Five ways to prepare for your removalist

Tip 1: Get the kids out of the house

There’s nothing worse about trying to navigate rooms filled with boxes and misplaced items than having little ones running about. Aside from the stress, there is the obvious risk that they may get hurt, so it pays to arrange a babysitter well in advance of moving day.

Tip 2:  Dismantle the big stuff

Time is money, and you will lose both when you pay by the hour for removalists who spend half the time struggling with dismantling furniture.

If you’ve got a screwdriver, a drill and some muscle power, take the time before the removalist arrives to disassemble and stack bedframes, dining tables and other large items.

Tip 3: Empty your fridge

At least two hours before the removalist arrives, switch off your refrigerator and freezer and unpack the contents, including the icetrays.

If you’ve got a long drive ahead or you are concerned about food spoilage, consider investing in a refrigerated car cooler. Priced from around $100, this nifty invention will plug into your car and work just like a fridge to keep your food fresh.

Tip 4: Tape down all doors

A roll of electric or masking tape is all you need to prevent potential moving disasters resulting from swinging furniture doors.

Simply tape all doors and drawers closed, including the fridge and freezer, and relax knowing that’s another job done.

Tip 5: Pack like a pro

A common mistake is leaving the packing to the last minute. Ideally, you want to start packing a week in advance, and have the right size boxes, bubble wrap, markers, newspapers and tape to complete the job quickly.

Take the time to individually wrap and package fragile items and label those boxes on every side accordingly. And to make things easier to sort when you arrive, mark the boxes by both item and room. Marking boxes with their appropriate room will make it easier for the removalist to take them straight to the correct place in your new home and save you from carting them around once they have left.

With these simple tips, your moving day will be a piece of cake – leaving you more time to enjoy some. After all, you just moved into your new home!