It’s no wonder everyone wants to move to Brisbane. The city is popular for its refreshing attractions, incredible scenery, and an established centre of commerce, business, education, and culture. In short, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.
Recent studies show that thousands of Australians move to Brisbane for work or study each year, and some choose the city to start their own families. Relocating can be life-changing, and regardless of why you’re packing everything you own and moving, it’s always good to prepare for a big relocation.
Vaz Power has put together this how-to guide to help you understand the processes and steps involved in relocation planning.
Planning Your Move
It’s always good to prepare for a move as early as possible. We suggest giving yourself or your family two to three months to cover a checklist. Having enough time on your hands will also make a move less stressful because you know that you don’t have to rush through things and end up making poor decisions.
Create a Moving Checklist
Note down a detailed checklist that includes all tasks, from packing and utility transfers to final clean-ups. This will help you prioritise and distribute tasks. A checklist also enables you to stay on track with your budget.
Budgeting
A good rule of thumb is to set aside about 20% more funds after you have listed everything. Earmarking a budget for packing materials, moving services, and any additional fees for particular items or services is good, but always remember to have a buffer fund for small, unexpected expenses.
Choosing the Right Removalist
You can compare quotes and services from different movers to find the best fit for your needs. From there, you can assess which professional removalist company is right for you.
Check Reviews and Ratings
To see how a company’s services are perceived by its customers, check online reviews and ratings. Platforms like Google, Facebook, Trustpilot, and others have transparent reviews from people from all walks of life. Reading reviews and communications between the customers and the company will also give you an idea of how they handle customers.
Verify Credentials
The next logical step is to ensure the removalist company is licensed and insured. This will protect you in case of damages or accidents during the move. Plus, it gives you reassurance and peace of mind knowing you’re working with experienced professionals. You can check their Australian Business Number (ABN) and see if they are members of the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA).
Preparing for the Move
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter and part with many items you are not using anymore. Even if you’re not downsizing, clearing out older items and donating them to organisations that can help send them to those in need will not only lower your moving costs, but you’ll also be able to do a good deed.
Packing Supplies
You’ll need sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers to label your boxes and crates. Sometimes, these can be hard to find because not every office supplies store carries industry-grade materials.
Packing Tips
- Pack your non-essential items ahead of time. Get them out of the way since you are not using them daily.
- Create proper labels for each back, identifying their contents and which room they should go to.
- Prepare an essentials kit for you and your family. You will need this throughout the first few days after moving from a new location. Make sure you have changes in clothes, underwear, toiletries, kitchenware, basic cooking implements, and food and water.
Settling into Your New Home
So, finally, you’ve arrived at your new place. It feels great, and you are excited, but take heart because the work is far from over.
If you’re unpacking independently, work strategically to get the things you’ll need out of the boxes first. These are your towels, bedding, additional kitchenware, dining ware, and clothes. Once that’s done, you can proceed with the rest of the boxes and appliances and decorate and organise as you go along.
Ensure you’ve already changed your address and have all necessary utilities installed in your new home. Check out the groceries, farmer’s market, and public transport hubs and establish a route that you can take to and from work or your kids’ school.
Doing all these will help you settle right in and quickly get used to living in a new place.
DIY vs. Professional Movers
With increasing costs and high inflation, it’s normal to think of ways to lower the cost of your move. A lot of people are exploring the Do It Yourself or DIY avenue. There’s nothing wrong with it if you’re ready to do all the hard work yourself. If you have friends and family, too, who can pitch in to help and carry the boxes onto moving trucks, that is great.
However, remember that it is quite possible to have some of your furniture and appliances dented or scratched while being transported. This is because professional removalists are skilled and experienced at carrying furniture up a flight of stairs and rounding corners while moving furniture in place. They also have proper equipment to safely carry heavy loads and prevent any kind of damage from happening.
Professional removalists are the way to go for those who prefer the comfort and convenience of having a professional plan and doing all the heavy lifting for you. Vaz Power takes care of everything for you from start to finish and gives you peace of mind that your belongings will arrive safely and securely at your new location.
We hope this guide for house moving in Brisbane has given you a clear picture of what you must prepare for and what to look out for during the moving process. For hassle-free and easy relocations, don’t hesitate to give Vaz Power a call!
