Some of the considerations you need to make when moving house include:
- Find a removalist service
- Collect packing boxes
- Consolidate and pack
- Disconnect and connect all utilities.
Before you begin packing, it’s a good idea to take stock of your belongings to see where you can cut back. Often you find the same box is moved from house to house without being totally unpacked. If you haven’t used it in the last few years, do you really need it?
It’s amazing how much stuff you accumulate over time, didn’t realise how much stuff we had #movinghouse
— Neil Griffin (@griffin80) September 23, 2017
Also, try to start packing the non-day-to-day items earlier to reduce the workload closer to your move date. If you’re moving a whole house inventory, it could take a long time and you will thank yourself later for being organised.
Packing is exhausting #Packing #movinghouse #exhausted pic.twitter.com/BYwRAiNE2x
— Marie Blake ? (@RealMarieBlake) September 24, 2017
To help you on your way to moving into your new house, Canstar has devised a simple checklist of the essentials:
1. Find a good removalist service
If you don’t like the idea of moving all your belongings yourself, find yourself a good removalist. Word-of-mouth is a terrific way to find a trusted and good-value moving service in your area. You can often choose the level of support you need, from helping to pack everything through to simply loading up your pre-packed boxes and furniture.
2. Collect packing boxes
Are you packing your household items yourself? If so you’ll need a supply of good-quality moving boxes and strong packing tape that won’t give way. Many removalists and storage facilities sell boxes, or you can ask for any spares at local stores.
3. Consolidate and pack
When you begin to pack, you may realise just how much stuff you have! Think about whether you need to organise a skip bin to dispose of rubbish and/or a garage sale for any saleable (but unwanted) items. Make sure you use adequate padding for your fragile items and double check the weight limits of the boxes you are using. Clearly marking the room the box is intended for will speed up the unpacking process at the other end.
4. Pay outstanding bills
Double check if you have any outstanding rates or utility bills. Make sure they’re paid before you move to reduce the risk of losing the paperwork or accidentally accruing late fees.
5. Disconnect and connect all utilities
When you know your move-out date, you can arrange for your utilities to be disconnected at the house you are moving out of, and connected ready for your arrival at your new house. These include:
- Landline/broadband/NBN
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
Sometimes utility providers will require access to your new house which may mean a delay in getting connected, so make sure you have a contingency plan in place. For advice on getting the cheapest electricity deal, read this article on the Canstar Blue website. There’s also a handy article about finding the best internet plan for renters.
6. Arrange cleaners
Whether you want to arrange a bond clean to meet your end-of-lease agreement or would prefer to start life in your new house with everything pristine, there are many cleaners who specialise in helping people who are moving house. Most bond cleaners guarantee their work, saving you the hassle of returning to finish any cleaning deemed unsatisfactory by the realtor.
7. Organise insurance
When you buy or rent a new place – and even before you move in – you should consider organising home and contents insurance to protect your investment. You can also ask your provider about cover during your move just in case anything doesn’t survive the journey.
How does your home insurance compare? Check out our comparison table below to preview a snapshot of the current market with links direct to providers’ websites. Please note this table has been sorted by Star Rating and was formulated based on building and contents insurance covering up to $550K for an under 50-year-old in New South Wales or Australian Capital Territory.
8. Update your address details
Ensure you advise your new address to all your service providers to make sure you don’t lose important mail and your contact details and memorable information is up to date. These include:
- Banks and any other financial institutions
- Tax and legal advisors
- Medical & dental practitioners
- Electoral Commission
- Superannuation fund
- Australian Taxation Office
- Clubs, associations and other groups
- Children’s school
- Any subscription services (e.g.magazines)
- Road authority
- Any online shopping websites you use including Amazon, eBay and Book Depository
Also remember to let your friends and family know your new address!
9. Redirect your mail
Even if you are sure you have proactively updated your address with all your providers, it’s surprising how much mail could still be received at your previous home. By redirecting mail for three months you can see if there are any companies or friends and family who missed the memo. You can apply to redirect your mail on the Australia Post website.
10. Cancel any other regular deliveries
Do you have the newspapers delivered? How about groceries? Ensure you cancel any regular deliveries. Also remember to cancel any other household services you may use such as a gardener or cleaner.
Finally, if you have purchased your house, read Canstar’s article on the lowest rate 5-star home loans on our database to see how your home loan compares.
By following these steps you are on your way to making your move as seamless as possible.
For some easy moving hacks, watch the video below:
Source: BuzzFeedVideo
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