Moving Into a New Home Checklist: Everything to Do Before and After Moving Day

Moving into a new home is exciting, but it can quickly become overwhelming when there are boxes to unpack, furniture to organise, utilities to arrange and dozens of small tasks to complete.

The easiest way to manage the process is to break your move into stages. Whether you're moving into an apartment, townhouse, family home or relocating interstate, good preparation can make the transition much easier.

Four Weeks Before Moving

Confirm Your Moving Date

Confirm your moving date and book your removalist as early as possible. Weekends, holidays and busy moving periods can fill quickly.

Start Decluttering

Sort your belongings into:

• Keep
• Sell
• Donate
• Recycle
• Dispose

Moving fewer items can reduce packing time, simplify your relocation and potentially lower moving costs.

Three Weeks Before Moving

Start Packing Non-Essentials

Begin with items you don't use every day, such as seasonal clothing, decorations, books, spare bedding and collectibles.

Label every box clearly with the room and contents, such as "Kitchen – Plates" rather than simply "Kitchen."

Create a Moving Folder

Keep your moving quote, booking information, property details, utility information, insurance documents, inventory and important contact numbers together.

Two Weeks Before Moving

Arrange important services and address changes, including where required:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Internet
• Insurance
• Mail redirection
• Address updates
• Cleaning
• Storage

Organising these services early can help prevent unnecessary problems after you move.

One Week Before Moving

Most non-essential belongings should now be packed. Focus on the remaining items and prepare an essentials box.

Include:

• Phone chargers
• Toiletries
• Medication
• Toilet paper
• Basic kitchen supplies
• Towels
• Change of clothes
• Important documents
• Snacks and water
• Basic cleaning products

Keep this box with you rather than placing it in the moving truck.

Prepare a First-Night Bag

Pack enough essentials for your first night, including pyjamas, clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers, towels, food and water.

This makes your first evening much easier if you don't have time to unpack everything immediately.

Prepare Appliances

Depending on the appliance, you may need to empty refrigerators, defrost freezers, disconnect washing machines, secure doors or drain certain equipment.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use qualified assistance where appropriate.

Moving Day Checklist

Before your removalists arrive:

• Clear pathways
• Keep children away from loading areas
• Keep pets somewhere safe
• Keep valuables and documents with you
• Ensure boxes are labelled
• Confirm destination details
• Keep your essentials bag accessible

Tell the moving team about stairs, narrow entrances, lift access, parking restrictions, fragile belongings and oversized furniture.

Check Your New Home

If possible, inspect the property before unloading begins.

Check electricity, water, lighting, doors, windows, locks, smoke alarms, major appliances and visible damage.

If you're renting, document the property's condition according to your tenancy requirements.

Plan Furniture Placement

Decide where major furniture should go before the truck arrives.

For example:

Living Room

• Sofa
• TV unit
• Coffee table

Bedroom

• Bed
• Wardrobe
• Bedside tables

Dining Area

• Dining table
• Chairs

Clear instructions can prevent heavy furniture from being moved more than once.

Unpack Room by Room

Avoid trying to unpack the entire house at once. Start with the rooms you need most.

A practical order is:

1. Bedroom
2. Bathroom
3. Kitchen
4. Living room
5. Remaining rooms

Getting the bedroom ready first gives you a comfortable place to rest while the rest of the house is still being organised.

Set Up the Kitchen and Bathroom

Start the kitchen with essentials such as plates, cups, cutlery, basic cooking equipment, food, drinks and cleaning supplies.

In the bathroom, make sure you can immediately access toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and other toiletries.

Check Furniture After Delivery

Inspect major furniture after it has been unloaded, particularly glass furniture, antiques, artwork, large timber pieces, electronics and other fragile belongings.

If you photographed your furniture before the move, use those images as a reference when checking its condition.

Organise Storage Areas

Once the main rooms are functional, organise cupboards, garages and storage areas. Group similar items together, such as cleaning supplies, tools, seasonal belongings and kitchen appliances.

Tasks for the First Week

After the main move is complete, update your address with relevant organisations such as banks, insurers, employers, schools, government services and subscription providers.

Also take some time to learn your new area. Locate nearby supermarkets, pharmacies, medical centres, petrol stations, post offices and public transport options.

Don't Rush the Unpacking Process

Your entire home does not need to be perfectly organised on the first day. Prioritise essential rooms and unpack gradually as you have time.

Moving Interstate?

Interstate relocations require additional planning because belongings travel longer distances and may require coordinated pickup, delivery, packing or storage.

Movers Near You provides interstate moving services to help customers coordinate the transportation of household belongings while they focus on travelling and settling into their new destination.

Simple Moving Checklist

Before Moving

• Confirm your moving date
• Book removalists
• Declutter
• Start packing
• Label boxes
• Arrange utilities
• Update important addresses
• Prepare an essentials bag
• Make pet arrangements

Moving Day

• Keep valuables with you
• Keep pets safe
• Clear pathways
• Confirm destination details
• Explain access requirements
• Direct furniture placement
• Keep essentials accessible

After Moving

• Inspect furniture
• Set up the bedroom
• Organise the bathroom
• Set up the kitchen
• Unpack gradually
• Update remaining addresses
• Learn your local area
• Recycle moving boxes

Make Your Move Easier With Professional Removalists

A well-organised move can save hours of unnecessary stress. Treat your relocation as a process that begins weeks before moving day and continues until your new home is comfortable and organised.

Movers Near You provides professional removalist services across Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra, including house removals, furniture removals, office relocations, interstate moves, packing and unpacking, storage and specialty moving services.

Whether you're moving into your first apartment, upgrading to a family home or relocating interstate, an experienced moving team can make the physical side of the process much easier.

Planning your next relocation? Contact Movers Near You for a free quote and let our professional team help make your move simpler from pickup to delivery.