At Shoalhaven Removals & Storage, we are committed to caring for the health and well-being of our employees & customers and are up to date with the industry COVID19 compliance guidelines
Having moved families across Australia for decades, our experts have seen all kinds of moving and packing scenarios. Take a look at their advice on what to do, starting from weeks before to the day of moving and also when you get to your new home
Relocation Timeline
Start a central file for your move documents
Is the removal company booked
Create a floor plan of your new home and plan the placement of furniture
Insurance - Transit, Home & Contents transfer
Have you planned your packing
Check inventory list, cross off everything you don't absolutely need and dispose of these items
Check the garden
Check the garage
Check the shed
Check under the house
Newspaper and other subscriptions cancelled or redirected
Arrange for disposal of garden chemicals, paint, fuel and similar items
Frozen food - plan to eat it before you leave
Travelling - have you arranged for passports, visa's, money and accommodation
Arrange to have your mail held or redirected to the new address
Arrange for school, day care and other transfers
If you planned to do some packing yourself, start now
If you need cartons and packing material, arrange delivery with your moving company
Label every carton by content and room identification
Contact all your relevant authorities including electoral office, post office, taxation office, insurance companies, motor vehicle associations, medical, dental, local council, banks, financial institutions, schools, clubs, library, solicitor, mains roads dept, real estate agent, landlord and social security dept's
If you are driving long distance, get your car checked
Begin to dismantle any furniture items that come apart
Arrange to transfer your bank accounts
Arrange a telephone, electricity and gas supply for your new home
Arrange for pet vaccinations, if required
If your boat or trailer is to be included with the load, ensure all loose items are packed away
Return all borrowed items, such as library books or video rentals
Establish cut-off dates for electricity, gas and phone
Make a list of your requirements on moving day
Get a street directory of your new town or city
If you are transporting your car, make sure all arrangements are in place
Cancel the newspaper, milk, soft drink and other deliveries
Ensure travel arrangements for your pets have been confirmed
Pets can often sense that changes are occurring and it's a good idea to arrange for your pets to be collected the day before you move
Drain fuel from lawn mower, empty any gas cylinder / bottles (your local garage may be able to do this for you)
Remove batteries from any battery-powered devices
Arrange the necessary finances for payments on moving day
If travelling by car check for oil, water, tyres, etc
Pack luggage, those items you will need immediately after you move
Check if you need to arrange for special parking or access for your removalist at your new home
Do the laundry and collect dry cleaning
Dispose of any remaining chemicals, flammables and garbage
Pack the items that the professionals will not be packing
Check if you have packing boxes, wrapping paper, sealing tape and marker pens for the packing that you will do
If you are having your items professionally packed, this will happen today as per your instructions
Separate the items that you have packed (to be taken with you) from the items to be packed by the removalists
Defrost your fridge, clean it out and dry it
Eat or dispose of any food remaining in the kitchen
Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your current home's new occupants or landlord
If your home will be vacant for awhile, notify the police and neighbours
Pack yourself a survival kit. Things like toiletries, tea, coffee, clothing, personal items, travel documents, tickets, first aid kit, money, cheque book
Leave the vacuum cleaner out, you might want to clean up after the furniture is moved out
Collect all house keys, ensure electricity and gas meters have been read, the telephone has been disconnected and the car keys are in a safe place
If renting leave keys with your real estate agent / landlord
As the van is being loaded, walk around the house, garden, garage and shed from time to time and keep an eye for anything left out
If you are moving interstate overseas or moving your possessions into storage, don't forget to read through and sign the inventory before leaving
Tighten all taps, turn off the water heater and drain it
Turn off power to the house
Lock the house securely
Your New Home
If renting, conduct a walk through inspection with an agent, documenting the state of the home and furniture
In your new home, it's a lot easier to get the removalists to put everything where you want it rather than to rearrange heavy furniture once they are gone
When unloading is complete, make sure that everything is in the right place
For storage, interstate and international deliveries, check-off and sign the inventory
Locate all keys to your home
If you are concerned about security, arrange to have all locks changed
Turn on the power and make sure the hot water system is turned on
Introduce yourself to your neighbours, they can provide helpful information such as when the garbage is collected
Ensure your pets will be safe while settling in
We have been moving families and businesses across the country for over six decades Hire us for your next move. Call 02 4423 0503
to share your requirements with us