Ensure you avoid these moving house fails

Moving house is stressful enough at the best of times. You’ve got so much to think about when it comes to packing, moving, unpacking and settling into your new home and neighbourhood.

Without careful planning, things could easily go wrong and the last thing you want is chaos on your moving day. With some forethought and clear organisation, you can ensure that you avoid these common moving house fails.

1. Not sorting your possessions beforehand

One of the first things you need to do when you’ve decided to move house is sort through all your possessions. Most of us accumulate more and more stuff between moves, so going through it all will help you decide what you really want to keep and what can be sold, passed on or donated to charity.

2. Not using specific labels

Labelling your boxes is crucial. Not only does it help your removalists know where things should go in your new home, but it also helps you find things when you need them.

Don’t just label them with the room name either. If you’re looking for your dinner plates and you’ve got 10 boxes that all say ‘Kitchen’, it could take you a while to sort through them all. If you can’t write all the contents on the boxes, consider numbering your boxes and keeping a separate inventory list with the contents of each box noted.

3. Forgetting to redirect your mail

There are so many addresses you need to update when you move home. Make a list of everything you can remember and try to update them in advance of your move. These include things like bank accounts, driving licence, doctors, schools, insurances, mobile phones and your superannuation.

You can easily set up a mail redirect with Australia Post to ensure you have some time up your sleeve to update your details to your new address. You can even set it up online.

4. Overlooking your utilities

Don’t leave your electricity and gas until the last minute. Remember to advise your retailer well in advance of your move date so they can take a final meter reading at your old home and make sure you are connected at your new property. After a hard day of moving you are going to want to enjoy a hot shower at your new address!

5. Not thinking about your pet

Pets are important members of your family too. Don’t forget to plan how you’re going to get them from your old home to your new one. Also, make sure they aren’t going to get under your removalists’ feet or escape while you are busy moving things out of your home.

6. Not planning for your first meal in your new home

When you’ve had a hectic day of moving home, the last thing you’ll feel like doing is trying to find enough kitchen equipment and ingredients to cook a meal. Make a plan in advance for your first meal in your new home.

7. Packing a box of essentials

Always keep a box aside for all your essentials – things you will pack at the absolute last minute and will need when you arrive at your new home. Pack your toiletries and towel, toilet paper, a first aid kit with bandages and alcohol swabs, a change of clothes, bedding for a good night’s rest, phone chargers and any kitchen basics you’ll need on your first night in your new home.

To help you when you move, we’re putting some of the best moving tips we’ve learnt over the past 25 years on our website, visit alintaenergy.com.au/blog.

For more information about moving your gas account, visit alintaenergy.com.au.