Moving house is a major undertaking, whether you are moving interstate or just moving locally. There are many things to consider and they can quickly snowball if you are not properly prepared.
In this article, we provide a helpful timeline for you to help manage the process. No matter how many possessions you have, no matter how far the journey may be, these tips will help you coordinate every step in a timely manner to help alleviate the stress.
The Timeline Prior to Your Moving Day
Why preparations for the moving day should be done 6 weeks early? This minimises any problems that may occur on the day of your move and gives you enough time to balance what your packaging priorities need to be. We also describes a variety of factors that your removalists may have to consider before moving on this article. Here is a detailed list of what you can do from week 6 to the last week of your move.
Four To Six Weeks Prior To The Move
This is the time to organise your removalist, especially if you are moving interstate or a new town. You want to ensure you have everything arranged so that your move is booked in and your possessions arrive when you need them.
It doesn’t matter if you are moving a small unit or a large five-bedroom house, your removalist will work through the volume of possessions with you, provide a quote and book the service. Ask if they have a packing service as this can save you stacks of time and ultimately money. It will also help keep your possessions better organised which will help with the unpacking at the end.
Ask the removalist if they are licensed and insured and never consider a company that does not have these credentials. Ask them also how they keep you safe and how they follow the protocols on moving during COVID. Also, ensure they properly wrap and secure your valuables like televisions etc to minimise the risk of damage.
If you plan on packing yourself, this is the time to start – or the job will get big on you in a hurry. Purchase proper packing boxes and protective elements like bubble wrap, butchers paper or packing peanuts to put between your items. Place the boxes in the centre of each room and label them clearly, so they can go into the corresponding room upon arrival.
To be extra cautious, make a note of any existing damage to items on the boxes as they are packed. If any items are damaged in transit, the removalists insurance should cover this for you (a very important reason why this insurance is essential). A moving checklist will play a big part on your items prioritisation. This is also a good time to get rid of any items you no longer need, either to charity or placed in a skip bin for removal.
Three Weeks Before The Big Move
This is the time to start taking care of the administration side of things – and there will be a lot of paperwork to take care of. Some of the change of address processes you will need to commence include:
- Change schools for your children
- Alert the ATO, AEC and relevant transport department of your new address (or you could be fined)
- Arrange to have your mail forwarded
- Book to have your utilities disconnected the day after moving day
- Arrange to have your new utilities connected before moving day
- Ensure you have all of your records like birth certificates safely packed and filed
- If you are moving town or interstate, register your pets
The Final Two Weeks
You will be surprised how fast these two weeks will fly. This is the time for the final stages of the preparation for your move including:
- Get rid of all food products that aren’t essential for these last two weeks. Remember, most skip bin services do not take organic waste.
- Return any items you have on loan like library books, movies etc
- Book a storage facility when moving if your new address has not been finalised.
- Arrange for the transport for your pets
- Disassemble large furniture items (including outdoor items like outdoor lounges)
- Prepare removal for your piano or pool table
- Book skip bin and bond/leaving home cleaning services that will be required
- Cancel or pause any delivery services (like food delivery or any other subscription service)
- Arrange to have hazardous materials like petrol and paint disposed of (they can’t come on the truck)
- Confirm your bookings with your removalist, or for vehicle transport you might be using and any accommodation you may need along the way.
By following this simple guide, you can make the moving process simple. For more information or a quote on your removal services, contact Dawson Moving & Storage NQ on (07) 4774 3780 or email us .
