Moving Day Checklist: Everything to Do From 6am to Handover

By the time moving day arrives, you’ve made hundreds of decisions and you’re running on less sleep than usual. This is exactly the wrong state to be improvising in — which is why a checklist beats a plan you’re holding in your head.

Everything below is written to be ticked off in order. Print it, or keep it open on your phone. It covers the whole day: the morning prep, the handover of the old property, and the move in day checklist for the new one.

If you want the reasoning behind the timings — what the crew is doing at each stage and why — read it alongside our hour-by-hour moving day game plan. This page is the tick-list version.

The Night Before

[ ] Essentials bag packed and set aside — do not let this go on the truck
[ ] Valuables separated: passports, birth certificates, jewellery, cash, medications, laptops
[ ] Fridge and freezer emptied and defrosting (start 24 hours out)
[ ] Washing machine disconnected, hose drained, transit bolts fitted if you have them
[ ] All boxes sealed, labelled by destination room on two sides and the top
[ ] Boxes staged near the exit — heaviest at the bottom, labels facing out
[ ] Drawers, cabinets, and wardrobes emptied
[ ] Bed frames and table legs disassembled, fittings bagged and taped to the item
[ ] Wall-mounted TVs, brackets, mirrors, and curtain rods taken down
[ ] Parking space secured — your own car in the spot, or bins and cones out
[ ] Council parking permit printed and ready to display, if required
[ ] Phones charged, chargers kept out of boxes
[ ] Removalist’s arrival time and contact number confirmed
[ ] Pet and childcare arranged for the day
[ ] Alarm set for two hours before the crew arrives

6:00am — Wake Up and Reset

[ ] Shower now — the hot water goes off later
[ ] Eat a proper breakfast; you won’t stop for a real meal
[ ] Phone at 100%
[ ] Dress in closed shoes and clothes you can move in
[ ] Kettle, mugs, and teabags out for the crew and yourself

6:30am — The Final Sweep

Check every one of these — they’re the ones people miss:

[ ] Oven and dishwasher
[ ] Linen press and hallway cupboard
[ ] Top shelf of every wardrobe
[ ] Behind every door
[ ] Under beds
[ ] Roof cavity or manhole storage
[ ] Garage, shed, and outdoor storage
[ ] Balcony and courtyard
[ ] Letterbox
[ ] Meter box
[ ] Bathroom cabinets and shower caddies
[ ] Any last boxes sealed and labelled
[ ] Fridge fully defrosted, interior dried, door propped

7:00am — Access and Parking

[ ] Truck space secured directly outside, as close to the door as possible
[ ] Council parking permit displayed if you’re on a clearway or metered street
[ ] Goods lift booking confirmed with building management (apartments)
[ ] Loading dock time slot confirmed
[ ] Building access codes, swipe cards, or keys ready
[ ] Driveway and gate unlocked

7:30am — Clear the Decks

[ ] Rugs, pot plants, bins, bikes, and shoe racks moved out of hallways and the front path
[ ] Doors propped open along the loading route
[ ] Stairwell and landings cleared
[ ] Pets dropped off or secured well away from the loading path
[ ] Children offsite
[ ] Valuables and essentials bag loaded into your own car
[ ] Cash or card ready for payment if settling on the day

8:00am — Crew Arrives

[ ] Walk the crew leader through the whole property
[ ] Point out fragile items explicitly
[ ] Point out anything that is staying — this is the most common miscommunication
[ ] Flag heavy and specialist items: piano, safe, pool table, gym equipment, artwork
[ ] Say which items you’ll need off the truck first at the other end
[ ] Confirm the delivery address and your mobile number
[ ] Offer water and show them where the bathroom is

8:30am–11:00am — During the Load

[ ] Stay on site and reachable for the entire duration
[ ] Answer questions immediately — a waiting crew is a paid crew
[ ] Stay out of the loading path
[ ] Don’t attempt to help carry
[ ] Photograph high-value items before they’re wrapped, if you haven’t already
[ ] Keep the essentials bag and valuables with you, not near the loading pile

11:00am — Handover of the Old Property

[ ] Full walkthrough with the crew leader — every room, cupboard, garage, shed, balcony
[ ] Check the truck is loaded and nothing is left behind
[ ] Electricity meter reading taken and photographed
[ ] Gas meter reading taken and photographed
[ ] Water meter reading taken and photographed
[ ] Every empty room photographed for bond or handover records
[ ] Windows closed and locked
[ ] Lights and appliances switched off
[ ] Bond clean booked or completed (rentals)
[ ] Keys, remotes, garage openers, and swipe cards handed to the agent or new owner
[ ] Mail redirection with Australia Post confirmed as active
[ ] Final look at the letterbox and meter box
[ ] Doors locked

Move In Day Checklist: Arriving at the New Property

12:00pm — Before Anything Comes Off the Truck

[ ] Condition check: photograph floors, walls, doorframes, and existing damage
[ ] Confirm parking and access at this end
[ ] Goods lift and loading dock confirmed if it’s an apartment
[ ] Put a labelled sign on every door — Kitchen, Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2, Study, Garage
[ ] Decide where large furniture goes before it’s carried in
[ ] Check power is connected and the switchboard is on
[ ] Check hot water and gas are on
[ ] Locate the meter box, water shut-off, and switchboard
[ ] Take meter readings at the new property and photograph them

12:30pm–3:00pm — During the Unload

[ ] Direct each item to its room as it comes off
[ ] Tick boxes off your inventory list as they arrive
[ ] Ask for beds to be assembled first
[ ] Confirm large furniture placement before the crew sets it down
[ ] Inspect fragile and high-value items as they’re unwrapped
[ ] Report any damage immediately, while the crew is on site — photograph it and raise it with the crew leader

3:00pm — Final Sign-Off

[ ] Walk through every room with the crew leader
[ ] Check the truck yourself — blankets get folded over things
[ ] Final inventory count against your list
[ ] Confirm nothing is left in the lift lobby, dock, or driveway
[ ] Payment settled and receipt obtained
[ ] Keep the crew leader’s contact details

4:00pm Onwards — Stop Here

Do these five things, then stop. Do not attempt to unpack the house tonight.

[ ] Beds made
[ ] Bathroom set up — toilet paper, soap, towels, toothbrushes
[ ] Kettle running
[ ] Utilities confirmed working — power, gas, hot water, internet
[ ] Dinner ordered

First 48 Hours

[ ] Locks changed or rekeyed
[ ] Smoke alarms tested
[ ] Internet connected
[ ] Address updated: Medicare, ATO, Service Victoria, VicRoads, bank, insurer, employer
[ ] Electoral roll updated
[ ] Kitchen unpacked
[ ] Bins located and collection day confirmed with the council
[ ] Empty boxes flattened — most removalists will collect unused materials

What Should I Keep With Me on Moving Day?

Keep these in your own car, never on the truck:

Passports, birth certificates, visas, and legal documents
Jewellery, cash, and small valuables
Medications and prescriptions
Laptops, tablets, hard drives, and phone chargers
House keys, car keys, and remotes
Kettle, mugs, teabags, coffee, and milk
Toilet paper, hand soap, and a towel each
A change of clothes per person
Basic toolkit — screwdriver, allen keys, box cutter, tape
Snacks and water
Pet food, bowls, and lead
Cleaning basics for the final wipe-down

Never give a removalist: flammable or hazardous goods including gas bottles, petrol, paint, aerosols, and pool chemicals. Check the shed and garage well before the day.

Quick Reference: What Slows the Day Down

The six things that cost Melbourne movers the most time, in order:

Furniture still full of contents
No parking near the entrance
Unbooked goods lifts in CBD, Southbank, and Docklands buildings
Half-packed rooms
Nobody on site to make decisions
Items nobody mentioned — the shed, the storage cage, the roof cavity

All six are fixed in the week beforehand. See how to prepare your home so removalists work faster and our ultimate packing guide. If you’re moving into a high-rise, our apartment access guide covers the permissions side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do on moving day? Wake two hours before the crew arrives, sweep every cupboard and storage space, secure parking directly outside, clear all walkways, send pets and children offsite, keep valuables and an essentials bag in your own car, walk the crew through on arrival, stay present and decisive during the load, take meter readings before handover, and direct furniture placement at the new address.

What should I keep with me on moving day? Passports, legal documents, jewellery, cash, medications, laptops and hard drives, keys, phone chargers, a kettle and mugs, toilet paper, soap, a towel and change of clothes per person, a basic toolkit, snacks, and anything your pets need. These stay in your car, not on the truck.

What time do removalists usually start in Melbourne? Most crews start between 7am and 8am to make use of the full day and avoid peak traffic. Confirm your arrival window when you book — our operating hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm, with earlier starts arranged for larger jobs.

How long should I allow for moving day? Allow the whole day. A studio or one bedroom takes 2–3 hours, a two to three bedroom home 3–6 hours, and a four bedroom home 6–9 hours door to door — but access, stairs, and parking can extend any of these. Don’t book anything else for the afternoon.

Do I need to be there the whole time? Yes, or someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf. The most common cause of delay is a crew waiting for someone to answer a question about what’s staying, what’s fragile, or where something goes.

Get a Crew That Turns Up on Time

Background-checked teams, full goods-in-transit insurance, free packing boxes, and transparent hourly pricing — written quote back within two hours.

Get your free quote or call 0404 382 743. Local removalists across 35+ Melbourne suburbs since 2013.