Moving house is a big process with lots involved so it’s no wonder it can be a struggle to get started. Use our following guide on how to move house in conjunction with our complete moving checklist so you don’t forget a thing.
Packing
- Create a moving kit with everything you’ll need handy like packing tape, a sharpie, a Stanley knife and of course high quality moving boxes.
- Book your removalist as soon as you can to allow for time constraints and to secure them for the day you need them available. You can even book Grace to do the packing for you to skip all the steps in this section of the moving guide. If you’d rather do the packing yourself, there are a few tips you’ll need to know. Top tip: consider the pros and cons of packing removals boxes yourself before you decide.
- Start packing your house. Choose which belongings you will pack and what gets left for Grace removalists such as the fridge and the couch.
- Declutter as you go. Consider donating your unwanted items to St Vincent de Paul. You can do this easily and conveniently with Grace thanks to our Vinnies initiative.
- Use white paper sheets (butcher’s paper) for protecting your belongings in boxes as newspaper will leave stains. Secure small items and reinforce boxes so they don’t break under the weight.
- Clearly number and label every moving box you pack. Use a colour code to designate the room destination for each carton and list the contents of every moving box.
- Start by packing the belongings you use least (such as books, CDs, DVDs and items stored in the roof space or garage). Work room by room. Pack one room at a time, keeping all the packed boxes for each room together.
- Avoid overloading and evenly distribute the weight. Pack boxes to 20kg maximum for easy lifting. Remember you need to limit movement within the box so fill the empty space.
- Use the right carton and resist the urge to pack goods inside cupboards and drawers. To save on space, flat pack or dismantle as much as possible and consolidate smaller objects that could go missing into a larger box. Before dismantling any computer equipment or electronics, photograph the cords and connections to help you remember where all the wires go. Use vacuum seal bags for out-of-season clothing and make use of baskets, laundry bins and suitcases by packing things inside them. Pack odd-shaped items in larger cartons to secure and stack them more efficiently.
- Pack a bag for your first night and include essentials like bed linen, towels, a change of clothes, and toiletries for all family members.
- Do not pack dangerous goods such as corrosive, flammable, or explosive goods. Items like LPG gas bottles and lawn mower fuel fall into this category. For more information, read our blog on dangerous goods. Dispose of garden chemicals, paints, fuel and other flammable items, as suggested by your Grace moving consultant.
- Finish packing before moving day.
A few days before the move
- Order your groceries to be delivered to your new home on the day you move in.
- Change your address and redirect your mail.
- Organise to have your electricity, gas and internet connected. Grace can provide you with a free connection service through our Grace Connect initiative.
- Sketch a plan of where your furniture will sit in the new home.
- Pest control should be done now without having the house filled with all of your belongings.
- Check that the lights work now so you have time to replace bulbs before your first night in the house.
- Clean the new house so you don’t have to clean around boxes.
- Stock the bathroom so you can use it during the unpack.
- Organise a babysitter for the children and pets so you don’t have to scramble on the day of the move. Alternatively, choose to move during school hours.
- Prepare an esky so you can transport food from the fridge, or finish all perishables. This is also a great time to defrost and clean the fridge.
- Reconfirm your delivery details with your removalist.
- Clean what you can of your existing home. If you don’t have time to do this, organise for Grace cleaning professionals to take care of it for you.
Moving day
- Keep your valuables on you. This includes things like your wallet, phone, keys, passport.
- Lock the house and turn the power off.
- Build your bed and install the fridge first because you’ll need them before the rest.
- Determine what rooms need to be unpacked first and start there. For most, this will be the kitchen, bathroom and the main bedroom.
- Meet the neighbours and introduce yourself and start getting settled in to your new home.
Need help moving house? Contact Grace for all of your home removal needs. We offer a range of specialist moving services to provide a comprehensive move.
