5 Essential things to do before moving

Are you preparing to move to a new house and are not sure where to start?

Moving can be overwhelming and stressful. However, with a little planning and some know-how, it is manageable.

Here are 5 essential things to do before moving.

1. Make a plan with a timeline and to-do list

Sitting down with a pen and paper to write down a plan and a to-do list is an essential starting point before moving.

Consider things like:

What packing supplies do you need?

Which room do you least use where you can get started packing?

What items do you need to sell, donate or throw away?

What do you need to have completed by the end of this week, next week and the week after?

Write down anything that comes to mind during the process and tick off items as you complete them.

This can make the whole moving process feel a little bit more manageable and will help ensure you don’t forget any essential things.

2. Find and book a quality professional mover

Moving house is a lot easier and more manageable with some professional help and a big truck.

Once you know your moving date, book in a trusted and reliable moving company to help you get the job done.

Some movers can even be brought in to help with your packing if you are running out of time, in addition to transporting all your possessions to your new property.

3. Switch your utilities and change your address

You will want to make sure you have working utilities at your new house on your moving day.

Contact each utility provider ahead of time and confirm the process, service availability and effective dates for both properties.

Discuss the appropriate home and contents cover and commencement date with your insurer and property adviser; the relevant date can depend on your transaction.

Changing your address on your drivers’ licence and with any banks, credit card providers or any other companies that send you mail is another thing you will need to do so that all future letters find their way to your new house.

4. Arrange for a pet sitter

If you have a dog or a cat, arranging somewhere for them to stay on your moving day is a great idea.

Consider asking a friend or family member to take care of your furry friend for the day.

Pets can become stressed and anxious in moving situations when lots of people and items are coming and going from your house.

They can also get in the way, which can be dangerous for both them and the people helping you move.

5. Pack an overnight bag of essentials

This is a pro tip when it comes to moving.

Ahead of your moving day, pack an overnight bag of essentials so you don’t have to go rummaging around many boxes to find what you need after a busy moving day.

Pack things in your overnight bag like a change of bed sheets, pyjamas, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a change of clothes for the next day, a phone charger, snacks and any medication.

Knowing you have all these essential items in one spot is very handy amid the chaos of moving day.

Best professional movers and packing services

At Fragile Removals & Storage, we aim to provide a premium level of service on every job while also offering incredibly competitive prices.

With branches in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, we can complete anything from small local moves to large interstate ones.

We also offer packing services if you need a little extra help beyond just a moving truck, as well as storage solutions.

For a competitive quote, contact us today on 1800 500 584

Turn the five priorities into confirmed arrangements

Give each priority a named owner and record what counts as completion. A removalist enquiry is different from an accepted booking; asking a friend about pet care is different from agreeing the handover. Keep those distinctions visible on your moving checklist so unfinished tasks do not disappear behind a tick.

Start with the property dates and access. Record when keys will be available and whether the delivery date is fixed or a window. Put dependencies beside the tasks they affect, such as cleaning after furniture collection or having someone at the new address to receive the load. Revise the plan when a confirmed date changes.

Give the mover enough detail to plan the actual job

Prepare an inventory that includes cupboards, garage and outdoor items as well as the main furniture. Identify anything heavy, fragile or unusually large. Provide access details for both properties, including stairs, lifts, parking and narrow passages. The number of rooms alone does not describe the whole job.

Ask which packing and preparation tasks are included and which remain yours. If professional packing is needed, confirm the appointment and the materials arrangement. Use the detailed quote form and keep the accepted service scope with the booking confirmation. Let the mover know if the inventory changes before collection.

Use one account list with separate confirmations

List the utility, financial, insurance and other organisations that need your new details. For each, record the effective date and the confirmation received. Closing an old account, starting a new service and changing a mailing address can be different actions.

Use the change-of-address checklist to prompt the list, then check the actual requirements with each organisation. For electricity, confirm notice and access conditions through the electricity guide. Do not rely on a universal number of days for every provider.

Keep the records accessible while your computer and paperwork are packed. Check any final bill from the old address after departure. An account update is not complete merely because you submitted a form if the provider still needs information from you.

Confirm pet care for the full working period

Agree who will care for the pet, where it will stay and when it will be collected. Provide the carer with the relevant contact details and care instructions. Include a fallback if loading or delivery takes longer than expected.

If the pet remains at the property, agree a suitable secure area and responsible supervision away from the handling route. Tell everyone working in the home about the arrangement. Use the pet moving guide for planning; do not assume a live animal can travel with household goods.

Pack essentials for the real gap between homes

Use the overnight-bag list as a starting point, then adjust it to the household and the actual journey. Keep personal medication under the arrangements appropriate to it; do not use a general packing list as advice about storage or dosing. Include keys, booking contacts and documents needed for access.

For an interstate delivery window, the gap may be longer than one night. Check what you will need before the load arrives and keep it with you. Label first-needed household boxes so they can be located when delivery occurs, without relying on those boxes for essentials needed during transit.

Check the last unresolved item before moving day

Review each of the five priorities with the person responsible. Resolve missing confirmations, tell providers about changes and keep the day-of-move contact list in one place. If the new property is delayed, discuss storage with the mover before dispatch and revise the account and care arrangements as needed.

Is an enquiry the same as a confirmed moving booking?

No. An enquiry or preliminary estimate is only the start. Before treating the move as booked, keep confirmation of the accepted inventory, addresses, service scope, collection and delivery date or window, price and booking conditions. Clarify any deposit or other action needed to finalise the arrangement. Identify the contact for changes and mark unresolved access or destination details clearly. This lets the rest of the checklist use confirmed information rather than a date mentioned during an initial conversation.

How much should I put in the essentials bag?

Pack for the time before the main goods can be delivered and unpacked. A local move may need a short first-arrival kit, while an interstate delivery window or storage gap may require more clothing and household essentials. Include the immediate personal items, chargers, documents and contacts you will need, and plan suitable food separately. Keep the bag with you and tell helpers it must not be loaded. Recheck its contents if the timetable changes rather than assuming one night is enough.

Should all account changes have the same effective date?

Not necessarily. Electricity, internet, insurance, address updates and the end of old accounts can each have different requirements. Confirm the effective date and process directly with each provider, considering cleaning, key handover and any gap or overlap between homes. Retain the reference or written confirmation for every arrangement. A mailing-address change does not automatically close a utility account or start a new service. Keep these as separate checklist tasks so one completed update does not hide another unfinished job.

What are the five priorities in this preparation guide?

Create a timeline and task list, confirm a suitable removal booking, arrange utilities and address updates, organise pet care, and prepare an accessible essentials bag. Work backwards from the moving and key dates, assigning each task to a person. Add packing supplies, decluttering and any professional packing help to the timeline. Review what is actually confirmed before the final week, and contact the relevant provider early if a dependency such as property access remains uncertain.

How should I arrange care for a pet on moving day?

Confirm a suitable person or service, the location, handover times and a contact number before the crew arrives. Keep the animal away from busy handling routes and open doors, with its appropriate immediate needs available to the responsible person. Arrange transport separately from the furniture unless a suitable specific service is confirmed. If collection or delivery runs late, update the care plan too. Ask for species-specific advice where the pet’s needs require it.