A checklist for moving house

As with most things in life, half the trick of moving house is being organised. By planning ahead your big move can be as efficient and stress-free as possible - and that's something you'll definitely be grateful for. Here's your one-stop guide for getting home moving right the first time.

Getting started moving home

You've probably read a host of advice on keeping organised in life and creating lists is no doubt a common tip; lists can be quite the lifesaver. A thorough checklist of things to do and think about before your moving home date will help streamline things. Be sure to cross off each item as you complete them, and try as best you can to work out the amount of cash you'll need to cover the move - the last thing you need is nasty shocks with your finances.

Every circumstance is different, so you'll never to be sure to consider your specific situation rather than taking this list as exhaustive or complete. However, as a sign of what you'll need to cover, the following is a good general guide to covering all bases.

• First up (and stating the obvious), you'll need to find a removalist (unless, of course, you plan to do-it-yourself). Do your research, by comparing quotes and asking for referrals from family, friends or colleagues
• Organise removalist insurance, if need be (work out what your existing insurance covers first - if you're not sure, check)
• Have your phone, gas, electricity, Internet and pay TV disconnected in your old home - and organise to have everything reconnected in your new place
• Inform major service providers, like banks and phone companies, of your new address. Your post office can also redirect your mail for as long as you need, for a fee, while contacts update their records
• Assess whether you'll need other help, such as storage, ute or truck hire, trailer hire or rubbish removal. Factor these costs into your moving budget
• Settle any outstanding bills, so you won't incur any late fees should bills be forgotten in the move. Also, return any borrowed DVDs and library books, while you're still in the area - it's surprising how easy this one is to forget
• Back up your computer hard drive and ensure it is safely packed for travel. It's definitely a case of "better safe than sorry" in this particular instance
  
• Consider your pets and any particular needs they might have. This will require some planning (read our other article on moving home with pets for specific advice)
• If you're a tenant, formally notify your landlord of your leaving date and arrange for a property inspection to help get your bond back (making sure to have your accommodation professionally cleaned first). Return all keys
• Disassemble any prefabricated furniture, in preparation for transport
• Organise moving supplies, such as boxes, tape, markers, paper and bubble wrap. Your local liquor or grocery store may give away boxes for free or these may be provided by your moving company
• "Cleanse" your old home of any unwanted items by giving them to charity or selling them in a garage sale or online (eBay's a good bet for this, Gumtree is another option, Trading Post is yet another)
• Label boxes with room names, for example "kitchen", "bedroom", etc, to help when unpacking. Mark down the number of boxes you have, so you can tick them off later and make sure you have them all accounted for following the move
• Use any remaining food in your refrigerator and defrost and clean the fridge.
• When all has been packed, check cupboards again and do a final stroll around the property
• After all this, there's little to do but say goodbye to your old home

As mentioned previously, this list, while thorough, is not exhaustive and you need to double check your own specific situation to be sure of a smooth process. By being organised ahead of time, you can have all the bases covered and be ready to settle into your new property with minimal stress.