Interstate Moving Checklist: What to Do Before Moving House

Moving interstate is one of those tasks that can prove very difficult if you’re caught unprepared. With so many things to do in such a short amount of time, you want to make sure that every move you make is carefully planned and well thought of. One way to achieve this is by creating an interstate moving checklist. This makes it easy for you to prioritise things and ensure nothing gets overlooked or forgotten along the way.

With that in mind, here is a comprehensive list of to-do tasks that you can follow so your interstate move is on-time and on-budget put together by a leading interstate removalist based in Perth.

Things to do a week before moving

So you’ve got 7 days before your big move and you’re wondering what to do during this period. This is The perfect opportunity to confirm your travel/accommodation arrangements as well as preparing appliances that are seldom used like BBQ grills and lawnmowers. Other things to consider are:

• Have your clothes dry-cleaned before packing them.
  
• Dispose of any unwanted items or donate them to a local charity.
  
• Research your new suburb and familiarise yourself with the local malls, petrol stations, hospitals, and schools.
  
• Secure important documents like birth certificates, medical records, passports, and IDs.
  
• Inform your neighbours about your move. Relocations can sometimes be disturbing to neighbours and they’ll surely appreciate it when you give them a heads-up.
  
• Do your research and hire a team of removalists that’s both experienced and professional in approach. The removalists you hire will make a massive difference in terms of how smoothly the entire interstate move will go.

Things to do a day before moving

It’s only a day before your interstate move which means it’s time to make some last-minute checks. Ideally, you should have everything organised up to this point, but some things simply cannot be done until the last minute. Get to the very bottom of your to-do list so you can sit back, relax, and take a much-needed break before the big day tomorrow.

• Check all of your moving boxes and ensure each one is properly sealed and labelled.
  
• Bring valuable items along with you. These can be anywhere from jewellery, cash, important papers, and tickets that you may need for your interstate move.
• Empty all rubbish bins and hose them down. Don’t forget to empty the waste from your bins and pantry as well.
• Pack your essentials in a separate box like tissue paper, towels, bedsheets, and toiletries.
  
• Empty, defrost and dry your refrigerator and freezer. Wipe them down with a natural deodoriser afterwards.
• Disconnect the hoses that connect to your appliances like the washing machine and the dishwasher. Drain the hoses before turning off the taps to ensure no excess water remains.
• Disconnect all home entertainment equipment such as your TVs, stereo systems, and video games consoles.
  
• Make sure you are home on the day of your move to supervise the operation or, assign someone you trust to supervise the move for you if you’re unavailable.
  
• Remove the remote garage door opener from your car and attach it to the house keys.
  
• Get a good night’s rest for the long trip ahead.

Informing people when moving interstate

Before you move out, it’s important to inform a few key people (and services) about changing your address. It’s common courtesy to provide early notice so you don’t end up making late transactions that can potentially complicate your interstate move.

• Telephone and internet service providers.
  
• Gas, water, and electricity suppliers.
  
• Financial lenders, credit card institutions, and banks.
  
• The Australian Taxation Office.
  
• The Australian Electoral Commission.
  
• Insurance companies for car, health, home, and pet insurance.
  
• The driver registration authority for your past and future state of residence.
  
• Your local dentist and doctor.
  
• Gyms and social clubs (book clubs, wine clubs, etc.)
  
• Magazine subscriptions
  
• Local cable television provider.
  
• Your children’s schools.
  
• Your local solicitor.
  
• Superannuation provider.
  
• The veterinary clinic that holds your pet’s records.
  
• Your local newspaper delivery service.
  
• Your local library – don’t forget to return your books!
  
• Local services/tradespeople – lawnmowers, cleaners, and babysitters should be notified.
  

Other things to keep in mind

Once you’ve gone over your entire checklist, there isn’t much else you’ll need though you will need to keep a few other things in mind. If you plan on moving your car with you, the interior and the trunk must be completely empty. You will not be able to load it up with items to move as well. Keep in mind that car transporters will not transport your car if there are other contents inside the vehicle that are not standard manufacturer’s items like spare tyres or a car jack.

Go over your budget and make sure you have everything accounted for. Food, transportation, and accommodation can quickly eat up your budget if you don’t calculate your expenses so make sure to plan ahead. In terms of mode of transportation, your chosen removalist should be able to give the best advice depending on the distance of the interstate move.