You have the keys, the moving date is getting closer and the house is full of boxes. Then you realise the internet has not been arranged, the fridge still needs clearing and you have no idea which box contains the kettle. These are the sort of details that can make a first home move harder than it needs to be.
A bit of planning before moving day can save time and avoid unnecessary confusion. Here is what to sort out before you leave your current home, what to discuss with a removalist and what to keep handy when you arrive.
Start With the Moving Date
Before packing anything, make sure you know when you can get into the new property. If you are buying, confirm the key collection arrangements. If you are leaving a rental, check your handover date and allow time to deal with any outstanding cleaning or inspection requirements.
Write down the collection and delivery addresses, then make a rough list of your furniture, appliances and boxes. You do not need to count every plate, but you should be able to explain how much needs moving when you request a quote.
It also helps to check access at both properties. A narrow entrance, a flight of stairs or an apartment lift that needs to be booked can affect how the move is organised. Check where loading and unloading can take place rather than leaving that question until the truck arrives.
For people moving in Melbourne's west, Caroline Springs Removalists is one search term that may help when looking at local providers. Check that a company covers your addresses and explain any access issues before accepting a quote.
Know What You Are Paying For
A quote is only useful if you understand what it covers. When contacting removalists, give each provider the same basic details: your moving date, both addresses, the size of your home, the belongings involved and any stairs, lifts or loading restrictions.
Ask how the quote is calculated and whether extra charges could apply. Travel, waiting time, packing materials and changes to the agreed work may be handled differently by each company. Check the booking terms, payment requirements and conditions for changing or cancelling the booking.
If you need help packing, raise it before you confirm the move. The phrase movers and packers can refer to different arrangements, so ask exactly what assistance is available, whether packing materials are included and what you still need to do yourself.
It is also worth asking about the moving cover available, including what it covers and any exclusions or conditions. Do not assume every type of damage or loss is automatically covered.
Pack the Things You Use Least First
Start with belongings you can live without for a week or two: spare linen, books, decorations and clothes you are not wearing. Leave everyday kitchen items, work essentials and toiletries until later.
Label boxes with the room they belong in and a short description of what is inside. This makes it easier to work out where things should go when you arrive. Wrap breakable belongings properly and avoid making boxes so full that they are difficult to carry or close.
Set aside a bag for your first night. Include medication, phone chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, toilet paper, bedding and anything you need for breakfast. Keep important documents and valuables with you rather than packing them away with the rest of the household.
Before packing the fridge, use up what you can and check the manufacturer's instructions for moving it. Make sure appliances are prepared safely and that any installation or disconnection requirements are dealt with before moving day.
Deal With Utilities and Address Changes
Contact your electricity, gas, water and internet providers to find out what needs to be arranged at the new property. Do not assume every service will be connected or ready when you move in.
Update your address with the organisations that need it, such as your bank, insurer, employer and regular service providers. Arrange mail redirection if appropriate.
Keep confirmation emails and booking details in one place. If someone else is helping with the move, agree who is handling each task. It is easy for everyone to assume that somebody else has booked the internet or confirmed the key collection.
The Week Before Moving Day
Use the final few days to check the details rather than trying to organise everything at once.
- Confirm the moving date and arrival arrangements with the removalist.
- Make sure boxes are packed, labelled and ready.
- Recheck access, parking and any apartment lift booking.
- Tell the removalist about changes to the belongings being moved or access arrangements.
- Keep your phone charged and your booking details easy to find.
If plans have changed, contact the removalist before moving day. A different access arrangement or a larger load can affect what needs to be organised.
Before You Leave and After You Arrive
Do one last walk through the old property. Check cupboards, wardrobes, the garage, storage areas and outdoor spaces. Follow any handover instructions from your agent, landlord or property manager, and take meter readings or photos if they are relevant to your records.
At the new home, direct boxes to the right rooms where possible. Check that the belongings have been unloaded and make a note of anything missing or damaged. If an issue comes up, record the details and follow the process set out in your booking documents or moving cover terms.
There is no need to unpack the whole house that evening. Get the bed ready, put the bathroom essentials away and make sure you have what you need for the next morning. The rest can wait until you have had a chance to settle in.
A Few Things to Check Before You Book
Before confirming your removalist, make sure you know the moving date, have provided accurate details about both properties and understand what the quote includes. Check the arrangements for access, packing and any extra charges, and keep the booking terms somewhere you can find them.
The first move into your own home comes with plenty of new responsibilities. Having the practical details sorted before the truck arrives leaves you with fewer decisions to make on the day—and more time to get comfortable in your new place.
