8 ways to make moving house a cinch

When moving house, the deadline to get everything packed and booked can sneak up quickly. So, it’s easy to let the stress get the best of you and your budget. Here are a few simple ways to make your transition to a new home that little bit easier and more cost-effective.

1. Get the lay of the land first.

While you walked through the property at the inspection, you pictured your grandmother’s curio cabinet in the dining room, but you need to know where other pieces will fit in best.

Get the lay of the land first before moving any items in, so you only have to move that marble coffee table once! Make a list of your furniture items, their dimensions and the new room dimensions (you can typically find these on the floorplans on the property listing).

Then draw up a layout by hand or using a floor plan app or website (such as RoomSketcher). This will help you plan the best arrangement for where everything should be placed on moving day to maximise space, time, functionality and visual appeal.

Also, on your floorplan highlight any empty spaces for new pieces to be purchased, so you have all the size requirements when you head to the shops later. This will save you from making any expensive mistakes, like buying an oversized couch or bed that doesn’t fit in the space available.

2. Upgrade, sell & donate.

Why pay to move what you don’t want or stuff that will collect dust in storage? From small to large items, now’s the time to upgrade, sell and donate.

Many charity-based op shops offer home pick up services for bulky donations, such as large pieces of furniture, electronics, books and more. Alternatively, you might consider holding a garage sale or putting items on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. If you work at it you may even sell enough to cover your moving expenses or make a bit of extra cash to spend decorating your new pad.

Go ahead and upgrade your washer and dryer, mattress and other large items. You may prefer to do it before your move or after, depending on need and convenience. That way you can arrange for the council to come and pick up any hard rubbish you need to be carted off prior to moving day.

3. Plan for moving furniture in & out.

When moving, you may focus more on packing before you get your furniture ready, but it’s an essential step. Organise quotes from several moving companies to ensure you get the most economical deal and you understand the time and costs well in advance.

Measure pieces of furniture before the move by width, height and length. If an item won’t fit through the front door, you must plan an alternative route. Make sure the indoors and outdoors are free obstructions, such as pets, rugs, artwork, wires and outside toys.

Set aside plenty of time to deconstruct any pieces that won’t fit through doorways, such as dining tables and bed frames come moving day otherwise the movers will charge you to do it themselves.

Check whether the moving truck lines up better in your driveway or along the street. Some apartment buildings have restrictions on moving times and truck parking. So check with your body corp first before booking the movers.

4. Hire a packing service.

Let’s be honest, most people dread packing. Order and care go out the window with your nerves as you hastily pack the dishes, books and linen, fail to label boxes or properly pack beloved items. Stop worrying about tracking down boxes and spending huge amounts on packing materials. Hire a packing service instead! Comparatively, it may save you money, time and all the headaches that come with packing.

5. Host a party & offer helpers bribes.

You can also go the low-cost route of hosting a packing and unpacking party. Arrange the tasks well in advance and do the ones you don’t entrust others with yourself.

Got a friend who’s amazing at closet organisation or love their kitchen layout? If they’ve got a weakness for a certain restaurant, order takeout from there in exchange for a helping hand. Bribe your helpers. Don’t have any shame when it comes to meeting your moving deadline and budget.

6. Carry taller items high & low.

DIYing the physical move? You can’t move a tall, bulky object on your own, and if you do, be prepared to nurse several aches and pains. This is a two-person job where one person carries high and the other carries low. In other words, tip the item at an angle where one person focusses on bearing the top and the other the bottom.

Believe it or not, this carrying tip helps centre the weight of a tall item like a filing cabinet or dresser. When you pivot, the item won’t go barreling out of control.

7. Invest in a shoulder dolly.

Get more out of your stamina and prevent a bad back by investing in a shoulder dolly or two. Pulled muscles and lower back pain can stem from lifting incorrectly. Most folks know to bend the knees as you lift which uses your larger leg muscles to bear the initial weight. As you move more and tire hroughout the day, it’s easy to forget that point.

Leverage more of your large muscle groups by investing in a shoulder dolly. This leaves your hands free to deal with awkward items. Take extra care using a shoulder dolly on stairs or an incline — the weight shifts downhill.

8. Unbox by priority.

What are your necessities? Focus on unboxing those first and getting settled into life with those taken care of first.

Unpack the dishes you regularly use and organise your pantry and fridge. Next, make your bed and get your toothbrush and shower items set up. You know you want to set up Netflix, too. Then, move on to breakable items and so on, according to what you deem a priority.

Remember, settling in is a process. You don’t have to do it all in one night. Getting a moving survival kit together can help!

Transitioning during a move is like coming back to work from a long vacation. You need to allow yourself adequate time before and after the move to get organised and decompress. Don’t let stress affect you or your budget. Use these handy moving tips to make your next home relocation a cinch.