Not using a checklist for moving house? Between packing up your house’s entire contents, updating utilities, and redirecting mail to prepare for life in your new abode, failing to plan is a surefire way to invite stress. Sure, you’ve winged it before — but things don’t always work out when the power’s off, overdue fees pile up from bills that never reached your new address, and insurance won’t cover damaged furniture.
Never want to deal with digging through boxes months later? Follow our moving house checklist and plan a smooth move that takes days, not weeks. With a little prep, you can stay on track, save time and settle in faster.
Get your new place ready
Before moving day arrives, it’s a smart idea to get your new place set up and ready to go. Sorting out the essentials ahead of time means fewer surprises when you walk through the door, like finding out there’s no hot water or internet. This part of your house moving checklist covers the little things that make a big difference on day one.
1. Get your keys sorted
You’ve paid your deposit and can finally set out a welcome mat by the front door. That’s great. Organise to have extra keys cut, ensuring that members of your household have a copy. You might want to keep an extra pair with a trusted parent or sibling as a backup or for emergencies.
2. Set up insurance, utilities, and other monthly accounts
Don’t just cancel or update the address for companies with monthly accounts and services you hold. Contact each provider directly to arrange access to water, electricity, and gas at your new residence, especially if your move happens earlier than expected. Likewise, consider negotiating continued service at your current dwelling in case of unforeseen delays.
Your insurance company should be your next call once you’ve collected your keys and shared the good news with loved ones. If you’re moving to an area less prone to bushfires, flooding, or other risks, you may even be eligible for lower premiums. It’s also essential to confirm whether your policy also covers damage or loss to your possessions during the move.
Once you’ve organised these, you can tick them off your checklist for moving house in Australia:
- Electricity
- Water
- Gas
- Internet
- Phone
3. Redirect subscriptions
Don’t let milk turn into yoghurt. If you have newspapers, groceries, or other products like skincare, supplements, and other products routinely delivered, remember to pass on your new address to your supplier. It’s also a great time to take stock of all your subscriptions and decide whether you wish to keep them, pause your service, or cancel those you no longer use and need.
You’ll also need to consider other subscriptions like streaming services and gyms, where access might be tied to an address or a particular location.
- Scheduled grocery delivery
- Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
- Consumer good subscriptions
Moving house checklist: Prep and pack your things
The lead-up to moving day can feel like a whirlwind, but a bit of prep now saves a lot of stress later.. This stage of your moving into a new house checklist is all about getting ahead, clearing out clutter, locking in bookings, and starting the packing process early.
4. Declutter and lighten the load
Less stuff = less stress and things to take with you. Take some cues from Marie Kondo, inspect all your items, and keep only those that bring you joy. Unfortunately, bills are exempt from this! Selling or donating items is a great way to give your items a second lease on life and prevent waste.
If you have items that you need to hold onto but don’t need immediate access to, consider leasing a storage unit from National Storage. Their flexible plans make storing excess items from your garage, spare rooms, or secondary living areas easy until you’re ready to bring them to your new address.
5. Order boxes and moving supplies
Furniture is easy enough to move — you can simply carry it into a van or truck. But what about all the little things? Your local fruit and veg store might be able to spare a few boxes, but chances are they won’t have nearly enough to hold all your belongings. And the ones they do offer are often too small to pack efficiently, too flimsy to protect your valuables, and dirty, leaving your items dusted with dirt and garnished with a stray spinach leaf.
When you’re packing a lifetime’s worth of possessions, you need a reliable supply of sturdy boxes and packing materials that keep your belongings safe throughout the journey. National Storage’s Box Shop can deliver affordable moving boxes and supplies straight to your door, helping you organise your property and protect it every step of the way.
Packing materials you’ll need:
Don’t forget about application-specific boxes, designed to protect and organise specific products, such as:
You’ll also need supplies to secure and insulate your boxes from knocks. Order more than you think; most people run out and need to go to the shops for additional pieces.
6. Start packing early
Packing always takes longer than expected, so give yourself a head start. This is where following a detailed moving house checklist in Australia pays off. Start packing what you use the least: seasonal clothes and decorations, spare linens, and books before working towards your essentials, leaving them last.
Label boxes clearly by room and contents to save confusion later. A good tip from the pros is to create a “first night” box with the must-haves, like a kettle, phone charger, toilet paper, and a change of clothes. It’s a small step that makes a big difference when unpacking after a long day.
7. Book movers and transport
Choose whether you will hire professional movers or convince friends and family to lend a hand. While more costly, professional services have the experience to complete the process quickly and carefully, making the big move a whole lot smoother. But it pays off when you can book them to work to your schedule and use their insurance to replace damaged or lost items.
On the other hand, family and friends cost nothing — you’ll just need to hire a van, and provide them with a few cooked meals and a case of beer to reward their troubles. However, you might need to put on a happy face if items get accidentally damaged or wait for weekends when they are free to help.
Moving house checklist: What to do on moving day
Moving day is here, and by sticking to your moving-in-house checklist, you can keep things flowing smoothly. Start early, fuel up with a good breakfast, and double-check that everything is packed and ready before the truck arrives. Assign tasks if you’ve got helpers, and make sure essential items (like keys, phone, and snacks) are close at hand. It’s also a good time to make a last sweep of your old place to check nothing’s left behind.
8. Keep valuables and essentials in your car
It’s wise to keep the essentials you’ll need on moving day and immediately afterwards with you rather than packing them away in boxes. These include a few changes of clothes, phone chargers, toilet paper, bottled water, and snacks.
You should also keep valuables, such as jewellery, items you usually keep secured in a safe, and confidential documents, in your possession and securely locked in your car. Not only is this important for peace of mind, but it may also be a requirement of your home and contents insurance policy.
9. Pack your van in order
A well-packed van can save you time, maximise space, and help you avoid unpleasant surprises like broken plates and glasses. Following our checklist when moving house will help you plan the order in which items are packed, based on when you’ll need them.
- Start by stacking boxes alongside the perimeter of the truck’s back wall, placing the heaviest cartons at the bottom and lighter ones on top. These items are typically stored in drawers, shelves, and cupboards and are not immediately needed to set up your new house. Be careful not to overload the stack to prevent it from toppling over or crushing others. It’s also a good idea to use bundling film and rope or cables to keep them in place.
- Consider how you will keep furniture protected while they’re transported. Cardboard, bubble wrap and bundling film are great for wrapping furniture, protecting corners, edges and facades from dings and dents.
- Position tall appliances, cupboards and shelving units along the back perimeter to keep boxes in position.
- Place small, fragile items in appropriately sized boxes and store them securely on cupboard shelves to maximise storage during transport. Use soft furnishings to cushion and prevent them from shifting or knocking about. For added safety, use tape or bundling film to keep cupboard doors closed, preventing them from swinging open during the move.
- Place other furniture into the van, packing them tightly together and along the walls. Take advantage of empty space under tables to hold extra items.
- Load rugs into the van last, so they’re the first items you can unload and place in the rooms. This way, you can position them before setting out furniture and avoid the trouble of moving items again just to lay the rugs afterwards.
After you’ve moved in
You’ve made it — the heavy lifting is mostly done. But before you settle in completely, there are a few things to tick off your checklist for moving house in Australia or abroad. Unpacking strategically, reconnecting services, and updating a few final details will help you get the basics sorted and start enjoying your new place sooner.
10. Unpack strategically
How you approach unpacking can shape how quickly and comfortably you settle into your home. Not to mention, you’ll also avoid the chance of abandoning full boxes in your garage.
- Start by placing your rugs in rooms to avoid moving furniture again just to lay them.
- Next, move appliances and large furniture into place, starting with the rooms at the back of the house. For proper handling, you should maintain clear pathways that allow you to move freely without navigating around furniture.
- Once your bulky and heavy furniture is in place, move in smaller pieces like chairs, floor vases, floor and table lamps.
- Begin furnishing your home, focusing on the rooms you need to run your household. Start by filling wardrobes with clothing, adding cutlery and utensils to kitchen drawers, and placing everyday personal care products in your bathroom.
- Leave non-urgent things like books, decor and tools last.
If you have limited time, break tasks into chunks and aim to fully unpack one room per day.
11. Get on top of your home admin
Before you can wrap up your move, tie up any loose ends to ensure your new address is formally recognised as your primary residence. First, update your driver’s licence and car registration, as many states have a deadline for changes, so it’s worth doing sooner rather than later.
Next, if you have kids, make sure their enrolment is confirmed at their new school or daycare, and take note of any orientation sessions or uniform requirements. Confirm mail is redirected to your new house, and any services and other organisations you need to stay in contact with, such as superannuation, tax, and medical offices, have your most current address.
12. Host a housewarming
After you’ve decluttered, packed, unloaded, and moved a lifetime’s worth of belongings, it’s time to sit back and put your feet up to relax. After you’ve had a few weeks to settle in, invite family and friends to tour your new space and celebrate over a BBQ.
Move houses smoothly with National Storage
Moving isn’t just about boxes and trucks. Well, it is, but it’s also about making the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. Opting for off-site storage can help you prepare for a move by storing furniture and other goods until needed, as a long-term solution for downsizing, or somewhere to keep things while you figure out your new layout.
With facilities across metropolitan and regional cities across Australia, you can hire a storage unit and keep your belongings nearby, source packing supplies from our box shop and easily move your property between premises with truck and trailer hire services. With a vast array of services, National Storage is your best partner to help you move house and manage your household.
From the moment you start ticking off your moving house checklist to unpacking the last box, we’re here to simplify the process. Book your storage unit today to benefit from flexible plans and the convenience of local access.
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