Moving house? Your four-week checklist for a smoother move

Moving home can feel overwhelming, so follow our guide to make it feel like a breeze.

A successful house move takes more than planning. It’s about knowing what to do when. So we’ve created the ultimate home-moving guide.

Four weeks before you move out is the perfect time to kick off the process. Mark that date in your calendar, then work through our checklist and put your best foot forward on moving day.

Start by limbering up with some easy, yet important planning and administrative tasks.

Four weeks to go

Book a removalist: Removalists can book up early. Prioritising this task ensures you’re not left carrying the boxes and gives you time to compare quotes.
Divide and conquer: Make a simple list of categories for everything in your home, for example, furniture, books and clothing. Then divide each category into three types of packing items: non-essential, everyday use and do not pack; for example, clothing: non-essential, formalwear.
Declutter: Look at your list and identify belongings you no longer need or want. If these are in good enough condition, sell them or donate to charity.
Gather your packing supplies: It takes around 100 boxes to pack up an average three-bedroom home. Look at your possessions and select the right mix of small, medium and large boxes. Remember to buy tape, wrapping materials for fragile items and marker pens to label where each box will go in your new home.

Now it’s time to turn your careful planning into action.

Three weeks to go

Start packing: Box up your non-essential items first, working through each room in the house. Don’t forget to pack items in your garage, carport or shed.
Contact utility providers: Let your water, gas and electricity suppliers know that you’re moving and request final meter readings. Consider negotiating a better deal with your existing providers or changing utility providers for your new home.
Organise contents insurance: Let your home contents insurer know when you’re moving home. Consider requesting insurance quotes from other providers to make sure you get the best deal.
Redirect your mail: Set up mail redirection to avoid the last-minute stress of missing important bills and correspondence.

By the end of week three, you’re ready to lock in and lift your packing game.

Two weeks to go

Pack almost everything: Take your packing game up a gear. By the end of this week, aim to have everything but your do-not-pack items boxed up and ready to go,
Update your address: Let your employer, bank, credit card provider, family doctor, school and subscription services know that you’re moving.
Tell your family and friends: Share your new address.
Arrange childcare and pet care: Moving house can be confusing (and boring) for pets and small children. Organise to leave your kids and pets with family, friends or a daycare service.
Lawns, garden beds and hedges: Mow, weed and trim them for the final time.
Use up frozen food: Start emptying your fridge/freezer so it’s ready to defrost 48 hours before your removalists arrive.

You’ve done the hard yards, now it’s time for the finishing touches.

One week to go

Double-check your do not pack list: Make sure you have everything you need for the three days before and after you move home. Remember to include a few tools and cleaning items for moving day.
Disassemble large items of furniture: Get your furniture ready for the removalists by labelling parts and placing screws or loose items such as handles into labelled bags.
Scrub and shine: Clean cupboards, windows and light shades. Scrub the kitchen and bathrooms. Then remove cobwebs and dust from doors and skirting boards in each room.
Sweep up outside: Brush your garage and shed floors and use a leaf blower or brush to tidy up patio areas, paths and driveways.
Avoid leaks and spills: Remove fuel from petrol-powered garden equipment. Remember to defrost your fridge/freezer and disconnect the washing machine and dishwasher.
Unplug and secure: Disconnect electrical cables, and secure the tops, doors and lids of electrical items before the removalists arrive.

You’re all set and moving day is nearly here.

Moving day

Final checks: Before the removalists leave, check your home, garage and shed to make sure everything is in the truck.
Final cleaning jobs: Once your house is empty, vacuum, sweep and mop the floors.
Say goodbye: Lock and leave your house for the final time.

Your property is ready for settlement. Drop the keys off with your agent for the new owner. It’s time to begin a fresh chapter in your new home.