Guide to moving house: Everything you need to remember when you move and how to do it

Moving house is one of the most time-consuming and stressful experiences and the process is even harder when you don't have a guide to help keep you on track.

One of the most stressful, time-consuming experiences is packing up a house and relocating. Moving house is no one’s favourite game.

It’s even more mind-boggling when there‘s a tidal wave of information from different sites sharing their best tips in moving house.

It’s difficult to know which is the best one, so here are some of the best picks to help guide that process for a more smooth transition to a new home.

Moving a new house can been an overwhelming process. Picture: iStock image

Some professional removalists provide moving kits designed to make the process easier.

THE PLANNING STAGE

The planning process can be long and tedious, but realestate.com shares some good insights into planning before moving day.

It says taking the time to plan ahead can leave a sufficient amount time to pack your home the right way for a less stressful move.

One good piece of advice to remember, and is a must-do ahead of time, is to book a removalist well before the moving date.

This leaves time to think about the packing stage and to sort through things to keep or give away.

RELATED: Marie Kondo’s 7 best hacks for decluttering

Being well prepared will ensure that if anything happens unexpectedly, boxes are packed and ready to go.

The important changes like mailing address and utilities closer to the moving date is another tip that is going to make the process a lot smoother.

The Spruce home site suggests a six-week period allocated for planning is a good starting point.

Supplies for the move is a priority in planning, so calculating what packing supplies are needed is a time-efficient practice.

Another important thing to remember is the best day that accommodates the transition to the new house.

Friday is traditionally the day to move given that the weekend can be used to unpack.

But removalists are generally quieter on weekdays according to Two Men And A Truck removalist company and most often find that the rates are cheaper.

Organise a removalist and make sure you have enough boxes and packing tape for your move. Picture: iStock

THE PACKING STAGE

The best place to start is packing the non-essentials household items that won’t be needed during the move such as storage items, kitchen ware, bedding and bathroom items, and clothing.

The Spruce says labelling these boxes after packing is a sure-fire way to provide instructions or details about where they go after the move.

A useful tip to ensure a box isn’t lost during the move is to practice taking inventory – numbering the boxes and checking them off as it goes to help keep track of its movements.

Realestate.com suggests ensuring food in the fridge that doesn’t have a long perishable period is consumed before the move.

Otherwise, pack the fridge contents in a travel cooler in the last two days before the move to let the fridge settle.

Once the fridge is moved to the new location, let it settle before storing food.

THE MOVING DAY

If all had gone well, furniture dissembling is the last thing done on moving day.

The Spruce says to keep all the parts and pieces together, the smaller pieces in a zip bag taped to the furniture it belongs to.

A life-hack from the guide says loading the car with boxed kitchen items, while the removalist are unloading the furniture, provides the opportunity to set up the kitchen in your new home.

The following days are for cleaning and for the most part decorating.

A new home is a beginning of a space that draws people in through the art of decorating – this step is probably the most fun part of the moving process.

Packing experts recommend making a checklist to keep order while moving house.

THE MOVING HOUSE CHECKLIST

• Do a spring clean. Now is your chance to channel your inner Marie Kondo and sort through your belongings. The less you have to transport, the quicker and more efficient your move will be.
• Prepare your appliances. Make sure to drain any liquid from your washing machine and defrost your freezer in advance.
• Redirect your mail and change your registered address. This includes your tax, superannuation and banking information, driver’s licence, Australian Electoral Commission, car rego, subscription services and any health services.
• Organise removalists. Re-confirm dates, times and addresses the day before your move.
• Organise your packing materials. Make sure you have enough boxes, packing tape, newspaper for wrapping fragile items, a permanent marker to label each box and plastic sheets to protect furniture.
• Pack an overnight bag filled with essentials for the first day in your new place. Include a change of clothes, toiletries, emergency cash, phone charger and snacks.
• Sort out internet, gas, electricity and water services. It can be as simple as calling your provider and asking to change your address. However, moving house gives you the perfect chance to check if you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere.
• Organise your insurance. Often a change of address also means changes to your insurance premiums.
• Clean your previous address for any final inspections and check you’ve left nothing behind. Facebook Group Mums Who Cleandiscovered that denture cleaner Polident can be amazing at removing stubborn stains and bringing floors and grouting back to their former glory.
• If renting, complete a condition report of both the new and old addresses. Take plenty of photos of existing damage – this will save you grief when applying to get your bond returned.
• Check all the keys, lights and electrical fittings at your new home work. While you’re at it, make a copy of the front door key for emergencies.
• Inform your friends and family of your new address.
• Start decorating and furnishing your new home. Keep a pen and paper at the ready to list any extra furniture or household items you may need to purchase.

Have any packing tips for us? Let us know in the comments below.