Moving to a new home is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming with many things to prepare. If you're unsure where to start or what to pack, this article will serve as a strong guide. It's advisable to create a checklist of tasks since there are so many things to keep track of when moving. To avoid confusion on moving day, check out this Moving Day Checklist A to Z from professional movers! Simplify your complex move preparations and get it all done at once!

Thinking of the moving checklist in terms of pre-move checks, on-the-day site verification, and post-move actions makes it easier to organize. Just like starting a long journey with a single step, our prepared checklist will help you smoothly prepare for your move.

One Month Before Moving: Drawing the Big Picture

Once the move is decided, the first thing to do is draw the big picture. Checking what needs to be done during this period and planning ahead can prevent future panic. It's not difficult at all. Just check these four sorted items below, and you'll be ready a month before your move!

✓ Finalizing Moving Date and Planning

Decide the moving date considering auspicious days, and coordinate the schedule well with your family. Knowing in advance the types of items, quantity, and any specific details will be helpful in selecting a moving company. It's also good to consider whether it's peak season for moving, as this will affect the selection of an ideal moving day. Fridays and weekends are generally more expensive and can be difficult to reserve with moving companies. Keep in mind that demand for moving is high at the end of the month, the end of the year, and at the start of school terms. Additionally, considering the weather would be helpful, too.

*'No hand days' refer to traditional Korean folk beliefs meaning days when harmful spirits are absent, making it a favorable day for humans.

✓ Choosing a Moving Company and Signing a Contract

Get on-site estimates from at least 2-3 moving companies. Instead of merely comparing prices, consider service details (packing, transport, arrangement, cleaning, etc.), whether they are insured for damage compensation, and reviews comprehensively.

The cost of moving companies varies based on the number of personnel involved; this changes significantly depending on the amount of luggage and working conditions. A basic team (3 men + 1 woman) is typically set, and additional labor costs incur if extra personnel are needed. Confirm the use of elevators at the moving site and also check the need for ladder trucks attentively. As significant price differences can arise, it's crucial to clearly check and compare before signing any contract.

When signing a contract, thoroughly check the service scope specified, any possibility of additional charges, and damage compensation regulations, and sign. Verbal promises can lead to issues later, so it's best to have them documented in writing.

[Tip] According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport blog, during peak moving seasons (March-May), it may be difficult to move on your desired date without early reservations, so start looking with some buffer time!

✓ Sorting Out Unnecessary Items and Planning Waste Disposal

Sort out unused furniture, home appliances, clothes, etc., in advance. Boldly dispose of items to be thrown out. It would be nice to separate and dispose of recyclable items accordingly. Through second-hand apps or donations, you can save on moving costs while also contributing to environmental protection.

Report large waste disposal in advance to the municipality and purchase stickers. If the waste volume is large or if self-disposal is challenging, using a waste disposal company is a convenient method. Learn about waste disposal methods in advance.

✓ Applying for Transfer or Cancellation of Various Services

Pre-arrange the transfer or cancellation of internet, cable TV, water purifiers, newspapers, milk, etc., that you're regularly subscribed to. You can handle this quickly through customer service centers or websites.

For utilities like automatic payments (electricity, gas, water), apply for an address change or cancellation. It is convenient to apply in advance via suppliers' websites, local community centers, or ARS phone services.

Address changes should be simultaneously processed at major institutions like banks, card companies, insurance, and post offices to prevent mail loss or personal information issues. Applying for a 'Bulk Address Change Service' that updates addresses across multiple places at once can be very convenient.

Two Weeks Before Moving: Start Practical Preparation

It's time to start serious moving preparations. Address critical administrative processing and detailed planning to reduce confusion on the moving day.

✓ Inspect Moving House and Verify Floor Plan

Identify the structure, outlet locations, and furniture arrangement of the new house in advance to minimize confusion on moving day. Knowing the order of moving items when moving them can make the moving process quicker.

If necessary, thoroughly check for defects before moving in and document them with photos or videos.

✓ Separate Storage for Important Documents and Valuables

Keep important documents like ID cards, bank books, seals, contracts, and valuables like cash and precious metals separate in a small bag for personal transport to ensure safety.

✓ Prepare for Address Change and Residence Registration

Applying for the post office's 'Residential Moving Service' allows mail arriving at your old address to be automatically forwarded to your new address for a set period.

After moving, you need to register your new address at the local community center (residence office). Check in advance the documents needed (e.g., ID).

✓ Reserve Disassembly and Installation of Home Appliances like Washing Machine and Air Conditioner

To avoid confusion on moving day, pre-disassemble and arrange the installation of home appliances that require expert assistance, like washing machines and air conditioners.

Especially for air conditioners, entrusting a professional company helps prevent issues like refrigerant leaks.

✓ Settle Various Utility Bills

Settle utility bills such as electricity, gas, and water fees based on usage until the moving day. Note the meter readings in advance.

Settle and plan the payment of apartment maintenance fees in advance as well.

One Week Before Moving: Final Checks

Here's a rundown of tasks to address when the moving date is near. There are many important things to check thoroughly and avoid overlooking.

✓ Organize Refrigerator and Manage Food

Consume the food in your refrigerator in advance, or organize it into a cooler to be taken on moving day. It is advisable to discard perishable food. It is recommended to transport refrigerators upright, and take care to ensure the doors don't open during transit. After moving, level them and let them stabilize before turning on the power.

✓ Plan Detailed Packing and Transportation of Moving Items

Package items you use infrequently in advance, and clearly label box contents for easy unpacking later.

Securely wrap fragile items with bubble wrap and mark them as ‘fragile’.

✓ Plan Moving Day Routes and Prepare Work Instructions

Plan where to place what items in the new house and prepare work instructions to give to the moving company staff to reduce moving time.

Confirm elevator usage, secure space for ladder trucks, and inform management offices about moving if transferring to an apartment in advance.

✓ Prepare Meals and Snacks for Moving Day

Moving day is busy, so think ahead about simple or delivery food. Preparing simple drinks or snacks for moving staff is also considerate.

✓ Change Address with Banks and Financial Institutions

Notify major transaction banks, insurance companies, and card companies of your address change. Many cases can be handled online, so check in advance.

Moving Day: Perfect Completion

Finally, it's moving day! Although it may be a hectic day, there’s no problem with this checklist.

✓ Final Inspection and Completion

Final Check and Settlement of Gas, Electricity, Water Meters: Check usage before moving to settle the fees. Gas connections should be safely terminated by contacting the city gas customer center.

Careful Inspection of the House Interior: Verify that nothing is left behind and no damage exists.

Thorough Locking: Ensure all windows and doors are properly locked and change the front door password or replace locks.

✓ Check Luggage with Moving Company

Verify that all belongings are safely transported with the moving company staff and check for any damaged items thoroughly.

Recording with photos or videos as a backup for potential post-moving issues is beneficial.

✓ Residence Registration and Obtain Confirmed Date

Visit the local community center (residence office) to register your new address, and if leasing, obtain a confirmed date for legal protection. The confirmed date is crucial for future legal protection.

[Tip] You can save time by using the online 'Government 24' service for residence registration.

✓ Children's School Transfer Process (If Applicable)

For pre-school children, receive a school admission notice from the community center and submit it to the school. For enrolled students, inform their current school of the transfer and prepare the necessary documents.

After Moving: New Beginnings

Unpacking and organizing all belongings is important, but so is taking care of easily overlooked administrative processing.

✓ Change Billing Names for Various Utility Bills and Payments

Change the name on utility bills like electricity, gas, and water, and set up automatic payment.

✓ Change Phone Number and Address

Change your phone number or maintain the existing number through a mobile service center or telecommunications company website.

Notify major business contacts, banks, and insurance companies of your new address.

✓ Check New Residents' Registration

Verify that there are no other registered residents in your new home at the community center to prevent any potential disputes.

✓ Waste Disposal and Environment Tidying

Promptly take care of waste from the moving process and tidy the surrounding environment.

✓ Explore the New Neighborhood

Familiarize yourself with the new environment by locating nearby supermarkets, hospitals, banks, government offices, etc., for convenience.

Expert Moving Tips!

Use the Checklist: Print or save the moving preparation checklist on your smartphone and check off completed items as you go for increased efficiency.

Have a Relaxed Mindset: Unexpected variables may arise during a move. Approaching these situations with a relaxed and joyful attitude is essential rather than striving for perfection.

Get Help from Others: Don’t try to handle everything on your own. Actively seek help from family, friends, or professional movers.

Moving is more than just relocating residences; it signifies a new beginning. Through the Moving Day Checklist presented above, may you successfully complete your move without confusion and enjoy happiness in your new home!