PDF Moving Out Checklist: What to Do on Moving Day?

While this may seem obvious, you should plan to wake up early on your moving day as this will allow you to prepare any last-minute things you may have forgotten and also be available in case the movers need to contact you before arriving.

Waking up early will allow you to get your head on straight before the movers arrive and mentally prepare your moving day checklist. If you are the one directing the move, everyone helping you will benefit.

Moving can be dirty and exhausting. You will likely be rummaging around in areas of your home that haven't been touched in years, such as behind the washing machine and fridge. You will be doing a lot of bending and lifting, and will likely be on your hands and knees at some point.

Moving in the summer? Is your A/C connected at your new home? Take all of these factors into consideration and wear adequate clothing and shoes for moving comfortably.

This may sound like an obvious tip, but a move can be as exhausting for children and pets as is it for adults. Keeping children and pets away will ensure a smooth move and will allow you to focus on the task at hand without having to worry for their safety and wellbeing.

You will want to make sure you have any essential items at hand during your move.

Essential items could include:

• Medicine
• Toiletries
• A change of clothes
• sheets
• Towels
• Chargers
• Computers
• Food

Imagine you are going on an overnight trip. What would you take? Pack these items and carry them with you. Make sure not to put them in the moving truck in case there is an unforeseen issue with your move (such as a breakdown or a crash). You will want to keep these items handy for ease of access on your first night at your new house.

Make sure to read your electricity and gas meters before you leave the property. Even if you are simply moving your energy and aren't switching energy suppliers, the meter reading from your last day at the property will be used to establish when you stopped using energy at the property.

This will allow your energy providers to issue you a final bill and also sever as a marker for any energy that us used after to be billed to the new occupant.

Protect your flooring from damage when moving. Add a protective film such as cardboard or paper to avoid scratches and damage to flooring. Add non-slip film to carpeting and stairs to avoid accidents.

This may not cross your mind, but moving is brutal work. Tipping the movers is a kind gesture and is a small price to pay for having a pleasant moving experience.

Make sure the removalists know how to arrive to your house, and where they are able to park. Double-check that parking is available before they arrive. Prepare a list of information they may need about your home, and your items, as well as your contact information, your new address and parking information at your new property.

Prepare a box of basic groceries to have on hand when you arrive at your new house. After unpacking the last thing you will care to do is visit the supermarket. Having a small collection of essential groceries for coffee and toast in the morning will make your move easier and allow you to prioritise more important tasks.

Go back through your home and double-check that all of your boxes are clearly marked and labelled. This will help the movers and you to know what is inside and where each box will go in your new home.

A delay in the moving process can make your move more expensive. Make sure to have parking available for the removalists when they arrive. It could be a good idea to organise with your neighbours or speak to your property manager to ensure there is parking available for the moving van.

Moving can be a lot for one person. Have a family member or a friend come as a designated assistant coordinator for the movers. Having more than one person directing the move can speed things along, help you complete side tasks on your moving home checklist, and also alleviate the stresses of moving.

This person can also run out and make any last-minute errands while you stay and help the movers or take care of children and pets.

You will want to show the removalists around when they arrive so that they know exactly which rooms contain which items. By showing them your house before the moving process begins, they will be able to prioritise items for loading and also make sure not to forget anything.

When giving the removalists a tour of your home, make sure to point out any fragile or high-priority items to the movers beforehand. This will help them prioritise them for loading and also help them protect the items from potential hazards such as large furniture shifting on top while en route.

Loading your important items last will ensure they are the first items off the truck when you arrive at your new home. These items could be from a specific room, such as all of your kitchen stuff, or your cleaning products. Try and imagine which items you will likely need first and load them last.

Prepare an information sheet for the removalists with the address for your new home, your contact number, directions for parking, timing, gate codes, or anything that they may have a question about when going to deliver your furniture.

You should always hand-carry your valuable or important items with you in a separate bag. This includes items such as jewellery, important documents, sensitive financial and identity papers, computers, hard drives, your checklist for moving house, etc.

Leave a note for the new occupants with your new address for forwarding any mail. Take a moment to send them any good wishes or explain any quirks about the home they may want to know.

Before you leave, do a final check to lock all doors and windows, and turn off the gas, electricity & water supply.

Do a sweep across the home and identify places that you may not normally check. For example, check behind large appliances, in the attic, on top of kitchen cupboards and outside for any items you may have missed.

Before you leave, make sure you deliver the keys to the property manager, the estate agent, or the new occupant. Don't forget the garage opener!

When you arrive at your new house, check to see that the water is running, the electricity and gas have been switched on. You may need to call your utility company to have your energy connection turned on.

It's best to get this sorted out as soon as you arrive as some companies can take a while to connect your supply and may have to send out a technician to set up your new connection.

Get to your new house before the removalists to go through your new house checklist and prepare the space for them to avoid delays that may cost you extra money.

Double-check that there is parking available for the removalists before they arrive. This will ensure there are no delays which can increase your moving cost.

Take photos of your property before moving in your furniture. Carefully inspect for damage when completing your property condition report if you are renting. By keeping personal records of the way the place looked when you moved in, you can properly dispute any erroneous charges and reclaim your rental bond when moving out.

Just as you did when the removalists arrived at your old home, take some time to show the movers around your new property. Explain how you will be using each room so they know which boxes to place in each room.

You will want to make sure that your high priority items and boxes are unloaded first. This will allow you to get started unpacking in the most important areas first, such as your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

If you have had your furniture in long term storage or have had it shipped long distance or from overseas, make sure you double-check the inventory list and the condition of all your belongings before signing off.

Check your fences and garden for hazards to pets and children before allowing them access to the moving site. Have a backup plan in case the area is unsuitable to having them around.

You may not know, but the coolant gas used in refrigerators needs to settle for at least 3 hours before turning on your fridge. Make sure you plan enough time for setting up your refrigerator for perishables such as medicines or breast milk.

Most people wait until the end of moving day to set up their bedroom, and by this time they are exhausted. Prioritise setting up your bedroom so that when your day is done, you can rest without extra work.

Hanging privacy shades is something most people don't think of when moving. By the time night arrives, you will be exposed to all of your neighbours if you don't have blinds, curtains, or shades installed. Plan for adding shades to your bedroom and bathroom on moving day.

You can find disposable paper shades that can be quickly hung with an adhesive strip at most hardware stores.

Only unpack key areas on the first day. Think of which items and rooms you will be needing first. Prioritise unpacking kitchen essentials, foodstuffs, your bed, privacy shades, and toiletries first.

Keep some spare packing supplies handy in case you need to quickly assemble any extra boxes for overlooked items or reassemble anything that has come unpacked.

This is pretty self-explanatory, but make sure you have all your medication on hand. Plan ahead for medication that needs refrigeration.

Keep important documents with you at all times.

These include:

• Medical records
• Identity documents
• Financial & legal papers
• Keys and cards
• Your checklist for moving house
• Etc.

Have your smartphone, laptop, tablet, hard drives, and chargers at hand when moving.

Have some basic tools ready for anything you may need to fix, assemble or disassemble at that last minute.

Basic Tools Include:

• Hammer
• Nails
• Screwdrivers
• Wrench set

Moving into a new home is always a mess. You will definitely want to clean up after the movers leave. Keep some basic cleaning supplies handy on moving day to tidy up once the removalists have left.

Prepare some easy snacks for the movers and anyone who may have come to help. Have coffee and water available for everyone, as well as some light breakfast or lunch snacks.

Consider which items your kids or pets may need:

• Diaper Bag
• Medicines
• Toys
• Leash
• Etc.

Make a list of important contacts for easy access such as:

• Movers
• Property office
• Utilities company
• Cleaners
• Hotels
• Etc.