Moving Checklist

Moving home can be one of the most stressful things in life! With this in mind, the following Moving Checklist has been compiled to help you plan your move and reduce some of the stress involved:

Moving Checklist – 4 Weeks to Go

  • Start a central file for your move documents
  • If using a moving company obtain at least 4 quotes, I have happy to provide you with a list of company, please email me
  • Choose a moving company and make a booking
  • If you are moving yourself get at least 2 quotes from truck rental companies
  • If you are moving yourself book and truck and trolley, you will also need blankets to protect your furniture during transit and most truck hire companies can supply these for a small additional charge.
  • If you are moving yourself start collecting newspapers and boxes for packing – you will need more than you think!
  • Start packing items that will not be used before the move
  • If you are moving a piano ensure that the moving company you have booked can accommodate this – you may need a professional piano removalist. Organise to have the piano tuned after the move.
  • If travelling by air ensure that flights and accommodation (if necessary) are booked
  • Complete a change of address form from the Post Office – this can be ordered through www.nzpost.co.nz
  • Obtain medical records, dental records and prescription histories. Fill any prescriptions that will be required a week before and a week after the move. Don’t forget Vet records!
  • When moving with children make arrangements to transfer school records
  • If you are moving into or out of a building with a lift check with Building Management – you may need to reserve the use of the lift on the day of the move
  • If you have items you do not want to take with you start organising a garage sale or start transporting things to your local tipIf you are moving yourself enlist the help of reliable friends and/or relatives. Many hands make light work and you will need at least 4 people to get the job done – give them plenty of notice.
  • Arrange new homes for any plants that you are not planning to relocate.

Packing Tips

  • Tape remote controls and cables for electrical appliances to the back of the relevant appliance
  • Wrap white china etc in butcher’s paper before protecting with newspaper – it keeps them white!
  • Make sure that the following are always on hand – extra boxes, tape, marking pens, newspaper, a small tool kit, garbage bags
  • When dismantling beds make sure that all screws, nuts&bolts etc are taped to the relevant piece of furniture – makes reassembly for that first nights rest a breeze!
  • Save room by packing breakables amongst towels, blankets and clothing (make sure these boxes are marked FRAGILE!)
  • Use your luggage instead of boxes for packing clothing
  • Important documents, money, jewellery and other valuables are best carried with you on the day

Moving Checklist –Moving Checklist Auckland 2 Weeks to Go

  • Keep packing
  • Start using any frozen food and perishable goods
  • Establish cut off dates for phone, electricity, gas and water
  • Organise child care for the day of the move if necessary
  • Moving can be very traumatic for pets – make travel arrangements for your pets or arrange to have someone look after them from the day before the move to the day after
  • If possible, take pictures or video of your belongings, record serial numbers
  • Inform electric, gas, water, newspaper &magazine subscriptions, telephone and cable companies of the move
  • If travelling by air confirm any flight and accommodation arrangements
  • Call you insurance company to see what changes are required to your policy, enquire if moving is covered and arrange insurance for your new home
  • Contact any organisations (ie. Gyms, Clubs) at which you are a member and organise to end, sell or transfer membership
  • If you are having a garage sale – have it now!

The week of the move

  • All except essential items should now be packed
  • Drain fuel from lawn mower, empty gas cylinders/bottles
  • Collect any outstanding lay-bys, dry cleaning and return any library books or videos/DVDs
  • Use or dispose of any food items you will not be taking with you.

The day before the move

  • If you are having your belongings professionally packed this service will start today
  • Defrost your freezer, empty and clean out your refrigerator
  • Do laundry
  • Pack a “Survival Kit” for moving day – include first aid items, wet weather gear, tape, keys, snacks, change for road tolls if required, mobile phone and emergency phone numbers
  • Pack of box of essentials that you will need when you arrive at your new home ie. the kettle, mugs, cutlery, paper plates and plastic cups, tea, coffee, sugar, long life milk, breakfast items, garbage bags, toilet paper.
  • Make sure that sheets and pillowcases are on hand to make up beds for that first nights hard earned rest!

Moving Day

  • Ensure all keys are in a central location, make sure that electricity, gas and water meters have been read and the telephone has been disconnected (or arrangement is made for this). Make sure all taps are turned off tightly.
  • Don’t forget to take your pegs off the cloths line!
  • If you are leaving a rental property make arrangements to drop keys to the agent/landlord
  • Double and triple check that garages, cupboards, under sinks, bathroom cabinets are all empty. Look up! Is there anything on top of cupboards that you have overlooked?
  • Turn off the power and water heater at the mains
  • If moving with someone with a medical condition ensure that medication or anything they may require is close at hand
  • Put out the garbage and recycling bins
  • Check the mailbox one last time
  • Say “Goodbye” to your old home
  • Welcome Home

Once all the hard work is done:

  • Locate hospitals, doctors, police stations, veterinarians etc in your new area
  • If you haven’t already done so notify banks, health funds, rewards companies, creditors of your new details
  • Arrange to have your licence and registrations details changed
  • It’s time to celebrate – Consider a house warming party!

I hope this Moving Checklist helps you and feel free to either print this off and email me for any other advice.