Mover's Checklist – How Your Move Goes Step by Step
A mover's checklist is a step-by-step checklist that goes through the tasks of a move, from planning and address changes to packing, moving day and settling into the new home. With the list you stay on schedule, remember the notifications and contract transfers, and don't end up doing everything at the last minute. Work through the tasks step by step, and the move goes without any feeling of rush.
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Start and plan your move early
A good move starts with planning. First find out your moving day and arrange the other tasks around it.
Sell your home or give notice on your tenancy.
Plan the moving timeline and take busy periods into account, such as the turn of the month and weekends.
Schedule any renovations and, if needed, rent a storage unit.
Once you know your moving day, request a moving quote, accept the quote and book the moving service.
Place your moving-box order — you get moving boxes by adding the details to the quote request.
If you're doing the move yourself, the recommended moving-crew size is:
1–2 rooms + kitchen (1–2 h+k): 2–4 people
3–4 rooms + kitchen (3–4 h+k): 3–5 people
over 5 rooms + kitchen (5+ h+k): 4–7 people
If you have items to recycle, start your packing planning with those. Opiskelijamuutot can take items to the recycling centre as part of the move when you note this on the quote request form.
Remember these address changes and notifications
Make your address changes in good time, so that post is delivered and services work right after the move.
Change-of-address notification: make the notification to Posti's address information system, which also updates your address with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). The notification can be made at the earliest one month before the move and at the latest one week after the move. Posti's notification passes your address on to the authorities and many banks.
Electricity company: make a move notification and make sure the electricity is on at the new address on moving day.
Insurance company: make a move notification and check that your home insurance is sufficient for the new home and is valid during the move.
Internet connection: transfer the subscription to the new address. Allow time, because the delivery time can be 1–2 weeks depending on the area.
Other notifications: report your new address to your workplace and to the services you use. If you have children, register them at their new day-care centre or school.
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Get packing supplies in good time
Get packing supplies well before you start packing. Go through the items in your cupboards and remember your storage spaces too.
Reserve enough bubble wrap, tape, string, packing paper, corrugated cardboard and markers. You get comprehensive packing supplies and moving boxes from us. For help taking stock of your belongings, see the inventory-list article.
Do you need more storage space?
If not all your belongings fit into the new home right away, or you need temporary storage, rent a storage unit. When you order the moving service from Opiskelijamuutot, you get the storage-related transport seamlessly under one roof.
How to pack your belongings for the move
Start packing 1–2 weeks before the move, with the things you rarely need. Label the boxes as you pack — this way they find the right place in the new home and the move goes faster.
Leave about 4–5 cm of empty space at the top of a moving box, so the boxes can be stacked on top of each other.
Pack fragile items, such as pictures and mirrors, in cardboard or bubble wrap and protect the corners with corner protectors or corrugated cardboard.
Disassemble furniture that can be disassembled.
Secure the drawers of chests of drawers and pack the shelf boards — hand-held stretch film is a good solution for this.
Wrap dishes in packing paper or bubble wrap and place them firmly in the box. Use cardboard protective packaging for glasses.
Pack clothes, soft toys, linens and towels in strong bin bags.
Protect plants with plastic or a bin bag, and in cold weather also use paper or fabric.
Detach and protect ceiling lights in corrugated cardboard or a cardboard box.
Pack clothes on hangers in garment bags or a wardrobe box.
Protect mattresses, sofas and armchairs with protective bags.
Detach large appliances and secure the cords around the body with stretch film or tape.
Roll up rugs and protect them with plastic or a rug sleeve.
Pack essential items in a separate essentials box or bag — for example keys, clothes, documents and toiletries.
Mark the furniture that is going to recycling or storage.
Make sure a couple of days before the move that you can get everything packed. When your belongings are ready by the time the moving truck arrives, the move goes faster.
Moving cleaning
Start the cleaning with the time-consuming stages, such as washing the windows. Clean the cupboard shelves already while packing, so the move-out cleaning is lighter. You'll find more detailed instructions in the move-out cleaning article.
On moving day
When you order the moving service from Opiskelijamuutot, we let you know when we leave the depot and when we're on our way. On site, our staff find a suitable spot for the moving truck for loading. If it's a busy street, secure a parking space before moving day.
When the move begins, we go through the belongings and plan the order in which they should be loaded onto the moving truck. Finally, do the move-out cleaning of the home.
In the new home
Once your belongings have arrived, finish the move with some checks.
Inspect the new home and report any problem areas to the property manager or landlord.
Test or install a smoke alarm — it is mandatory by law in all homes.
Make a move-in notification to the maintenance company, so that your name is changed on the stairwell and door name plates.
Don't have time to do everything yourself? Request a moving quote and we'll help with every stage of the move.
Frequently asked questions about preparing for a move
How many people do you need for a move?
If you're doing the move yourself, the recommended moving-crew size is 2–4 people for a 1–2 room home, 3–5 people for a 3–4 room home, and 4–7 people for a home of more than five rooms. The need depends on the amount of belongings and the conditions.
When must the change-of-address notification be made?
The change-of-address notification can be made at the earliest one month before the move and at the latest one week after the move. The same notification to Posti also updates your address with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
In what order should you pack your belongings?
Start packing 1–2 weeks before the move with the things you use rarely, and leave the essentials until last. Pack the most important items in a separate essentials box, where you'll find them right after the move.
How many moving boxes do I need?
A rule of thumb is about one moving box per square metre of your home. Leave 4–5 cm of empty space at the top of a box so the boxes can be stacked on top of each other in the moving truck.
Is a smoke alarm mandatory in a new home?
Yes. A smoke alarm is mandatory by law in all homes. Test or install a smoke alarm right after the move.