Moving house in Melbourne doesn’t always have to be stressful and chaotic.
This guide will show you the best way to make the moving trip as straightforward as possible by planning carefully and avoiding easy mistakes.
Preparing for the Move
When moving house in Melbourne, planning is your best friend.
Create a comprehensive moving house checklist to help with the organisation of packing materials, utilities, and the sorting and disposal of items.
A well-prepared mover will not only have all the necessary boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, but will also have a clear strategy for packing and a system to ensure services continue smoothly at their new home.
Crafting a Master Moving Checklist
Any successful move begins with a master moving checklist outlining every moving process stage.
This list should include:
- Ordering sufficient packing materials such as boxes, tape, paper, markers, and bubble wrap to protect delicate items.
- A list of packing tips: for example, you might need to wrap dishes in newspaper before boxing them up to prevent chips and breakage.
- Scheduling deadlines for each step of the pack-up process, focusing on one room at a time like the kitchen or the living room.
Organising Utilities and Services
Transferring utilities and organising new services can be a complex task, which should be done ahead of time to ensure a smooth transition:
- Arrange the disconnection and reconnection of utilities—including power, water, gas, and internet—ahead of the move, to avoid any inconvenience.
- Inform service providers and institutions (banks, council, etc.) of the new address to maintain continuity of services.
Sorting and Disposal of Items
Before packing, sorting out items to keep, donate, sell, or dispose of greatly reduces unnecessary load:
- Sort items room by room, determining what to take along and identifying items for a garage sale or donation.
- Set aside a “survival kit” with essentials for the first night, which might include snacks, a change of clothes, and basic toiletries.
Finally, a few days before the move, you should defrost the freezer and consume or dispose of its contents to avoid spoilage.
Packing and Logistics
Organising packing and logistics hinges on selecting reputable removalists, methodically packing belongings, and considering the special needs of appliances and valuables. Proper materials and techniques are crucial for a smooth transition.
Choosing the Right Removalists
In Melbourne, your choice of removalists can make or break the moving experience. It’s essential to look for removalists who are known for reliability and excellent service.
Read as many reviews as possible and ask for quotes from multiple companies to compare. Valid insurance and a record of punctuality are key factors in this decision.
Most reputable movers will also provide some type of online volume calculator, which allows you to get a good idea of how much the move will actually cost you in total.
Packing Your Belongings
When you start packing, individuals need a core set of supplies, including sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape.
It’s wise to categorise items and mark boxes with their contents – keeping fragile items well-protected is a priority. Breakables like dishes can be wrapped in towels for extra safety.
Gather tools like utility knives for assembling and breaking down your packing materials.
| Item Category | Packing Material | Additional Notes |
| Clothing | Standard boxes & Wardrobe boxes | Use wardrobe boxes for dresses and suits. |
| Glassware | Bubble wrap & Boxes with dividers | Line boxes with towels for additional protection. |
| Books | Smaller boxes | Don’t overload to prevent heavy lifting. |
| Electronics | Original boxes or bubble wrap | Keep cables and remotes together. |
Special Considerations for Appliances and Valuables
Appliances require meticulous preparation before the move. For example, you should defrost the refrigerator at least a day before the move and thoroughly clean all appliances.
When handling TVs or other electronics, original packaging is ideal; otherwise, use generous amounts of bubble wrap and ensure they’re securely positioned in the truck.
Valuables such as jewellery should be transported separately or with personal luggage to ensure their safety.
On Moving Day
Moving day is when everything comes together, hopefully, according to your plan.
Finalising Your Moving Day Plan
The first thing to do on moving day is to review your plan and make any last-minute checks that need to be done.
This includes confirming schedules with the removal company and double-checking that there’s ample access and parking for the moving trucks, especially in tight Melbourne streets. If you’ve booked in advance, there shouldn’t be any problem on moving day with the removalists.
Before the removal team arrives, homeowners take the last readings of their meters to ensure accurate final bills.
Lastly, make sure you have all sets of keys for your old house and the new one.
Essential Items and Moving Day Kits
On the big day, they pack a moving day survival kit. This is a box or suitcase with essentials that will be needed immediately upon arrival at the new home—items like toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, important documents, chargers, basic tools, and snacks.
For those with pets or children, preparation includes a kit for them too.
For pets, a crate, food, a bowl, and a familiar toy can ease their stress. For children, having their favourite toys, books, and snacks will keep them content and give them a sense of familiarity amongst the chaos of the move.
Settling into Your New Home in Melbourne
Once the removalists have left and the boxes are in, the real fun begins. It’s time to turn the new address into a true home. This means updating personal details and exploring the charms of the neighbourhood are crucial first steps.
Updating Your Details
It’s important to take care of the administrative side promptly to ensure a smooth transition. This includes the essentials like mail redirection from Australia Post to ensure no correspondence goes astray.
You should also visit VicRoads to update your driver’s license and car registration to your new Melbourne address. If you’ve moved interstate, this needs to happen within three months and is more urgent.
When it comes to finances, leaving aside part of the budget for any unforeseen expenses in the first few weeks can be quite helpful.
And it goes without saying, ensuring important documents like passports and identification are in a safe place during the move and updating these details with relevant institutions should not be overlooked.
Getting to Know the Neighbourhood
Don’t delay in acquainting yourself with your new surroundings. Taking a walk to meet the neighbours can help to create community ties and may even unearth a local handyman.
Get outside as much as possible to make yourself a part of the community and the benefits will last for years.
