A successful move is all about preparation. The more the work you put in before the day of your move, the more likely it is that moving day will go off without a hitch.

If it’s been a while since you moved house, chances are you will have forgotten about all the little, but important, steps that go into planning a stress-free move. Don’t despair though, use this Ultimate Moving Checklist to guide you through your moving preparations, from making an inventory, right through to the best way to pack moving boxes.

The Key Points About Every Move
Put Sentimentality Aside
The first point about every move is that they’re all about volume. The volume of your possessions will determine how expensive a move is and how long it will take. So, you need go be ruthless with your belongings and decide what you really need to take. If you don’t need it or absolutely love it sell it, donate it, or dispose of it. Moving house is the perfect time for a Spring clean, followed by a garage sale.

It’s Never To Early to Start Preparing
You should start organizing and packing as soon as you’ve decided to move. There are a number of things you can get an early start on, including:
• Creating a detailed and itemized budget that you can use as a guide throughout your move
• Creating an inventory of all of your belongings and decide what you’re going to move and what you’re going to sell, donate, and discard
• Start packing away things that you don’t use very often like photo albums, documents and books.

The Months Before Moving Day
The list of jobs you can (and should) complete in the two months leading up to your move is quite extensive. But, if you check them off one-by-one, you can rest assured of a smooth move. Some of the jobs you should complete include:
• Notify all the relevant authorities of your change of address, including your banks, insurance companies, mobile phone and internet providers, doctors, and road authority
• Make sure you collect any spare keys that you’ve given to family, friends and neighbors
• Contact your utility providers (water, electricity and gas) and ensure that your services will be switched off at your old property, and switched on at your new property
• Take stock of the items in your freezer and pantry, and put together a meal plan to use up as many items as you can
• Familiarize yourself with any specific moving instructions for large whitegoods or electrical appliances. For instance, when it comes to moving washing machines, you need to install their transit bolts to prevent damage

Moving Day Checklist
Once you have set the volume of your move and finalized a date, all you have to do is continue your preparations by following the checklist. If you follow it all you’ll have to do on moving day is:
• Give your moving company a walk through of your home, showing them what needs to be moved and where the easiest points of access are
• Make sure your high priority boxes are easy to access at your new address by packing them into your moving truck last. Your high priority boxes will contain all the things you will need on the first night at your new home like bedding, favorite kids toys, toiletries, and changes of clothing
• Create an “Essentials Kit” full of phone chargers, medication and any other items that you’ll need throughout the day
• Always keep your inventory on hand so you can mark items off as they move onto the truck. It’s a good idea to give a copy to your removalists as well
• To be safe, you should keep carry important documents and precious items yourself instead of putting them in the truck
• Do a final tour of your home and make sure you haven’t left anything behind.

Follow this checklist and you’ll be perfectly prepared for your big move!

Guest post courtesy of Sally Wood, Kent Relocation Group