gas and electricity – Electricity and gas are essential to living comfortably. So, they should both be turned on before you move in. This will make the transition to your new place so much easier. It means your WiFi, lights, TV, plumbing and everything else will be taken care of. Depending on where you live, you may require either both water and gas or gas or water only. If your new location requires both, ensure you open an account with your provider for water and gas.
TV & internet – Today, the majority of providers offer a combination service to connect your TV and internet. This makes things much easier and often much more affordable. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the technicians are in high demand. So, having your TV and internet connection switched on can take some time. To avoid disappointment, we recommend arranging this well in advance of your move-in date.
Paperwork – When moving house, informing all relevant people and companies of your address change is crucial. Doing so will ensure that your bills, subscriptions and parcels are not lost or sent to the wrong address. Here’s a list of some of the people you should advise of an address change:
Government departments (via MyGov) – Centrelink, Medicare, Australian Tax Office and National Disability Insurance Scheme
Transport department – Licence details and car registration
Healthcare providers – Dentist, optometrist, GP, physiotherapist, psychologist, etc.
Banks and financial providers – Bank, credit union, superannuation fund, financial advisor
Employer
Electoral commission – If the AEC does not have your current details, you may be registered to the wrong electorate when voting.
Education provider – School, university, TAFE
Insurance provider – This will ensure you are protected financially if something unexpected should happen. Failing to update your details may void your coverage. To avoid this, we recommend notifying your provider before you move.
Post office – the post office can provide temporary mail redirection (i.e. a few months) if any mail is sent to your old address
Subscriptions – Magazines, newspapers, charity newsletter, sporting clubs, gym membership, etc.
Local library
Veterinarian
Essentials before moving out
After you have taken care of the essential matters mentioned above, you can think about the basic household items you’ll need. We know it may seem quite stressful. That’s why we’ve put together a simple list of final tasks and items you’ll need for each room. This will make your move as smooth as possible.
Pay final bills
Before moving out, it’s a good idea to tie up any loose ends. Paying your final bills prevents them from being lost in other paperwork or accruing late fees. It’s also important to disconnect (and reconnect) the utilities. Do this well in advance, as some providers will need access to your home to disconnect the utilities, including water, gas, internet and electricity.
Create a master list
When moving, it’s surprisingly easy to let important tasks fall by the wayside. Creating a master list of tasks for moving day will ensure everything gets done. This may include: taking out the rubbish, emptying the fridge and freezer, cleaning the shower and more. Cross everything off as you go, so you aren’t overwhelmed on the day.
Make arrangements for your kids and pets
The day you move, you’ll have a virtually endless list of tasks. So, it would be smarter and more practical to leave your kids with friends or relatives for the day. The same applies to pets. You’ll feel better knowing they’re safe and out of the way while you’re finalising everything at home.
Have a “moving essentials” bag
This small bag may consist of things you’d take on a weekend trip. This will include items such as toiletries, a few changes of clothes, phone charger, laptop, smartphone, keys, wallet, laptop and medications.
Cleaning supplies – Cleaning supplies are essential to keep your home tidy and orderly. However, it’s surprisingly easy to forget them in the hustle and bustle of moving. We guarantee you’ll notice the missing cleaning essentials if you have a big mess and nothing to clean it with!
One of the most useful supplies is an all-purpose cleaner that wipes down any surface. You’ll also need dishwashing liquid. Even home brands are useful for washing a pile of dirty dishes. You’ll also need laundry detergent and larger cleaning utensils (i.e. broom, mop, etc.)
Cleaning checklist:
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwashing liquid
- Stain remover
- Dustpan
- Broom
- Mop
- Rubber gloves, and;
- Rubbish bags
Kitchen goods – Upon moving in, you only need to think about feeding yourself and those living with you. So, you don’t need to rush out and buy a twelve-piece dining set, for instance. Remember, you only need enough utensils for the household to start with. And it doesn’t matter if they don’t match. You can always get the utensils you want later on.
Kitchen checklist:
- Pots and pans
- Cups/mugs
- Bowls and plates
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Fridge
- Chopping board
- Knife block
- Oven trays
- Paper towels
- Food storage containers
- Measuring cups
- Dish/hand towels
- Sponge
- Aluminium foil and cling wrap
Bathroom essentials – These are some of the easiest essentials to organise. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on bathroom items. And, it’s important to keep your toiletries readily accessible during your move. This way, you can have a bath or shower to unwind after unpacking.
Bathroom checklist:
- Soap
- Body wash
- Razors
- Hand soap
- Toilet paper
- Toilet brush
- Hand towels
- Bath towels
- Bath mat
- Laundry basket
- Shower curtain and hooks
Bedroom essentials – Sleeping on the floor may seem fun for a night or two, but it’s not the most comfortable option. So, you should have at least one set of sheets, a blanket and a pillow for your first night. If you’re able to bring your bed, that’s even better. If not, having a mattress is a good start.
Bedroom checklist:
- Mattress
- Sheet set
- Pillows
- Blanket
- Quilt/duvet
- Bedside table
- Lamp
- Coat hangers or draw organisers
Living room essentials – Your living room is a place to gather together. As such, it should be warm and welcoming. So, ensure you have at least one lounge or armchair of some sort. There’s nothing more frustrating than coming home after a long workday and not having a comfy couch to relax on. This is especially important if your bed isn’t at the house yet.
Having a dining table is important as well. So, we recommend seeing if your current furniture will fit into the space before purchasing new pieces.
Living room checklist:
- Lounge
- Armchair(s)
- TV
- TV stand
- Coffee table
- Dining table and chairs
Miscellaneous items – There are various other bits and pieces which prove useful around the house. While some are more important than others, it’s all useful to consider when finalising the checklist for your first house:
- Light bulbs
- Smoke detector
- First aid kit
- Screwdriver
- Stepping stool
- Batteries
- Duct tape
- Measuring tape
- Painkillers (i.e. Panadol and Ibuprofen)
- Ironing board
- Tissues
- Scissors
- Sewing kit
- Umbrella
- Extension cords
- Storage solutions
- Baking sheets
- Food processor
We help make your move stress-free
With a little forethought, a moving day can be a relaxing experience. Whether it’s your first (or fifth) time moving house, knowing exactly what to do and what you’ll need makes it so much easier. For a stress-free moving experience, call or email JD Movers today.
For everything from office relocation to interstate removals, contact JD Movers today.