The thought of moving house can be an incredibly daunting one. With so much to consider such as packing, switching utilities and logistics, it can often become overwhelming. However, moving house doesn’t need to be the stressful experience that many anticipate it to be.
The trick to a hassle-free move is to prepare your moving plan well ahead of schedule and to execute each step accordingly when the time comes. The organisation, forward planning and efficiency will help to relieve you of any obstacles that may come your way.
Don’t know how your plan should look? Here’s a simplified checklist that begins two months prior to moving day to ensure that you have ample time to plan and follow all the steps involved.
Two months out is actually the perfect time to start planning your move. Here’s what you should do in the months leading up to moving day.
Stocktake your home
Before you even begin putting stuff in boxes, a thorough stocktake is in order.
- Go from room to room creating an itemised list of everything you have.
- In a separate column, make a note whether you are going to keep, discard or donate the item.
While it might seem difficult to decide this 8 weeks out, making this decision sooner rather than later will make things easier in the long run. Two months out, you should be all about strategic thinking.
Admin your move
These essential administration tasks might seem boring, but they’re essential to any move:
- Create an itemised budget for all expenses related to moving
- Gather quotes from reputable moving companies, even if you haven’t decided the exact moving date yet.
- Track incoming mail so you know who to send a charge of address to.
- Create a document with important information about your new home and neighbourhood. Where are the doctors, markets, dog parks, sports clubs etc?
- Make a list of schools for your children.
Furnishing your new house
Don’t delay any new furniture you need for your move. Once your stocktake is complete, make a list of any furniture that is essential for your new home. Source and buy them now. You’ll be able to arrange delivery on the day. Overall this is much better than waiting weeks or months after the move to source new furniture, and going through the stress of moving new furniture in once you’ve already set up.
Secure storage
Even with downsizing, you may need to arrange short-term storage options for some of your extra furnishings and other possessions. If you are planning to move house in stages, or are embarking on a long distance move, the last thing you need is to be left with boxes on the front lawn and nowhere to store them. Talk to Holloway Removals & Storage about short-term storage options if needed.
One month out from moving day may seem like you have a lot of time, but now is when you should really knuckle down and start packing.
Give notice
With only a month left until moving day, it’s time to give notice to your landlord if renting. Also, arrange a final inspection so there’s no doubt about receiving your bond back.
Get time off work
Your move will go along smoother if you’re not trying to balance moving day with work commitments. At the very least, secure the day of the move off. If possible, a three day window gives you plenty of room to tie off any loose ends.
Update your address
To avoid missing out on important information, it’s essential to update your details.
- Banks and insurance companies.
- Account and lawyer.
- Tax department, RTA, electoral office and other government agencies (you can do most of this through https://my.gov.au/).
- Registration microchip information for your pets.
- If you’re moving house but not changing your children’s schools then you’ll need to notify the school of change of address as well.
Start packing
Some people leave their packing until the week before the move, some even wait until the night before! Packing your belongings safely is the most time consuming component of moving house. The sooner you get started, the better.
A professional moving company will treat your possessions safely. Still, it’s important to pack your items securely. Here’s a few tips for boxing up your goods before the big day:
- Number and label all boxes clearly. Include a list of contents where possible. This will help identify what’s in each box and ensure no boxes have been left behind after the move. Keep a separate inventory list for easy cross-reference.
- Avoid using newspaper as a packing material as the ink can stain. Use white paper where possible instead.
- To balance weight, put heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
- Use the space inside baskets, suitcases and bins to pack and save space.
- Easy to dismantle furniture should be taken apart for easy transfer.
- Screws, bolts and other small items can be placed in clear ziplock bags and taped to the main section of furniture to avoid getting lost.
- Where possible, use fit-for-purpose moving boxes to store your belongings. These boxes have carry handles and are structurally designed for the rigours of moving house. Talk to Holloway about obtaining high-quality low-cost moving boxes.
- Vacuum seal off-season clothes and other items that will stay in storage for a period of time. It will save space during the move.
Two weeks out you’ll probably have a lot of administration to keep up with. You’ll still be packing and tidying as you go, but you’ll want to balance that with smoothly transitioning your life in your old home to live in your new home.
Notify and redirect all mail
It’s time to make sure everyone knows where you’re going to be living soon.
- Notify Australia Post to redirect mail to your new address.
- Organise the disconnection and redirection of utilities, gas, electric and water. Redirect magazine and other mail subscriptions if you haven’t already.
- Notify any home services of your move (and cancel if necessary). This includes cleaner, gardener or any regular grocery delivery services.
Organise a final clean
Book a cleaning crew for after you’ve moved out (and before new owners move in). Your removalists might be able to help you organise cleaning as well. You can also do the final clean yourself if you’re new and old home aren’t too far from each other. Just keep in mind that moving can be exhausting enough as it is, so you may want to hire help.
Give your pet a checkup
- If you have pets moving with you, take them to the vet for a health checkup and find out any tips or suggestions they might have for ensuring a safe move for your furry friend.
- Ensure your new property is pet-friendly and make adjustments if needed.
- If your new home is located far away from your current vet, speak to your vet about any recommendations they may have in your new area.
Pack up your digital life
Technology is important in our day to day lives. It can also be a trial to pack and transport during a move. Here’s a few tips for safely securing your data and technology:
- Backup the data on your technology devices, either in the cloud or on portable storage devices.
- Take photos of your AV and IT cabling to make it easier to reinstall.
- Wrap cables carefully to avoid knots.
Get your car serviced
If you’re moving interstate or a long distance consider booking your car in for a service before the move so you know it will go the distance.
Finalise your floor plan
Create a floor plan for furniture placement in your new home. This will be invaluable on moving day. Make copies to give to your removalist team as well so they can place your furniture exactly where you want it.
In the final stretch before the big day, there is still plenty to be done. This week is all about final checks and last minute packing of essentials.
Conduct final checks with your removalist
Your removalist company is like your team; you’re the coach, and moving day is like the grand final. Confirm the following with your removalist so that you are ready for the big match:
- Where to park the truck. It needs to be close to home at both properties. If you have your own driveway that’s a bonus, but make sure it’s kind enough to fit the truck.
- All paperwork is finalised between you and the removalist company.
- Confirm contact details.
- All access details have been clearly communicated. This is important if, for example, there’s a security gate on your property and the removalist needs to know the combination.
- Insurance is signed off.
- All charges and costs agreed to.
Pack your go bag
Your go bag is a box or bag that contains all the essentials for keeping your life going during the move. Think phone charger, important medicines, keys, a spare change of clothes etc. This is especially useful if you have a long haul move. Other things to include:
- Important jewellery or other valuables.
- Packing equipment like tape, torch and stanley knife for emergencies.
- First aid kit.
- Coffee and tea.
- Pet essentials like food and leash.
It’s worth making on go back for each member of the family. That way, everyone’s ready to go on the big day.
Pack up cosmetics and toiletries
Delicate products can be the hardest to safely transport during the move. Here’s a few handy tips for packing your bathroom belongings:
- Place a cotton pad or ball in each cosmetic case to offer breakup.
- Cover open toothpaste, liquid soaps and other products with cling wrap then put the pipes over the top.
- Carefully pack mirrors and breakables in bubble wrap.
- Consider putting together a toiletries travel kit if you have a long haul or interstate move.
Pack up pots and plants
Packing up your belongings from the backyard should be done close to moving day to minimise the risk of damage to plants and special equipment.
- Water your pot plants a final time and place in waterproof boxes. If you don’t have any just line a regular box with plastic. Remember, soil is heavy so don’t pack too many plants in one box.
- Drain petrol from lawnmowers and other powered gardening tools before moving.
- Label boxes with dangerous tools accordingly. Consider using coloured boxes to help denote the contents.
Pack kitchenware carefully
Plates around glasses can break easily in transport if not packed properly. Avoid stacking glasses inside each other. Tighten lids on pantry items, and stack plates vertically like vinyl records to minimise the risk of damage.
Settle on all bills
Finalise utilities and other payments. Ensure matters are sorted between you and your removalist company, and that any outstanding requirements are sorted between yourself and landlords, estate agents etc.
The big day is here. If you’ve been following the checklist, moving day should be an exciting time. Still, there’s always the unexpected challenge or two. Here’s what you can do to on moving day to make it go as smoothly as possible.
Give the removalists the grand tour
You’ll want to make sure the driveway and access route is clear before the removalists show up. When they arrive:
- Give them a tour of the house so they know all the access points and locations of boxes and furniture.
- Highlight high priority boxes and items that are fragile etc.
- Verify the address and contact details of your new home.
- Make sure the removalists know which items not to pack (boxes and bags you are keeping with you in the car).
- Let them get started!
Once your removalist team has completed packing the truck, do a final inventory and checklist before signing off on the pack. Inspect the truck and each room in the house. Moving is a big deal, so it is worth being thorough.
Tips for unpacking at your new home
Generally, it’s better if you arrive at your new home before your removalists do. That way you can check the previous tenants have left everything in good order.
- Inspect the home for damage.
- Make sure utilities are connected.
- Make sure no toxic substances were left behind. Products like weed killer and rat poisons are what to look out for.
Once everyone is on site, there’s a few things you can do to make sure the unpack goes as smoothly as the pack.
- Make sure access is unobstructed, both for the truck onto the property and for the removalists into your home.
- Give a copy of your furniture floor plan to the removalists.
- Do a tour of the new premises with them to identify which area is which.
- If it’s been a long journey, you may wish to do an inventory of your items.
Restoring your life back to normal
As the move draws to a close, you’ll want to restore your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Beyond unpacking and putting away your possessions, there’s a few other things you should do.
- Check the backyard and perimeter fencing and make sure it is child (and pet) safe.
- Make sure the fridge has been standing in position for about 3 hours before turning it on.
- Make up the beds as soon as possible so you can get a good sleep in the first night.
Enjoy your new home!
Nothing quite beats the feeling of a successful move. If you want to make sure your next move is a stress-free experience, contact Holloway Removals & Storage for expert advice and quality service.
Learn more about Holloway Furniture Removalists.
