Do you want to save money? Do you want to save time? Do you want less stress?
Who doesn't? - You will ask. But how? We are going to share a simple method (Moving checklist) of how you could be super efficient in movings.
Helping a lot of clients in a number of years we gained the knowledge that we’d like to share with you. Trust us - if you have a moving plan you won’t feel any stress and will avoid unpleasant incidents.
Bellow, you will find the steps for what and when you should do to not forget anything.
2 Months before Moving
2 months may seem like a long period of time in which you need to prepare for the moving process, nonetheless, that’s when we recommend you start preparing. It’s a perfect time to consider what kind of services you will require and which company you should choose.
1.1 Select Removalist company
Since time is not pushing you yet ask your friends, neighbors or relatives to share their moving experience, read the reviews online about the removal companies and their capabilities (what vehicles and tools they use, if they meet safety standards and have insurance). This step is crucial as using the right company will make your moving process much smoother.
Most reputable reviews platforms, where you can't cheat - Google, Facebook, Trustpilot.
1.2 Select cleaning services
Apparently very often you may need their service for organizing your whole house. And although it may not seem completely necessary and you are hoping to organize everything yourself, by hiring the company you will save a lot of time and when renting a property you’ll have a better chance of getting a full bond back. When choosing the right company it’s important to pay attention to online reviews on platforms like Google, Facebook or local review websites.
1.3 Choose storage (if needed)
If in your case the stuff has to be moved to the storage first, do the research which storage is the nearest to your new location. Find all the information on storing cost, type of storage, reviews, and insurance for your belongings.
Biggest in Sydney:
https://www.supereasystorage.com.au
https://www.storageking.com.au/sydney.html
https://rentaspace.com.au/
1.4 Think about moving materials
If you think that you don’t have much stuff, when you will start packing you will be surprised that it doesn’t fit in all the boxes and bags that you have prepared for use. We suggest considering using plastic boxes. Removal companies are usually able to provide them. Some removal companies provide the service of bringing the boxes and doing the packing. You may find this type of service on our website as well.
1.5 The Garage sale and clean up
Moving houses is a great new change so consider getting rid of your old stuff or even selling it. Some stuff may already be very dated or even broken and you may wish to replace them while other pieces may have not been used in a long time but in a good condition for sale and be useful to others.
1.6 Explore your new home area
If you’re moving to a new location make sure to research it. Find the nearest supermarkets, medical centers, and other useful service providers. You could take a look in our insights about Sydney areas - North Shore, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs or Greater West. It will be a good first step for research.
1 Month before Moving
Don’t forget that the right planning is key to a successful and stressless moving process. A month before moving to a new house book all the services that you have chosen to use. When it’s all booked you may start preparing for packing.
2.1 Book your chosen Removalists
After you have carefully researched all the removal companies that may be suitable it’s time to order their services. Send a quote request or call them and book for the date and time that you need them. Quick tip: if possible choose the earliest available time of the day so your booking is the first one. That way you’ll be guaranteed to have them on time and full of energy.
2.2 Book plastic moving boxes
Order the plastic boxes and possibly you’ll get the dolly and marking pens for the boxes. For the packing, you’ll also need the scissors and the sticky tape.
2.3 Book Cleaners
Book the cleaning service. If possible this service should be booked for the following day after moving. This way you’ll avoid the inconvenience if the moving process will take longer than expected.
2.4 Probably you need to take a day off
It’s a good idea to ask your employer for a day off. If you won’t be able to get it friends and relatives may help you with that.
2.5 Give notice to the landlord and building manager
When the moving date is set to inform your landlord (if you’re renting) and a building manager about it.
2.6 Start packing or book packing services
Packing is one of the biggest hassles in the moving process. If you decided to do it yourself start early. If there’s still a bit of time before the moving start with less used or unused stuff. If you hired the company to do it you may leave this to the day before moving.
2.7 Chuck old and unwanted stuff
We tend to collect an enormous amount of stuff throughout our life. Go through them selecting what’s suitable for sale (no longer needed but decent quality) and what has to be thrown out(old and broken). It’s a great opportunity to upgrade and avoid unnecessary expenses for transporting it to your new home. It’s a good way to save money and get rid of the stuff you don’t need.
2.8 Change your address
Inform your bank, medical clinic and other institutions about the address change (if you have pets renew their information too).
2 Weeks before Moving
3.1 Schedule utilities disconnection/ reconnection
It’s the right time to move your electricity, gas, internet and other accounts to your new address. You can do that by calling to your supplier or filling the online forms on their websites - it’s very straight forward.
3.2 Service your car (if moving interstate)
It’s only relevant to those who own cars and are moving interstate. It’s a long drive, therefore, it’s important to check and prepare your car.
3.3 Make a floorplan for your new home
Check the measures of the rooms in your new home. Will your furniture fit in there? Plan where you will place your furniture. If you sort this out now, you won’t need to waste time for that on a moving day and the removalists will know where each thing needs to go.
1 Week before moving
4.1 Confirm removalists
Contact the removal company and confirm the time, address and other relevant information. Warn them if you have any changes in your plans. Confirm the payment method.
4.2 Organize mail redirection
Contact the Australia Post and redirect your mail to your new address. Everything you must know about Auspost address redirection (https://auspost.com.au/receiving/manage-your-mail/redirect-hold-mail/redirect-mail)
4.3 Finish packing
If you haven’t ordered the packing service make sure to finish the packing by yourself on time. Only keep the stuff on hand that you use every day. Also, leave some spared boxes for that stuff to be packed at the last minute.
- Put your important and small items into one place
- Keep all the documents, jewelry, money and other valuable items in one box. Same applies to the remotes, electrical wire, and other small electrical items.
The Day Before Moving Day
5.1 Give instructions to packers (if ordered packing services)
If you have ordered the packing service make sure to have clear instructions for what and how you want to be packed.
5.2 Get your electrical devices ready
Clean your fridge, freezer, washing machine and other devices to be ready to pick up. If you don’t have a chance to do it, inform the removalists about the extra service.
5.3 Double check if your utilities are reconnected
Check if all of your utilities will be transferred to your new address.
Say goodbye to your neighbors! ☺
Moving Day
If you have done all the previous steps this day won’t bring you any unpleasant surprises and won’t cause stress, therefore, you may breathe more easily. The most important task is to manage and coordinate the removalists. This is how you may help the removalists to be more efficient:
6.1 Check and ensure parking spot for removalists
Make sure that there is a parking spot next to your house or at the loading zone available for removalists. Note that the truck is longer and higher than the regular vehicle so check if you have the required conditions at the loading zone.
6.2 Double Check with building manager if the lift and access in the building is prepared
Before the removalists arrive discuss with the building manager the use and the preparation of the elevator and the entrances in your building. Of course, you should have already informed the building manager in advance prior to this day.
6.3 Disassemble the bed, take off table legs (if you want to save a bit of moving budget)
If you’re looking to save some of your moving budget you may disassemble some furniture (beds, tables etc.) by yourself. Pack all the screws in plastic bags and the parts into boxes easy to grab and carry.
6.4 Give instructions to the removals company
On arrival show all the entrances and corridors for removalists to use as well as the parking spot and all of your belongings. Point out which boxes or items are very important or fragile. Confirm the new address and other details.
6.5 Leave a message
Leave a note with your new address to the postmen or carriers at your old address.
6.6 Ensure parking and access in your new place
Arrive at your new home first and arrange the parking spot for the removalists as well as the access to your new place. Make sure that everything will fit through the