Planning a move

Your Moving Guide

Whether you are downsizing or upsizing your residence when moving premises in Australia, it can be difficult and generally requires a lot of planning. Before moving to a new place, you should do many things, like hire a moving company and pack your stuff in boxes. In this article, we'll cover all you need to do to plan and execute a successful house move.

Steps To Plan A Relocation

Step One: Prepare for the move

To adequately prepare for your move, you have to pay attention to the following:

Decide on a date for your departure

Mark a date as your official move day on your calendar. Set a final departure date for loading the moving truck and travelling to your new residence. Use the official relocation date to coordinate and schedule your moving and supply collection.

Put the date in bold on a calendar or add it to your smartphone's or email's calendar app. Resist waiting until the last moment to begin moving preparations. Planning will save you a great deal of effort and heartache!

Starting early will save you from many mistakes, including; moving expenses that might consume a significant portion of your budget if you are unaware of when they will occur. There are several scenarios (before, during, and after your move) that, if planned for, can prevent you from incurring unnecessary charges.

Contact your utility provider to arrange a service transfer

Call your utility companies for power, water, and the internet once a relocation date has been established. Notify them that you are relocating and plan a service switch on the day of your move. Consequently, your new home will be fully operational. Make sure they will stop service to your old home, so you don't have to keep paying for it.

Utility providers make service transitions simple and without disruption; if you are moving to a new location with a different utility provider, research and choose a company before calling them to set up when your utilities are installed.

Create a list of the household objects you need to relocate

Walk through each room of your home and jot down a list of everything you find there. This will form your move checklist. Write down specific goods, such as furniture and décor, and generic group items, such as clothing and dishes. You can also categorise objects to make inventory simpler.

For example, you might write "books" or "children's toys." You may be startled at the number of goods you must transfer and the number of objects you no longer need or use. Make use of your list to eliminate unwanted items. Mark off the items on your inventory list that you intend to give away, donate, or dispose of.

Then, go through your home and eliminate as much junk as possible to facilitate your move. If you have good memories of an object but are unsure if you should keep it, snap a picture to remember it and donate it to someone who can use it. The more items you dispose of, the less you need to move!

Engage a moving company

If you can afford it, use a moving company for moving day. Hiring a mover to load and transport your belongings is the most convenient option. If you cannot afford, look online for one in your area, then call them to arrange moving assistance.

Depending on the total distance covered during your move, a professional moving agency can cost between AUD600 and AUD1500. Many moving companies have trucks and will unload your stuff at your new home.

Rent a moving van

If you opt to move using your own skills, you should rent a vehicle and seek assistance on moving day. If you are relocating alone, search for a moving truck rental provider and arrange a pickup. Ask your friends and relatives whether they can assist you on the day of the move so they can plan accordingly.

Start packing a minimum of two to three weeks before moving day

You probably have more to fill than you realise, so avoid delaying packing until the last minute. Start collecting and loading your possessions a few weeks before your move. Set an allotted time on the weekend or in the evenings to fill some of your boxes or containers with stuff.

Get your moving boxes

If you require new moving boxes, visit a local box supply store. Suppose you want to save money on boxes or a moving container; contact grocery stores and moving businesses in your area and ask if they have any you can take. Purchase some large trash bags for clothing and blankets.

Obtain a roll of bubble wrap to safeguard fragile things. Bubble wrap is available in craft supply stores and packing companies. You might also post on social media asking your friends if they have any unwanted moving boxes.

Create a packing station for more efficient packing

Collect your boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and garbage bags, and place them in a seldom-used room or corner of your home. Keep your packing supplies in a single location so you can pack each room in your home more effectively. While packing, keeping items contained decreases chaos and clutter.

Schedule a shipping pickup for your books

If you have several books, they might be cumbersome to transport and space-consuming. In addition, moving companies frequently charge by weight. Visit the post office's website to find out how much it will cost to ship something, buy stamps, or set up a pickup.

Schedule the delivery of the books on the day you move into your new house. It's much easier and often less expensive to send books by mail than to hire movers.

Step Two: Plan your packing and moving

For the packing stage, the following tips will be handy:

Start packing up infrequently used items

Pack the guest rooms and garage first to avoid having to unpack goods later. Last are the rooms used regularly, such as the living room and kitchen. Additionally, you might pack infrequently used goods such as artwork, jewellery, and souvenirs first.

Fill containers with things of equal size based on where they belong

Organise similar-sized objects across a room. Place them in boxes with care, then tape them tightly so that they will go to the exact locations when you open them. Keep books with other books, cables with different cables, and other comparable objects.

Avoid stacking heavy objects on top of lighter ones

Before packing fragile things, use bubble wrap to protect them—separate fragile or breakable things from bulky or heavy ones. Create a protective layer around the item using bubble wrap.

Wrap the bubble wrap with packing tape to prevent it from coming off. Then, place the item in a box with other objects of comparable size. You can also use towels and clothing to wrap goods such as plates and glasses before packing them into boxes.

Put small, loose, or potentially leaky things in plastic bags

Avoid losing small items such as cables, screws, and other electronic parts by storing them in plastic bags. Pack your toiletries in plastic containers so they are easy to transfer and can be quickly unloaded at your new residence. Pack the bags of wires and gadgets alongside other objects from the same area in a box.

Pack your footwear in your luggage

Since you must bring them along, your baggage can double as moving boxes. Fill them with footwear and other non-breakable objects, then seal them so they can be loaded onto the truck. Use trash bags for non-breakable, soft things.

Fill the huge trash bags with delicate objects that cannot be broken or damaged, such as clothing, towels, and linens. When the bags are packed, a knot is tied to seal them shut.

Trash bags are handy for packing delicate objects because you can stuff them into odd spots in a moving vehicle—place toys for children and other strong, lightweight objects in garbage bags.

Leave objects in drawers

Leave clothing in dressers so you can simply load them into the moving truck and unpack them in your new house. If there are goods in the desk drawers, leave them, so you don't have to worry about packing them. Wrap plastic wrap on the outside of the desk or dresser to stop the drawers from opening if they slide open easily.

Pack one room at a time

Concentrate on a single room at a time and pack its contents. Leave the boxes in the current room and proceed to the next. Work through your home's rooms until everything is packed and ready to move.

Label and tape each moving box

Use a bold marker to label the contents of a box once packing is complete. Use brown packing tape to close the box tightly so it won't open on the way to your new home. To facilitate unloading, label which room each package is intended for. Labelling makes it much easier to transport boxes to the correct rooms after unloading.

Mark boxes containing objects that you must access first

Include items such as toothbrushes, a change of clothes, and a phone charger in a box that you will need immediately upon arrival. Make a mark to remind you to unload it, so you have everything you need.

It may take a few days to unpack all your possessions at your new home, but it's best to unpack your essentials immediately. Put a star or other distinguishing marker on the box for easy identification.

Step Three: Moving properly

For transitioning to your new abode, the following tips will be helpful:

Dismantle your furniture before loading it into the moving truck

Use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to take beds and tables apart, making them easier to load and thus taking up less space in the truck. Start disassembling the items before the moving truck arrives so that they are ready to be loaded when the truck arrives.

Place the screws and furniture parts in a plastic bag to prevent their loss. Load heavier objects into the moving vehicle first. This helps balance the moving vehicle. They will occupy less space if pushed against the back wall with no space between them. If you are loading the truck yourself, get the assistance of a friend to lift heavy boxes and other stuff.

Load heavier furniture first

The vehicle will be balanced by loading the heaviest boxes and pieces of furniture first. They will occupy less space if pushed against the back wall with no space between them. If you are loading the truck yourself, get the assistance of a friend to lift heavy boxes and other stuff.

Wrap the furniture in blankets and towels

Use blankets and towels to protect boxes, furniture, lamps, and artwork. Tape the blankets and towels around the objects to prevent them from falling off during transport. The padding will aid in preventing scratches and scrapes.

Place longer things against the truck's side walls

Keep long objects such as mattresses, bed frames, and sofas against the truck's side walls to save room and keep them out of the way. Place them upright in the vehicle and lean them against the walls to prevent them from falling over. Keep a path open in the truck's centre to move more objects to the back.

Pack the truck with the lighter boxes on top of the heavier ones. Put the heavier boxes on the bottom to create a sturdy base that will keep the boxes from moving around while you're driving. Then, put the lightweight boxes on top so the heavier ones don't crush them. Fill the truck with all the boxes. Ensure that the stacks are balanced and won't fall over while driving.

After the boxes, put any other items in the truck

After everything is packed, you may still have a few odd or light items that you couldn't fit into boxes or that are too fragile. Put them in the truck so they won't get crushed, and you can quickly get them out. You might also want to put boxes with essential things near the front so you can get to them. Make sure the fragile items are well wrapped in bubble wrap.

Tie ropes and straps to the side rails

Once everything is in the truck, tie string, rope, or straps to the side rails inside the truck. Tighten them around the boxes and items and connect them to the rail on the other side of the truck to keep the items from moving or falling over. If you tie the boxes down, they will be less likely to fall over.

Be careful as you drive to your destination

When you drive your car (if driving your own moving vehicle), stop quicker than you ordinarily would to let the truck slow down more gently and keep the items from moving. To avoid getting into an accident, use your signal lights early and turn broader and more slowly.

Follow the posted speed and watch for places where trucks must go slower. If you are using a moving company's truck, follow the moving truck to your new home.

Put the boxes and other things where they belong

Start unloading the truck as soon as you get to your new home, but don't worry about unpacking the boxes until the truck is empty. Check the labels on the boxes and put them in the rooms where they should go to make it easier to unpack.

For example, put the boxes with dishes in the kitchen and the boxes with movies in the living room. If you hire movers, keep an eye on them while they unload the truck so you can answer any questions they might have.

How To Choose A Moving Company

Do your research

The old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover." When choosing a moving company, it's the same. Spend some time finding out what kinds of options are out there and what prices you can afford.

A general rule is to look for quotes online and then call the companies to narrow down your choices. If a mover's website doesn't have the details, you need or has extra fees, they didn't tell you over the phone; it's time to look elsewhere.

Consider the size of your home and how much stuff you'll be moving to figure out what kind of truck you'll need. Also, ask if anyone you know can suggest a good moving company.

Know what you want

Does the company offer moving supplies? How quickly must they be informed about valuable or fragile items? Does the business provide extra services like carpet cleaning?

Before signing a contract, ensure that all concerns are addressed to minimise moving-day headaches. Once the movers get there, you might be unable to add more services or change their schedule.

Pay attention to reputation

Examine customer testimonials and the company's website to determine what they have to say about themselves. You can check the references and recommendations of any respected business.

Visit the company's website and read client testimonials, but don't rely on a single source. Perform a broad search to discover what others say about the company. Read comments and reviews on several websites, including the company's Facebook page, to determine what people say.

Obtain several quotes and compare them

Most relocation businesses are always eager to provide a rough estimate of the moving charges. So, if the price makes you decide, you should deal with it as soon as possible. Collect estimates from as many moving firms as possible and compare their services, additional fees, and hidden costs.

Ensure that each quote is based on the same data so that you are not comparing apples and oranges. In their estimates, some moving firms will not include the expense of disassembling furniture, connecting appliances, or providing packing materials.

This can add a lot to your final price, so talk about any fees with your agent ahead of time. They should offer you an exact estimate of all the costs associated with your move.

Moving insurance is important

It is usually advisable to insure your relocation to prevent accidental losses during shipping. There are various sorts of relocation insurance from which to choose. Numerous moving companies provide relocation insurance in addition to their moving services.

If they do not, you must obtain your insurance coverage to know what is covered if something goes wrong during the move. Make sure you speak with the moving company about your insurance options so you can understand them better.

Ask for an estimate

The online estimate provided by most firms is not always correct and may not reflect the actual cost of the move once everything has been packed. You can use removalist quotes to compare several movers.

But you'll receive a more accurate estimate when they visit your home and provide an in-person assessment. A reputable moving company will call your home for an estimate and determine the fee based on the total number of items being transported and the distance.

Go for licensed companies

It is simple to determine if the company you intend to hire is authorised to perform the work. You can request to inspect the company's registration and licence and verify the information on the ASIC website.

All businesses operating in Australia must be registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); proof of this will give you the confidence to use those movers.

Worried About Moving? Hire A Moving Company

A moving company is simply one of the easiest ways to achieve a seamless transition. Planning a move alone can lead to disaster if you are not knowledgeable about the process, especially when moving to another state or country entirely, either to or from Sydney.

While this article has provided an in-depth guide on house move planning, it is always better to get the services of an experienced, qualified removalist. They will guide you through planning, decluttering, moving, and settling down in your new area, whether you need car shipping or shipping for your household belongings. Their services are worth the extra money!