Moving is often as stressful as it is exciting, which is why, here at Dream Movers, we are always looking for new ways to take the stress out of the situation.
As a result, we’ve come up with this, the ultimate printable checklist for moving your home. Armed with this simple, but comprehensive document, you can plan your move to the nth degree and ensure that the whole process goes off without a hitch.
So, why not check out our 2022 moving checklist below, right now?
Table of Contents
Three to four weeks before moving day
Start gathering your moving supplies
You will want to start gathering as many moving supplies as you can as soon as you can so that you don’t have to worry about not having enough boxes or not being able to thoroughly wrap all of your breakables when the time comes.
Many of the packing materials you will need, such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and newspaper, can often be found for free by asking family and friends, local businesses and even people on Craigslist or Facebook.
Other things like mattress protectors, dish barrels and boxes specifically for storing wardrobes will possibly need to be bought, so if you are going to buy them online, please do that as soon as possible.
Make a list of everything you will be moving
Before you do anything else, it is a really good idea to make an inventory of everything you own and everything that you will be taking with you on your move.
While you are doing this, you have the perfect opportunity to also do some decluttering and get rid of anything you don’t really want or need anymore. After all, the fewer things you have to move, the easier the process will ultimately be.
If the stuff you no longer want is in good condition, you can give it away to family and friends, donate it to a good cause or even sell it to offset the moving costs. Everything else will need to be recycled.
Notify people about your change of address
The sooner you can notify companies like the post office, bank and utility companies of your new address, the less likely it is that your post will keep ending up at the old address where you will need to collect it or have the new owner reduced the mail.
The last thing you want is for your mail to go missing, and that is why, in the weeks before the move, ideally around two weeks before moving day, you should start getting in touch with the companies to notify them of your new address and moving date.
Select a moving company
Selecting a removalist company is an important step in the moving process. Ideally, you should book your removalists at the 4-week mark before moving day so that you have plenty of time to sort out the arrangements.
So, as soon as possible start researching the best local removal companies, and get at least four quotes from four separate companies. Look at reviews, speak to the removalists and choose the company that seems to be the most friendly, informative and knowledgeable about the whole process.
Check what you can and cannot move
Most people don’t realise that some things cannot be moved, or if they can be moved, it will take more time and effort, and therefore be more expensive to do so.
Some things that most removal companies will not move as standard include:
- Aerosols and other hazardous materials
- Firearms
- Expensive works of art or antique furniture
- Perishable goods
However, every removal company is different, so if you have something unusual you need to move, it is really important that you talk to the removalists about it before booking them to handle your removal.
Organise a storage container (if you need one)
Not everyone requires a storage container, but many people find, when they are moving, that they have more possessions than they can fit into their new place, and a storage container is a good holding place for that stuff while they work out what they do and do not want to keep at the new place.
Many people will also use storage containers to store heavy equipment like fridges and valuable goods like antique furniture in the sort terms.
It’s always worth asking your moving company if they rent out storage containers because many will offer a discount on their own units for people who are moving house with them.
Two weeks to go
Start the packing process
It’s time for packing to commence. Obviously, you still need to live in your current place for a couple of weeks, so start by packing things that you don’t use so often such as out-of-season clothing and tools and your book or DVD collection.
When doing this, it will be much easier for you if you pack items from the same room in the same boxes.
Clean carpets and soft furnishings
Cleaning rugs, carpets and other soft furnishings like curtains is something you should do if you are renting your home or if the new owners will be keeping them, so that they are nice and fresh for them, but also if you are taking them with you, having them cleaned, wrapped and ready to go will make life so much easier.
Get your antiques appraised
If you are going to be moving any antiques or valuables, and you don’t already know how much they are worth, it is a good idea to get them appraised by a professional so you can ensure you have the right level of insurance, and so you will have a paper trail in the unlikely event they are lost or damaged in the move.
Book your move
If you have not already booked your move, then do so now. Ensure that you also ta ethe time to ensure that there will be space for parking the removal truck on the day, ensuring that you have permission from the relevant people if necessary.
When booking your removal, if you are moving from or to an apartment, it will be so much easier if you book an elevator because the removalists will be able to get the job done much more quickly and efficiently overall.
Notify your insurance company
Notifying your insurance company that you will be moving is smart because it will enable them to transfer the policy to your new address on the day you move, which means you will always be covered.
Tell anyone you have not already told
If you still haven’t notified banks, businesses, personal friends, or whoever of your plans to move, then you really need to think about doing that now so that everyone knows where they stand and so that your bills and other important documents can find their way to you.
Arrange to have time off
Moving day will be busy, so it is really important that you book time off for the occasion if you have not already spoken to HR about doing so.
Do any necessary DIY
If you are moving out of a rented property, then it is a very good idea to do any DIY repairs around the place that need some attention. This will maximise your chances of getting your deposit back when the time comes to eventually leave.
One week to go
Start packing more intensely
Now is the time to start packing up whole rooms, leaving out only anything that you will really need in the week running up to the move. If you’re taking it and you’re unlikely to need it in the next 7 days, box it up.
Make sure all boxes and securely taped and tacked in a safe place where they will not be knocked over.
Do a deep clean
Do a deep clean of your property or arrange for a cleaner to come in and do so in order to make the place nice for the next occupants, and to ensure you get your deposit back if you are renting.
Take pictures
Taking pictures of your stuff is a good way of knowing what condition it is in, so should it be damaged in the move, you will have recourse to compensation for any damage done.
Defrost the fridge
Unplugging the fridge the day before you move is really important. So, clear out the fridge, leave it to defrost for s minimum of 24 hours and try to use as much of the perishable food as you can.
Confirm your travel plans
Now is the right time to think about confirming travel plans for you, your family and any pets you may be ringing along with you. Check your flights are still running or you can still hire your car and pet sitter and just make really sure that nothing is going to go wrong at the last minute as best you can.
Cancel the utilities
If you have not already, then inform the utility companies about your moving day so they can cut off your supply and you will not continue to get charged after you have left your current place.
Moving day
Pack the last of your things
Now is the time to pack up the last of your things; the things you have needed to keep using like your pots, pans, utensils and personal hygiene stuff. Do this as soon as you can after getting up (which you should do as early as possible) and the rest of the day will be less stressful as a result.
Remove pictures
Remove any remaining pictures from the walls and carefully wrap them in bubble wrap or newspaper before packing.
Work out the loading order
It’s always a good idea to try and work out what would be the best order to load your boxes in. usually, it is good practice to load your most valuable stuff first so that they are safe in the truck, but you may also want to load the heaviest or bulkiest stuff early on so you can make sure everything will fit in.
Get to the new place before the movers
Ideally, you would get to the new location ahead of the removalists so you can help them unload and direct where you want everything to go.
It’s a good idea to pack essentials like toilet paper and cutlery and take them with you so you have the basics to get by while waiting for your stuff to arrive.
At the new place
Unpack everything
Start by unpacking your boxes, Begin with the bathrooms and bedrooms so you have places to refresh yourself and have a rest, and then work in order of a room’s importance to you.
Check everything is working
Check that the utilities are turned on and that the internet has been connected. change the locks and ensure they are in good working order too. Inspect your home and see what might need to be repaired or altered and then make a quick list to deal with tomorrow or later in the week or whenever you have recovered from moving day.
Meet the neighbours
Your neighbours can be a valuable source of information about everything from the best dog parks to the best place to get coffee, so if they look friendly, taking a few moments to introduce yourself could be one of the smartest moves you ever make.
Plan the party
The housewarming party is the best part of moving day, and although you may be too busy and too tired to have it on the day, you can definitely start thinking about who will be included on the guest list and who will need to bring what, so have some fun with it.
As you can see, we’ve covered pretty much all of the bases when it comes to moving house, so why not download this printable moving checklist, print it off and use it to organise what will be the easiest move of your life?