Moving House Checklist: How to Prepare for a Smooth Move

We’ve helped thousands of Melbournians move, from terrace homes with tricky stairs to city apartments and everything in between. The trick to a good move is knowing that it starts long before moving day. Our checklist will help you prepare, pack and settle in without the chaos.

Ready to get started? A good first step is sorting your packing supplies. Order everything you need from Man’s Box Shop and we’ll deliver it to your door, one less thing to worry about.

Two Months Before Moving Day

Planning early is key. Focus on booking, admin, and preparation at this stage.

• Book your removalist and get a clear quote, and the same goes for transit insurance.
• Make sure you’ve organised contents and household insurance for your new home.
• Update important accounts and details: bank, subscriptions, and driver’s licence. Use the Change of Address Enrolment Form to notify government agencies and redirect your mail, and check the VicRoads website to update your driver’s licence.
• Measure your new home: Download a floor plan of your new home, and make sure you measure out where your largest furniture will fit. Are there any staircases, doorframes or windows that will present a challenge?
• Create an inventory of your belongings, mark fragile or valuable items for special handling, and take note of any pre-existing damage, scratches or marks..
• Declutter: sell, recycle, or donate anything you don’t need. The less you move, the easier and cheaper it will be.
• Get in touch with a cleaning business if needed, and book in a clean for the day after you’ve scheduled your move.
• Arrange hard rubbish collection with your council, if you need it.
• Confirm key handover times with your real estate agent if renting.
• Set a date to transfer and set up utilities at your new address (phone, internet, water, gas, electricity).

When Packing Boxes

Packing properly makes the move smoother.

• Stock up on supplies: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, labels, and markers.
• Pack heavy items in smaller boxes (books, magazines) and lighter items in larger boxes (linens, toys).
• Label each box with its contents and destination room to save time later.
• Dismantle furniture carefully: store all of your screws and individual pieces together in the same bag, and mark it so you know what it’s for.
• Set aside a “last-to-load” box with essentials like breakfast items, toiletries, pet supplies and medication.
• Grab all small valuables (e.g. wallets, phones, jewellery, keys, passports etc) and transport them yourself. These are easily lost during a move.

One Week to Moving Day

This is the time for final prep and safety checks.

• Prepare your plants: water indoor plants and pack them in sturdy crates lined with paper or plastic.
• Get your home ready for movers:
• • Dismantle flat-pack furniture, especially IKEA items, which are designed to move flat, as the joints and locking mechanisms are not designed to tolerate the strain of transport.
  • Disconnect gas bottles from barbecues or heaters, and safely dispose of flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, and paint.  Our staff are unable to transport gas bottles for safety reasons.
  • Pack your TV: if you still have the original box, use it, and disconnect all cables.
  • Prepare a clear path from the front door to where the van will park to prevent accidents and wall damage.

The Day Before the Move

• Prepare your appliances. Empty and clean fridges and freezers, leaving them dry to prevent leaks on the road.
• Pack your personal luggage with important documents, valuables, cash and family essentials.
• Bubble-wrap large glass items, including mirrors, tabletops and picture frames.
• Disconnect and drain the washing machine hoses to prevent leaks.
• Keep your vacuum and toolkit handy, including screwdrivers, Allen keys, nails and lightbulbs.

The Big Day

• Confirm the truck parking spot at your new address, preferably as close to your entrance as possible.
• Double-check key collection times with your real estate agent, and don’t forget about garage openers!
• Tick off items as they are loaded into the truck.
• Do a final sweep of the house and garden.
• Lock all doors and windows, tighten all taps, and double-check the gas, water, and electricity are also turned off.

Your New Home

• Direct the removalists at the entrance so furniture goes to the right rooms.
• Check utilities are connected and functioning.
• Set up all beds with the right bedding, pillows and blankets immediately - you’ll be busy right up until bedtime, and you don’t want to worry about making them later when you’re tired.
• Notify the moving company immediately if you’ve noticed anything is missing or broken. This isn’t likely, but not improbable during a busy move.
• Keep pets inside for a few days to help them adjust.
• Unpack essentials first, like kitchen and bathroom items, before moving on to other rooms.

FAQ: Moving Day Tips and Preparation

When should I start preparing for a move?

If you have time on your side, it's worth starting to declutter a month or two ahead of your move date. You can start to pack items you use left often, such as books or garage items, in the weeks leading up to the move. We recommend making a booking at least one week prior to your planned move date, to make sure your moving service can find a suitable time slot

How do I pack boxes efficiently for moving?

Use small boxes for heavy items and large ones for lighter things. Once packed, label each box clearly so you know exactly where it’s going. We also suggest packing room by room, so when you’re unloading boxes, you can set them where they need to be for easier unpacking.

What should I do the day before moving house?

Hopefully by then you’ll have all the major packing and dismantling done. Once they’re ticked off the list, it’s on to the last-minute tasks: emptying and cleaning the fridge, packing valuables separately and keeping an essentials box handy.

Do I need to dismantle furniture before moving?

Yes, especially flat-pack or IKEA-style furniture. It’ll save space and prevent damage, since the pieces aren’t designed to be moved and jostled around once built. Remember to keep screws and specialty tools together and labeled so it’s easy to get things set back up in your new place.

What should I unpack first after moving?

First things first: beds and basic kitchen gear. At least you’ll be able to have a good night's sleep and some food before you get on to the rest of it.

Moving with The Man

With a solid checklist and The Man on your side, moving house doesn’t have to be chaos.

Ready to get started? Get in touch today.