Your Handy Home Removal Checklist
The day of shifting home is often the culmination of careful preparation and planning – certainly if a seamless transition to your new house is your goal. Contracting a specialist removals company to help handle your move is wise, as they will be able to provide the trained staff, vehicles, equipment and storage facilities which you may require.
Preparations
If your timeline permits, preparations for moving must start at least 6 weeks prior to your moving day, particularly if you are in a major city, and for removals Melbourne-focused, this is especially so.
Once the decision to move is made:
1. Create a brightly coloured file for all of your relocation documents, and keep it in a convenient place for easy reference.
2. Obtain quotes from numerous professional removal companies, and make sure that they’re all quoting on the same items. Book the one that best fits your needs.
3. Check if your home insurance covers your goods in transit. If not, obtain insurance coverage for moving.
4. Sketch a floor plan of your new house (or use one provided by your real estate agent) and plan the placement of your goods. You could give this to your removalist on moving day.
5. Sort through your possessions and dispose of what you no longer need. Copy your removalist’s inventory list to check goods to be packed and those for sale, charity donation, or disposal.
6. Create a room by room packing plan, beginning with the items you know you won’t be requiring till well after you’re in your new home.
7. For DIY packing, arrange for the delivery of packing containers like cartons, wooden crates, book boxes, wine cartons, bubble wrap and fill, tape, labels, and marking pens.
2 weeks before moving, you ought to:
8. Check the backyard, attic, garage, basement, shed and under the house for items you might have overlooked – think: wheelbarrows, lawnmowers, ladders, heilooms, plants.
9. Dispose of any left over unwanted items – trash, donate or sell,
10. Give your freezer some attention – begin eating your way through it’s contents!
11. Sensibly dispose of garden chemicals, paints, fuel and other flammable items according to provider instructions.
12. Gas cylinders are usually unable to be transported by your removalist – check. If required, have a certified gas cylinder test station purge BBQ cylinders.
13. If needed, book transportation for pets or arrange for pet care at least 2 days before the move.
14. Arrange cancellation and reconnection of utilities – electricity, gas, phone
15. Begin packing if you’re doing it yourself. Label each box according to the room each goes into and keep a separate list of their contents
16. Inform family, friends and businesses of your new address and arrange mail redirection through Australia Post. Start a new contacts list for your new location.
17. Have your car serviced
18. You must return all the borrowed items and library books
Day prior:
19. If its part of your agreement with your removalist, dismantle furniture and put all bolts and screws and any other attachments in a small resalable bag and tape it to the base of the item or label and place in a carton containing similar parts.
20. Pack a basic kit with toiletries, tea, coffee, milk and any other drinks, personal items, first aid kit, spare clothing, tea towels and dish cleaning devices.
21. Gather all house keys.
On moving day:
22. Lead your removalist around the house to show them what you want done, including items you’ll need when you arrive at the new home. These items would be packed last.
23. Keep pets and children out of the mover’s way, preferably in another location.
24. Place self transported items in your car and lock car doors.
25. Check all areas, cupboards, cabinets and storage areas to make sure nothing is left behind.
26. Check and sign inventory.
27. Switch off power to the house.
If you have special requirements or dates for removals Melbourne relocation specialists will be able to advise on the best course of action, mainly if your household is moving overseas.
Kent is Australia’s largest family owned international moving company. Kent provides a complete removal, storage and relocation service to individuals, families and business alike. For more information, on international or domestic move visit http://www.kentmoving.com NOW.
