Moving and packing house tips: A checklist

With a bit of planning, the right gear and some expert moving house tips, you can pack, clean and move like a pro - and start enjoying your new home faster.

What should be on my moving home checklist? 

• Whether you’re hiring removalists or doing it yourself, breaking down the tasks into steps helps ease the overwhelm:  

• Declutter the house before you start packing up; 

• Get packing essential sorted, including boxes, bubble wrap, labels and lots of packing tape;  

• If you are moving yourself, consider hiring gear like trolleys, trailers, skips and packing straps to save on costs; and  

• Consider if you will do some or all of the end of lease clean yourself. You can use a D.I.Y. carpet-cleaning machine from the Bunnings Hire Shop

What to do first when moving house

What should be top of your moving house tips list? 

Get started early 

Be prepared for your move: don’t leave things until the last minute, planning is key to avoid last minute problems and challenges. “Planning in advance, using checklists and our moving calculator, packing room by room and having the right gear to move – for example, a moving trolley, dolly, furniture blankets and moving boxes – can make all the difference,” says Jess Borschmann, senior buyer for transport and moving at Bunnings. 

Pack items properly

• Start packing four to six weeks ahead: “Walk through your home, room by room, and make a rough inventory,” she says. “Don’t forget storage spaces like understairs cupboards and attics,” Professional home organiser Sarah Le Quesne from Sort by Sarah advises.

• Declutter before you pack: “When moving, every item in your home has a hard cost attached to it – you’re paying to pack, move and unpack it,” says Sarah. “Once you decide an item no longer belongs in your home, make sure it leaves the same day.”

• Begin your pack small and work up to bigger areas: Start with a single drawer or cupboard, suggests professional organiser Jo Carmichael from All Sorted Out. “Put the contents on a flat surface and remove what you haven’t used in a year. If it’s in good condition, donate it,” she says. “Otherwise, bin it and celebrate the clear-out!” If you have lots to get rid of, book a council clean-up in advance – many fill up weeks ahead – or hire a skip to clear as you go and avoid a late rush.

Step-by-step to packing your home properly

1. Gather the right packing equipment for the job 

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to get strategic. “Bubble wrap or paper wrap, moving boxes, bags and labels, packing tape and dispenser, moving inserts and dividers, and mattress covers and furniture covers are must-haves,” says Jess. “They help protect belongings and make unpacking easier

2. Choose the right boxes 

One size does not fit all. “Use heavy-duty boxes for storage, large, light-duty boxes for linen and larger items, and smaller heavy-duty cartons for books and fragile pieces,” says Sarah. She also recommends butcher’s paper for wrapping delicate items like glassware and heirlooms. “The key is to use plenty and fill gaps with scrunched paper so nothing moves.” If you’re looking to save on packaging, repurpose what you already have – towels, blankets and sheets make great padding for fragile items and help reduce waste.  

3. Label each box with its destination and contents, and avoid over-stuffing

“Don’t make boxes so heavy you can’t move them yourself,” says Sarah. “Group like items together and mark boxes you’ll need immediate access to, such as kitchen essentials, power cords and medication.” 

How to hire moving gear from Bunnings 

If you’re organising the move yourself, have the right tools on hand. A dolly, pallet shrink wrap, moving blankets, packaging straps and a hand trolley are all available at Bunnings. Keep a toolkit handy for reassembling beds and tables, and an Esky for fridge items.  

If you’re hiring gear, consider moving midweek - you’ll often save on ute or truck hire costs, avoid the weekend rush and have more flexibility with pick-up times. On moving day, have an ‘essentials kit’ ready to pack last and unpack first. Include the kettle, a few cups, snacks, medications, cleaning cloths and any paperwork or keys. When kids or pets are involved, plan ahead. “We prioritise setting up kids’ bedrooms first so they feel settled straightaway,” says Sarah. “And pets hate the sound of tape guns - give them a quiet space away from the chaos or ask a neighbour or friend to mind them.”  

How to do an end-of-lease clean

End-of-lease cleans can be on the pricey side, but you can save a small fortune by tackling some – or all – of the work yourself. Choose the right products for the job to get great results with less effort.  

Start with the big hitters:  

• Multipurpose cleaning paste for kitchens and bathrooms 

• Mould-remover spray for tough grout marks 

• A powerful glass cleaner for windows and mirrors 

• Add disposable gloves, a fillable spray bottle and microfibre cloths to your caddy

Work from the top down: ceilings and fans first, then walls, windows and floors. Vacuum and mop as you go to keep dust under control, and use a D.I.Y. carpet-cleaning machine from the Bunnings Hire Shop for professional results at a fraction of the cost. To save time, scrub as you pack - clean inside kitchen cabinets and built-ins as they’re emptied, and wipe over furniture before it’s loaded into the truck so you’re not taking the dust.  

Keep in mind…

Wear a mask and gloves for serious cleaning tasks and store all cleaning products out of reach of children and pets. 

Want more tips to organise, pack, and prepare for a smooth move.

Read our article on 20 tips for an easy house move.

 

Some photographs feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings.  

Some advertised services and products are not available at some Bunnings stores, but products can be ordered. Not all hire products are available at all stores. Contact your nearest store for availability. Conditions apply.