- Newsprint marks your possessions and hands, and is no longer recommended for use in packing.
- Plain butcher’s paper and bubble wrap are the recommended packing materials for protecting your possessions.
- There are some items like tables or chairs that consume a lot of space. You should pack them as compactly as possible to arrange other items with them.
- It is worth remembering to label every box with its contents and the room it is to go to in the new house. This will assist our removalists in making your move smooth and stress-free. It will also help you greatly later in your unpacking.
- Books, CD’s and heavy items should be packed separately in small boxes to make them easy to lift.
- You should pack lighter items such as linens, children’s toys and plastics in larger tea-chest sized boxes.
- Try to keep all entrances clear of boxes. Try to stack into corners of each room or have one bedroom reserved for all packed boxes. Clear access ensures quick moving.
- Chests of drawers need all breakables and items that may leak removed; clothing and blankets may remain. Also ensure drawers are not overloaded with items and never tape drawers shut.
- To speed up the moving process, dismantle beds and disconnect the washing machine.
- Arrange for an electrician or plumber to disconnect any fittings from supply (e.g. fridges with ice makers, any electrical appliances or light fittings hard wired) the day before your move is booked.
- Lawn mowers, chainsaws and such tools must be drained of all fuel. Alternatively, you may make other arrangements for transporting these items.
- Make sure all boxes are securely closed, especially the bottom.
- Mark boxes fragile as necessary.
- Keep all valuables, important documents and essentials like medications with you. Pack a small box with essentials you will need immediately at your new home such as toiletries, a change of clothes and toilet paper and keep that with you also.
- Your removalists will be happy to dismantle any furniture you have, but you may wish to do this yourself to save some time. If you do dismantle the furniture yourself, you will be responsible for reassembling it at your new home as it will be difficult for your removalists to figure how it goes together. Make sure you keep all bolts and screws safe.
- Heavier items should be put at the bottom of boxes and lighter items at the top.
- Your hanging clothes can be packed into porta-robes to save you re-ironing when unpacking.
- Keeping small children and pets away during the move ensures their safety.
- All wardrobes and desk drawers must be emptied.
- Leave fridges and freezers switched off for 45 min after they have been shifted into your new house.
- Try not to water pot plants prior to your move. If outside and if possible try to get them undercover (water will drain out of all wet pot plants once loaded on truck, and will wet your furniture)
- Please ensure BBQ pullout tray has been cleaned of all cooking residue, cooking beads etc.
- Stand trampolines on end the day of your move to drain water.
Things easily forgotten… Things you may not think of…
- If moving pot plants, be aware that it is often illegal to take plants interstate. Arrange to give them away or dispose of them if necessary.
- Arrange transportation of dangerous goods such as gas bottles, fire extinguishers, flammable cleaning products, paint, motor oil and petrol jerry cans as these cannot be carried by your removalist due to insurance limitations.
- Clean and defrost your fridge a few days before your move (don’t forget to empty the drip tray) ensuring you have eaten or disposed of any perishables and frozen foods, especially if you are travelling a long distance.
- Drain petrol and other fuels out of your lawnmower and power tools.
- Ensure you have checked all areas of your house such as under the house, in the roof cavity, in the back corner of the garden to be sure not to forget anything.
- Remove and pack the plate from inside your microwave.
- Label all computer cables as you remove them to enable easy reassembly. Backup all your computer files to disc and keep the discs with you.
- Ensure you have checked all areas of your house such as under the house, in the roof cavity, in the back corner of the garden to be sure not to forget anything.
- Pack all remotes together, generally with your DVD/video player. For long trips, remove batteries from remote controls.
