Moving house is a daunting task.

If you want the job to go smoothly, start with a checklist. It’ll pay to start planning your move a few weeks out – otherwise you might find even the simplest task overwhelming.

Luckily, most of the big jobs involved in moving house can be done by professionals. Here are some handy hints to help you deal with the number of trades and professionals involved in moving.

Step one is to find a furniture removalist. Click here for a list of removalists in your area.

To get a quote, you’ll need to create a comprehensive list of items that you need to move. It’s important to consider everything and anything – the removalist might charge you extra for items not included in the quote.

Make particular note of delicate, fragile, valuable or heavy items – such as pianos – these items will affect the quote.

The quote should also take into account the number of stairs involved, as well as travel distances between the old house and the new.  

Utilities & service providers

Notify the following providers of your intended address and the date of your move to ensure a smooth transition:

• Gas
• Electricity
• Water
• Phone
• TV services
• Banks
• Insurance agencies
• Australia Post
• Health funds
• Motor regsitration
• Schools
• Newsagencies (if you get magazines or newspapers delivered)

Moving out

You’ll need to plan ahead for tasks such as rubbish removal, house cleaning services and self storage facilities. Book them in, as soon as possible. Your removalist will be able to deliver some of your belongings to a storage unit, if required, but you need to know in advance which ones these will be – and pack accordingly.

If you need to do a big toss out before you leave, call up your local council to organise a special hard rubbish collection, or find out the date of the next designated hard rubbish collection in your neighbourhood. Alternatively, you might need to organise a skip. You can find one here.

Perhaps you want to have a garage sale before you move, to sell stuff that’s too good to toss out? Read our article about holding a garage sale here. 

Do your research

Before you move to a new area, do your research on available services. Find out the whereabouts of the local medical clinic, child care centre, schools, shops and vets.  You’ll also have to transfer your personal records from your old service providers to another – so allow plenty of time You should allow plenty of time for your personal records to be transferred from your old doctor and dentist to a new one. 

Here’s a final check list leading up to and during your move:

• Back up your computers;
• Request final gas and electricity meter readings;
• Arrange for your mail to be diverted to your new address;
• Arrange for valuable and precious items to be moved separately;
• Label all boxes so that it’s clear what’s in them at the other end;
• Return hired items (DVDs, library books etc);
• Defrost your fridge and freezer;
• Check all cupboards and drawers before you leave.