Moving House Clearance Checklist

The less you move, the less you carry, pay for and unpack. Use this checklist to decide what goes before moving day. Tick items off as you go (your ticks are saved on this device), print it, or save it as a PDF. For the reasoning behind each step, see our guide to what to clear before you move.

1. Six to Eight Weeks Before

• Get the floor plan of the new home and measure the main rooms and doorways.
• Note what the new home already has (fitted wardrobes, appliances).
• Decide which large furniture will genuinely fit.
• Start on the attic, garage, shed and spare rooms.

2. Three to Four Weeks Before

• List items to sell, and put them up for sale.
• Arrange donations and check what each charity will accept.
• Get a quote for clearing the rest (send photos of each room).
• Book parking arrangements for the removal van if the street is restricted or paid.
• If you live in an apartment, tell the management company or landlord and ask about lift and loading rules.

3. Room by Room

• Attic, garage and shed: clear anything untouched for years.
• Kitchen: duplicates, unused gadgets, out-of-date food, appliances that are staying.
• Wardrobes and bedrooms: clothes not worn for two years, spare bedding, old mattresses.
• Living areas: furniture that will not fit, boxes of books and media.
• Children's rooms: outgrown toys, clothes and equipment.
• Bathroom: old toiletries, medicines (return unused medicines to a pharmacy), towels.
• Garden: furniture, pots, tools and green waste.
• Storage unit: decide what you are still paying to keep.

4. Electricals, Batteries and Hazardous Items

• Old electricals: use retailer take-back or a civic amenity site (see Citizens Information).
• Batteries: return to a retailer, civic amenity site or battery box.
• Paint, solvents, chemicals, gas bottles and fluorescent tubes: use the right route (see MyWaste.ie).
• Anything you think may contain asbestos: do not move it, and get specialist advice.
• Tell the clearance team about anything hazardous when you ask for a quote.

5. One to Two Weeks Before

• Confirm the clearance date and time window.
• Keep out only what you need to live.
• Put items to keep in one room, clearly separated from items to go.
• Arrange post redirection (see the An Post page).
• Arrange access for the clearance team if you will be elsewhere.

6. Moving Day and After

• Take meter readings.
• Check every room, the attic, garage, shed and any outside storage.
• Check windows and doors are locked.
• Hand over all the keys.
• Keep the quote and any messages for your records.

Related

• House clearance checklist
• Downsizing: what to keep, sell, donate or clear
• Moving abroad: clearing a property before you go

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