Moving day has a clear finish point: the last belongings are loaded and the old place is ready to be left behind. But before you shut the door, take a few minutes to check the property properly.
Walk through each room, open the cupboards and wardrobes, check the garage and outdoor areas, and make sure nothing you meant to take has been left behind. Then deal with the practical details, including keys, access devices, utilities and the handover.
For a Melbourne move, these final checks are worth doing even when everything seems under control. A forgotten box is easy to deal with before you leave. Finding it after the keys have been handed over is another matter.
Walk through the house one last time
Start with the rooms that have already been cleared. A home can look completely empty while a few belongings remain tucked away in places that are easy to overlook.
Check wardrobes, drawers, kitchen cupboards, built-in storage and the laundry. Look through spare rooms, the study and any room that has been used for boxes during the move. Then head outside and check the garage, shed, balcony, courtyard or other storage areas.
It helps to move through the property in the same order each time rather than wandering from room to room. You are less likely to miss a space when you follow a set route.
Information about local moves, including Point Cook Removalists, can also be useful when you are working through practical questions around access, timing and getting a property cleared on moving day.
Keep important items with you
Not everything should go into the moving load.
Set aside your keys, wallet, phone, important documents, chargers and anything else you will need before reaching the new property. Keep these items somewhere you can reach them easily.
It is also worth separating anything that should remain at the old home. This avoids confusion when the final items are being loaded and makes the final walk-through much easier.
Check the property after it is empty
Once the rooms are clear, stop thinking about boxes and look at the property itself.
Check the windows and doors, including any access points you may not use often. Make sure you know where every key, remote or access card is and what needs to happen with each one.
The details depend on why you are leaving the property. A renter may have a handover to complete. A homeowner may have arrangements linked to the property changing hands. An office manager may need to return building access credentials while making sure equipment has left with the business.
Utilities also deserve attention. Check what needs to happen with services connected to the old address, such as electricity, gas, water or internet. Do not assume every account is dealt with in the same way.
Check the move itself before everything is locked up
Some problems that appear on moving day actually start earlier, when important details have not been discussed.
If you are arranging a removalist, make sure the information about the move is accurate. The addresses, moving date, access arrangements, stairs, parking or loading conditions and the amount of furniture and belongings all help define what the job involves.
This matters when you compare quotes. A move cannot be judged properly from distance alone. The properties and the conditions at each end are part of the picture.
For a customer considering Harry The Mover, the useful conversation is about the actual move rather than a generic list of services. Sharing the property details, access information, what needs to be moved and the required timing gives the company the information needed to discuss the relocation and prepare a quote.
The same principle applies to an office move. Along with the contents being moved, the business needs to think about access to both premises and when the old office needs to be cleared.
Do the final check twice
One check before the last load leaves is useful. Another check after loading is finished is even better.
Before the final items go, look for anything that still needs to be packed or kept with you. Once the property is empty, walk through it again without the distraction of loading. Clear rooms make overlooked items easier to spot.
A simple checklist is enough:
- Check every room.
- Open cupboards, drawers and wardrobes.
- Check the garage and outdoor areas.
- Make sure nothing has been left behind.
- Collect keys, remotes and access cards.
- Check windows and doors.
- Confirm utility arrangements.
- Make sure the handover details are sorted.
- Keep personal essentials with you.
There is no need to turn this into another major job. The point is to catch the small things before you leave.
What should you have ready before booking a removalist?
If the move is still being arranged, the final inspection also points to the information worth having ready for a quote.
Start with both addresses and your preferred moving date. Then think about access at each property. Are there stairs? Is entry restricted? Where will loading take place? How much furniture and how many boxes are involved? Is the move a household relocation or an office move?
You do not need to work out every detail on your own. Giving clear information allows the removalist to understand what you are asking them to handle and lets you discuss the requirements of the move before the day arrives.
Leave only after everything is accounted for
The final few minutes at the old property are easy to rush. Everyone wants to get on the road and start the next part of the move.
Take the extra time.
Walk through the rooms. Check the storage areas. Collect the keys and access devices. Make sure the services and handover arrangements have been dealt with. Then have one final look before locking the door.
A move is not finished when the truck leaves. It is finished when you have dealt with what was left at the old property as well as what is travelling to the new one.
