Moving is exciting, but it is also one of the most admin-heavy weeks you will have all year. Most of the stress comes from the same place: no plan. This checklist walks through what to do, in what order, from four weeks out to the day you get the keys.
Four weeks before the move
Book the vehicle and manpower first — dates near month-end, and the run-up to Lunar New Year, sell out early. Then take stock of what you actually own. Walk each room and note anything bulky: sofas, wardrobes, mattresses, fridges, pianos. Those items drive the quote more than the number of boxes does.
This is also the moment to decide what is not coming with you. Disposal is far cheaper to arrange in advance than on moving day, and a lighter load means a smaller vehicle.
Two weeks before
Start packing the things you do not use daily — off-season clothes, books, decor. Label every box on the side, not the top: once boxes are stacked you cannot read the tops. Write the destination room, not the contents.
Confirm building access at both ends. In Hong Kong this is where moves go wrong: lift dimensions, service-lift booking windows, loading-bay times, and whether the management office needs a deposit or an insurance certificate.
One week before
Change your address where it actually matters — bank, insurer, employer, schools, and any subscription that ships physical goods. Arrange electricity, water, gas and broadband for the new flat so you are not spending the first night in the dark.
Pack an “first night” box: bedding, towels, chargers, basic tools, toilet paper, medication. It should be the last thing loaded and the first thing off.
Moving day
Be on site before the crew arrives. Photograph anything already scratched or dented — at both flats — before loading starts. Keep valuables, documents and keys on you rather than in the van.
Do a final walk-through of the old flat with the lights on: inside every cupboard, behind doors, on top of wardrobes.
After you move in
Check the inventory against your list before the crew leaves, and report any damage straight away rather than days later. Then deal with the packing waste — flattened boxes and protective wrap can be collected in the same trip if you arrange it up front.
How GoGoX helps
GoGoX quotes moving jobs from an inventory list rather than a flat guess, so the price is itemised before the crew is dispatched. GoGoX Moving Service is a fixed price from HK$800 with packing and carrying included, and HK$2,000 of goods coverage. Furniture dismantling and reassembly, appliance disposal and protective wrapping can be added to the same booking.
Moving in Hong Kong: common questions
When should I start packing for a move?
Three to four weeks before moving day. Begin with what you rarely open — off-season clothes, books, spare bedding — and leave daily items for the last few days. Packing in that order is what stops the final weekend becoming the whole move.
How many boxes do I need to move a Hong Kong flat?
Budget 15 to 25 medium boxes per room as a starting point. The real number depends on floor area, how many people live there, and how much you keep. Put heavy things in small boxes and light bulky things — clothes, bedding — in large ones.
A working estimate; the true count depends on how densely your things pack.
Where can I get moving boxes in Hong Kong?
Three routes: free from shops, bought new, or delivered with your booking. Supermarkets, convenience stores and fruit stalls give boxes away, which suits light items but the card is thin. Box shops, hardware shops and online sellers stock reinforced moving boxes. You can also order boxes and wrapping through GoGoX moving support and have them delivered before the day.
How much does it cost to move a flat in Hong Kong?
Calling a van yourself is metered from HK$55 for a van, HK$135 for 5.5 tonnes and HK$225 for 9 tonnes; GoGoX Moving Service is a fixed price from HK$800. On top of that sit waiting time, Sunday and public holiday slots, and night and small-hours surcharges. Stairs have no fixed rate — that one is agreed with the driver.
Should I call a van myself or hire a moving company?
If you cannot lift the heaviest item yourself, hire the crew. Calling a van is cheaper and more flexible when you have few things, can carry your own boxes, and have someone to help load. Large furniture, no lift at either end, or anything needing dismantling is where a professional team earns its money.
What happens if something is damaged during the move?
GoGoX Moving Service carries HK$2,000 of goods cover as standard, with no upgrade option. If you call a van yourself, a van booking starts at HK$2,000 cover and can be raised at checkout — HK$10 takes it to HK$5,000, HK$20 to HK$10,000.
Do I need to book anything with the building management?
Most estates set moving windows and require the goods lift to be booked. Confirm the rules with the management office at both the old and the new address before the day, including which entrance the crew should use and whether a deposit is held.
