# The Complete Moving Checklist...

Source: https://notesgarden.com/publish/VcoUyatMUIL7

## 📋 8 Weeks Before Moving Day

- [ ] Decide your moving date and confirm lease end or property settlement date.
- [ ] Research and get quotes from at least three moving companies, or price out van hire if moving yourself.
- [ ] Book your preferred moving company or van hire before good slots are taken — weekends in late spring and summer fill up fast.
- [ ] Start a moving folder (physical or digital) for contracts, receipts, utility account numbers, and important dates.
- [ ] Declutter room by room. Sell, donate, or discard anything you will not bring to the new home.
- [ ] Measure doorways, stairwells, and elevator dimensions at both properties so you know what large furniture will fit.
- [ ] List large items that may need specialist disassembly, crating, or transport such as a piano, pool table, or large artwork.
- [ ] Check your home insurance and enquire whether contents are covered during transit, or purchase moving insurance.

## 📦 6 Weeks Before Moving Day

- [ ] Source boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and marker pens. Ask local shops for free boxes.
- [ ] Start packing seasonal items, books, and things you rarely use. Label every box with contents and destination room.
- [ ] Arrange storage if there will be a gap between your move-out and move-in dates.
- [ ] Notify your children school or childcare of the move and begin enrolment paperwork at the new school if changing.
- [ ] Check whether your vehicle needs a new registration address and arrange this before the move date.
- [ ] Request medical, dental, and vet records to transfer to new providers near your new home.
- [ ] List all subscriptions and services that need an address change: gym, magazine, meal kits, Amazon, pharmacy deliveries.

## 🔌 4 Weeks Before Moving Day

- [ ] Notify your electricity, gas, and water providers of your move-out date and arrange disconnection or transfer.
- [ ] Set up electricity, gas, water, and internet at the new address so they are active on arrival day.
- [ ] Notify your bank, credit card providers, and any loans of your new address.
- [ ] Update your address with your employer for payroll and HR records.
- [ ] Set up a mail redirection service from your old address to the new one.
- [ ] Notify your doctor, dentist, specialist, and any regular healthcare providers of the address change.
- [ ] Confirm the move date and logistics one more time with your moving company and get written confirmation.
- [ ] Check whether the new property has parking and loading restrictions on moving day and arrange any necessary permits.

## 📬 2 Weeks Before Moving Day

- [ ] Pack all non-essential rooms. Only leave out what you need for the next two weeks.
- [ ] Defrost the freezer and plan to use up frozen food rather than transporting it.
- [ ] Photograph all electronics setups (TV cables, router, stereo) before disassembling so reconnection is easy.
- [ ] Return borrowed items to friends, family, and the library. Collect anything you have lent out.
- [ ] Confirm move-out inspection requirements with your landlord or conveyancer and book a cleaner if needed.
- [ ] Notify friends and family of your new address and moving date.
- [ ] Confirm childcare or pet care arrangements for moving day so children and pets are not underfoot.

## 🗓️ 1 Week Before Moving Day

- [ ] Pack everything except what you need for the final nights: a few plates, one pot, toiletries, bedding, towels, chargers.
- [ ] Prepare an essentials box that travels with you: medications, documents, phone chargers, toilet paper, kettle and mugs, snacks, and a change of clothes.
- [ ] Confirm key collection time and access arrangements at the new property.
- [ ] Disassemble furniture you plan to move flat-packed and bag up all screws and fittings in labeled bags.
- [ ] Check the weather forecast and arrange extra protection for items that cannot get wet.
- [ ] Withdraw cash for tips, fuel, and any unexpected expenses on the day.
- [ ] Charge your phone and portable battery pack the night before moving day.

## 🚚 Moving Day

- [ ] Do a final walkthrough of every room, cupboard, loft, shed, and garage before the removalists leave.
- [ ] Check under beds, behind doors, and inside built-in wardrobes for anything left behind.
- [ ] Take meter readings (gas, electricity, water) at both the old and new property and photograph them.
- [ ] Hand over keys to your landlord or agent once the property is cleared and inspected.
- [ ] On arrival, check the condition of the new property and document any pre-existing damage with photos.
- [ ] Direct the movers — assign each room a colour-coded label system so boxes go straight to the right room.
- [ ] Set up beds first so everyone has somewhere to sleep that night regardless of how long unpacking takes.
- [ ] Locate the fuse box, water stopcock, and gas meter at the new property so you know where they are in an emergency.

## 🏠 First Week in Your New Home

- [ ] Change all locks on the new property — previous owners or tenants may still have copies of keys.
- [ ] Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
- [ ] Locate and test the internet router and set up Wi-Fi with a new password.
- [ ] Unpack the kitchen first — eating normally reduces stress during the rest of the move.
- [ ] Set up each bedroom with basic furniture and storage before tackling common areas.
- [ ] Walk or drive around the neighbourhood to find the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, GP, and public transport.
- [ ] Register with a local GP and dentist if you have moved to a new area.
- [ ] Update your driving licence and vehicle registration with your new address.

## 🔧 First Month: Settling In

- [ ] Check the first utility bills at the new address to confirm accounts are set up correctly and meter readings match.
- [ ] Update your electoral roll registration to your new address.
- [ ] Update your address on your passport and travel documents if required by your country.
- [ ] Schedule any maintenance or repairs identified during the move-in inspection.
- [ ] Find and introduce yourself to immediate neighbours — a brief hello now can prevent misunderstandings later.
- [ ] Review your home and contents insurance policy to make sure coverage applies to the new property and its value.
- [ ] Set up a recycling and waste collection schedule based on your new councils collection days.
- [ ] Cancel or redirect any remaining services still linked to the old address that you have not updated yet.