Moving house can be exciting, but also overwhelming. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or just shifting suburbs in Christchurch, there’s a lot to remember. Miss one step, and you’re left scrambling for essentials on moving day.
That’s why we’ve created this priority-based house moving checklist to help you stay organised and stress-free, from booking movers to settling into your new place. No fluff, just the key steps laid out clearly.
What is the best checklist for moving house in 2025?
Here’s a priority-based house-moving checklist:
- Book your movers
- Notify your landlord (if renting)
- Update utility providers and your address.
- Start packing non-essentials
- Pack an essentials bag for moving day.
- Do a final walkthrough before leaving.
- Unpack daily-use items first
- Confirm all utilities are active.
- Dispose of packing material.
- Meet your new neighbours.
Moving House Checklist in 2025
Plan your move step-by-step with this priority-based guide
Step 1: Right After You Decide to Move
Book Your Moving Company First Thing
Once you decide to move, the very first thing to do is to book your moving company. Good movers get busy fast, especially at the end of the month or on weekends. Booking early means you’ll get your preferred date and enough time to talk through the details. You can compare prices, ask questions, and feel more relaxed knowing your move is already in trusted hands, especially if you’re booking a team like House Moving Services in Christchurch.
Tell Your Landlord (If You’re Renting)
If you’re living in a rental, don’t forget to let your landlord know as soon as you can. In New Zealand, you usually need to give at least 21–28 days’ notice before moving out. Telling your landlord early helps avoid extra rent, late fees, or issues with your bond. It also gives them time to find a new tenant, which makes everything smoother for both sides.
Keep All Your Moving Info in One Place
Start a moving folder where you can save everything related to your move quotes from movers, receipts, checklists, and important documents. You can use a real folder or just a folder on your computer or phone. It helps you stay organised and makes things easier if you need to look up a detail later or prove something. A little prep now saves you a lot of stress later on.
Declutter Your Stuff Before Packing
Before you start packing, it’s a great idea to go through your things and decide what you really need. Moving is the perfect time to let go of extra stuff you can sell, donate, or throw away. Fewer things mean fewer boxes, lower moving costs, and a much easier time settling into your new home. Think of it as a fresh start, with only the things you truly want to keep.
Set Your Moving Date
Pick a moving date that works well for you and your schedule. This helps you plan everything else, booking services, setting up utilities, and organizing packing time. If possible, avoid the busiest times, like end-of-month or public holidays, when movers are harder to book. Giving yourself 3–4 weeks to prepare can really make your move smoother and less rushed.
Step 2: 4–6 Weeks Before Moving House
Tell Your Utility Providers You’re Moving
Now’s the time to let your electricity, gas, water, and internet companies know that you’re moving. You don’t want to pay bills for a house you’re no longer living in! Tell them your moving date and new address (if you’re continuing with the same provider). It’s also a good chance to check if any services need to be disconnected or reconnected, especially the internet, which can take a few days to set up.
Start Changing Your Address Everywhere
Begin the process of updating your address with important places like NZ Post, your bank, your job, and any subscriptions (like meal kits, magazines, or online shopping accounts). It takes time for address changes to go through, so don’t leave this for the last minute. Set up mail redirection with NZ Post too, this way, you won’t miss anything important while you’re settling into your new home.
Collect School and Medical Records If You’re Changing Areas
If you’re moving to a different neighbourhood or town, you might need to transfer school records or register with a new doctor. Ask the school for your child’s files and check if your new school needs anything ahead of time. For healthcare, request a summary of your medical records so your new doctor has everything they need, especially if you have ongoing treatments, kids, or elderly family members.
Book Any Appliance Servicing That’s Needed
Some items, like your heat pump, washing machine, or gas heater, might need servicing before the move. This is especially important if you’re moving appliances with you or leaving them behind in working condition. Booking this early gives you time to get it done without rushing. Plus, well-maintained appliances are less likely to cause issues during transport.
Get Your Packing Supplies Ready
Start gathering all your packing materials now: cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, labels, and markers. You can buy these from stores or even ask local shops if they have spare boxes. If you need a hand or want to reduce waste, WeMove also offers eco-friendly packing support to make things easier. Having supplies ready early means you can pack bit by bit without any pressure. Trust us, running out of tape in the middle of packing is a headache you don’t need!
Step 3: 2–3 Weeks Before Moving House
Start Packing Things You Don’t Use Every Day
Now’s a good time to start packing non-essential items, such as books, photo frames, off-season clothes, decorations, and rarely used kitchenware. Packing a little each day keeps you from feeling rushed later. Plus, it gives you more space and helps you feel like progress is being made. Stick to one room at a time so things stay organised and less overwhelming.
Clearly Label Every Box
As you pack, label each box with the room it belongs to and what’s inside, for example, “Kitchen Plates” or “Bedroom Winter Clothes.” This makes unpacking so much easier and helps the movers know where to put everything. You can also mark boxes as “fragile” if they contain breakables, so they’re handled with extra care during the move.
Make Plans for Kids and Pets on Moving Day
Moving day can be stressful and chaotic, especially for kids and pets. Now is the time to plan for their care. Can a friend or family member watch them for the day? Or maybe you need to book a pet day-care or babysitter? Keeping them away from all the action is safer for them and much easier for you and the movers.
Back Up Your Important Digital Files
If you’re moving computers, tablets, or hard drives, it’s smart to back up all your important files. Things can get bumped or damaged during the move, and you don’t want to lose photos, work documents, or anything important. Use cloud storage, an external hard drive, or both, just in case. It’s a simple step that can save you a lot of regret later.
Arrange a Rubbish Pickup for Big Items
There’s always some stuff that you can’t donate, sell, or take with you, like old furniture, broken electronics, or garden waste. This is the right time to schedule a rubbish pickup with your local council or a private service. Don’t leave this too late, spots fill up, and you don’t want to be stuck with a pile of junk the day before your move.
If you’re not ready to move everything at once or need more space temporarily, consider using short-term storage solutions to keep your items safe until you’re fully settled.
Confirm Your Moving Date with WeMove
Now that the move is getting close, it’s a good idea to double-check everything with your moving team. Call or message WeMove to confirm your date, time, and any special instructions (like tight driveways, stairs, or tricky furniture). A quick check-in helps avoid surprises and keeps everyone on the same page.
Step 4: 1 Week Before Moving House
Pack Your Essentials Bag (Keep It With You)
A few days before the move, pack a bag with all the things you’ll need right away, like toiletries, chargers, a change of clothes, some snacks, important medicines, and any documents you’ll need on the day. This is especially helpful if you’re too tired to unpack everything right away. Think of it like an overnight bag, just for moving day and your first night at the new place.
Take Apart Big Furniture (Beds, Tables, Etc.)
Start disassembling large furniture items that won’t fit through doors or are easier to move in parts. Beds, tables, shelves, anything that can be taken apart safely. Keep the screws, bolts, and small parts in a labelled bag so you don’t lose them. This saves time on moving day and makes the movers’ job smoother and quicker.
Defrost and Clean the Fridge/Freezer
If you’re taking your fridge or freezer with you, make sure to defrost and clean it at least 24 hours before the move. Water from melting ice can cause leaks or damage if left too late. Wipe down the inside and leave the doors open so everything can dry out. It also keeps the fridge smelling fresh and makes moving it easier and safer.
Check All Those Easy-to-Miss Spots
Now’s the time to double-check all the places people usually forget the tops of cupboards, under the bed, the garage, sheds, attic corners, and laundry cupboards. You’d be surprised how many things get left behind. Walk through every room slowly and check carefully. It’s better to take 10 extra minutes now than lose something important.
Plan Your Final Cleaning
Whether you’re handing the place back to a landlord or just want to leave it clean, schedule your final cleaning now. You can either do it yourself or book a cleaning service. If you’re renting, a clean house means you’re more likely to get your bond back. Make sure the kitchen, bathrooms, windows, and floors are all covered.
Collect the Keys to Your New Place
Before moving day arrives, make sure you’ve got the keys to your new home. If you’re buying, check with your lawyer or real estate agent. If you’re renting, confirm key pickup with the landlord or property manager. Don’t assume they’ll just hand them over on the spot; double-check the time and place to avoid last-minute delays on moving day.
Step 5: House Moving Day Checklist
Do One Last Walkthrough of the Old House
Before the truck pulls away, walk through every room one final time. Check cupboards, drawers, under the beds, behind doors, even the laundry and garage. It’s easy to miss something when everything’s in boxes. A slow, careful walkthrough helps catch anything that was left behind. It only takes a few minutes and can save you from losing something important.
Supervise the Loading Process
While the movers load your things, keep an eye on the process. Make sure fragile boxes are treated gently and that the heavier items are stacked properly. If something looks off or you have special instructions, speak up. Most movers appreciate clear communication, and a little guidance helps protect your belongings during the ride.
Keep Your Essentials Bag and Valuables With You
You packed that essentials bag earlier for a reason, keep it with you. This includes your phone charger, documents, snacks, water, keys, and any medications. Also, don’t pack valuables like jewellery, laptops, or passports in the moving truck. Keep them on hand for peace of mind. It’s one less thing to worry about.
Give Clear Directions if Needed
If your new home is tricky to find, or if there are specific instructions (like narrow driveways, parking spots, or tricky access), make sure your movers know. A quick explanation or a pin drop on Google Maps can prevent confusion and save time. Helping them helps you.
Lock Up and Hand Over the Keys
Once everything’s out and ready to go, lock up the old place. If you were renting, leave the keys in the agreed-upon spot or hand them over to your property manager or landlord. Double-check that doors and windows are locked, and nothing is left on (like lights or heaters). Then, take a deep breath, you’re officially done with your old home.
Step 6: After the Move House
Unpack the Must-Haves First
Start by unpacking your daily essentials for the kitchen (like cups, plates, kettle), the bathroom (toiletries, towels), and your bed (sheets, pillows, blankets). These are the things you’ll need to feel a bit “at home” on your first day. Don’t worry about getting everything done, just focus on the basics so you can eat, wash, and sleep comfortably.
Check That Your Utilities Are Working
Make sure electricity, water, internet, and gas are all up and running. If anything isn’t working, call the provider right away. It’s better to sort these things out on day one, especially the internet and hot water. If you arranged the connection ahead of time (which you probably did!), now’s the time to confirm it’s all switched over properly.
Recycle or Reuse Your Moving Boxes
After unpacking, you’ll end up with a mountain of boxes and packaging. Try to reuse or recycle them responsibly. Many local recycling centres in Christchurch accept cardboard. You can also post in local community groups, where someone else may need boxes for their move. Keeping the clutter out of your new place feels great right away.
Check Your Furniture and Appliances
Take a few minutes to inspect your furniture and appliances for any damage that might’ve happened during the move. Look for scratches, dents, or anything that wasn’t there before. If you notice anything, take photos and contact your moving company (like WeMove) if needed. It’s better to report issues sooner rather than later.
Say Hello to Your New Neighbours
Moving into a new area? Take a moment to introduce yourself to your neighbours. A simple wave or short chat can go a long way. It helps you feel more settled and starts things off on the right foot. Plus, they might have helpful tips about the neighbourhood, like bin days or nearby shops.
Think About Changing the Locks
If you’ve bought a new home, it’s a good idea to change the locks. You never know how many spare keys are out there from past owners or tenants. It’s a small cost for peace of mind. For rentals, check with the landlord first before making any changes.
Update Local Records (If Needed)
If you’ve moved to a new area, update your address with your local council and your GP (doctor). This helps keep your records up to date for voting, health appointments, and any council-related matters. It’s a quick task, but one that’s often forgotten during all the unpacking.
Conclusion
Shifting homes doesn’t have to be chaotic; it just needs a plan. Use this checklist to guide each step, stay in control, and ease into your new space with confidence.
And if you’d rather skip the heavy lifting? WeMove is here to help you move smoothly across Christchurch and beyond, whether it’s your home or office relocation services you need support with.
