THE ULTIMATE MOVING CHECKLIST

Moving can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but with the right planning and organisation, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Having a detailed moving checklist is essential to staying on track, keeping your tasks in order, and avoiding any last-minute rush. This comprehensive guide will take you through all the key steps you need to follow for a successful move, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.

Eight Weeks Before Moving

At this stage, preparation is crucial, and using a moving checklist will keep you organised:

• Declutter and Organise: Go room by room and begin sorting through your belongings. Create three categories: keep, donate, and discard. This is your chance to get rid of items you no longer need and lighten your load for the move. For any items that need special care or packing, such as antiques or delicate furniture, make a note so that you can plan accordingly.
• Research Moving Companies: Start researching and contacting moving companies. It’s important to compare quotes and services before making a decision. Keep in mind that online or phone estimates may not be accurate, so always ask for an in-home estimate to get a clearer idea of the cost.
• School Records: If you have children, you’ll need to start the process of transferring their school records to their new school. Visit their current school and fill out any necessary forms for this.
• Create a Moving Binder: Keep all your moving-related documents, estimates, receipts, and inventory lists in one place. This moving checklist binder will make it easier to track everything and stay organised.

Six Weeks Before Moving

Things are picking up, and it’s time to get more specific with your plans and your moving checklist:

• Order Packing Supplies: Begin ordering your packing supplies, including boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and markers. For larger or delicate items, you may need to purchase special boxes, such as wardrobe boxes for clothes or dish barrels for fragile items.
• Use Up Perishable Items: Begin consuming any perishable goods or frozen foods that you won’t be moving. This is also a good time to use up any cleaning supplies or other items that are better to replace than transport.
• Check Your New Home’s Measurements: If possible, measure the doors, hallways, and rooms of your new home. Ensure that your larger furniture items, such as sofas or dining tables, will fit through the doorways or up staircases. If not, you might need to disassemble some furniture or make alternate plans.
• Research Packing Techniques: Look into effective ways to pack your belongings to avoid damage. Group similar items together, and cushion fragile items well to prevent breakage during the move.

Four Weeks Before Moving

It’s time to start taking action on your moving checklist:

• Confirm Your Moving Company: By now, you should have selected your moving company. Confirm all the details, including the cost, moving date, and any other important specifics, such as packing services or special item transport.
• Begin Packing Non-Essentials: Start packing items that you don’t use daily. Seasonal clothing, extra bedding, and rarely used kitchen items can be packed first. Be sure to label each box with the room it belongs in and a brief description of the contents.
• Pack Important Documents Separately: Set aside a folder or box for all important documents such as passports, birth certificates, medical records, and insurance papers. Keep these with you during the move, rather than packing them with the rest of your belongings.
• Label Boxes: Labelling boxes by room and content will help make the unpacking process much smoother. You can also create an inventory list of all your boxes, so you can quickly reference what’s inside each box without having to open them all.
• Notify Utility Providers: Contact your utility companies and schedule a cut-off for your old home and a start date for your new home. This includes electricity, water, gas, internet, and any other services you use regularly.
• Address Change: Notify important institutions of your upcoming move and address change. This includes banks, your employer, the post office, and any subscription services.
• Medical and Dental Records: Arrange for your medical and dental records to be sent to your new healthcare providers. Make copies of these records and keep them in your important documents folder in case you need them during the move.

Two Weeks Before Moving

Your moving checklist should be nearly complete:

• Arrange Time Off Work: Confirm with your employer that you’ll be taking time off for moving day. It’s important to be there to supervise and manage the process.
• Check Vehicle Maintenance: Take your vehicle to the mechanic to ensure it’s in top condition for the move, especially if you’ll be driving a long distance to your new home.
• Plan Your Payment: If you haven’t already arranged to pay by credit card, make sure you have cash or a cheque ready for the moving company. It’s also customary to tip the movers if they do a great job.
• Confirm Moving Day Details: Double-check with your moving company to ensure everything is on track. Confirm the arrival time, address, and any last-minute details.

One Week Before Moving

Final preparations on your moving checklist:

• Finish Packing: By now, you should be mostly packed, leaving only the items you need for the last few days. Create a box of essentials for each family member that includes clothing, toiletries, and other important items to get through the first few days in your new home.
• Prescriptions: Refill any prescriptions you’ll need over the next few weeks.
• Pack a Moving Day Kit: Include things like phone chargers, snacks, water, and any tools you might need, such as screwdrivers or utility knives for unpacking boxes.

Moving Day

Finally, your moving checklist culminates with the big day:

• Double-Check the Truck: When the movers arrive, make sure the truck belongs to the moving company you hired. Check the branding and number plate to confirm it’s the right one.
• Supervise the Loading Process: Keep an eye on the loading process to ensure that everything is being handled with care. If you’ve labelled your boxes clearly, instruct the movers which rooms to place them in.
• Inventory Check: Before the movers leave, go through the inventory list and check that all items have been loaded onto the truck. Once the movers arrive at your new home, check off each item as it’s unloaded.
• Settle In: After the movers leave, begin unpacking the essentials first, such as kitchenware and bedding. Take your time unpacking, and settle into your new home at your own pace.

By following this detailed moving checklist, you can ensure that your move is well-organised and stress-free. Staying on top of tasks at each stage of the moving process will help everything go smoothly, allowing you to focus on settling into your new home. With proper planning, you’ll be able to look back on your move as a positive and efficient experience.