Useful Tips

Packing

If you have opted to do any of the packing, start as soon as it’s convenient and record the contents on the outside of each container.

Washing

Remember to collect any items sent to the laundry or dry cleaners. Fix a day – before the washing machine is unplumbed – for your last pre-move washing session. It will be a pleasure on arrival not to have to worry about a great pile of dirty clothes.

Kitchen appliances

If any of these require professional re-connection or plumbing, make arrangements for the appropriate electrician, plumber, fitter to call on moving day or the day before and again on delivery.

Freezers

Despite their size, freezers are delicate machines which should be prepared for removal with care. If possible, start to run-down the contents some time before the move.

We advise to never move your freezer when full: it is quite easy to damage the frame or interior when moving, and there is always the risk that defrosting will occur on a long journey.

If you haven’t been able to run-down the contents and if you can’t face giving the foods away to neighbours, then Trans International can often move freezers with food in them, but at your own risk in respect of both the freezer and its contents.

What can be done depends on the size, how full it is, access at each end and how far you are moving.

On a local move, it may be sufficient to leave the machine closed. Frozen carbon dioxide can be used to keep the temperature low, as can pre-frozen blankets.

If the subject of moving your freezer wasn’t discussed, it would be worth ringing your consultant.

Electrical and gas appliances

Where necessary have them prepared for removal by qualified service agents. You may need to disconnect stoves or heaters, bolt down refrigerator motors or washing machine drums, take down electrical fittings (wall heaters, electrical clocks, etc.) that are wired to the mains or get the TV aerial down from the roof.

Fixtures and fittings

Technically, they are defined as items fixed to the wall, ceiling or floor, but some things such as TV aerials, clothes driers and night storage heaters may not fall into this category.

It’s best to make all these doubtful items the subject of a formal agreement between vendor and purchaser. And, for safety’s sake, it’s worth including items such as fitted kitchens in the agreement.

It’s also wise to obtain from the vendor a full written list of what will be left: curtain rails, pelmets, fixed lighting, fireplace fittings, wall cupboards, mirrors, etc. It may be advisable to confirm with your solicitor on any items you agreed to buy from the vendor.

Similarly, if you are selling, make clear at an early stage what you intend to take with you.

Carpets and decorations

If you are laying fitted carpet or painting or sealing the floors in the new house, this is best done before the move. If you have rugs, curtains, chaircovers, etc., it’s a good idea to have these cleaned and/or altered – in advance.

Furniture planning

It is well worth planning in advance where you want to put your furniture in your new home. This can save much frustration on moving day.

You may wish to draw up a floor plan of your new home and, using appropriately scaled pieces of paper, make sure that your furniture fits where you would like it to go. This can be important in the kitchen, where the spaces left for appliances never seem standardised.

If you draw up furniture plans before the move, give copies to your Trans International team leader.

Personal travel arrangements

If you’re moving interstate, decide now whether you are going to need overnight hotel accommodation en route and/or for a day or two at the other end, before you actually move in yourself.  Trans International can arrange reduced accommodation rates.  Ask our consultant for more information.

Car

If you’re driving interstate, consider getting the car serviced now. Before the move, inspect the car and perform routine maintenance checks with extra thoroughness. If you are going to pack a heavy load, increase the tyre pressures as advised in the Owner’s Handbook. If you are using a roof rack, check what weight you can safely carry.  Trans International can arrange car rental at reduced rates.  Ask your consultant for more information.

Going away party

Why not mark your departure with a combined Garage Sale and party? Reducing the load will reduce your costs and you can mark all your trash and treasure with an appropriate “Something to remember us by!!”

Keys

Solicitors normally advise clients to hand keys over only on or after settlement. Although this can be inconvenient, it does prevent possible concerns.

Your solicitor or the estate agent can usually assist in ensuring handover of keys at a time and place convenient to your schedule.