Countdown to Moving Day

During the countdown to moving day, you can print off this list and use it as a guide to completing important tasks, ticking off items as you do them.

4 Weeks Before Moving

• Tour your house including the attic, garage and storage shed. Decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity. Consider a garage sale.
• Contact Ace Removals and request an accurate quotation of your moving charges.
• Begin to use up frozen food. Buy only what will be used before moving. It is inadvisable to move frozen goods in the van over large distances.
• Make your travel reservations for the trip - airline, hotel, rental car.
• Arrange to transfer records, etc. Refer to the Moving Checklist.

3 Weeks Before Moving

• Arrange for transportation of pets, including kennels. Check with your veterinarian.
• Start preparing your plants for the move.
• Return library books, tapes and other borrowed items. Collect anything lent or out for repairs.
• Dispose of flammables - paint, matches, pressure cans, cleaning fluids, etc.
• Notify the Post Office, bank, etc of your pending change of address. Refer to the Moving Checklist.

2 Weeks Before Moving

• Draw up a floorplan of your new home and indicate furniture placement. It makes moving in twice as easy.
• Set a date with a reliable service firm to prepare your appliances - washer, dryer, etc - for moving.
• Start packing if you have to do some of it yourself. Refer to the Packing Brochure from your remover.
• Arrange for a baby sitter for moving day.
• Plan to discontinue utilities delivery services, etc. Refer to the Moving Checklist.

1 Week Before Moving

• Prepare your car for the trip. Finish packing all suitcases and basic essentials. Plan to carry with you valuable documents, currency and jewellery.
• Drain water from the garden hose and oil/fuel from the power mower and other machinery.
• Defrost and wipe dry the fridge and freezer.
• Take down curtain rods, and items permanently attached.
• Dismantle large power such as lathes, grinders, etc.
• Prepare a list of first items you will need upon arrival at your new home. See our Day Survival Kit checklist.

The Day Before Moving

• Loosen screws, tracks, and tacks from carpets, etc.
• Prepare your plants for moving.
• Take down electrical fittings - wall clocks, heaters, etc.
• Take down any fixtures - towel rails, etc.
• Disconnect the washing machine and bolt down the washing machine drum and refrigerator motor if necessary.

The Morning of Moving Day

• Keep pets out of the way in a safe place. (Animals are not allowed to travel on the van except by special arrangement.)
• Collect together small valuables and personal documents and carry these yourself.
• Keep coats and articles you want to take with you personally to one side in a box clearly marked "DO NOT REMOVE".
• Strip beds and fold bedding in plastic sacks.

During the Move

• Keep children out of the way.
• Give each room a final clean as it is cleared. Keep cleaning materials in a box marked "LOAD LAST".
• Pack a large box with items you will need as soon as you arrive, e.g. kettle, cups, tools, snacks.
• Put wardrobe keys, etc in key bags and keep safe.

Before Leaving the Old House

• Check that no item has been left that shouldn't be.
• Hand over the keys.
• Be sure the van driver has your new address, directions and key if necessary.
• Check all windows are closed and doors are locked.
• If the new owner is not arriving the same day, turn off water, gas and electricity.