Moving House Checklist

We are here to help; there’s so much to plan. We’ve put together a moving house checklist to help you keep track of tasks essential to a well-organised and stress-free move.

How to pack for your move video

6-8 weeks before moving

Book AAA Storage & Removals moving truck. hire rates, trailer, friends, etc.).
Book AAA Packing team recommended packers if you need help with packing.
Create a folder to record everything related to your move (receipts, inventory, etc.).
Include any estimates you may have acquired from Removalists, Truck Hire, Cleaning Services, Gardening Services and Skip Bin Hire
Confirm a moving date to work towards
Redirect your mail and fill out a Change of Address form at a post office or online.
Plan how you will move vehicles, plants, pets and valuables.
Design and pre-plan your space. Try to establish the exact purpose of every room, enabling you to pack boxes accordingly – you can use a floor plan or sketch.
Declutter – see our Declutter for life to get you started
Donate unwanted good clean items to our charity – No Limits Perth
Book unwanted bed frames with clean unmarked mattresses with No Limits Perth or your local shire pickup or refuse centre
AAA offers a Facebook marketplace sale service when storing with AAA Storage.
Ring your Donation Centre to find the next pickup and book in – some only come every 2-3 weeks.
Go to our moving supplies page and organise the moving boxes and packaging required and print out your moving supplies list or email it to us and we can fill your required list and have it ready for you to pick up.
Include a safe spot box for all the items that will be essential to find quickly on the day of your move, e.g., Kettle, Tea, Coffee, Remote control, paper plates, cutlery, toilet paper, first aid, remote controls, paper towels.
Purchase one of our Shred-X secure destruction bags. Fill with classified and confidential documents for destruction. Drop the bag to us, and a Quality Assured team will securely shred it accredited secure document destruction company. Destruction certificate supplied
Pre-plan and schedule repairs to be done that you have committed to making.
Return borrowed or rented items.
Contact the local council or skip bin hire to clear rubbish

2-4 weeks before moving

Finalise moving transportation and make necessary arrangements (i.e. helpers).
Schedule disconnection/connection of utilities at old and new homes etc. Phone, Internet, Water, Gas, Electricity
Open, close or transfer your electricity account.
Discontinue any delivery services, automated payment plans and local memberships (i.e. gym).
Change your contact details with various service providers (banks, licence, insurance, lawyer.
If you have a pet, you must change/update its registration with your council.
Organise new insurance cover for new premises if required
Create an inventory list – mark each box with a number, e.g., 1, and then you can list what items are in this box – this is essential for shipping or, if not, unpacking for some time.
Begin packing non-essential items – books, crockery, and ornaments
Label boxes by number, room and contents (bathroom, kitchen, laundry, etc.); write on the tape, not on the box, if from AAA Storage, and we will recycle and repurchase your boxes.
Identify valuable items to transfer separately – label them as DO NOT MOVE.
Store valuable items like jewellery and legal documents in a safe place while moving.
If you are using one, contact a cleaning service to ensure they are available on your moving day.

1-2 weeks before moving

Continue packing and cleaning as you go.
Call and confirm all details with the moving company
Arrange time off work if possible for moving day.
Disassemble non-essential furniture (desks, shelves, etc.) and wrap it to minimise damage.
Try to use up perishable food.
Contact your council about practical things like rubbish collection day.

tip: Taking a day off will relieve a lot of stress on moving day

1-4 days before moving

Make a schedule or action plan for the day of the move.
Plan when / how to pick up the truck (if rented).
Defrost the freezer and clean the fridge.
Drain fuel from lawnmowers and discard any hazardous or flammable substances that could prove dangerous during the moving process.
Ensure essential tools are handy (screwdrivers, tape, vacuum cleaner, etc.).
Pack a bag for water bottles, pen/paper, snacks, documents and overnight essentials.
Set aside boxes/items that you have decided to move.
Check car tires if you are hiring a trailer and moving things yourself
Keep your pets happy
Take a pet travel kit including food and bowls, lead, treats, a can opener, a favourite toy and their sleeping rug, blanket or bed.

Tip: 2 days before the move, stay at an Airbnb or hotel. No cooking at home, move all fridges, couches, and everything else, and clean. So there is minimal cleaning to do when your move is complete.

Moving Day at your Old Home

Remove bedding and disassemble beds – pack bedding in your essential items box.
Take movers/helpers through the house to inform them what to do.
Check off all furniture and boxes against your inventory list as they go into the moving truck.
Complete one last check of the old property to ensure nothing was left behind (i.e.) look behind doors and in cupboards, etc.
Leave your contact information for new residents to forward mail.
Please make sure the movers have the correct new address, and you have their mobile number.
Carry all essential items with you (passports, cash, other important documents, etc.).
Lock the windows and doors and turn off the lights.
Return keys if applicable.