10 Things You Need to Do Before Your Removalists Arrive

Moving house, office, or factory often involves both excitement and apprehension. Whether you are upgrading to a bigger home, downsizing, or relocating for work, there is no denying that moving day can quickly turn chaotic if you haven’t prepared beforehand.

At EW Hogan, we have been helping Melbourne residents to move house for over 80 years. We have years of experience in local removals, and we are among the interstate removalists Melbourne residents trust. Based right here in Mordialloc, we have pretty much seen it all – from the perfectly organised moves to the “chuck everything in garbage bags at 2am” disasters. And we can tell you from experience that a little preparation goes a long way toward making a successful relocation.

So, whether you are hiring removalists Melbourne locals swear by or booking interstate removalists Melbourne can rely on, here are the 10 things you absolutely need to sort out before the truck arrives at your place.

Get Started Early

Life is busy, and packing a strenuous packing schedule in it could be challenging. Packing an entire household or office takes weeks, not days. And that is if you are being realistic about it.

You should grab a notepad (or your phone) and start a moving checklist at least four to six weeks before your date of relocation. Break it down week by week so that you are not pulling your hair out the night before the concerned removalist company’s team arrives.

Declutter Seriously

Here is the thing about moving: it forces you to confront or discard many of the items you own or even are fond of. That bread maker you used once in 2017? Is the gym equipment now serving as a clothes rack? Yes, it is time to declutter before relocation.

Decluttering before you pack isn’t just about feeling zen – it can actually save you money. Most moving companies in Melbourne charge based on volume or time, so the less stuff you are shifting, the cheaper it gets.

You can initiate the decluttering process with clothes you haven’t worn in over a year, kitchen gadgets gathering dust, books you will never read again or furniture that won’t fit the new place anyway.

Dispose of it, donate it, sell it on online platforms or recycle it, but do declutter the excess baggage before relocation.

Stock Up On Packing Supplies

Being run out of boxes or tape in between the relocation process can be quite a frustrating affair. In order to avoid this, you should have sturdy moving boxes of different sizes, have quality packing tape and a dispenser, bubble wrap and packing paper, permanent markers for labelling, furniture blankets, and mattress covers.

If you are working with a professional moving company Melbourne residents recommend, ask if they provide the above-mentioned supplies. At EW Hogan, we do provide them.

Packing Pattern

Instead of packing the entire home or office at one go, it is better to pack one room at a time. There should be a packing pattern too to ease the work. First, pack the stuff in spare bedrooms, storage areas, and the seasonal decorations, books, and DVDs (if you still have DVDs).

Kitchen essentials, bedding, toiletries and any other thing/s meant for daily usage should be packed last.

Also, label every box by describing the content inside it. Your future self, standing in a sea of cardboard boxes at the new place, will be seriously grateful for this sensitivity.

Your Valuables and Important Docs

Some things are just too precious, or valuable, or important, to place them in the moving truck, despite the fact that you hired the best removalist company in the town. It is practical to pack them separately and keep them with you during your relocation. They include:

• Passports and IDs
• Birth certificates and legal documents
• Financial paperwork
• Jewellery and family heirlooms
• External hard drives and USB backups

Also, pack yourself an essentials bag with things like phone chargers, any medication/s you might need, toiletries, snacks, and undergarments.

Measure and Decide

It is wise to do some basic measurements before relocation. For eg, it is awkward to watch your couch get stuck in a doorway on moving day. Save yourself and your team of removalists the headache by measuring the couch size and the gap in the doorway beforehand. However, that is not the only measurement you need to do before relocating.

Before moving day, it might be helpful if you measure your larger furniture pieces and measure all doorways, hallways, and stairwells of the home or office from where you are relocating. Also, do check the lift dimensions if you are to use the lift during the relocation process.

If something is not going to fit, you can disassemble it if possible, arrange for specialist equipment or discuss with your removalist beforehand about the best possible approach under such circumstances. At EW Hogan, we are always happy to talk about any such tricky items ahead of time. No surprises on the day means a smoother move for everyone.

Confirm the Details

Amidst the busy schedule of the relocation process, it is easy to forget the basics. In order to avoid that, give your moving company a quick call or e-mail a few days before the move to double-check everything.

Confirm what time they are arriving, your exact address and your mobile number, how many movers are coming, and whether there are any access issues, such as narrow streets, parking restrictions, lots of stairs or not.

Pack a ‘First Day’ Box

Just imagine you have arrived at your new place, everything is in boxes, and you are absolutely eager for a cup of coffee or tea,  but you can’t find the kettle, the mugs, or the teabags.

To avoid situations like this, pack a “First Day” box which should have:

• Tea and coffee pouch, snacks and bottled water
• Toilet paper and hand soap
• Phone chargers and cables
• Bed linen and pillows
• Basic tools like screwdrivers
• Toiletries and towels

Make this the last box you pack and the first one you unpack.

Get Your Appliances and Electronics Ready

Before the team of removalists shows up, you should also prepare your electronic appliances for relocation. This should include defrosting your fridge and freezer (it may take 24 hours); cleaning your dishwasher and securing the racks; disconnecting and drying out your washing machine; doing a backup of your computer files; wrapping TVs and monitors in protective covers; and taking photos of how cables are connected (it makes reassembling so much easier).

Also, label everything so as to avoid confusion at the new place.

Sort Out Utilities and Change Your Address

Moving isn’t just about shifting boxes; it also involves handling a lot of administrative work. So, sufficiently before the moving day, arrange connection of electricity, gas, and water at your new place, cancel and transfer services at and from your current address, update your address with banks, government services, and insurance companies you are dealing with, redirect your mail through Australia Post, and update subscriptions and online shopping accounts.

Getting these sorted early means you are not scrambling on the moving day or, worse, arriving at a house with no power.

Ready to Make Your Move?

Look, moving a house, an office, or a factory is never going to be a walk in the park, but with a bit of planning and organisation, it doesn’t have to be a total nightmare either. Whether you are moving across Melbourne or booking interstate removalists Melbourne families trust, the secret to a smooth move is ‘being prepared.’

At EW Hogan, we know the best moves happen when you are organised, and removalist companies are ready to go the extra mile.

Being sufficiently prepared before the removalists’ team arrives is likely to translate into a quick and efficient move, better protection of your belongings, less stress during the relocation process, and savings.

So whether you need interstate removalists Melbourne residents have trust in or a reliable local moving company Melbourne people have relied on for decades, give us a call. We will work with you at every step of the relocation process to make your next move smooth and hassle-free.