Moving house can be stressful, but being well-prepared before your removalists arrive can make the day go much smoother. By handling a few key tasks in advance, you can ensure an efficient and trouble-free process.
Here’s a comprehensive guide covering everything you need to do to ensure the move goes off without a hitch, from decluttering your home to protecting your belongings.
1. Declutter Your Home
Decluttering before a move helps reduce the number of items that need to be packed and moved, saving time, effort, and costs. Go room by room, sorting items into piles to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Donating items can be a great way to give back to your community, and selling some items can help offset moving costs.
2. Confirm Moving Details
Make sure all the essential moving details are confirmed with your removalists, including the date, time, address, and any special instructions. It’s also a good idea to review the contract for any extra services such as packing, disassembly, or storage. Confirm if the moving truck will have easy access to your building, and if parking permits are required.
3. Measure Doorways and Staircases
Avoid frustration on moving day by checking the dimensions of your doorways, staircases, and elevator openings to ensure your furniture can pass through easily. If you have particularly large items like sofas or fridges, consider disassembling them in advance or consulting your movers for professional handling.
4. Create a Detailed Inventory
Making a detailed list of all the items you’re moving helps with general organisation and also insurance claims, should anything go missing. Digital tools or apps can simplify the process, allowing you to photograph and categorise items. Having a clear inventory also helps when unpacking, as you’ll know exactly where everything is.
5. Pack a Moving Day Essentials Box
On moving day, access to everyday essentials is crucial. Pack a separate box or bag with toiletries, medications, phone chargers, important documents, snacks, and a change of clothes. This box should travel with you to ensure easy access to everything you’ll need for the first night in your new home.
6. Disassemble Large Furniture in Advance
Taking apart bulky furniture before your removalists arrive can save time and prevent damage. Items like bed frames, tables, or shelving units are often easier to transport when disassembled. Make sure you store screws, bolts, and small parts in labeled plastic bags to avoid confusion during reassembly.
7. Label Your Boxes
Labeling your boxes by room and contents makes the unloading and unpacking process significantly smoother. Use clear, concise labels, and if you’re packing fragile items, mark the boxes accordingly. For added efficiency, consider using colour-coded labels or numbering systems.
8. Prepare a Parking Spot for the Moving Truck
Securing a parking spot for the moving truck in advance can prevent delays and avoid chaos on moving day. If you live in a busy area or apartment complex, reserve a space close to your entrance. Check local parking regulations and, if necessary, apply for permits to avoid fines or restrictions on moving day.
9. Secure Pets and Kids
Moving can be chaotic, especially if you have pets or small children. Consider keeping them in a separate room during the move or arranging for them to stay with a family member or friend for the day. This not only keeps them safe but also prevents distractions for the movers. View more tips on how to move with pets.
10. Protect Your Floors and Walls
Place protective coverings over high-traffic areas to prevent scuffs and scratches while moving large items. This can include blankets, tarps, or plastic sheets. If you have narrow hallways or tight corners, consider using corner guards or padding to avoid damaging walls.
11. Backup Your Electronics
Before packing up computers, hard drives, or other electronics, ensure that all important files and data are backed up. This is especially important for sensitive information like family photos, business documents, or schoolwork. Additionally, take photos of cable setups to make reconnecting your devices in the new home easier.
12. Drain Appliances
Large appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers should be properly drained before the move to prevent leaks and water damage. Defrost your freezer at least 24 hours before moving day, and disconnect water lines from washers and refrigerators.
13. Notify Important Parties of Your Move
Be sure to update your address with key organisations, such as the post office, banks, insurance providers, and utility companies. Schedule utility disconnections for the day after your move and reconnections at your new home well in advance to avoid gaps in service.
14. Remove Hazardous Items
Items like propane tanks, paint, and certain chemicals are considered hazardous and should not be transported by movers. Check with your removalists about any restricted items, and arrange for their disposal or separate transport through specialised services if necessary.
15. Take Photos of Your Current Home
Before leaving, take photographs of your home’s condition, especially if you're renting. These images can help resolve any disputes over damage claims or security deposits. Additionally, take photos of utility meters to avoid issues with final bills.
Bonus Section: At Your New Home
Once you arrive at your new home, some simple preparations can make the transition smoother. Ensure utilities like water, electricity, and internet are connected before move-in day.
Schedule a pest control service before your furniture and belongings arrive to enable a thorough sweep, and test smoke alarms to ensure your home is safe.
Cleaning your new space thoroughly before the furniture arrives will also make settling in easier. Finally, locate the utility mains (water and electricity) so movers can work efficiently without delays.
These small steps will help you settle into your new home with fewer hiccups.
Prepare for a Successful Moving Day
Preparing ahead of time for your movers can save you both stress and money. With careful planning, from decluttering your home to protecting fragile items, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new space. By following these tips, you’ll be ready on moving day, knowing that every detail has been considered.
If you’re looking for professional removalists who will go the extra mile to ensure your move goes without a hitch, get in touch with Plains Removals. We provide premium customer service, transparent pricing, and a seamless moving experience. Get in touch to secure your ideal moving date, and let us handle the rest.
Moving Interstate? Talk To Plains Removals
Plains Removals have over 40 years of experience moving people across long distances between New South Wales and Queensland.
We offer a professional and reliable service at reasonable prices. Our family-run moving company will provide good old fashioned service, every time.
Specialising in interstate removals, we have helped people move from Bundaberg to Dubbo to Tamworth, or from Orange to Dalby, and everywhere in between.
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