Moving Home Schedule

Moving to a new house is up there with one of the most stressful things that we’ll ever do in our lifetime.  So, it pays to be prepared.  Take it from someone who moved to a new house ten times in 15 years including from country to country.

Let the countdown begin…

7 Weeks Before You Move – 

* Buy a small notebook to help you keep track of all your to-do lists, paperwork, and important phone numbers. You can also store them as notes on your mobile phones.
* Research House Removals Companies and Self Storage Facilities.
              First on this moving house checklist, is to research companies who specialise in home 
              removals. Ask for removal advice from friends and family for their favourite local removal 
              companies and compare removal costs.  Conduct online research on what you need to know 
              before you work with a company that will help you move all of your belongings. Find out 
              how you can protect your valuable items.  The main question to ask is regarding availability 
              around the time you are expecting to move and ensure they have insurance.
* Put all of your paperwork in one folder for easy access.
* You can start to pack up items that you use only during certain seasons in different boxes and label them.

Self-storage facilities may be an option.

Six Weeks Before Moving House – 

* If you have a large freezer, start to whittle down the contents. 
* Choose a removal company and ask them what additional services they cover. You may want to hire out your own van, if that’s the case, make sure to get van insurance or breakdown cover. If you’re hiring a car, make sure you have car insurance and driving license. You can get instant quotes for insurance online. You may also want to get content insurance if transferring your own belongings.
* Check with your home insurance cover, gas, electricity suppliers about the steps you need to take when you change your address, they generally need at least a month’s notice.
* Check if all of your furniture and rugs will fit well in the new house. If not look online for new furniture and home decor, delivery times can be unpredictable, so to ensure your new furniture is delivered on time, start ordering now.
* Date for the diary-warn family and friends about your possible moving date and request that they give you a hand packing and unpacking. 
* If you are moving out of the area, contact your doctor if you receive repeat prescriptions, to ask for enough medication to cover for a few weeks after the move and so you can register with a new medical practice.

* Make a list of all the moving supplies you need, including boxes, tape, special boxes for fragile items, bubble wrap etc.  
* Inform any subscriptions to magazines and newspapers, as well as any local services you may be using of your new address. If you’re moving out of area cancel your local services.  

5 Weeks Before Moving House – 

* Start Decluttering Your Home – This can become an emotional minefield, especially where children and their toys are concerned.  It may seem harsh, but wait until they are not around and begin packing the toys that are not used daily into a labelled box, seal it and place it somewhere like the garage.  If you come across things that are broken or jigsaws or games that are incomplete they need to be disposed of. 
* In your moving notebook, write down all the steps you need to change your address, and put aside a few minutes every day to make some phone calls or write some emails if you haven’t already done it.  Some services may need at least a month’s notice.
* Contact your TV, phone, and broadband provider and ask about transferring your package to your new address.

4 Weeks - A Month Before You Move House – 

* Speak with your employer about your move and ask for at least two days off.
* Look over the contract signed with the company that is helping you move and make sure you have a moving/travel insurance in place for everything in case something breaks or gets lost during the move. Your home insurance may not cover the move.
* Start taking time and date stamped photos of your furniture and belongings.  In case your items get damaged, the photos will serve as proof of condition.

Three Weeks Before You Move House – 

* Purchase packing boxes and start serious packing.  Look for items you rarely use, and get rid of them or donate to charity.
* Contact a babysitter if you have children. You’ll need that extra hand during the move.
* Book a motel or a hotel room in case you need to stop on your way to your new home. Check online reviews first for safety, cleanliness, child and pet friendly or ask a few friends for recommendations. Or arrange with family or friends to help out with accommodation if needed while in transit to your new property.
* Ask one of your friends and family to help you out if you have a pet, or consider a pet hotel for a couple of days.
* Return borrowed books, DVDs and Video games to the library and close account if leaving the area.

2 Weeks Before Moving House - Moving Essentials

* You may want to inform the post office to re-direct your mail.  However, there is a cost to this.
* Get rid of all of the items that can’t be taken by the removal company (e.g., flammable chemicals, fireworks).
* Make sure you packed all the essentials for the move.
* Call the movers company for any last-minute changes and re-confirm the moving date.

1 Week Before Moving House – 

* Begin dismantling furniture
* Pack some comfortable clothes for moving.
* Give away all your plants if you can’t bring them with you. Keep in mind that most moving companies don’t accept plants since they are very fragile.
* Allow your children to have a small goodbye party with their friends- if able to.
* Email your friends the new address you’re moving to.
* If you have contact with the estate agent who you are buying the property through, ask them if the previous owners would leave any take-away menus in a kitchen drawer.  You will probably not be in the mood to cook dinner after a long day of packing, travelling and un-packing.

Two days before Moving House – 

* Defrost fridges and freezers if you haven’t already.
* Do a final clothes wash before disconnecting your washing machine.

The day before the move

* Check boxes and folders with important documents, give the moving company a call to confirm.
* Pack up your car  with the most valuable and personal items ready to take them to your new location.

The Day You Move – 

* Go Through Your Moving House Checklist!  Make sure you have covered everything!
* Take Utility meter readings.
* Collect keys to your new house.

When you arrive at your new home, firstly, find your utility meters and take the readings!  

Let the un-packing commence …