No Nonsense Guide to Moving in a Hurry
It’s nice to use moving checklists that start several months in advance, allowing ample time to write up a list, that can be checked and re-checked. But sometimes life gets in the way, and you need to move quick smart.
Moving in a rush can make you stressed if you’re not careful. Picture: Getty
If you find yourself in need of moving house in an honest-to-goodness rush, there’s some things that you will absolutely need to do before you move.
Then there’s some things you may think you need to do, but they can be done from the comfort of your new home.
Things to do right away, before panic sets in
Book a removalist and cleaner
There’s a simpler way of booking a removalist than calling around and trying to haggle with moving companies. Connectnow provide you with free quotes for removalists and cleaners, to help you find a good deal and kill two birds with the one stone.
Organise your packing materials
You can rent boxes for the duration of your move, and while you’re at it get some portable wardrobes for your delicate items. Save more time and have packing paper and bubble wrap delivered at the same time.
You may be able to get free boxes from shops or friends, but if time is a premium, it’s usually easier to organise them through a provider.
Moving day can be stressful at the best of times.
Book utilities
It’s the essential stuff we take for granted – gas, electricity, our favourite shows on Foxtel – that make the new house actually feel like home.
Many utility companies will organise transferring of your services. But instead of reaching out to each provider individually, get it all sorted in one phone call through connectnow. This free service can connect your gas, electricity, internet and pay TV in one go.
Definitely don’t wait until moving day to make the call though, as some utilities can take several business days to complete a transfer, so if you wait until moving day to inform them, you might end up paying for the new tenant’s electricity, or be without communications in your new home for a while.
List unwanted items online
Listings on online marketplaces can last for seven days up to several weeks, plus you also have to leave time for the person to come and pick up the item. Ensure you manage your listing correctly and allow time to coordinate collection of items.
Redirect your mail
You can change your address with banks and government agencies later, but in the short term, the post office will redirect your mail for one, three, six months or a year. Mail redirection also takes a few days to start, so talk to the post office early.
Things to do as D-day approaches
Save on stress on moving day by packing early. Picture: Getty
Pack a personal survival kit
Separate out essential items that you’ll need in the inevitable two or three days of insanity over your move. Toiletries, coffee, milk, bread and snacks, medicine, a few clothes, some tea-towels, toilet paper, and some paper towels.
Pack a moving kit
Moving day will require multi-tasking with administrative issues, and getting your hands dirty with some last minute repairs, so make sure to pack a bag or box with: both leases (new and old), a utility knife, a multi-screwdriver, hammer, wrench, tape measure, a notebook and a pen. You’ll also want any critical gadgets and devices (like phones and tablets) fully charged.
Secure and label boxes
The day before your move: pack everything up and label your boxes clearly with the destination room – the contents are less critical since the removalists only need to know where to drop the boxes.
On moving day
In your old home:
- Be on hand to direct the removalists.
- Disassemble large items – table, trampoline, entertainment centre.
- Don’t get underfoot – the removalists move fast!
- Check over your old home for left items.
Label your boxes prior to moving to make life easier.
In your new home:
- Be on hand to answer questions and to supervise unloading and unpacking.
- Check for damage to your items, and make sure to indicate it to the chief removalist before signing or paying the invoice.
- Check over the new house for damage and stains on the carpet, and note it on the condition report.
- Complete the condition report.
In truth, a move is a couple of really tough days (and a couple of weeks of dust settling). If you ignore the trivial items, and focus on the critical ones, you’ll make it through.
SOURCE: https://www.realestate.com.au/advice/no-nonsense-guide-to-moving-in-a-hurry/