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Moving advice

Moving house checklist. Know what to do, and when.

A practical moving house checklist for planning, packing, moving day and settling into your new home.

Download the Checklist Moving Help

Before you start

A move is easier when the jobs are spread out.

You do not need to pack the whole house in one weekend. Start early, deal with the jobs that have deadlines first, and leave the everyday essentials until the end.

Use this checklist as a simple timeline for your move. For more practical guides, visit our moving advice hub.

Your moving timeline

What to do before moving day.

Work through the stages below rather than trying to organise everything at once.

01

6–8 weeks before

  • Confirm your moving date.
  • Book your moving company.
  • Start decluttering and decide what is coming with you.
  • Begin changing addresses and organising important services.
  • Start packing items you rarely use.
02

4 weeks before

  • Continue packing non-essential rooms and belongings.
  • Label boxes clearly by room and contents.
  • Arrange cleaning and any storage you may need.
  • Confirm access at both properties.
  • Plan how fragile, valuable or unusually large items will be moved.
03

2 weeks before

  • Pack most of the house, leaving daily essentials accessible.
  • Finish the garage, shed and other storage areas.
  • Pack fragile items carefully or arrange professional packing.
  • Confirm your moving arrangements.
  • Prepare a separate box of essentials for moving day.
04

1 week before

  • Finish the majority of your packing.
  • Keep documents, valuables and medication separate.
  • Confirm keys, access and parking arrangements.
  • Make sure pathways and entrances will be clear.
  • Prepare children and pets for moving day.
05

2–3 days before

  • Finish the last everyday packing.
  • Defrost the freezer if necessary.
  • Charge phones, tablets and other essentials.
  • Set aside toiletries, clothes and food for the first night.
  • Clean areas that will become difficult to access once furniture is moved.
06

Moving day

  • Keep your essentials, valuables and important documents with you.
  • Make sure the moving team can access the property safely.
  • Point out fragile, heavy or particularly important items.
  • Check cupboards, wardrobes, garages and outdoor areas before leaving.
  • Take final meter readings and make sure you have the keys.

Keep these with you

Your first-night essentials should not go on the truck.

Keep a small bag or box with medication, important documents, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic food, drinks and anything children or pets need.

You will be glad to have the essentials available while the rest of the house is still being unpacked.

Easy to overlook

A few jobs people often forget.

Before leaving

  • Check every cupboard and drawer.
  • Look in the garage, shed and outdoor areas.
  • Take meter readings.

At the new home

  • Know where the keys, power and water are.
  • Make beds before the boxes take over.
  • Keep basic bathroom and kitchen supplies accessible.

Important items

  • Medication
  • Passports and documents
  • Jewellery, cash and valuables

Prefer to leave the heavy lifting to us?

Make moving day the easy part.

Fragile Removals provides professional house moving services from our Hamilton and Cambridge bases, helping households move throughout the Waikato and beyond.

We can handle the heavy lifting and transport, with packing services available when you want help getting everything ready.

Moving further away? See our long-distance moving service or explore our intercity moving routes.

House moving services Hamilton movers Cambridge movers

Take it with you

Download the printable moving house checklist.

Keep the checklist handy while you work through your move.

Download PDF Checklist

Moving questions

Moving house FAQs.

When should I start preparing for a house move?

Ideally, start six to eight weeks before moving day. This gives you time to book movers, declutter, organise services and begin packing without having to do everything at once.

What should I pack first when moving house?

Start with things you do not use every day, such as seasonal clothing, decorations, books, spare kitchen items and stored belongings. Leave everyday essentials until closer to moving day.

What should I keep with me on moving day?

Keep important documents, valuables, medication, chargers, basic toiletries, a change of clothes and anything you need immediately after arriving at your new home with you.

How can I make moving day easier?

Finish most packing before moving day, identify fragile or special items clearly, keep accessways clear and have an essentials bag ready. A professional moving team can also handle the heavy lifting and transport.

Ready when you are

Planning a move? Let's get it sorted.

Tell us what you're moving, where you're going and when you need to move. We'll prepare a free, no-obligation fixed-price quote.

Get a Free Quote Call 027 452 2255