Planning to Move
Try to plan your move well in advance. Overall, this will save you hours of stress in the long run. We advise to start planning as soon as you know the date you'll be moving.

Following is a planner that will help you concentrate on what needs to be done, and when you need to do each task.

Approximately one month prior to moving

• Notify your landlord (if applicable).

• Contact your telephone provider to organise the cut off of your existing number / reconnection/installation of a line at your new home.

• Contact both gas and electrical (i.e. Alinta Gas / Western Power) and advise that you will be the new owner of the property.

• Start collecting packing materials such as boxes, newspaper, masking tape, bubble wrap etc.

• If you think that you'll need some time off work to move, remember to apply for leave from your employer.

• Take the opportunity now to throw out all of the things you don't need or won't use.

• Contact your local council to establish if they will be having a roadside collection in the near future - this will save on tip fee's.

• Start compiling a separate list of everyone you need to notify on your change of address.  This includes friends, schools, newspaper and mail deliveries etc.

Two weeks to go...

• Start considering whether or not you wish to move everything yourself or if you'll appoint a removalist to do all the hard work

• If you wish to appoint a removalist, get a few quotes and make sure you book the company for the time and date you want to move.

• Will your existing home contents insurer cover your contents in transit when you move?

• Commence informing everyone you've included on your change of address list.

• Organise with Australia Post to redirect mail on date of move.

• Sketch out a plan of your new home and decide which rooms will be used for what purpose.

• Start packing (don't leave it until the last minute!)

One week to go.

• Try to arrange for any outstanding bills on your old home to be paid.

• Request that water and or electricity meters are read and pay any outstanding amount on these.

• Cancel any services, e.g. your gardener / lawn-mowing contractor, milkman, newspaper delivery.

• Confirm your new arrangements with gas and electricity providers.

• Try to find some old sheets or blankets to put down in your new house to protect carpets.  If you can't find any, you can purchase cheap plastic sheets from your local hardware store.

• Make map of the new property for the removal company and mark on all the boxes or furniture which rooms they will go to.

• Start cleaning the house.

The Day Before

• Label boxes with the respective rooms and finalise all your packing.

• Defrost Fridge/Freezer.

• Finish cleaning the house.

• Get an early night in!

The Day of the Move

• Disconnect any remaining appliances such as the kitchen exhaust fan or gas appliances that will not be going with you.

• Check everything for a final time to make sure you've packed everything.

• Check the garage / tool shed.

• Make sure you close and lock doors and windows.

• Check that all containers have been delivered.

• Don't forget the cat or dog.