When moving, the biggest challenge is usually the move itself. How do you pack everything up and get it to the new location without breaking anything? And once you’re there, how do you unpack and put everything away in an organised manner? In this blog post, we will provide 15 moving tips to help make your day run smoothly. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your move!
Top moving tips
Preparation is everything when it comes to moving your home or workplace. Planning will help ensure a smooth move. Here are some of the things you should be looking at from the start:
1. Pick the best date for your move
It may be your moving date is tied to a lease or sales agreement but, if you have a choice, you should consider picking a moving date based on some of the following:
- Mid-week/weekend
- Moving mid-week may mean you will need time off from work but your moving truck rental will probably be a better rate and traffic may be quieter.
On the downside, your friends and family will probably all be at work and unable to help you until the weekend!
- Moving mid-week may mean you will need time off from work but your moving truck rental will probably be a better rate and traffic may be quieter.
- School holiday?
- If you are moving the family home, you may want to move on a day the children are at school. It will probably be less stressful for you if you don’t have to worry about or entertain, your children at the same time you are loading or unloading your moving truck. Of course, if your children travel to school by themselves, don’t forget to tell them you have moved house!
2. Plan ahead
Get a wall planner and schedule key tasks. Mark the dates you need packing materials and when you will begin to pack each room. Include any outdoor areas.
3. Order packing boxes – Cardboard boxes or plastic crates?
Cardboard boxes fold flat when you don’t need them; they will take up less space until you start packing. Plus you may find friends or neighbours already have a stash of cardboard moving boxes they no longer need.
On the other hand, you may be able to rent plastic crates, saving some cash.
You will want to use blankets for valuable or fragile objects outside boxes and ropes or tie-downs to secure them within your moving truck. Check with your truck rental company; at Southern Cross Truck Rentals, we provide moving accessories with your truck.
4. Mark the boxes
You will find unpacking in your new location easier if each container is labelled.
The label should identify the contents of the crate and the original room or location. This will enable you, or your moving team, to leave the crate where it is needed.
5. Declutter as you go
Moving is a great opportunity to declutter your property and your life.
Some of the ways to spot items you don’t need to move:
- Is it useful?
Particularly in the kitchen and the toolshed, look at items you haven’t used for a couple of years. Chances are, they will not be used again.
The old power drill or whipper-snipper which has already been replaced, the bread-maker, used only once. All great candidates for the Op-shop. - Is it beautiful?
Or, does it have sentimental value for you?
If you have an old ornament with no value to you, now is the time to let it go. There is no point moving decorative stuff you don’t treasure. - “Just in case” items
Items you keep because you may want to use them.
These include old books you have read and will not read again. (Make sure to include your old textbooks from college or university).
Declutter your wardrobe by removing clothes you have not worn for two or three years.
You could sell these items, or donate them to your local charity shop.
6. Suitcases for heavy stuff
If you have modern, wheel-along suitcases, don’t put your clothes in them. They are perfect for moving heavy items, such as books. You’ll find it easier to roll heavy items than to lift them. This tip works even better if you rent a moving truck with a tail lift!
7. Kitchen/Dining
This includes crockery, serving dishes and glassware. Use bubble wrap to keep each item protected. Consider packing these items into suitcases with wheels, as above.
8. Crate size
Pack heavy items into smaller boxes to make them easier to carry.
9. Don’t be too fussy
Your clothing and shoes will survive a few hours of moving time without fussy packing. For speedy and easy packing, tip shoe racks and drawers of clothes into crates. Items hanging in wardrobes can be placed inside bin liner bags, still with their hangers and laid down carefully in the back of your moving truck.
10. Large furniture tips
Large, bulky items take up a lot of space and are at risk of causing damage, through bumps into walls and doorways. Simplify your move by dismantling beds, tables, chairs and shelving if possible. Make sure you keep the screws and fasteners for each item in a sealable freezer bag, taped to the relevant piece of furniture.
11. Moving Day supplies
On moving day, start by packing up the car with essential items like snacks, drinks, and first-aid supplies. You’ll also want to have some cash on hand in case you need to make any last-minute purchases. Once the car is packed, start loading up the moving truck. Be sure to pack it tightly so nothing shifts during transport.
Keep a box of supplies handy for Moving Day, including scissors, tape, markers, and zip ties.
12. Essential items
Make sure the things you will need first are easy to access and unpack. Place clothes and toiletries, plus beds and bedding near the door of your moving truck. At least you’ll be able to shower and get a good night’s sleep in your new home.
13. Have a moving party!
Growing in popularity, a moving party involves recruiting friends and family to help you move. If you’ve already packed most of your belongings before moving day, your team will make short work of loading and unloading your moving truck.
When all of the boxes have been moved to where they are needed. Treat your moving team to a small housewarming party. Takeaway food is quite acceptable and nobody will mind having to sit on the floor or a moving crate to enjoy a beer or glass of wine to toast your new home.
14. Project Manage a workplace move
If your move is for an office, shop, or another workplace, consider handling it as a project to ensure a smooth moving day.
- Project Manager
Appoint a project manager. A single point of contact between management, employees and the truck hire company will help to prevent confusion. - Schedule and budget
Your project will have costs and you will need to schedule tasks. Your project manager will make sure each task, including packing and unpacking, is assigned to the best employee for the job - Communications
Everybody needs to know what is happening. Your project manager will issue regular updates on what must be done and when. They will even advise what happens on moving day and when unpacking must take place to get your business up and running as soon as possible.
15. Top tip – hire a moving truck!
No matter where you are moving from, or to, you will need a vehicle to move your possessions. We will take a look at some of the moving vehicles available from the fleet at Southern Cross Truck Rentals (SCTR).
Dedicated moving trucks – Pantechs
Pantechs are the moving trucks you will recognise, with your items completely enclosed and secured within the truck and protected from the elements.
SCTR has a variety of pantechs available, from 3 tonnes to 8 tonnes. The smallest truck can be driven using a “C” car licence, giving you complete freedom and flexibility over your moving time. The vehicles are all clean and well-maintained, you can be sure you will arrive safely at your destination.
Some of our moving vehicles, at SCTR, have tail lifts to ease loading and unloading and make sure to ask about moving accessories, such as ropes and blankets.
Smaller vehicles, too
For smaller moves, perhaps a single room, or shed, consider renting one of SCTR’s vans or utes. Easy to drive and park almost anywhere, you will appreciate the extra space for your possessions.
Don’t forget the extras!
At Southern Cross Truck Rentals we often have special deals and extras available.
Even before you book your moving truck, use our handy moving calculator to ensure you get the best vehicle for your needs. You can estimate your requirements based on the size of your property, or provide details of the proposed load for a more precise calculation.
You may be able to obtain special mid-week or weekend rates. We can arrange to deliver or pick up your truck or even a one-way rental. Perfect for most moves!
Don’t worry if you don’t have the licence required to drive the truck you need, ask about our truck and driver hire packages; you can follow our expert driver in your own vehicle.
Call the friendly expert team at Southern Cross Truck Rentals today. We will make sure you get the vehicle you need when you need it.
