Moving house is often ranked as one of the most stressful life events. But with proper planning, the process can become much smoother and less overwhelming. Organising yourself before moving day is key to avoiding last-minute chaos. Whether you’re moving to a new apartment across Perth or relocating your family to a larger house, the right approach can make all the difference.
At Emmanuel Transport Removalists Perth, we’ve helped countless individuals and families move with ease. In this guide, we’ll share actionable steps to help you stay organised and prepared before your big moving day.
1. Start Early with a Moving Checklist
One of the best ways to stay on top of things is by starting early and creating a detailed moving checklist. This list should include everything from packing to notifying service providers and finalizing your moving company. Begin your preparations at least six weeks before your move to give yourself ample time.
A moving checklist should have categories like:
- Decluttering
- Sorting and packing items room by room
- Changing your address (we’ll dive into this shortly)
- Arranging utilities at your new location
2. Declutter Before Packing
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer need. The less you have to pack, the easier your move will be, and the lower your moving costs may be.
Start by sorting your belongings into three categories:
- Keep: Items you use regularly or have sentimental value.
- Donate: Items in good condition that you no longer need.
- Discard: Broken, outdated, or worn-out items that you won’t miss.
Decluttering will help free up space and give you a fresh start in your new home. If you’re not sure how to begin, check out our tips in this article on decluttering before a move.
3. Book Your Removalist Early
Securing reliable Perth removalists early is essential, especially if you’re moving during peak times such as weekends or school holidays. At Emmanuel Transport Removalists Perth, we recommend booking your moving company at least 4–6 weeks in advance. This ensures that you have the best team available on your desired moving date.
When choosing a moving company, consider:
- Experience: Opt for a company that has experience in handling moves similar to yours.
- Rates: Different companies charge different rates, and we’ve written a detailed guide on Why Do Moving Companies Charge Different Rates? for a clearer understanding.
- Customer Reviews: Reading reviews will give you insight into the company’s professionalism and reliability.
Check out more reasons to hire professional removalists here.
4. Pack Room by Room
Packing can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a clear strategy. A smart way to handle this is to pack one room at a time, starting with the least-used rooms. For instance, you can begin with the attic, basement, or guest bedroom before moving on to more frequently used spaces like the kitchen or living room.
Key packing tips:
- Label your boxes: Always label each box with the room it belongs to and a brief description of its contents. This will make unpacking much easier.
- Use quality materials: Sturdy boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap will protect your items during transit.
- Pack an essentials box: This box should contain items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home, like toiletries, a few kitchen essentials, and a change of clothes.
For a more detailed packing guide, visit our blog on Packing Essentials for a Stress-Free Move.
5. Notify Utility and Service Providers
Before moving, you’ll need to notify several parties of your upcoming relocation, including:
- Utility companies: Arrange to have your water, electricity, gas, and internet disconnected at your old address and reconnected at your new one.
- Postal service: Change your address with Australia Post to ensure your mail is redirected to your new home.
- Subscriptions and services: Don’t forget to update your address for any subscription services, financial institutions, and insurance providers.
Taking care of these details early on will prevent any last-minute hiccups.
6. Measure Your New Space
One of the most overlooked steps when moving is ensuring that your furniture will fit into your new space. Before moving day, measure your larger furniture and compare those measurements to the doorways, hallways, and rooms of your new home.
By doing this, you’ll avoid any surprises when the movers try to fit your couch through a doorway that’s too narrow. If you find that some pieces won’t fit, you might need to make arrangements to sell or store them.
7. Organise Important Documents
Before packing everything up, gather all important documents in one secure place. This can include:
- Birth certificates, passports, and ID cards
- Financial records
- Property deeds or rental agreements
- School records (if you have children)
- Medical records
Keep these documents in a waterproof folder and make sure they’re easily accessible. You might also want to create digital copies as a backup.
8. Prepare Your Appliances for Moving
Moving appliances requires extra care. Refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers should be properly cleaned and drained before being transported. Freezers should be defrosted at least 24 hours before moving to prevent leaks.
9. Take Photos of Your Electronics Setup
It’s easy to forget how your electronics are set up once you’ve unplugged everything. Before you dismantle your TV, computer, or home entertainment system, take photos of the wiring and connections. This way, you’ll have a visual reference when setting everything up in your new home.
10. Confirm Details with Your Removalist
A few days before the move, confirm all the details with your removalist, including:
- Arrival time
- Parking arrangements
- Special handling instructions for fragile or valuable items
At Emmanuel Transport, we pride ourselves on clear communication to ensure that moving day goes off without a hitch. If you haven’t yet booked a removalist, we’re happy to assist with all your moving needs.
Organising yourself before moving day doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your move is as seamless as possible. Planning ahead and working with a professional moving company like Emmanuel Transport Removalists Perth will save you time, effort, and unnecessary stress.
For more helpful moving tips, be sure to check out our other blogs here, where you’ll find expert advice on everything from packing to moving fragile items.