Moving House Checklist: 4 Weeks to Moving Day

Most moving stress comes from doing everything in the last three days. This checklist spreads the work across four weeks, so moving day is just the truck arriving.

4 weeks before moving day

• Book your removalist — good crews fill weekends and end-of-month dates first
• Confirm your lease dates at both ends, including handover times
• Start decluttering room by room. You pay to move every item — sell, donate or dump now
• Order boxes, tape, butcher’s paper and markers
• Book the service lift at both buildings if you’re in apartments
• Check whether you need a council parking permit — Waverley, Randwick, Woollahra and City of Sydney all take a few business days

3 weeks before moving day

• Start packing what you don’t use daily: books, decor, out-of-season clothes, spare linen
• Label every box by room at the new place, not the old one
• Arrange internet connection at the new address — this is the one with the longest lead time
• Notify schools, and arrange transfers if needed
• Book professional carpet or end-of-lease cleaning if your lease requires it

2 weeks before moving day

• Update your address: Medicare, electoral roll, bank, insurance, licence, super, subscriptions
• Arrange mail redirection with Australia Post
• Transfer or cancel electricity, gas and water
• Confirm your removalist booking, arrival window and access details at both ends
• Use up freezer food — it can’t travel
• Service or clean appliances that are coming with you

1 week before moving day

• Pack everything except a week’s essentials
• Empty, defrost and dry the fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before — a wet fridge on a truck is a problem
• Disassemble what you can, and keep screws in labelled zip bags taped to the furniture
• Confirm the lift booking and parking permit are actually in place
• Photograph valuable furniture and any existing damage
• Arrange care for pets and small children on the day

The day before moving day

• Finish packing completely — including the kitchen, bathroom and shed
• Pack an essentials box you keep with you: chargers, medication, toiletries, a change of clothes, tea and coffee, toilet paper, scissors, phone charger
• Set aside jewellery, passports, documents and cash to carry yourself
• Charge your phone and power bank
• Clear pathways and hallways so the crew can move freely

Moving day

• Be there when the crew arrives to do the walkthrough
• Point out fragile, valuable and awkward items before loading starts
• Keep the essentials box and valuables with you, not on the truck
• Do a final check of every cupboard, the balcony, the letterbox and the garage
• At the new place, direct boxes by room — it saves hours later
• Walk through with the crew before signing off, and check the invoice matches what was quoted

Your first week in the new place

• Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first — everything else can wait
• Test smoke alarms and locate the meter box and water shut-off
• Check the condition report and photograph anything pre-existing before the deadline
• Meet the neighbours and, if you’re in a unit, find out the bin days

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a removalist in Sydney?

Two to three weeks for weekdays, three to four for weekends and end-of-month dates. January and the end of every month are the busiest periods.

How long does packing a house take?

Most people underestimate by half. A two-bedroom apartment takes 15–20 hours of packing spread across days, not an afternoon.

What should I not pack for the removalists?

Jewellery, cash, passports and important documents should travel with you. Flammables, gas bottles, aerosols, paint and fuel cannot go on the truck at all.

Do I need to be there on moving day?

Yes, or someone authorised on your behalf. Someone needs to do the walkthrough, point out fragile items and sign off at the end.

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