Checklist for Packing Up Your House
Category Advice
It's no secret that moving is stressful, and a large contributor to this is the dreaded packing phase. The best way to tackle packing up your home head-on, is to have a plan!
We've put together a timeline checklist you can follow to make the process a little less daunting:
8 weeks to go
☐ Create a moving folder.
Whether you prefer a digital record or a hard copy, you need to keep all documents related to your move together, such as mortgage paperwork and receipts.
☐ Let go of any baggage.
Give up any unnecessary items that might be weighing you down. Moving costs money, so if you can say goodbye to some things to lighten the load, it's worth it!
☐ Get moving quotes.
Compare moving company rates and choose what works best for you. Keep in mind that not all movers are qualified to move large, fragile items.
6 weeks to go
☐ Gather boxes.
After sussing out how many and which sizes you might need, find free boxes from your local grocery and supply stores.
☐ Organise utilities.
Call your utility companies to ensure utilities are switched off when you leave your old home, and are on for your arrival at your new home.
☐ Arrange your travels.
Whether it's making sure your car is serviced before a long road trip, booking flights, sorting out new schools for your children, or arranging a comfortable transition for your pets, these are all steps you should take at this stage of moving.
☐ Make an inventory.
Things can easily go missing when multiple people are involved in helping you move. Make sure you have records of what valuables are going where.
4 weeks to go
☐ Label your boxes.
Mark and colour code boxes according to the type of objects inside, which rooms they belong to, and how fragile the contents are.
☐ Pack unessentials.
Start packing items that you won't urgently need before you can unpack them in your new home.
☐ Get moving insurance.
Ensure all your belongings are covered for insurance during your move.
☐ Gather all important documents.
Have all your financial, medical, and legal documents in a safe and monitored place.
☐ Change your address.
Make sure your family and friends know your new address, as well as your banks, the post office, companies you've subscribed to, your employer, and all other relevant service providers.
2 weeks to go
☐ Pack a 2-week bag.
Pack enough clothing and other essentials to cover you for your last 2 weeks in your old house, and the first couple of days in your new home.
☐ Finish packing.
Get the rest of your home contents packed and ready to move.
☐ Start cleaning.
Clear up the house (or hire a cleaning service) to prepare the property for its next residents.
☐ Defrost your fridge and clear out gas.
Make sure your freezers have enough time to defrost before moving day, and all gas and oil is drained from equipment.
Moving day
☐ Be ready for the moving truck.
Make sure you are ready for the movers with time to spare so you know exactly which boxes and equipment need to go where.
☐ Look after your movers.
Packing and moving can make for a long day. Provide your movers with lunch, water, and a tip for the hard work.
☐ Give the house one last sweep.
Figuratively and literally - sweep your eyes through all the rooms to make sure nothing is left behind, and then take a broom to the floor so you leave the property in top shape.
We hope you find this checklist helpful for your big moving day. If you're still trying to sell your house to make the move possible, reach out so we can get things going for you!
Author: SAproperty.com
