Moving guide and checklist: How to make your move stress-free

Moving into a new home is an exciting time of your life as you start a new chapter. Whether you’re renting or buying, there are a few things everyone seems to leave to the very last minute – or even worse, totally forget about.

To make sure you’re all set for your move, we’ve put together this moving guide that will not only save you time but also keep you stress-free.

Choosing your new home

So, you’ve decided to move out but have yet to pick your new place. Some factors you need to consider when choosing your next home include price, size, and location. These three co-exist in the house-hunting journey and require plenty of research.

Price 

Selecting a home that suits your budget should be one of your primary considerations. Here are a few questions that might help you narrow down your choices:

• Are you looking for a cheaper place?

• How much are you willing to shell out for monthly rental?

• Do you have enough money to cover your rental bond?

• Do you need to apply for a mortgage before buying a house? 

Size 

How much space do you need? Are you sizing up or down your home? And how many rooms do you need for the kids? These are just some of the questions you can ask yourself when looking for a new home, especially if you’re changing your lifestyle.

It’s best to go physical house-hunting to get an idea of what your options look like inside and out. Remember, the larger the size of the house, the more you’ll have to spend on utilities and maintenance.

Location

Where you plan on moving requires a systematic process and usually involves specific circumstances:

• Do you plan on moving closer to work? 

• Are the houses on the other side of town cheaper? 

• Do you want a home that is accessible to public transport? 

• Does this neighbourhood provide a safe community in which to raise your kids?

Location is everything in choosing a home, as it affects many factors for yourself and your family in the long run. Spend some time researching your new area so that you’re all set to start living there once the packing and unpacking frenzy is over. 

Schools and related facilities will likely be your top priority if you have children. However, even just finding out where your local Boots or the closest gym can help you feel more at home.

Planning your move

A great deal of planning can make your move less stressful. Knowing what to do before moving into a house is important, as this will help you prevent last-minute packing or documentation when your move date finally rolls in. Here are some planning tips for moving to get you started: 

Prepare the paperwork

One of the essential things to tick off on your checklist for moving houses is to go over your paperwork with your agent. Read the fine print and ask all the questions you’d like answered. Once you’ve sorted out all your documents, have them stamped by local authorities. It also helps to have photocopies just in case.

Start decluttering

Start the purge process early. Start clearing out the undesirable items as soon as six weeks before your move date. Sort your belongings with a Keep or Toss pile. Labelling and colour-coding can also come in handy to quickly identify which is which.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself when you’re decluttering:

1. When did you last use the item? If it’s more than 6 months, it’s got to go.
2. Does it fit in your new home? If you can’t get in past the front door, there’s no point in putting it in the truck.
3. Is it useful? If not, why do you need it?

Declutter by giving your items, selling, or donating to charity. This should happen as soon as you know you’re moving home. Think about it; if you do something every day towards your end goal (moving in this instance), then it’s less of a hurdle at the finish line. 

Always note the amount of space you’re moving into. Knowing the available room sets the boundaries to how much you can take along with you.

Get measurements

This will help you to understand the space and which items you currently own will fit.

Start by measuring the dimensions of large furniture (fridge, sofa, and dining tables), and then go to your new home and measure the space. You could even use masking tape to map out the room.

Don’t forget to measure the doorframes and hallways. There’s nothing worse than lugging the plush leather sofa to the new home, only to find that you can’t even get it inside the living room.

Pack well

The sooner you pack your belongings, the calmer your move will be. You’ll need more than boxes and tape to pack efficiently, though. Here are some often-forgotten essentials to gather upfront:

• Packing paper

• Good textas

• Bubble wrap

• Scissors

• Labels (Have a box number system put your new address and contact name/ number)

• Wardrobe boxes

Get your packing materials together (check with the moving services company whether they can provide any). Also, take advantage of everyday household materials, like linen, garbage bags, and socks!

Just a few more things:

• Work out the travel route to your new home—organise parking for the removal vans at both addresses.

• Find storage facilities if needed. Try asking your removalist, who may be able to recommend some.

Label for better organisation

You may think this is over the top, but we promise it’s not. Start by numbering or naming each room on a floor plan of your new home. Then, label the boxes to match the rooms. Make a list of the boxes and their contents so you can easily put them in the right rooms once you’re settled in.

This system saves you time and hassle, whether you’re tackling the move yourself or have helpers.

Look into professional removalists

Consider getting quotes from removalists a few weeks before you solidify your moving date. Weekday moves are sometimes cheaper, so a little planning can save you money.

Moving companies offer a range of services. Most will handle transporting your belongings, but packing and unpacking might be additional costs. While full-service packing can be expensive, hiring help for packing and furniture assembly in your new place can significantly ease the burden.

Clean up

On your moving day, try to keep your home tidy. You can even book a cleaning service for good measure. 

Connect with professionals to determine how much end-of-lease cleaning costs and factor this into your moving preparation. Don’t forget to clear your refrigerator and get rid of perishables and other household waste!

Then, check all your fixtures, sockets, and walls. If anything needs to be repainted or repaired, do so before you leave. You can even hire a professional to do it for you.  

Most importantly, always keep your valuables and important documents close to you.

Moving time

After coordinating with your mover, it’s time to get going to your brand-new abode! Inform them which items are fragile and where boxes will go in your new home. Make sure you (or another household member) are ready to clarify details.

Say goodbye to your neighbours and hello to your new ones

If moving trucks will be blocking driveways, give your neighbours a heads-up to prevent parking headaches. Leave them your new address so they can forward any misplaced mail and stay in touch!

Soon after, introduce yourself to your new neighbours. It’s a great way to break the ice and build connections in your new community.

Unpack and settle in

Before you dive into unpacking, give your new home a good once-over. Are all the lights working? Any suspicious drips under the sink? It’s a good idea to document any existing damage with photos or videos to be on the safe side. Mention these to your landlord when you get a chance.

Now, onto the unpacking! Take your time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s a friend lending a hand or a furniture assembly pro saving the day, there’s no shame in getting some extra muscle.

Lastly, let your friends and family know your new residence, and update your bank, post office, and service or utility company details.

Get home & contents insurance

Coordinate with your current insurer to end your coverage on the day after you move out. Then, contact your new home insurance provider and arrange for your policy to begin on the day before you move in. This way, you’ll have seamless coverage, even for that in-between period on moving day itself.

More moving tips

The big plan is pretty much sorted out, but you still have some things on your mind before leaving. Below are tips to follow when moving to your new home.

Pack before estimating

One of the important moving house packing tips often overlooked is to have an estimate of how many items will be transported. Once your items are ready to go, it’s time to inform your mover how much they actually need to transfer. 

If you can pack as early as a couple of weeks, this will yield a more accurate quote. Packing your stuff before hiring movers saves you from unexpected last-minute costs.

Get powered up

Moving can be a whirlwind; amidst the packing and planning, it’s easy to overlook essential utilities like power. Streamline your move by scheduling your power connections well in advance! Ensure service is activated at your new place on your move-in date, and don’t forget to schedule a disconnection at your current address to avoid unnecessary charges.

Disassemble your furniture in advance

Don’t underestimate that double, queen, or king bed! Take apart any large furniture that might struggle to fit through doorways beforehand. This simple step saves precious time and frustration on moving day.

Keep a well-stocked toolbox within easy reach. You’ll need it at your new place for unboxing and reassembly. To stay super organised, use labelled Ziploc bags to store all those essential screws and bobs, matching them to the furniture they belong to.

Board your pet

Moving is hard enough, but put a dog or cat in the mix, and things can get tricky. Instead of bringing your pets right on moving day, board them in a kennel or cattery for a few nights until you’ve settled enough in your new home. You’ll have time to arrange your house and make it homey for your furry friend’s grand arrival.

Pack a survival kit

Your first few nights in your new home can get pretty chaotic. To avoid living out of boxes, pack a bag with all your essentials for a good week. These include clothes, gadgets, toiletries, medicine, and snacks. It’s easily accessible and stops you from going through all your stuff and making a big mess.

Consider recycling

Recycling helps you save money and protect the environment. Surely you don’t need everything from your old house. You could consider having a garage sale or putting items up on eBay, Gumtree or Oddswop. If there’s no huge value or no takers, why not give it to friends and family or donate it to a local charity such as the Salvation Army?

There’s bound to be a friend of a friend moving sometime soon, so rather than creating more waste, give your used boxes to them. Or better yet, rent your boxes.

Make the moving process easier with Airtasker

So there you have it—the key to a successful move is a solid plan and a great deal of prep. Use this guide so you don’t miss anything on the way to your new home.

If you’re all set, hire professional removalists who can help you tick off these checkboxes and share more tips for moving. Whether you need painters to repaint your walls, packers to help wrap fragile items, or handymen to cover wall mounting holes before you move, Airtasker’s got you covered!