Eight weeks before the move

• Set the date for your move
• Sketch a floor plan of your new home. Photocopy this plan and then draft onto it the layout for your furniture. Will everything fit? Perhaps some furniture may need to be sold or given away
• Start using up all the food from your freezer to save it spoiling during the move
• Clean out clutter. Perhaps hold a garage sale or donate items to charity
• Start developing a list of all the people who will need to learn of your new address. As mail is received, check that the sender is on your list of people to inform. This will include friends, relatives, banks, any subscriptions or catalogues, etc

Six weeks before the move

• Arrange for the transfer of your children’s school records to their new school
• Start notifying others of your forthcoming change in address. This is especially important for any businesses you may deal with as it can often take time to update your address on their systems.Why not produce a moving notice and photocopy this for distribution
• Fill in a form at the post office to have your mail redirected

Four weeks before the move

• Arrange for final readings of your services, e.g. gas, water and electricity, to be performed just prior to your move. Also organise for these services to be connected in your new home prior to your arrival
• Make sure that your telephone is connected at both your new and old addresses during the move.
• This will allow for communication between the two places should this be necessary. Alternatively, borrow two mobile phones if you don’t have them
• If you are going to need temporary accommodation, make the necessary hotel/motel bookings

Three weeks before the move

• Drain fuel from barbecues and mowers
• Dispose of inflammable items not suitable for storage – paints, solvents, pressure packs and fuels
• Reassess your house and contents insurance
• Two weeks before the move
• Transfer all your bank accounts to new branch locations
• Cancel all deliveries, e.g. newspaper, milk
• Arrange disconnection/reconnection of gas, electricity and telephone
• Contact the council where you are going to reside to find out about garbage pick-up, local regulations and other information

One week before the move

• Clean out cupboards, sweep the floors and ensure the house is tidy for its next inhabitant
• Return all library books and rented videos. Also don’t forget to collect any dry-cleaning, shoes from the repairer or lay-bys

Moving day

• Double check rooms, cupboards, drawers, shelves, outdoor areas and the garage to make sure you’ve taken everything
• Turn off all services, including the mains switch and taps
• Lock all windows and doors securely
• Leave the old house keys with the real estate agent for collection by the new inhabitant
• Check to see if all the services are on and appliances are working in your new home
• Register for voting in the new electorate
• Visit your new post office to see whether they are holding any mail for you

PETS
We must not forget our beloved pets. If at all possible, we strongly advise, that you organise for a friend or relative to look after your pets for the duration of the move. Animals, especially Cats and Dogs, can always sense when something out of the ordinary is happening and can quite often hide or run away if there is some disruption in their lives. We have always find that it is better not to introduce them to your new home until all of your furniture is moved into the new home so they then have some sense of recognition and recognize the familiar scent of your belongings…
I dont know how true it is bit there is an old wives tale about putting butter on your cats paws when you settle them into your new home…apparently apart from the sticky floor you will have they sit there and lick it off and that action helps them stay in the new home…ITS CRAZY BUT TRUE.

10 Top Packing Tips

Where to start:

• Begin packing early and only pack one room at a time.
• Start packing items that are not used frequently, such as books, out of season clothing, etc.
• Label each carton on the sides and top with its contents and the room it is going into.
• Heavy items like books and appliances should be packed in their own smaller sized box so that they are lighter to handle.

Protecting your goods:

• Individually wrap and pack each item.
• Place packing paper or buffering at the bottom of each carton: blankets, pillows, and towels work well for this purpose.
• Mark cartons as Heavy or Fragile if necessary.
• Pack boxes to their full capacity by using crunched packing paper to fill empty spaces, but do not overload in such a way that the box may lose its shape, or rupture.
• Use large amounts of packing tape to secure both sides of each box.

Specific items:Furniture:

• Make sure that doors and drawers of your furniture are securely shut (use tape, rope or strong ribbon).
• Take shelving out of cupboards and units.
• Empty dressers- hanging clothes can go in a Port-A-Robe boxes.
  Major Appliances:
• Freezers, refrigerators, washers, driers, stoves, etc., should be dry and clean. If you choose to discard any of these items, make sure that a child cannot enter and be locked inside.
  Paintings & Posters:
• Use bubble wrap and cover with cardboard – it protects the glass and picture frame.
  Lamps & Lampshades:
• Remove light bulbs from lamps. Put shades in a separate box and mark “Fragile”.
  Electronics:
• Pack in original packaging if possible. Pack each item individually. Use bubble wrap and mark “Fragile”.
  Home Computers:
• Backup all your files onto CDs or DVDs.
  Before the move:
• Make a list of all your cartons and their contents.
• Essential items you want first access to, should be the last boxes loaded into the removal truck.
• Brisbane removals best value removalist, On TheMove Removals will relocate you in a time efficient manner with friendly staff, professional polite and always helpful.