Tips Before Moving
Three Weeks Before Move In Sydney:
- Make travel arrangements for family for moving trip, allow for unexpected delays and cash needs that often occur in moves and house closings.
- Collect all important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stocks, etc.).
- Arrange to close all local bank accounts and open new ones in new location.
Two Weeks Before Move:
- Prepare auto(s) for trip to new home. Check tires and have vehicles serviced.
- Terminate newspaper and other delivery services at old address.
- Give away all plants you don’t intend to move.
- If you’re moving out of a building with elevators, arrange with management for use of elevators on move day.
- Schedule for appliance disconnects on moving day or the day before the move, if necessary.
- Contact your moving company counselor to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.
- Withdraw contents of any safe deposit boxes, return library books & rental video tapes, pick up any dry cleaning, etc.
- Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company, including your travel itinerary and emergency numbers.
One Week Before Move:
- Defrost refrigerator/freezer.
- Plan simple meals for moving day to avoid using appliances.
- Make plans for care of small children on moving day.
- Transfer or withdraw all funds from local banks.
- Separate cartons and luggage items you need for personal travel so they don’t get packed on the truck.
- Pack a box of items you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home and have movers put this box on last (clearly mark box as PACK THIS LAST or UNPACK THIS FIRST) or take it with you.
- Have appliances disconnected and prepared for move.
- Set aside one room for packers and movers to work in freely.
- Arrange to have utilities turned on at new home.
- Notify friends and neighbours of new address and phone number (if available).
- Fill any necessary prescriptions, medications needed for the next two weeks.
- Set aside manuals and instructions for your current home for new owner.
- Do NOT disconnect your telephone until the day after loading.
Moving Day:
- Plan on spending entire day at house with movers. Don’t leave until movers have gone.
- Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
- Stay with moving van driver to oversee inventory of goods.
- Give moving van driver directions to new home and numbers where you can be reached prior to delivery.
- Get routing information from moving van driver.
- Review carefully and sign bill of lading and inventory, and keep your copy in a safe place until all charges have been paid and all claims (if any) have been settled.
- Make final walk-through of house, including basement, attic and closets, to make sure it’s empty.
- Lock all windows and doors, and drop off keys with Realtor, neighbor or new owner.
