You can download a printable version of the Ultimate Moving House Checklist for Relocating Employees at the bottom of this page.
A comprehensive moving house checklist is paramount when it comes to preparing for a stress-free relocation; it helps ensure you have a solid foundation to begin your new working life. With a detailed moving checklist, relocating is far more efficient, regardless of whether you are relocating domestically or even relocating overseas.
Our moving checklists are a result of partnering with business customers across every industry sector, in both Australia and abroad, over the last 70 years. We have learnt countless moving tips and packing tips that help to streamline the entire relocation process, making it as smooth as possible.
We’ve compiled all of our best tips for moving house into the Ultimate Moving House Checklist for Employees to assist assignees in preparing, packing treasures, and relocating as quickly, easily, and safely as possible.
General Moving Tips and Packing Tips
Keep in mind that there are a few general ‘truths’ when relocating:
- While they’re packing, you will come across belongings you haven’t used (or even seen) for years. Moving house is a great opportunity to spring clean, and throw away belongings that are no longer needed
- It is highly likely that their belongings will take up more space than initially thought. An accurate volume estimate from the expert relocations team at Kent will take any guesswork out of the equation
- Packing safely and securely takes a lot of time. The more time and effort that is put into the packing process, the easier unpacking and settling into a new home will be. Ensuring treasures are properly and securely packed also reduces the risk of damage during a relocation. For our packing tips, download our Moving House Packing Tips.
Moving Checklist and Tips: Two Months to Relocation
Even the most organised of people often think that two months out from relocation is too early to start a moving checklist. But the key to a successful, stress-free relocation is preparation. Relocations usually take longer than expected; obstacles are bound to pop up along the way, particularly if the assignee has chosen to pack their own belongings. By encouraging your employees to follow our moving checklist, you give them the best possible chance of a painless, stress-free relocation. Our moving tips for two months out include:
- Confirm your relocation services company with your human resources department. Now is the time to touch base with your appointed relocation or removals specialist. Your human resources department should be able to give you all their contact details, enabling you to confirm details of packing, uplift, insurance and redelivery
- Arrange car transport. Once you have the details of your removals specialist, lock in the relocation of vehicles, such as car, boats, trailers or caravans
- Book pet transport. Similarly, arrange pet relocation services if required
- Hire a handyman. If your contract of sale or lease requires any maintenance or repair work prior to your move date, it is best to organise tradesmen now
- Get on top of paperwork. Create a folder for all documentation related to you relocation, such as insurance forms and inventories. It’s also a good idea to collate all your important, personal documents (like birth certificates and wills) and store them in a waterproof folder
- Secure storage. Determine whether you will require any short term or long term storage. If required, confirm this with your removals company, and have the costs approved by your human resources department
- Spring clean. Take stock of your belongings and decide what you need to take, what can be sold or donated, and what will be discarded. You may find you need to organise a skip, a hard-rubbish collection, or a garage sale
- Start shopping smart. Use up all your perishables and frozen foods. Creating a meal plan will help ensure that your fridge, freezer and pantry are empty and all perishables and frozen foods have been used by the time the relocation day arrives
- Research your new home. If you’re relocating to a new suburb or city, it’s a good idea to do some research and find out where all your new amenities are located (including doctors, supermarkets, dentists, and even schools).
Moving Checklist and Tips: One Month to Relocation
It’s never too early to implement our moving tips and packing tips to ensure a stress-free relocation. Remember, packing will always take longer than expected, so even though moving day is still a month away, we recommend that you complete these moving tips and packing tips one month out:
- Finalise moving day. Lock in moving day dates and times with your professional removalists, so that you have a clear date and timeframe to work to
- Start Packing. Safe, secure packing is time consuming. So start packing as soon as you can, and allocate longer than you expect. Or, organise professional packing services to take care of it for you (just be sure to gain approval for the costs first). For detailed packing tips, download our Moving House Packing Tips
- Apply for leave. Depending on the scale of your relocation, you may need both the day before and the day of the move off work
- Give notice. If renting, give notice to your landlord and organise a final inspection to secure a refund of bond
- Take stock of fragile treasures. Create a moving checklist of all precious, special and fragile items that will be moved. Organise adequate protective wrapping and packing materials
- Read instructions. Check manufacturer instructions for moving tips on large appliances like washing machines and fridges
- Arrange insurance. Normal home and contents insurance won’t usually cover items during transit. Kent Relocation Services offers a range of cost-effective removals insurance options
- Change your address. Notify any important contacts of your impending change of address, including the electoral commission, tax office, and banks. Pet registration details will also need to be updated with both the current and future council office
- Collect keys. Ask your family members and friends to return any spare keys to ensure that the full set can be handed over to either your real estate agent or landlord
- Dispose of dangerous goods. If you have dangerous goods on your property, ensure that items like gas cylinders and air bottles are empty and that valves are open. Arrange for the safe disposal of any dangerous materials. For more information, see our Moving House Do’s and Don’ts.
Moving Checklist and Tips: Two Weeks to Relocation
By this stage of the relocation process, your moving house checklist and moving house packing tips, should be your bible. We encourage you to continue following our comprehensive checklist for moving to ensure a safe, stress-free relocation. Moving tips and packing tips two weeks out:
- Confirm removalist. Contact your professional removalist to confirm days, times and removal requirements, such as building access needs
- Investigate regulations. Investigate any moving day requirements (such as parking and access restrictions, lift protocol and traffic management) imposed by authorities such as the local council, body corporate or building manager
- Notify utilities. If relocating domestically, notify all your utility providers (including gas, electricity and water) and arrange for disconnections and reconnections
- Contact Australia Post. Organise mail redirection, and stop or redirect subscriptions and deliveries
- Cancel services. Cancel any domestic services such as gardeners or house cleaners
- Book in babysitters. Organise babysitters for your children and pets on moving day
- Spring clean. Organise a house cleaning valet service for both your existing and new homes
- Back up computers. Ensure all your computers and important devices are backed up, and files are stored separately and securely
- Service your car. If you will be driving your car interstate, ensure that it is in good working order
- Create a floor plan. Include all room measurements in your new home to ensure that all furniture fits. This way, you’ll have enough time to replace what doesn’t, and sell what you no longer need
- Organise the incidentals. Return any items that you may have borrowed, including library books and DVDs. Refill your prescriptions so that you have a supply to last a couple of weeks after your relocation. Don’t forget to pick up dry-cleaning, and drop off property keys.
Moving Checklist and Tips: One Week to Relocation
With just one week to go to moving day, it’s more important than ever that you tick these final parts off your checklist for moving house. Following these moving house tips will keep you on track the week before relocating:
- Final inspection. Where possible, it is always a good idea to organise a final inspection of your new home – 24 to 48 hours before settlement is best to ensure that the property is up to the agreed standard
- Collect keys. Arrange for the solicitor or agent to collect keys to the new home, or visit the landlord and collect the keys in person. Consider booking in a locksmith to change locks at the new home on moving day
- Confirm removalist specifics. Confirm all moving details with your professional removalists:
- Old and new addresses, access details and mobile phone contacts
- ‘Customer Acceptance’ of relocation agreement has been returned
- Any additions or changes to Relocation Plan, such as destination, settlement times, packing and unpacking requirements
- Insurance requirements
- Payment options and requirements.
- Set essentials aside. Keep small, important items (such as remote controls, keys and phone chargers) in a specially marked box. Keep bedding and towels for moving day in a separate, marked box so that you can have a good night’s sleep when you arrive at your new home
- Confirm travel plans. If you’re moving interstate or overseas, confirm any flights and accommodation.
Moving Checklist and Tips: The Day Before Relocating
The number of items on your moving house checklist should be relatively small the day before moving; just the last minute odd jobs should be left by now. If you have followed all our moving tips and packing tips, then you should be feeling relatively calm, stress-free, and ready to embark upon new working life. Your moving out list for the day before relocation includes:
- If professional packing services have been organised, the packers will arrive today. So, be sure to provide clear instructions, and be on-hand all day to answer questions
- Assemble an ‘Essentials Kit’ which includes all your basic supplies for moving day (including bottles of water, a first aid kit, prescription medication, phone chargers, and so on)
- Pack a bag for each family member that includes a change of clothes, toiletries and toys for children
- Inform your professional removalists of any changes to access, times or addresses
- Defrost your freezer and clean your fridge
- Drain all liquids from appliances such as washing machines, irons and icemakers
- Fit your washing machine with shipping bolts to help prevent any damage
- Charge your mobile phones and ensure you place chargers in a safe, secure place. Write important numbers down just in case you run out of battery on moving day
- Confirm with your utility companies that all services are scheduled to be disconnected and reconnected
- Check that your new home is clean and ready for the relocation.
Moving Day Checklist
Having relocated countless Australians over the last 70 years, we understand all too well the stresses and challenges that moving day can bring. So, ensure you follow our Moving Day Checklist to enjoy a smooth, stress-free and productive moving day.
Follow these Tips at Your Old Home:
- Give removalists a detailed tour of your home, providing clear moving instructions. Ensure there is adequate access for the moving truck and point out the access points. Verify the destination address and give your contact number to the removalists
- Make sure ‘high priority’ boxes are easy to access, clearly marked and that the removalists are aware of them so they can be loaded last and be the first off
- Confirm that all your belongings have been loaded onto the moving truck, by marking off your inventory
- Carry important items, like jewellery and personal documents with you at all times
- Leave a note with a forwarding address for any mail or deliveries.
Before you leave make sure:
- All your belongings have been packed
- All utilities have been disconnected and turned off
- The house is secure
- The garage door opener has been left behind
- House keys have been returned to your solicitor or real estate agent.
Follow these Tips at Your New Home:
- Make sure all access points are clear for the removalists
- Give clear instructions to your removalists on where they should place your belongings—provide a copy of your furniture floor plan
- Check that all your utilities are connected. It may take time for hot water to heat up if the gas pilot has to be relit
- Check the condition of all unpacked belongings before signing the inventory
- Carefully complete a condition report if renting and take photos for personal records
- Check for items left behind by previous occupants. Make sure poisonous and toxic substances are removed, and the garden is safe for pets and children
- Leave fridge standing upright for at least three hours before it is switched on. This allows the coolant gas to settle
- Assemble beds as a priority and then unpack the bathroom, kitchen, and other key areas.
Additional Moving House Checklists and Tips for Relocating Employees
To assist you further, and make moving house as safe and stress-free as possible, have a read through and download the following additional checklists for moving house:
So, if you want a smooth, stress-free relocation and an easy start to your new working life, download Kent Relocation Services Ultimate Moving House Checklist now.