Julie Hatch’s 6 things to do when preparing to move

Getting ready to move, it’s an exciting time. You’ve signed on the dotted line. You’ve paid your deposit. But what happens next? In the time before settlement, you may think it’s time to relax knowing you’ve secured your next home, but there’s still plenty to do.

Once you start thinking about making a list of address changes, organising removalists, researching insurance and so on, your head might start spinning.

When people ask me what they should do in that “waiting period” before they get the keys, I suggest take your time, plan carefully, and don’t leave everything until the last minute!  

1. Declutter before you start packing There’s no point taking old things you don’t need. Once you start looking, you’ll no doubt find things you haven’t used for several years, paperwork for things you no longer own, books you’ve read too many times already and plenty of clothes gathering dust at the back of the cupboard! So, book a council clear up, create a pile to donate to charity and be bold…throw away those things you really don’t need. You’ll save time packing and unpacking, and you’ll probably save money on removalist fees if you have less stuff.

  2. Book a removalist Always get three quotes. You’ll be surprised how much they can vary.

• Make sure you have an accurate list of everything you need moving so you’re giving each company the same information.
• Think about whether you want to pack things yourself or ask the removalists to do it.
• Consider if you have any expensive items you need to get specific insurance for.
• Find out what their storage options are if you won’t be moving into your new home on the same day as you move out of your old one.

3. Start packing early If you are packing things yourself, get started early. Give yourself time to sort through things and pack carefully to avoid breakages. While there are some things you’ll need until the last minute, there are plenty of items around your home that you don’t use every day that can be boxed up weeks in advance. Don’t forget to label each box to show what’s in it and which room you’d like it taken into in your new home.

4. Disconnect your services Notify your utility companies – water, gas, electricity, telephone and internet – that you’re moving out and what date you want to end their services. To help with your new property, some real estate agents also offer a connection service that you might find useful. Ask them if you’re not sure.

5. Change your address Make a list of everyone you can think of that has your address. It will no doubt be long so think about this one well ahead of your move date. Here are a few to get you started.

• Banks
• Credit cards
• Australian Electoral Commission
• Driver’s licence
• Doctors and Dentists
• Private Health Insurance
• Car insurance

6. Organise home insurance Depending on the type of home you’re moving to, you might need buildings and/or contents insurance. With apartments and townhouses that are strata title, the building will be covered by the strata insurance policy, but you’ll still need to get cover for your personal belongings. If you’re buying a house, you’ll likely need both buildings and contents. Always check what you need to ensure you don’t end up underinsured.