Moving tips

Before moving day

Packing

• If you're hiring a moving company, book them as soon as you know the moving date
• If moving yourself, plan your transport. Hire a rental truck or trailer and start organising boxes
• Call your insurance company and make sure your goods will be covered during the move
• Write a list of all your possessions and plan which ones you can box ahead of time
• When filling your boxes make sure they aren't too heavy to carry
• Label boxes with their contents and the area of the house they are going in. Make sure you clearly label fragile goods
• Enlist the help of family and friends to help you on the big day
• Make sure you have valuables, paperwork and any other essential items with you on the day of the move.

Update your address with the following:

• Banks
• Your solicitor
• The IRD
• Your workplace, kids' schools and childcare
• Doctor, dentist, vet and other medical practitioners
• Local utility companies and your local authority / council
• Stores that you have accounts with, hire purchase companies and local club memberships
• Apply to have your mail redirected with NZ Post and leave your new address with the new owners so they can forward mail on.

Cleaning

• If using a professional cleaner, book them as soon as you know the moving date
• Sell, give or throw away any broken, damaged or unwanted possessions
• Try to use up food in the fridge and freezer. Clean and defrost them the day before you move
• Leave the home in the same condition you want to find your new one.

Discontinue or transfer services

• Gas, power and water - don’t forget to organise a final reading
• Telephone and internet
• Sky TV, newspapers, magazine delivery or other publications you subscribe to
• Alarm monitoring
• Lawn mowing/garden services.

Moving your pets

• Think about arranging a pet-sitter on moving day to take care of them
• Update your pet's details on their name tag, with your local council, and with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register
• All dogs are required to be microchipped but if you haven’t already done this, now is the time. Although it’s not a requirement in New Zealand, it’s a good idea to get your cat microchipped too - it’s the only guaranteed way of identifying it if it runs away from your new home
• Make sure you update your details with your vet. If you have an anxious pet, ask them for strategies to help keep them calm during the move. If you’re moving overseas, ask about vaccinations and special medications too
• Organise a carrier or crate for your pet to ensure they are transported safely on the day. You might want to get them used to it before the move by doing some short practice drives
• Pack all of your pet’s belongings into a well-labelled box and take it in your car (not the moving truck) to the new home. This will ensure you are able to unpack them straight away, helping your pet settle in quickly on arrival
• For the drive to your new home, have some water, food, medication and anything else you think they might need on hand
• When transporting your pet, make sure they are in a well-ventilated area of the car, preferably with you in sight, in a carrier or crate. If it’s a long trip, make sure you have rest stops to let your pet have a drink or some food
• Before letting your pet roam the new property, talk a walk around to make sure it's safe. Look for dangers like pest poisons, gaps in the fence and toxic plants growing in the garden
• Keep your cat inside for the first week or two
• Maintain your usual routines - make sure you feed and walk your pets at the usual times and set up their bedding so they can get settled.

On moving day

• Remove all fixtures and fittings from the walls
• Disconnect washing machine and drain water
• Check tops of wardrobes and in the attic/basement for any forgotten belongings
• Don't put breakables or liquids in drawers to be moved
• Keep jewellery, money, passports, legal documents or insurance policies with you
• Take your rubbish with you
• Leave manuals and any important notes for the new owners
• Make sure you turn off the lights, hot water system, gas meter and electricity switchboard and lock the door when you leave
• Leave the keys with the appropriate person or agency.

When you arrive your new place

• Clean thoroughly: Take time to look into the cupboards and the drawers too and make sure they have been thoroughly wiped before you put your plates, cutlery and other household and personal items away
• Unpack the essentials first: There will be a few things you can't live without, so make sure these are easy to access and unpacked first. It's a great idea to have these all in one box labelled 'essential items.' Carry them in your car to the new house so that they don’t get stuck in the back of the moving truck
• Find the mains: As soon as you arrive at the house, you'll want to know where your main circuit breaker and main water shut-off are. Take a look to see if the main circuit breaker is labelled and do a quick check to make sure the labels are correct. This will save you a headache in the future
• Change the locks: Just to be on the safe side
• Check the smoke alarms: Make sure the home is fitted with the right number of working smoke alarms. As a general rule, the NZ Fire Service recommends having photoelectric type smoke alarms in every bedroom, living area, and hallway - on every level in the house.