Top Tips for Moving Home

Five handy hints for a stress free relocation…

Whether you've bought a new home or are renting though, the process of moving can be a stressful, laborious task, and unfortunately there is no magic wand that can just miraculously take care of everything for you. But it is possible to reduce the amount of stress and bother that moving house can cause. With these helpful moving tips from Fletchers, you can enjoy a smooth and hassle-free relocation.

1) Plan and prepare early
Remember in school when you'd have six weeks to get an important assignment completed, but you'd leave it to the last minute and feel completely stressed out because of it? Well multiply that feeling by 100 and that's exactly what you'll feel if you start planning your move and packing up your house too late in the game. Start planning as early as possible, perhaps 4-6 weeks before your move, and give yourself enough time to get everything done right.

2) Checklists are invaluable!
Use a checklist to plan your move – it'll make life a lot easier. You'll be able to keep track of everything you've done, everything you still need to do, and you'll feel a small sense of achievement with every job you cross off the list. Divide the tasks you need to complete into several groups, so you're completing some 4-6 weeks ahead of moving day, then the next group perhaps 1-3 weeks before, then another set of tasks days before the move and the final group on moving day and the days that follow.

Taking this systematic approach to your move will ensure nothing is left behind and everything is accounted for. Leading Melbourne removalists Fragile Removals feature a comprehensive moving checklist on their website.

3) Protect your possessions from damage
It should go without saying, but we'll say it anyway. If you're packing up fragile items or valuable possessions for your move, make sure to wrap each one up separately. Use as much bubble wrap packaging as you think is necessary. If you're putting anything in boxes or cartons, be sure to line them with blankets or packing paper. This will help to absorb the shock experienced while travelling on the roads. Ensure all sides of your boxes are secured with as much heavy duty packing tape as you believe to be needed. And probably the most obvious tip of all, make sure any boxes containing fragile items are clearly labelled FRAGILE.

4) Furniture & appliances
Furniture and electrical appliances are typically one of the most cumbersome and awkward parts of the relocation process, but there are some tips to make life a little easier.

– Make sure you securely shut any doors on wardrobes or cupboards with tape, rope or strong ribbon. Lock the doors as well if possible.
– Remove any shelving or drawers from cupboards and any bedroom units.
– Lighten the weight of your wardrobe or dresser by taking the clothing out.
– Dry and clean out any fridges, freezers, dishwashers and any other electrical appliances before packing them up.

5) Final tips
Be sure to have any mail redirected to your new address with Australia Post. Once you've moved into your new place, find out the basic day to day things like rubbish collection day and the on-street parking situation (i.e. whether you need a parking permit, or whether no permit is required) among other things. And have a contingency plan in place for bad weather. You'll be surprised just how the weather can affect your plans.

These tips barely scratch the surface when it comes to moving house, but they will help make the entire process that much easier. For more detailed relocation hints, get in touch with Fragile Removals & Fletchers today.