Move planner Checklist and packing guide
A handy timeline of things to do when planning your move
One month before
Compare quotes from removal companies and book. Check their insurance provisions and terms of service carefully.
Update your address. This may include your bank, insurance provider, Service Tasmania, the Australian Taxation Office, your doctor, dentist, charities and any companies you regularly order from on the internet.
Two weeks before
Start using the food in your freezer. Book storage space if required.
Book professional cleaners if required.
Check you have adequate insurance coverage for the move.
Begin throwing out anything you don’t want. Divide into rubbish and charity donations.
Clear your attic, shed and garage.
One week before
Organise utilities (power/gas/water/phone/internet) to be switched off at your current house when you move out, the meters read, and connected on your moving day at your new house.
Set up a mail forwarding service through Australia Post. Save important phone numbers like estate agents, solicitors, removals company, insurance, utilities along with any account numbers.
Arrange babysitting and pet-sitting if necessary. Find out your seller’s new contact details, in case of difficulties at the house.
Arrange supplies of any medicines you regularly take.
Two days before
Use up the last few items in your fridge and freezer. Cancel your newspaper/change address.
Re-confirm arrangements with your moving company. Locate stopcocks and fuse-boxes at your new house. Make note of your new rubbish collection and recycling days.
Pack up valuable, delicate and small items.
One day before
Pack any medicines and first aid items such as bandaids and paracetamol that you will need over the next few days.
Pack toiletries (toothbrush, hair care, make up etc).
Pack a box containing anything that you will need immediately such as tea and coffee making items, toilet paper, towels and chargers and mark it clearly. Pack uniforms, school bags and schoolwork.
Pack a box of cleaning and repair products, including a dustpan and brush, strong bin liners and a toolkit and mark it clearly.
On the day
Make sure your essential items are kept nearby, away from movers who may place it in the moving truck! Strip beds and pack bedding separately. Leave a note with your contact details for the new occupants if necessary.
Save time
Place a label on the top and sides of each box which lists the contents, this will save you time and energy when it comes to unpacking.
Keep screws in labelled ziplock bags and tape to the item they belong to.
Take a photo of the cord placement of TV and entertainment units, so that you can easily reinstall at your new home.
Our packing guide is full of tips to help take the stress out of packing. The guide is divided up by room for easy reference
Lounge
Pack houseplants in tall boxes to protect foliage. Protect your suite with sofa and armchair bags. Wrap your best furniture in bubble wrap or furniture blankets, not only to protect from scratching, but to keep dust and dirt off too. Cling wrap can also help to prevent small scratches and dust from damaging your furniture. If you can take your furniture apart in any way to make it easier to move, make sure you put all nuts, bolts and screws in a resealable bag and secure the bag to the furniture. Use clingwrap to hold drawers shut and wrap exposed legs (on tables and chairs) in bubble wrap or wrapping paper.
After disassembling lamps, pack the bases in boxes stuffed with packing paper or bubble wrap. Pack lamp shades individually in boxes with plenty of packing paper for stuffing. Don’t use newspaper because the ink smudges.
After vacuuming rugs, roll up and secure with wrap or tape, to keep them protected.
Tape an X of masking tape across mirrors and glass frames to give them added strength. Wrap each item in bubble wrap. Small mirrors can be packed in boxes. For larger mirrors and large picture frames, use purpose-made picture boxes. Mark GLASS on the outside to prevent mishandling. Always pack and store on end.
Box televisions and stereos upright and make sure they are well padded on all sides. Make sure ornaments and other small fragile items are well-protected with plenty of cushioning and packed separately in boxes. Wrap first in tissue paper, then pad out with wrapping paper.
Kitchen
Wrap knives separately and wrap your knife block to prevent knives slipping.
When wrapping pots and pans, utilise the space in the pan with other kitchen items and invert the lid, placing the handle down.
Wrap each glass separately in tissue paper or wrapping paper. Wrap the stems of glasses until they are the same width as the base and bulb. This makes an easier shape to wrap and adds strength to a fragile item. Pack upright and in strong boxes. Mark ‘FRAGILE’.
Pack plates vertically on their edge instead of stacking them on top of each other. This gives greater weight bearing strength. Place saucers, plates and platters on edge.
Pack bottles of wine and spirits in wine boxes. A broken bottle can ruin many items.
Individually wrap dishes. Stack them flat, as you would store them in your kitchen cabinets. Cups and dishes may be placed inside each other and paper between each dish.
Pack small appliances in their original container or in a box padded with wrapping paper or towels. Wrap the appliance in bubble wrap or paper to ensure adequate cushioning.
Clean the oven thoroughly and dry out refrigerators and freezers. Dispose of perishables. For all large appliances, remove loose fittings and accessories and pack separately.
Dining
Wrap chair legs and arms to prevent scratches. Bundle armless chairs in pairs, seat to seat, with a folded blanket or other padding between and tie seats together.
For large tables, remove legs and tie together. Put nuts and bolts into a sealable bag and secure to underside of table top. Use a furniture blanket to cover tops.
Wrap small table tops in a furniture blanket and wrap legs to prevent scratching.
Wrap all pieces of crockery and glassware individually. Using several sheets of clean tissue paper, start from the corner, wrapping diagonally and continuously tucking in overlapping edges. Surround each item with plenty of packing paper to limit movement. Be careful to avoid any voids. Add plenty of crushed paper to the bottom and top of the box and mark FRAGILE.
Bedroom
Quilts, pillows and bulky items are best packed in extra large boxes. If you have small fragile items, you can pack a few in between the pillows for extra protection, just don’t forget they are there!
Disassemble bedframes. Secure the pieces together and keep all nuts and bolts together in a resealable bag. Label pieces so you know how to reassemble it at the other end.
Protect your mattress with a cover or large sheets of plastic. Coats, suits and anything else that normally lives on a hanger will travel best in a wardrobe box. Just move the hangers straight into the box. Shoes can be packed in the bottom. Clothing in drawers can be packed in suitcases.
Dressers: fill drawers with small breakable items and cushion well with loose clothes. Secure drawers with tape. Do not overload drawers with heavy items.
Use only book boxes for books - they get very heavy, very quickly. Lay the books flat inside the box and alternate bindings to prevent spine damage.
Bathroom and laundry
Choose small sturdy boxes to pack your toiletries in; Line the bottoms of the boxes with towels to create an efficient protective layer for your bathroom items.
Clean and dry washing machines and tumble dryers thoroughly. Disconnect and drain the hoses. Leave the door open for a couple of days prior to the move.
Garden and shed
Drain fuel and oil from lawn mowers before loading. Remove handle from hand mowers and place blade end in sturdy box.
Drain hoses, coil and pack in boxes. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden hand tools, etc. Secure brooms, shovels, and other long-handled tools together with cling wrap.
Loosen, lower and turn bicycle handlebars at right angles to save space. Clean and cover chains and pedals with corrugated card to protect other items from being snagged or soiled.
AURORA
1300 13 2003
auroraenergy.com.au
TASGAS
1800 750 750 tasgas.com.au
TASWATER
136 992
taswater.com.au
SERVICE TASMANIA
1300 135 513
service.tas.gov.au
ORIGIN ENERGY
133 574
originenergy.com.au
AUSTRALIA POST 13 7678 auspost.com.au
AEC
132 326
aec.gov.au