Moving House Checklist

The key to a smooth and stress free house move is simple; a good plan that begins weeks in advance. Follow this checklist to get well organised and remember everything that you need to prepare for, before the day finally arrives when you move house.

4 to 6 WEEKS to go

• Start a file for all your house move documents and list of belongings.
• Consider what furniture and household items you currently have. If there are items that you no longer need or do not wish to take with you, then arrange to hold a Garage Sale (or two), or advertise them for sale in the newspaper and/or on the internet.
• Make a list all the items you will need to move and estimate their value.
• Contact Lo.Co. Removals, get a quote and book a date for your house move.
• Discuss the Packing Materials you will need with Lo.Co. Removals. If you plan to do the packing yourself, then organise when to collect cartons, tape, labels and marking pens, etc. Otherwise, book a date for Lo.Co. Removals to attend and do all the packing for you.
• Create a floor plan of your new home. Map out the placement of furniture.
• Begin to notify family, friends, your employer, superannuation fund, your bank, insurance company, electricity, gas, telephone, internet and pay TV companies, road transport authority (driver's license), local council, water board, electoral roll, taxation office, etc, of your pending move and your new home address details. Make arrangements for a smooth and timely changeover of services to your new address.
• Advise your children's school about your pending move. Enrol children in their new school.
• If renting, give notice to your landlord.

2 WEEKS to go

• Have a thorough clean out and make trips to the tip. Check the garden, the garage, the shed and under your house. Dispose of flammable items like cleaning fluid, acids, aerosol cans and fuel cans that the removalist cannot take; unless you plan to move these yourself.
• Have BBQ gas bottles purged by a certified gas cylinder test station.
• Begin to use up all frozen food in the freezer, unless you are only moving a short distance.
• Collect packing materials and start packing, if you are doing all this yourself.
• Label every carton to describe both the contents inside and the room into which they are to be delivered.
• Return all borrowed items like library books and rental DVD's.

1 WEEK to go

• Arrange with the Post Office to have all your mail redirected.
• Confirm the date for disconnection of electricity, gas, water, telephone, internet and other services at your current address.
• Confirm the date for connection of all these services at your new address.
• Cancel the delivery of newspapers to your present address.
• If you are taking special light fittings with you, arrange to have these disconnected by an electrician.
• Drain fuel from lawn mowers, whipper snippers and chain saws, etc.
• Dispose of (or donate) unwanted items that could not be sold.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet. Take unwanted medicines to the local chemist for disposal.
• If desired, make arrangements to have pets looked after elsewhere, so they do not get in the way on moving day.

2 DAYS to go

• Begin to dismantle furniture and beds. Stow nuts, bolts and bed legs in a sealed bag and tape the bag to the item.
• Defrost the refrigerator and freezer. Remove all food, drink and shelves inside. Disconnect the power, coil up the lead and tie to the appliance. If necessary, secure or chock the refrigerator motor so that it cannot move during transit. Wiping the inside with vanilla essence will prevent any build up of mildew or nasty smells.
• Do any loads of washing necessary. Disconnect the washing machine and drain all water from the hoses. Coil the hoses and electrical lead. Tape or wire them securely to the machine.
• Pack up electrical items. Coil the electrical cord and tape it to the appliance.
• Take down and pack any blinds and curtains that are to be moved to your new house.
• Tape and seal all jars, bottles and cans containing non-flamable liquids. Pack into waterproof containers or plastic bags.
• If travelling any significant distance by car, then check the oil, water and tyre pressures.

1 DAY to go

• If you have arranged for Lo.Co. Removals to do your packing, this will generally happen today.
• Pack bags of all essential clothes, belongings, toiletries and valuables that you will be transporting yourself and will need soon after arriving at your new home. You should take valuables like jewellery, cameras and handbags with you, and not load them into the removals van.
• Conclude all packing. Tick off all items in your inventory to make sure nothing has been forgotten. Make sure all cartons are taped securely closed and that each box is clearly labelled.
• Wash and dry any dishes remaining and pack into a carton ready to move.
• Dispose of any remaining food, garbage, chemicals, poisons and flammables.
• If your house will be vacant for a while, then notify the police and neighbours.

ON MOVING DAY

• Carry out a final check around the house, outside and in the garage, just to make sure nothing has been forgotten.
• Leave your forwarding address and telephone contact number for the new owner occupiers of your house.
• Make sure all taps are turned off.
• Keep pets well out of the way during the move.
• Don't worry ! Sit back and watch while Lo.Co. Removals complete your house move in a careful and professional manner.

At your destination

• Make sure that you, or somebody acting for you, is present at the destination when the Lo.Co. Removals van arrives. This helps to ensure the correct placement of furniture and belongings inside your new home as they are unloaded.