This checklist has been compiled by expert movers. It is a handy list to make sure you do not forget anything.
After purchasing your new house
Make sure everybody knows about the upcoming removal
Shortly before the removal
A couple of days before the removal
The day of the removal
In your new house
After the removal
After purchasing your new house
- Put your old house up for sale/ cancel the rent of your old house/garage.
- Arrange for leave, put in a request for removal leave.
- Make sure the telephone is (dis-)connected.
- Negotiate with new inhabitants on matter of purchase of redundant carpets, drapes, aerials, etc.
- Make enquiries about a possible removal compensation.
- Take measurements in your new house (for furniture, refrigerator, gas cooker, drapes, curtains, sunblinds, ….
- Cancel or change automatic payments.
- Request free quotes from specialized removal companies early. Easily done here.
- Arrange for people to help with removal to save money on your moving cost.
- Get your mover to deliver boxes well in advance, so that you can start packing early (see moving tips) make informed choices about what to take to your new house.
- Gather information about your new place of residence. Centres for day care, schools, work, shopping malls, doctors, hospital, rates and taxes, garbage disposal/collection, etc, etc.
- Make sure you have the right visa for the country in which you will live. Buy a map of the town so that you can inform family, friends and your removal company of the exact location of your new home.
- Before moving into your new home: things to take care of:
- Place central aerial in the vicinity of radio and tv.
- Pay attention to number and location of power outlets.
- Find out about regulations of proprietor of house you are moving into.
- Find out about town regulations regarding placement of satellite receivers.
- Find out about town refuse collection schedule.
- Find out if house is connected to the gas/electricity mains.
- Find out if house is connected to a town heating system.
- Establish last time chimney was swept.
- Is there a special connection for electrical cooking?
- Can the mover reach the new house easily?
- Is an elevator/ a hoisting installation accessible for the mover?
Make sure everybody knows about the upcoming removal
- Give notice to cleaning lady/ chimney sweeper; terminate rent of postbox (mind the keys!)
- Inform GP, dentist, specialist, apothecary, city council, school.
- Inform insurance company/companies, banks.
- Terminate contract with electricity/gas company, terminate subscriptions.
- Change addresses in passports and driving licenses.
- Make arrangements for day care of small children and pets.
- Arrange transfer of keys of old house and new house (extra keys!).
- Cash in coupons of local shops.
- Return library books.
- Donate whatever you do not need in your new house to friends and relatives, those in need of it, or to recycling shop.
- Put items and goods that have already been packed where they can’t be overlooked.
- Disassemble any lamps, curtains and furniture that you wish to take with you.
- Arrange for deliveries of new articles of furniture to take place at the storage facility of your mover, thus saving money and time.
A couple of days before the removal
- Clean your new house.
- Remove wall to wall carpeting.
- Remove aerial from the roof, or have it removed.
- Pack everything you will definitely not be needing on the day of your removal.
- Use last day of garbage collection to dispose of everything you no longer need.
- Make sure you have ready cash at hand. Coffee and biscuits are generally welcome commodities on the day of a removal.
- If at all possible make sure the parking space around your house is readily accessible. This will prevent unnecessary delays.
- Keep a couple of boxes empty to fill at the last moment.
- Remove last curtains.
- Keep important items such as keys, money, medical papers, spare fuses apart.
- Check every room for forgotten items.
- Write down current gas/electricity meter readings; disconnect gas and electricity.
- Drain water pipes in winter (even in the absence of frost).
- Close windows and doors carefully.
- Give keys to caretaker or new owner.
- Mark rooms.
- Try to put everything in its correct place right away.
- Check all items for possible damage as soon as they have been unpacked.
- Do not switch on refrigerator and freezer for 24 hours to allow appliances to ‘adjust’.
- Release safety on (tumbler) washing machine.
- Put furniture in its right place and unpack boxes.
- Attach nameplate to door.
- Notify mover of any damage to your household goods.
- Settle any damage to your house with owner.
- Notify town council of your arrival and change address in passport and driving licence.
- Pick up key to new post-box.
- Introduce yourself to new school, neighbours, suppliers, etc,
- Check if mail is being forwarded.