If you’re moving from Melbourne to Sydney or farther away to Brisbane, it means travelling for quite a distance. And whatever the reason behind your move – whether it’s for work, business or retirement – know that relocating to another state takes a lot more planning than moving neighbourhoods in the same city or state.
Therefore, it makes perfect sense to plan your relocation and use a moving checklist to ensure you don’t miss a single detail. Not sure how or where to start?
Here’s a short but essential checklist for moving interstate to get you started.
1. Declutter
Use your move as an opportunity to get rid of things you’ll have no use for or won’t fit in your new home. Dedicate time for this task, as it could take a couple of days depending on how big your home is and how much ‘stuff’ you have to go through. Bin items that are no longer functional and sell or give away things that could still be useful to others.
2. Find a removalist
It’s absolutely essential to find a reliable and trustworthy interstate removalist for your move. Your removalist will not only help with transporting your possessions safely but can also assist you with packing and even finding pet transport if needed. To avoid higher fees, try to book them months ahead of your move and steer clear of peak months and days.
3. Start packing
Packing is one of the most time-consuming activities when it comes to moving homes, so allocate a week or more to this. If you’re moving as a family, you can ask your older kids to assist by way of decluttering their own rooms. Make sure you have the right packing supplies, including sturdy cartons or boxes, packing tape, box cutters, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and tissue, permanent markers, etc. Alternatively, you can ask your removalist to do it for you or pack high-value or fragile items that require special packaging.
4. Finish all administrative tasks
Moving interstate involves plenty of administrative errands. These include disconnecting utilities in your old home and arranging for utilities in your new address. You also need to inform your bank, insurer, credit card company, Australia Post and similar establishments of your move and make the necessary arrangements. If you have school-aged children, arrange for their school transfer as well. Relocating to another state would also mean finding a new healthcare provider (and perhaps a veterinarian if you have pets). Make sure you get copies of your medical records. Ask your physician to refer you to a healthcare provider in your new place if possible.
5. Clean
Although a full clean of your soon-to-be old home is usually the last thing you do (especially in a rental when you are looking to get your bond back), you can give it a quick sweep or vacuum before moving day as you pack up and empty each room so the job at the end isn’t so big. When moving interstate, you may want to arrange a pre-move in clean with professionals so you know your house is ready to move into.
6. Arrange for car transport
Last but not least on your moving checklist should be to arrange for a professional car transport booking with a trusted company like 1800MoveCars. This way, you know your vehicle will arrive at its destination safe and sound. When moving interstate, there are many things you need to organise, but how to get your car to another state should be an easy one – professional car moving can work out cheaper than driving the car yourself (or more than one car if you are a multi-car family). Think of current fuel prices, stopovers needed and wear and tear on your car. Three things you don’t need to add to your plate when moving interstate.
Note that there could be a hundred details to cover before, during and after your move. But with this essential checklist for moving interstate, you know you’re off to a good start.
Call 1800MoveCars (1800-668-322) for expert car moving services and to book your moving date.
