For many, moving to a new home is a major event – up there with marriage, divorce and other momentous occasions. With careful planning, your moving stress can be minimised

Planning is vital to keep in check what can go wrong although, invariably, something always will.

Selecting a reputable removal company to help with your move is one of your first decisions. What criteria must you evaluate to ensure you have chosen your ideal company?

Cost
Everyone is limited to a budget. However, you should also be aware of intangibles which could cost you more in the long run, including convenience, peace of mind, time constraints, knowledge and risk reduction. The cost is likely to be reflective of these considerations.

Reputation
How long have the removal companies you’re looking at been in business? Ask whether they have any referrals or testimonials. What types of vehicles do they use for transportation and are they well-maintained?

Service delivery
A removal company should be able to offer you an obligation free quote. It’s a good idea to look for the little things, such as whether their staff wears uniforms when they appear at your place – aspects like this add to their overall professional image.

Services offered
Look closely at the services provided by your prospective removal company. Some services you are likely to require include:

• Packing: You may be happy to pack some household items yourself – other items might require expert assistance, however. Ensure that the removal firms you’re evaluating offer a packing service and ask for a quote.
• Cleaning: After the packing is done and everything moved out, be assured there is cleaning to do. Removal companies may offer cleaning services as well. Think about: vacuuming, dusting, floor-washing, kitchen and bathroom detailing
• Cleaning your property will be mandatory if you’ve been renting and you’re expecting to get your bond back!
• Storage: It’s possible you may need to store some or all of your items for a period. Think about what things you possess which may require storage and whether the removals you’re looking at offer this service at a competitive price.
• Motor vehicle moving: If you’re moving long distances – you’ll need to consider what you do with the car and motorbike. Moving companies often offer vehicle moving services – ensure you check them out.
• Insurance: This is strongly recommended for any furniture moving. Remember that furniture’s not designed to be moved – even the best packed furniture might get damaged during transportation.

Pack it in – essential packing tips
Good removal companies will be expert packers. If you choose to do any or all of your packing for your move, you will need to become aware of the basics involved. These tips will get you packed and moved quickly, safely and stress-free…
You should ask your moving company for advice when it comes to packing – at the very least, you should leave fragile items to the professionals.
Check with your removal company to see if packing is included in their quote and also whether they are able to unpack at your destination. You may be able to negotiate different prices if you come to different packing arrangements with the company.
One thing you will definitely need to ascertain is whether your insurance cover extends to self-packed items – it may not. Washing machines, stereos, fridges and computers require expert packing – ask your removal company what is involved before you attempt packing them yourself.
There are some good general tips for packing your household items:

• Place any items not being moved in a specific area in your property – ensure the removal is aware of this.
• Tape the bottom of every box and the top of the box when it is full. Run two tape strips down the side and one tape strip down the centre.

• More tape may be required to strengthen the box.
• Small boxes should be used for heavy items – especially books. Larger boxes may be used for lighter, bulkier items.
• Small and fragile items should be wrapped individually in bubble-wrap.
• Coloured wrapping could be used to indicate the level of delicateness of an item.
• Cushion the bottom and sides of cartons and in between individual items with paper – this will minimise the risk of breakage and items rubbing together.
• Hint – use butcher paper rather than newsprint; it’s cleaner whereas newsprint might mark items and leave dust.
• Boxes could be filled to the top, but do not pack delicate items too tightly – ensure you have filled any gaps in boxes with paper.
• Cartons should not rattle, bend inwards or buckle outwards.
• Label all boxes clearly with the names of their contents and the rooms they came from – and possibly going to. Also label boxes going into storage.
• Try not to mix items from different rooms in the same carton, unless they are destined to be together.
• Other helpful packing advice includes:
• Begin your packing with out-of-season or infrequently-used items – save your most frequently used items such as kitchen utensils and essentials to last.
• Breakable and spillable items – as well as items your removal has recommended not be included in their move – should be removed from drawers.
• Always use common sense – does it seem right to pack fragile items in the same carton as cast iron frying pans?

• Do not pack soaps, polishes or medicines with food.
• Use corrugated boxes for dish and glassware – individually wrapping each item.
• Hanging clothes should go into wardrobe boxes.
• Pictures should be packed in picture boxes.
• Remove light bulbs from lamps.

• Keep parts of items together – for example, curtain rod hangers and mirror screws. The smaller items can be placed in bags and taped to the back of the larger item for ease of assembly at the other end.
• Cartons are the best packing equipment to use – be mindful that plastic bags often burst open.
• Be particularly careful with electronic equipment:
• Ideally it should be packed in its original packaging, otherwise, use plentiful amounts of bubble wrap and/or paper.
• Don’t forget to code the wires to stereos, computers and the like – it will make re-assembly at the other end much easier.
• Ask for advice from your removal re packing special items.

 
Items that should not be packed include:

• Money, jewellery, valuable papers, etc – keep them with you on moving day.
• Flammable items – especially aerosols.
• Perishable items

And don’t forget to ensure all the cartons arrive at your destination. Check the cartons and items as they come off the truck.