Moving house is hard enough, even if you have help or are using removalists. Moving to another city or state is a big exercise and we often overlook one thing or another. Here are eight top tips to help you move smarter.

1. Start as early as you can

As soon as you know you’re going to be moving house, start sorting through your belongings. Months ahead might seem excessive, but it’s actually the perfect time to start. Many of us gather more stuff than we need, so this is your perfect opportunity to have a clear out. Many Australian Op Shops are grateful for useful donations. If you want to sell your unwanted items, make sure you list them as soon as you can on auction sites like BidMate or similar.

2. Clear the cupboards

You’d be amazed how much time and money you’ll save by simply eating down the contents of your cupboards. If you don’t need to replace what you use, wait until after you’re settled in your new home to go shopping. Don’t forget to eat down the fridge and freezer too. These food items are the most likely to spoil when moving house.

3. Pack an essentials box

Pack a suitcase or box which has everything you’ll need straight away. Include a change of clothes, your toothbrush, toiletries and any other essentials. Unpacking can take weeks in some cases and the last thing you’ll want to do is be searching through boxes to find what you need. Plan what you’re going to eat and drink too. Many people get hungry and dehydrated on moving day because they forget to do this.

4. Mark boxes with meaningful labels

Many people put simple labels on boxes like ‘kitchen’ or ‘bedroom.’ Consider what you’ll want to unpack first and write the name of those items on the box. You could also colour code boxes for certain rooms.

5. Don’t forget to change utilities

Moving day isn’t much fun, but it’s worse if you have to wait to have utilities connected. Book these well ahead of time, especially electricity, gas, phone and internet. You’ll want these to be working from the moment you arrive. Don’t forget to redirect your mail too.

6. Your smartphone is your friend

The camera in your smartphone is a great tool when moving. If you have to reassemble items or reconnect cables, take photos to remember what goes where. There’s enough to remember on moving day and it can be very tiring. Snapping a few pics will make life easier.

7. Cleaning old and new

It’s a courtesy to leave your home clean for new occupants, but this isn’t always done to everyone’s expectations. The best thing you can do is book professional cleaners to clean both your old home and the new one. Cleaning a house is a breeze when it’s empty, but that’s the time you’re moving. The small additional cost of using professional cleaners saves you so much time and stress on moving day.

8. Read the instructions

When disconnecting, moving or handling major appliances, make sure you read the instructions first. Many large appliances have special requirements for handling and moving. And don’t forget to defrost the freezer the day before you move to save yourself from a slushy mess.

We’ll post more tips about making your move easier in the future. In the meantime, if we can help with anything, feel free to get in touch.