How to: Plan a Successful Move in Advance

By Joshua Chadwick June 4th

Moving to a new home can be both exciting and overwhelming, so it pays to have proper planning and organisation to ensure a smooth transition.

From top to bottom, here’s a comprehensive guide to planning a successful move in advance.

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Start Early

The key to success for anything is preparation time! Begin planning your move at least two months in advance and establish a timeline with specific tasks to complete each week leading up to your moving day. A moving checklist is a great way to ensure everything you need to do before moving day is set in motion.

Another way to start early prep is by reviewing your belongings and deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. This will reduce the amount of stuff you need to move and even save you money on moving costs.

Budget for Your Move

Next up is estimating costs and considering all potential expenses, including moving services, packing supplies, transportation, and any necessary repairs or cleaning for your old and new homes.

Look for ways to cut costs, such as moving during off-peak seasons, borrowing packing supplies, or enlisting the help of friends and family.

Hire Professional Movers

If you need a moving truck or just want to make the moving process a little easier, it’s a great idea to go to the professionals and get quotes from multiple moving companies. Check reviews, verify credentials, and ask about insurance options to protect your belongings.

Once you’ve chosen a moving company, book their services as early as possible to ensure availability.

Gather Packing Supplies

There’s no moving house without all the packing materials. You’ll need boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap for your valuables and fragile items, packing paper, and markers, so it’s best to start collecting these items well in advance and leave the less important items for the last minute.

Be sure to clearly label boxes with their contents and the room to which it belongs. This will make unpacking much easier and more organised.

Notify Important Parties

Often a key part of the moving process is one that’s forgotten, which is the change of address checklist. Update your address with the post office, banks, insurance companies, and any subscription services.

If needed, also inform your children’s schools and your employer about the move. Make arrangements for any necessary transfers or time off work.

Lastly, be sure to schedule disconnections for your current utilities and connections for your new home. Thankfully, we know a thing or two about utilities, so give us a call at 1300 187 449 or sign up online here!

Plan for Moving Day

To start your big moving day, pack an essentials box that includes items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, and basic kitchen supplies.

If you have pets or young children, arranging for a babysitter or pet sitter to look after them on your moving date is not a bad idea to reduce stress and distractions.

Another moving tip is to create an inventory list of all your belongings. This will help ensure nothing is lost or left behind and will be useful if you need to file an insurance claim.

Prepare Your New Home

Nobody likes entering a home with mess and dirt all over the place. Remember to clean your new home before moving in and check for any DIY repairs or maintenance tasks that must be addressed.

It’s also worth planning and deciding where your furniture and major appliances will go. This will save time and effort on moving day, and save the hassle of moving heavy items after an exhausting day!

Execute the Move

Now that you’re prepped for the new address move, it’s best to be present on a moving day to oversee the process and answer any questions the movers may have, especially regarding breakables in ordinary cardboard boxes and other important moving supplies.

Before leaving your old home, do a final walkthrough to ensure nothing is left behind and everything is in good condition.

Settle In

Once the chaos has settled and you can begin unpacking in your new house, start with the essentials and work through non-urgent items. Focus on one room at a time to stay organised and avoid a declutter session further down the line.

Now that the packing boxes have been emptied, take some time to explore your new area. Meet your neighbours, find local services, and familiarise yourself with what’s around town!

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and successful move, and even snag some helpful packing tips for your next move. Proper planning, organisation, and preparation are essential to reducing stress and creating a seamless transition to your new home.