The Ultimate Moving House Checklist

Moving home can be one of life’s most exciting milestones. From finding a new place to settle into, exploring local parks, and discovering new restaurants, to meeting new neighbours, there’s plenty to look forward to. So why is it that moving is so often listed as one of life’s most stressful events, even surpassing divorce?

If you’ve moved before, you’ll probably agree with my answer: it’s the sheer mountain of neverending tasks to juggle. Between endless packing, paperwork, and phone calls, all under a looming, immovable deadline, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In the chaos, it’s also easy to forget important tasks, letting things slip out of your mind until they come back to bite you in the future.

For those of you who find this situation familiar, we’ve created Jim’s Ultimate Moving Checklist. This week-by-week home moving to-do list is created by our experienced team at Jim’s Removals, who help Melbourne locals move every single day – from that very first phone call to the final box unpacked at your new home.

Follow this guide to stay organised and on schedule, so you can end each day feeling calm, confident, and ready for the exciting new chapter ahead.

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Why You Need a Moving Checklist

Even the most organised people get overwhelmed during a move. There are dozens of tasks happening at once, from utility connections to cleaning and key handovers.

A structured moving checklist breaks everything down into clear, manageable stages, so nothing slips through the cracks. By splitting tasks into easy-to-manage chunks, you’ll find that you’re not only getting more done, but saving your sanity in the process.

Advanced Prep (4+ Weeks Before Moving)

Start planning early. We recommend a minimum of 4 weeks, but the earlier you start, the better!

• Finalise your move-out and move-in dates. Nice and easy, but the most important first step for moving!
  
  
• Book your removalists early, particularly if you have a set date in mind. Side note: Fridays and weekends fill up especially fast, so book early if you have a preference for these days.
  
  
• Organise lift bookings and parking access for apartments. If you live in an apartment, proper organisation can save you hundreds of dollars on moving day.
  
  
• Begin selling or donating unwanted items. At the beginning, this might look like itemising or separating your items into three piles: donate/sell, dispose, keep.
  
  
• Measure doorways and large furniture to ensure it fits in your new space. This is a great time to figure out if you’ll need new furniture or not, so that you’re not stuck without a fridge or couch for the first few weeks at your new place.
  
  
• Purchase packing materials: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Starting early means you can shop around for more cost effective options, such as wholesale supplies or even free boxes on Facebook marketplace. Our reusable Jim Boxes are also a great option if you’re getting supplies early.
  
  
• Arrange pet and childcare for moving day. You’ll have plenty more choices amongst friends and family for pet/child sitting if you don’t leave this to the last minute!

Get Started (3–4 Weeks Before)

Now’s the hard part - get into packing mode!

• Cancel or schedule utility disconnections/reconnections (electricity, gas, internet, water). This can be done later, but only if you’re willing to pay somebody else’s bills for a while!
  
  
• Set up a mail redirect. Missing packages are one of the biggest pains when moving, so notify AusPost of your address change. Make sure to reach out to important contacts regarding your new address as well, such as banks, insurance, Medicare, ATO, subscriptions, employers etc.
  
  
• Begin packing non-essentials (decor, books, out-of-season clothing). This will likely take up the bulk of your packing time, especially if you live in a large house and/or if you’ve lived there for a while.
  
  
• Start eating through your pantry and fridge to reduce food waste. The less you have to pack on moving day, the better! 

Final Prep (1–2 Weeks Before Moving)

You’re getting closer to the big day – now it’s about tying up those loose ends and staying focused.

• Disassemble large furniture if you’re doing it yourself. Double beds and larger will almost always need to be disassembled, but also remember to disassemble anything that can’t be moved in one piece.
• Book professional cleaners or bond cleaners if you’re renting. If you’re planning to clean the house yourself, make sure you’re prepared with the proper cleaning supplies and a realistic cleaning timeline. You can even start cleaning infrequently used rooms first to save a bit of stress on moving week.
  
  
• Finish up packing – one week before a move, you should aim to have around 80-90% of your packing done. Leave only daily essentials out, such as clothes, cleaning supplies, food etc.
  
  
• Move smaller items yourself by car, if convenient. This is a great way to keep costs down on moving day, as smaller items such as boxes, lamps, side tables can add up on the final moving bill.
  
  

Moving Week (0–1 Week Before)

Ready to reap the rewards of your great preparation skills? This week should be a breeze if you’ve kept on track in the previous weeks.

• Double-check the weather forecast so you’re prepared in the worst case scenario. If it’s moderate and sunny, great! If it’s anything else, either check if you can reschedule or be prepared for the sub-optimal weather.
  
  
• Empty and defrost your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day. While this isn’t always mandatory, it may help you avoid any unnecessary leakages and dangerous puddles on moving day.
  
  
• Final house tidy: either with professional help or your own two hands, ensure that the house is spotless and ready for the next owners.
  
  
• Pack final essentials and label them clearly. This is the time to finalise your packing and get a clear idea of box count.
• Disconnect appliances and ensure everything is ready for the move.
  
  
• Prepare your overnight bag with everything you’ll need that night, and preferably the morning after as well. Pack kitchenware to have breakfast and coffee ready for your tired, sleepy self and/or family.
  
  
• Organise key pickup and drop off. You won’t want to be stuck without keys at your new place!
  
  

When moving day arrives, the task is simple:

• If you’ve hired movers, be ready before the movers arrive
  
  
• Walk your team through the property and highlight fragile or priority items
  
  
• Direct boxes as they come in at the new place
  
  
• Test utilities and power once you arrive
  
  
• Order pizza and relax – you did it!
  
  

Bonus Tips from Our Team

• Take photos of electronics before unplugging them. You think you’ll remember how to put things back together, but 8 hours and 10k+ steps later, you’ll be happy to have photos.
  
  
• Label boxes on every side, not just the top. The clearer you label your boxes, the less pain you’ll be in when searching for that single, pesky item.
  
  
• Keep snacks and bottled water handy on moving day. Moving is hard work, and even harder when you’re cranky, dehydrated and hungry.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right moving checklist and a reliable team behind you, you’ll stay organised from start to finish.
At Jim’s Removals, we’ve helped hundreds of Melbourne locals move homes safely, efficiently, and stress-free.

Download Jim’s Ultimate Moving Checklist or get a free quote today to start planning your smoothest move yet.