Moving house is challenging enough, but when you throw a pandemic into the mix, it’s a wonder how anyone manages it.
The truth is, people are on the move all across Australia because of booming house prices, rental squeezes and a variety of other factors.
The Stats Around Moving House In Australia
A Roy Morgan poll showed 60 per cent of Australians had been living at the same address for five years or more. While international surveys reveal the most stressful event in life is moving, followed by going through a break-up or divorce, and getting married.
Yet, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 76,200 people moved interstate in the three months to the end of September last year. Another 85,500 moved in the three months to the end of June 2020. And 104,800 people moved interstate in the three months to the end of December 2020. That’s over 260,000 Australians relocating despite the pandemic, dealing with the stress and uncertainty of both moving and border closures.
What You Should Do Before Your Big Move
Cut yourself some slack.
Moving is stressful. But you’ve planned ahead, right?
You’ve gone through every room and organised items in each into three categories: Items you plan to keep, items you plan to donate, and stuff that goes into the bin.
Doing anything at the last minute only heightens your stress levels.
Give yourself time to pack – we put together 50 moving house packing tips which will help ease the stress.
Here’s a handy guide to getting ready for your move:
- TWO MONTHS prior, take inventory of every room. Figure out what larger items you’ll be taking with you to the new location. If you’re downsizing, mark any items suitable for donation or disposal.
- ONE MONTH before the move, organise a garage sale, donate any items you’ve marked and sell anything of value you’re not taking with you. Touch base with your moving company and talk through any concerns. Chat with friends and family to see who can help you on the day. If you’re going to be storing some items, sort that out.
- At the TWO-TO-THREE WEEK mark, you can start packing. But organise first. Get all the tools you’ll need: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc. We have boxes available for you if you plan on packing yourself. Pack items you won’t need straight away first, so they’re at the bottom of your boxes. Label your boxes on three sides — the top, front and back — so they can be read whichever way they’re stacked. Seal up your “open first”/“first night” box or boxes last. Pack any liquids in sealed plastic containers. Keep everything together by room and/or by person. Pack valuables and breakables securely. Do the non-essential items now, because you won’t be needing them until after the move.
- A FEW DAYS BEFORE the move, pack up everything other than the non-essentials. Have your essential kit/box/checklist handy. Clean the old place. Defrost the fridge. Get professional cleaners if you can afford them to further reduce the stress. Remember, you can call on Gentle Giant to do this work for you.
- MOVING DAY: Let the removalists take over. If you’ve marked everything clearly and had a good chat with us before moving day, you now have time to do any last-minute checks before you say goodbye to your old place and head to your new location.
Now, let’s look at THREE mandatory inclusions for your Stress-Free Moving Day Survival Kit.
- Moving House: COVID-19 Safety Essentials Kit
Dealing with the Coronavirus presents its own challenges. Remember to keep your distance during the move, but also clean new areas and surfaces as you move into them. Keep yourself clean and safe to lower any risks of infection and transmission.
- Disposable masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Disinfectant wipes
- Glen-20 disinfectant spray
- Zipper bags
- Hand sanitiser
- Prepare An Important Documents Folder
Many people forget to keep important files and documents handy during a move. You may need to reference them at some point, but it’s no good if they’re buried in a box somewhere on the van. Remember to back up everything digitally too. Here are the most important documents to single out:
- Moving contract paperwork
- Ownership documents or leases
- Passports and visas
- Birth certificates or adoption papers
- Driver’s licences and vehicle registrations
- Credit and debit cards
- Health insurance cards
- Medical records for every family member and pet.
- A hard copy of essential phone numbers
- “First Night”/“Open First” Moving Day Essentials
If you’ve planned ahead, the lion’s share of your clearly marked and categorised possessions will be going on the big removal truck.
It’s important to keep a few things on hand and separate for easy access when you arrive at your new location.
These can be packed in your car, or have the removalists load these essentials last – preferably in one, clearly-marked box – so it’s ready to access straight away at the other end.
Keep this checklist handy to remind you of what to pack and keep handy for your first night in your new place.
- Toiletries, deodorant, towels, toilet paper
- Device chargers
- Vitamins, supplements and prescription medications
- First-aid kit
- Basic cooking essentials: kettle, toaster, cutlery, can opener
- Food essentials: Snacks, cereals, coffee, tea, milk, bread
- Bottled water
- Scissors, utility knife, torch, tools, bin liners
- Portable radio
- Books
- Devices and offline games/toys
- Multi-tool or Swiss army knife
- Phone numbers for local essential businesses
- Cooler or Esky
- Change of clothes
- Portable valuables and keys
- Paper plates and cutlery
- Pillows, pyjamas
- Extension lead
- Pet essentials
- Comfy shoes
- Bottle of champagne and strong glasses
Avoid Packing These Items On The Removal Truck
Some of these items can be transported with prior arrangements made with your removalist company. Please discuss with us any items you’d like to transport.
- Aerosol sprays
- Alcohol
- Ammonia
- Batteries
- Bleach
- Charcoal briquettes
- Cleaning chemicals
- Fire extinguishers
- Fireworks
- Food in containers that can be easily crushed or leak
- Food stored in glass jars or Tupperware
- Fresh produce
- Frozen food
- Guns and ammo (if you’re a farmer)
- Houseplants
- Insecticides/pesticides
- Lighter fluids
- Matches
- Motor oil
- Nail polish remover
- Oxygen tanks
- Paint and varnish
- Petrol and kerosene
- Pets
- Pool chemicals
- Propane tanks
- Signal flares
- Weed killers and other gardening chemicals
Some Final Moving Day Tips And Advice
- Go easy on yourself. Give yourself time to say goodbye to your old place. You’ve probably had lots of experiences there. It can be hard to let go.
- Help your children and pets settle in to your new place by preparing them early and having something comforting waiting for them at the other end.
- Do not try to unpack everything on your first night. That’s the point of your essential kit preparations. Start there. Relax. Check out your new neighbourhood. The other boxes can wait. You’ve earned a good night’s sleep.
Gentle Giant Removals and Relocations offer a full range of removal services. We can move you across the street, or across the country with packing, insurance & storage. We sell packing materials for all your relocation needs! Contact us for a free quote.
