8 things to tick off before moving day

The secret to a smooth moving day? The pre-move hustle! Get prepared ahead of time with a bit of sage advice. 

We round up the essential tasks you should do before you make your move.

1. Transfer your utilities

Avoid being left without power, gas, water or internet by organising the connection of your utilities in advance.

Nowadays, your utilities can usually be set-up or transferred to a new address via the web or phone.

Get a jump on this to ensure you give yourself – and your provider – enough time to work things out. The earlier you do this means you could also take some time to research the best plan for your needs.

When it comes to internet, you may find you don’t have the same plan or product available at your new address. Search your new address on the Optus website to find out your options for your new home.

2. Plan your moving day strategy

Booking your movers should be the first thing you do. Even if you don’t know your exact moving day, start the conversation with your chosen moving company to see what’s available and if there’s potential to reserve times.

Good movers can be hard to find and their time books out quickly. Don’t sleep on this vital item!

What are the kids doing on moving day? Plan babysitters ahead of time.

The other thing you’ll want to have in the back of your mind is a general run sheet for moving day. Which room is to be packed and unpacked first? How are you going to layout the new house? Are you going to take the kids to a friend’s house on moving day? What about pets?

The moving process isn’t simply about relocating furniture from A to B. It’s always best to put a plan in writing, not only for your sanity but to help communicate with others involved in the move, whether that be family or removalists.

3. Renters: do a property report

If you’re moving into a new rental, do your property condition report prior to getting any furniture in the new home.

This means taking a lot of photos of the new space and thoroughly filling out a condition report that should be supplied by your landlord or agent.

Don’t be afraid to be very specific and take a heap of photo evidence to back everything up.

4. Start de-cluttering

Why move things you’re going to throw out anyway?

Start clearing out the wardrobes and selling or donating any unwanted items. If you think you’ll need to leave things for a council pick-up after you move, consider booking that as well. Clean out your pantry of items that are out of date and remove old cosmetics or toiletries from your bathroom.

Make sure you leave enough time to really get into your garage or shed to clear out the weird and wonderful things that inevitably get left there.

Remember, paint tins and other hazardous chemicals require special disposal — they can’t be thrown into the regular trash.

5. Commence the major clean-up

Some things can’t be done until after you’ve left, such as cleaning floors or walls. But little things can be started a few days ahead of time.

For example, start dusting and washing blinds. If your kitchen has space between any cabinet tops and the ceiling, get up there and start scrubbing. Clean your fan blades or air-con filters.

And if you don’t intend to clean it yourself, now’s the time to organise a cleaner to come in after you’re gone.

6. Start packing

You should already know this one. Packing doesn’t start on moving day! It most likely starts weeks – maybe even months – before the actual move.

Start with items you don’t need. For example, start packing items in storage (camping gear, various garage items) well in advance. Then make an actual list of everything that needs to be packed: from heaters and musical instruments, to bathroom cabinets, pots and pans.

You might be tempted to start packing up the linen closet but remember: blankets, sheets, towels and tablecloths make excellent packing box liners.

7. Put aside not-to-be-packed items

Don’t accidentally pack the kids school shoes or your laptop charger when you need them the next day!

Make a list ahead of time and put aside items that are not to be packed. This could be the kettle, tea and sugar, work clothes, a few cups and plates, the dog’s lead – you’ll know what’s vital for your family.

8. Redirect the mail

Depending on how much mail you get, you can start this process before or after your move.

Given its 2021, it might be time to go paperless. You can start switching this over before you get into your new property.

Otherwise, start keeping a list of everything that might require a change of address, from frequent flyer memberships to doctors records and your voter registration.

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