Moving home checklist and relocation guide

The essential steps to a smooth & stress-free moving experience

Moving to a new home is notoriously stressful. The relocation process is a juggling act, filled with moving parts that are all interdependent. There are bookings to make, utilities to transfer, boxes to pack, and logistical plans to coordinate with various service providers.

For instance, arranging removalists often depends on your settlement date, while coordinating cleaning services for the old property may hinge on when your furniture is moved out. Miss a step, and it can cause delays or extra expenses down the line.                                                  

Living in a house while actively packing is another challenge, as you try to maintain daily routines in a space being emptied. You’re sorting belongings, deciding what to keep or discard, boxing up your life — all while juggling chores, work, and other responsibilities.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease the burden and ensure a smoother, less stressful moving experience.

In this article, we’ll share some helpful moving tips, strategies, and hacks, along with a handy moving home checklist.

1. Create a budget

Money can be one of the biggest sources of stress when relocating. That’s why it’s important to outline your expenses from the get-go, taking every possible cost into account. Below, we’ve broken down the main ones you need to consider: 

• Professional moving costs
• DIY moving costs
• Packing supply costs
• Transit insurance
• Bond cleaning
• Utility connection / disconnection
• Address change fees

Professional moving costs

Get quotes from several professional removalists, carefully noting all inclusions and exclusions so there are no surprises further into the process. Prices will typically cover labour, mileage, packing materials, and any necessary insurance, but it’s always wise to double-check. To help get your budget started, we’ve included a table below with average moving costs for a 3-bedroom house in each major city:

DIY moving costs

Even if you plan to handle the move yourself, there'll still be expenses to consider. Be sure to budget for truck rental fees, fuel, insurance, and any necessary equipment like dollies or moving blankets. 

Truck rental can cost anything from $40 per day for a 10-12 ft truck to $100-120 per day for a 26 ft truck. 

The distance you are travelling may also impact the cost. Some rental companies charge extra per kilometre for longer distances; typically, around $0.80 per km depending on the truck size.     

You’ll likely need to enlist the help of friends and family on moving day, so don’t forget to show your appreciation — perhaps with a gift or a home-cooked meal once you're settled in your new home.

Packing supply costs

Moving boxes can cost anywhere from $1 for a small box through to $20 for a large or specialty box. It’s important to estimate the number and sizes of boxes you will require      before you start packing, to ensure proper budgeting and avoid budget overruns.

TIP: Check Facebook Marketplace for moving boxes and materials. There might be a neighbour who’s got everything you need.

You'll also need to account for the cost of bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, markers, and other standard packing supplies.     

To pack the contents of a typical three-bedroom home, you’ll usually need around 45 

medium boxes, 31 large boxes, 13 extra-large boxes, 13 picture boxes, and 4 

wardrobe boxes. These boxes will set you back between $500 and $700.

NOTE: If you are using a professional moving company, it’s likely that all packing materials will be included. But it’s always best to confirm this in advance, to be on the safe side. 

Transit insurance

Check with your moving company to confirm whether they offer insurance or if you need to purchase additional coverage for your belongings. If you need to pay for insurance, there are online tools and calculators that allow you to compare costs and budget accordingly.

Bond cleaning

If you’re moving out of a rental, you will likely need to arrange for a professional bond clean. Prices typically start around $200 for a one-bedroom home and can exceed $750 for larger homes with five or more bedrooms.     

Utility connection / disconnection

When leaving one home and moving into another, you may need to pay fees for disconnecting and reconnecting your utilities. The costs can vary based on your location, plan, and service agreement. To help with your moving budget, we’ve provided some examples of typical electricity and gas connection and disconnection fees. 

Example electricity connection & disconnection fees by distributor.

Fees may vary by retailer and connection access type available.

Source: Electricity.com.au

Natural Gas Connection & Disconnection Fees by Distributor

Source: Canstar Blue

Address change fees

Some services may charge a small fee for forwarding your mail to your new address or holding it on your behalf during the relocation process. Check in with Australia Post to set everything up in advance.

• Redirect mail
• Hold mail

The final word on moving budgets

When it comes to moving, plans can change on short notice. That’s why it's always a good idea to set aside an additional 10-20% of your estimated budget to cover any unexpected expenses.

2. Declutter

Before you get to the stage of packing up your home, it’s best practice to have a major decluttering (trust us, you’ll thank yourself later). 

Go through each room in your home and ruthlessly decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. 

A well-organised home is easier to pack and will simplify settling into your new place,      with less to discard at the other end.

This is also the perfect opportunity to gather any important documents. The last thing you need during the chaos of moving is to hunt for your passport, medical records, or other important paperwork while your home is turned upside down with packing materials.           Store these documents in a secure and easily accessible place to avoid unnecessary stress during the move.

3. Write up an inventory list

An inventory list helps you keep track of all your belongings, which makes packing, unpacking, and settling in so much easier. 

Below are step-by-step instructions for creating an inventory list:

• List your items using a spreadsheet or moving app.
• Organise belongings by category (e.g., clothes, electronics, furniture).
• Sort items by the rooms they belong to.
• Assess and record the condition of each item.
• Write down the serial numbers for electronics and appliances. This can be handy in the event of any insurance claims or warranty issues.
• Take photos of valuable or fragile items to document their condition.
• As you (or your movers) begin packing, number every box and link the relevant number to each item on your list. This makes it much easier to find items once you arrive at your new home.
• Make copies of your inventory list for yourself and your moving company, and keep digital backups for easy access.

4. Moving day - bringing in the professionals

Tempting as it may be to save a few dollars and DIY your move, the easiest, safest and most efficient approach is to bring in professional movers. Fortunately, there are now plenty of ways to find affordable removalists who won’t compromise on reliability, security, or attention to detail.      

Moving day tips

• The day before your move, be sure to double-check your reservation with the moving company or truck rental service. Once everything is confirmed, ensure that you have all the necessary documents and keys.

• Most moving companies will do all of the legwork, from packing boxes to lifting heavy furniture. Simply hand over your inventory list and let the professionals handle the heavy lifting. This will allow you to focus on other aspects of your move, such as updating your address with utility companies, bidding goodbye to friends and family, or setting up services at your new home. 

• Once the removalists have finished, do a final walkthrough of your old home to ensure nothing is left behind and that everything is in order.

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5. DIY packing

If you do decide to DIY and handle the move yourself, it’s important to pack carefully and without cutting corners, as this can lead to damages in transit. 

1. Gather your packing supplies 

Invest in high-quality packing materials, including boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. The right supplies can make packing more efficient and protect your belongings during the move.

2. Start packing early 

Begin packing non-essential items well in advance of your move date. Packing room by room, labelling each box, and updating your inventory list as you go will make unpacking so much easier.

3. Pack your essentials separately 

Prepare a separate box or bag with essentials that you’ll need immediately upon arrival, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, and important documents. This “essentials” box will help you access the items you need as you settle in and begin unpacking in your new home.

6. Settling in

Arriving at your new home

One of the first things you should do upon arrival is to check that all utilities and services are functioning properly.  Be sure to address any issues with the providers promptly, to avoid disruptions.

Unpacking

While professional removalists usually pack everything on your behalf, you'll likely be solely responsible for unpacking. To make the process smoother, it’s a good idea to approach unpacking strategically.

Start by unpacking essential rooms like the kitchen and bedrooms. This will make your new home functional right away. As you unpack, be sure to check off items on your inventory list.

Introduce yourself to your new neighbours

Take the opportunity to introduce yourself to your new neighbours. While you may not feel up to a community BBQ right away, building a rapport with those around you can make settling into your new home easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Register with local authorities and community services 

Update your address with local councils and other relevant local services to avoid any administrative issues.

If you haven’t already, now’s a good time to:

• Register with a family doctor
• Get to know the local public transport and necessary timetables
• Explore community activities
• Register with any necessary local authorities

About Upmove

Upmove helps Aussies find and book removalists and car transport services across Australia. The easy-to-use platform allows customers to access reliable, cost-effective, and user-reviewed service providers in just a few clicks. 

Founded in 2017, Upmove is dedicated to making the moving process as simple and effortless as possible for customers as well as the professionals they rely on.     

Your moving home checklist

Need a nice printable version of a moving checklist? download that here