Moving house checklist: 8 weeks to moving day

8 weeks before

• Pick your moving date. Monday to Thursday is cheaper and easier to book than a Friday, Saturday or the end of the month.
• Get two or three removalist quotes and compare how they charge: hourly rate, minimum, travel or call-out fees, and insurance.
• Start decluttering one room at a time. Sell, donate or book a council clean-up for what you won’t take.

6 weeks before

• Book your removalist, and ask for a fixed price if you want certainty.
• If you rent, give notice in writing and book an end of lease clean.
• Get boxes, or in Sydney book our free crates.
• Start packing the things you rarely use: books, spare linen, decorations.

Prefer one number upfront? Get a fixed price in about 5 minutes.

4 weeks before

• Book the lift and loading dock at both buildings if you live in an apartment.
• Arrange electricity, gas and internet to be connected at the new place and disconnected at the old one.
• Set up mail redirection with Australia Post.
• Book time off work for moving day.

2 weeks before

• Pack room by room, labelling each box with its new room on two sides.
• Confirm parking at both ends; hold a spot or check permits for the truck.
• Use up frozen food and pantry items.
• Tell your bank, insurer, employer and subscriptions your new address.

The week of the move

• Confirm the time and addresses with your removalist.
• Defrost and dry the fridge, and disconnect and drain the washing machine the day before.
• Take beds and tables apart if you’re comfortable doing it, and keep screws in labelled bags.
• Pack an essentials box: chargers, medication, documents, kettle, toilet paper and a change of clothes.

Moving day

• Have everything boxed and stacked by the door before the truck arrives.
• Do a final walk-through: cupboards, the garage, the balcony and the meter box.
• At the new place, tell the crew which room is which and where big pieces go.
• Not happy with how it’s going? Tell the removalist on the day, while it can still be fixed.

After you move

• Update your address on your driver licence and car registration (Service NSW or VicRoads), usually within 14 days.
• Update your enrolment with the Australian Electoral Commission, and your details with the ATO and Medicare through myGov.
• Register pets with your new council if needed, and check bin days.