House Shifting Checklist: A Week-by-Week Guide for Moving in Pakistan
A smooth house move in Pakistan comes down to timing. Start about four weeks ahead, clear out what you do not need, book your movers early, sort out utilities and paperwork, pack room by room, and keep valuables and an essentials bag with you on the day. The checklist below breaks that into clear steps, week by week.
It is written for families moving within a city or between cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, whether you hire professional movers and packers or do most of the work yourself.
House Shifting Checklist at a Glance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Fix a date, declutter, set a budget, get quotes from movers |
| 3 weeks before | Book movers, arrange utilities, start address changes, tell your landlord |
| 2 weeks before | Collect packing material, pack rarely used rooms first, label every box |
| 1 week before | Prepare appliances, plan furniture dismantling, confirm access at both homes |
| 1 day before | Pack an essentials bag, defrost the fridge, keep cash and documents aside |
| Moving day | Supervise loading, take meter readings, do a final walk-through |
| First week after | Check every item, set up utilities, update remaining records |
4 Weeks Before: Plan, Declutter and Budget
The first week of planning saves you the most money and stress later.
- Fix your moving date: avoid month-end if you can. Rent cycles make the last and first days of the month the busiest for movers, and prices and availability reflect that.
- Declutter room by room: sell, donate or throw away things you have not used in a year. Every chair or carton you leave behind is one less thing to pack, load and pay for.
- Decide how much help you need: a full-service move covers packing, dismantling, transport and setup. A labour-and-vehicle move is cheaper if you pack yourself.
- Set a rough budget: include the moving company, packing material, any repairs at the new home, and a cushion for surprises.
- Measure the new home: check that large sofas, beds and the fridge will fit through doors, stairwells and lifts.
How to Choose Movers and Packers
Price matters, but the cheapest quote often leads to broken items or a crew that disappears halfway. Before you book, check:
- Reviews and references: look at Google and Facebook reviews, and ask friends who moved recently.
- A survey before the quote: a good company asks for a visit or a video of your rooms before giving a price.
- A written quote: it should list packing material, labour, dismantling, transport and any extra charges.
- Packing material: ask whether they bring cartons, bubble wrap and stretch film, or whether you need to buy them.
- Damage policy: ask what happens if something breaks, and get the answer in writing.
- The right vehicle: a covered truck protects your goods from dust and rain. A one-room move fits a pickup, a full family home usually needs a Mazda truck or more.
Get at least two or three quotes so you can compare what is actually included, not just the final number. Our full guide on how to choose movers and packers explains every check.
3 Weeks Before: Utilities, Paperwork and Address Changes
This is the step most people leave too late. Sort it out while you still have time to follow up.
- Electricity and gas: tell your electricity company (such as K-Electric, LESCO or IESCO) and gas company (SNGPL or SSGC) about the move, and confirm the connections are active at the new home.
- Internet and TV: book the shift of your internet connection early, because installation slots can take days.
- Landlord and security deposit: if you rent, give notice as your agreement requires, agree on the handover date and ask how the deposit will be returned.
- Tenant registration: if you are renting the new home, make sure the tenancy is registered with the local police where it is required, as it is in Punjab and Islamabad. Your landlord usually handles it, but check.
- Schools and offices: inform your children’s school and your employer, and request leave for moving day.
- Banks and deliveries: update your address with your bank, mobile wallet, couriers and online shopping accounts.
- CNIC address: you can update the address on your CNIC through NADRA, either at a NADRA centre or through the Pak-ID app.
2 Weeks Before: Start Packing Room by Room
Start with the rooms you use least, such as the store room, guest room and drawing room, and leave the kitchen and bedrooms for last. For detailed, item-by-item instructions, see our guide on how to pack for house shifting.
Packing Material You Will Need
- Strong corrugated cartons in two or three sizes
- Bubble wrap for glass, crockery and electronics
- Stretch film for sofas, mattresses and drawers
- Packing tape, markers and labels
- Old blankets or sheets for wooden furniture
Kitchen
Wrap every plate and glass separately and stand plates on their edge, not flat. Fill gaps with paper so nothing moves. Seal open spices and oils in zip bags, and use up or give away food you cannot carry.
Living Room
Take photos of the TV and router wiring before you unplug anything. Pack the TV in its original box if you still have it, or wrap the screen in bubble wrap and blankets. Keep remote controls and cables in one labelled bag.
Bedrooms
Pack out-of-season clothes first. Leave hanging clothes on their hangers and cover them with large bags. Keep jewellery and important papers aside for your own bag.
Labelling That Actually Helps
Write the destination room and a short list of contents on two sides of every box, not the top. Mark heavy boxes and fragile boxes clearly. Number the boxes and keep a simple list on your phone, so you can check them off on arrival.
1 Week Before: Appliances, Furniture and Access
- Fridge: empty it, switch it off and leave the door open the night before so it can defrost and dry.
- Washing machine: disconnect it and drain the hoses so water does not leak onto other goods.
- Split ACs: book a technician to uninstall and reinstall them, or ask your movers if they can arrange it.
- Gas cylinders: disconnect them and do not load full cylinders with your household goods.
- Furniture: plan which beds, wardrobes and tables need to be dismantled, and keep screws in labelled bags taped to the furniture.
- Access at both homes: confirm lift timings for flats, parking space for the truck, and gate entry for housing societies such as DHA or Bahria Town. If your building lift depends on electricity, plan around load-shedding hours.
The Day Before: Your Essentials Bag
Pack one bag per person that stays with you, not on the truck. It should hold:
- CNICs, property or rent papers, and other important documents
- Cash, jewellery and bank cards
- Medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Phone chargers and a power bank
- A change of clothes and basic toiletries
- Bedsheets, a towel and a kettle or snacks for the first night
Moving Day Checklist
- Be there when the crew arrives: walk them through the house and point out fragile and heavy items.
- Watch the loading order: heavy furniture should go in first, with boxes and fragile items on top and well secured.
- Take meter readings: photograph the electricity, gas and water meters at the old home before you leave.
- Do a final walk-through: check every room, cupboard, loft and the roof before the truck leaves.
- Hand over keys properly: return keys to the landlord or new owner and get confirmation.
- Count boxes at the new home: check them against your list as they come off the truck.
After the Move: Your First Week
- Check for damage: open fragile boxes first and report any problem to the moving company straight away.
- Test the utilities: check electricity, gas, water pressure and the internet on the first day.
- Unpack by priority: kitchen and bedrooms first, then everything else.
- Finish your address updates: follow up on anything still pending from week three.
Common House Shifting Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking movers a day or two before a month-end move
- Packing everything without decluttering first
- Using weak or reused cartons for heavy items
- Not labelling boxes, then spending days searching for basics
- Choosing a mover only because they are the cheapest
- Forgetting to defrost the fridge or drain the washing machine
- Putting cash, jewellery or documents on the truck
Want Us to Handle the Whole Move?
Bhatti Movers & Packers packs, loads, moves and sets up your home, with crews in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and intercity moves across Pakistan. Call 0332 5064392 or message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
House Shifting FAQs
How many days before should I start preparing for a house move?
Start about four weeks before. That gives you time to declutter, compare movers, sort utilities and pack without rushing. A small flat can be done in two weeks if you are organised.
What should I pack first when shifting house?
Pack the things you use least first: store room items, out-of-season clothes, books and decor. Leave the kitchen, bedding and daily-use items for the last two days.
What should I keep with me on moving day?
Keep cash, jewellery, CNICs and property papers, medicines, phone chargers and a change of clothes in a bag that stays with you.
How do I keep the cost of shifting down?
Declutter before you pack, move mid-week and mid-month, pack light items yourself, and compare at least two written quotes.
Is it better to hire movers or shift myself?
For a single room, doing it yourself with a pickup can work. For a full family home, professional movers are usually safer and faster, because they bring the right material, tools and crew for heavy furniture and stairs.
