Moving your home requires careful planning and organization. There are numerous things to consider at different stages of the move and if you have a moving checklist to follow, you won’t find yourself running around at the last minute trying to prepare for the big day.

In this article, we share with you a basic but necessary moving checklist which can be used as a guideline for what needs to be done in the weeks before your move.

Checklist for Moving into a New House

Once You Decide to Move

This may be a month before your moving date, or half a year. Whatever time you have left before your move, the first things you should tick off your list are:

• Find and book a moving company that will not only be able to handle your move but also one that suits your budget
• Start decluttering, especially if you are downsizing (Click here for tips)
• Arrange to host a garage sale for the good you want to sell
• Look for a charity or organization to donate everything you don’t want to sell
• Make notes of all the places you will need to notify of your address change
• Begin to notify service providers that you are moving
• Fill all your outstanding prescriptions and request a copy of your original prescription so that you can hand it in at your new local pharmacy
• Start gathering all your important documents and files and put them in one place for safe keeping
• Find out more about internet availability in your new area
• If you are moving long-distance, plan your route and overnight stays if necessary
• Make sure your pets all have ID tags that are up to date
• Create a moving file to keep all relevant documents and receipts in one place
• Start to use perishable items that you have been storing in your deepfreeze for too long and avoid overstocking again before moving
• Back up your computer

One to Two Weeks Before

This is the time to start tying up any loose ends, pay attention to finer details, and prepare for the upcoming move day. By now, most of the big work should be out of the way.

• Gather everything you will need for the last day including cleaning supplies, food, toiletries, clothes, and towels. Allocate a cupboard to store all these items so that you can access them easily when you need them
• As you pack, be sure to pack smartly and label all your boxes clearly with the contents of the box as well as the destination room. Make sure the labels are visible to the moving crew
• Start giving your current home a deep clean
• Check all the cupboards for items accidentally left behind
• Prepare for the final walkthrough with your landlord if have been renting
• Fill holes in the walls and paint walls that need painting
• Take photographs of your empty home to keep as proof of the condition you left it in after moving out
• Withdraw some cash to pay and/or tip your moving team

On the Day

This may be one of the most stressful days of the year but, if you have followed your checklist in preparation, everything should run smoothly.

• Set an alarm and wake up early to get ahead of the game (yes, we know you are tired, but today is the most important day of all)
• Put protection down on your floors (especially carpets and wooden floors) to prevent scratches as far as possible
• Pack all your small, valuable items as well as your overnight bag (toiletries, clean bedding, pajamas, and clean clothes for the next day) into your car
• Make sure there is enough space for your movers to move around to the various rooms in the house
• Be there when your moving team arrives and walk them through any special requests or instructions before they begin
• Once the movers leave your current home, do one more walk through to make sure nothing is left behind. Close all the windows, switch off all the lights, and lock all the doors as you leave
• When your movers have finished offloading at your new destination, be sure to make your bed before you do anything else so that you can climb into a made bed after a tiring day of moving and unpacking
• Position your fridge and plug it in so that it can start cooling
• Hang sheets or curtains so that you can have privacy on your first night in your new space

CM Removals – Household Furniture Removals in South Africa

Although this is not an exhaustive list, it will give you a good idea of what you should be doing at what stage of your moving journey.

At CM Removals, we offer a wide range of moving services to suit your every need as well as your budget. From packing and transit insurance cover to storage and vehicle transportation, whatever your moving needs are, we have them covered.

Contact us for more information or click here for a free quote.