Movers share their biggest moving dramas and the lessons they learnt

Moving home is a whirlwind of cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape and a few “I wish I’d done that differently” moments.

Whether moving within the same neighbourhood or starting fresh in a new city, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the chaos. 

Here are a few stories movers have shared with us of their biggest dramas to help you avoid making the same mistakes.

Measure carefully

Andrea Andres and her partner opted for a DIY move when they relocated within Sydney, from the Inner West to Sutherland Shire. 

“First, the washing machine banged all over the place in the van because it wasn’t securely in place,” Andres says. 

“Then, when we arrived with the couch at our new apartment, we quickly realised it wouldn’t fit in the lift. We had to carry the couch up a few flights of stairs, but because the hallway was narrow, it had no space to pivot through the front door.

“We had to pulley it up over the balcony a few days later to get it into the apartment.”

Expect the unexpected

Paralympian Lauren Parker recently tackled what she thought would be a straightforward move to a larger home in a nearby suburb. 

“I needed a bigger property for all my gym equipment,” she says. “Either a big room or shed to create my gym and area for training instead of just training in a cluttered garage. 

“We made sure we had enough time to pack all the boxes a couple of weekends before moving so everything was ready.”

Despite all the organisation and preparation, just before the move, Parker experienced a few setbacks. One was a serious bike accident which required multiple hospital visits, and the second was the rough handling of her belongings resulting in a damaged television.

Amid her hospital visits, Parker’s sponsor, Red Energy, stepped in to help with the move.

“They provided me with amazing support and organised a cleaner to come to the house I was moving out of to clean the whole house and ensure it was spotless before leaving,” she says. 

“This was a massive help, taking that added stress away and making the transition much smoother. They were just fantastic!”

Give removalists the right information

With over 20 moves under his belt, John Butina recalls one when the house he was leaving turned out to be the removalist’s childhood home; he regaled them with stories of his time in the house while filling the truck with book boxes.

“We had a library of books all packed into boxes,” Butina says. “The removalist filled the truck but still hadn’t emptied the house, so he needed a second truck. 

“He never moved anyone with a library like ours, but despite the logistical hiccup, he absorbed the extra costs, which was good of him.” 

Don’t forget to keep records

At another time, Butina says they had cancelled all the utilities where they’d been living, but nearly 12 months later, the utility company called to say they hadn’t paid their bills. 

“I had to show them the bill of sale and that we don’t own the old house anymore,” he says.  “They had messed up on their records of cancellation, and the new person hadn’t set up a new account.

“That experience shows the importance of keeping records and proof of disconnection when moving.”

Do your research

Sarah Levett, co-host of The Parenting Couch podcast, learned an expensive lesson during one of her moves.

“Somehow, I had found myself with a $3000 bill moving within the same suburb, and I didn’t even have a lounge,” she says. “I had moved from Victoria to Melbourne for cheaper than that. But this removalist was very slow, and I was shocked when I got the bill. 

“So, checking reviews, doing a bit more research, and knowing the costs upfront is a lesson I learned the hard way.”

Levett says another tip is, “if you have the means to, get the keys early so that you can have things such as internet and power set up and ready to go for when you move in”. 

Top tips from Vivek Vashisht, telesales manager at Red Energy

• Arrange utilities well in advance of your move. Contact your provider once you have a confirmed move date and new address. Last-minute connections may incur additional charges.
• Book your move early to ensure a smooth transition. Coordinate with cleaners or tradespeople who may need access to power at your old or new home.
• Consider switching to email billing during your move to prevent important documents from getting lost. Red Energy customers can easily organise their move through MyAccount.
• Remember to check the main switch at your new home if you are without power initially – it’s a common oversight.
• Plan by creating a moving checklist and booking your removalist well in advance.
• Label your moving boxes effectively. Use detailed labels and create a spreadsheet of box contents and their intended rooms for easy unpacking.
• Pack a “go-to” box with essentials such as clothes, toiletries, snacks, and your pet’s favourite items. This will ensure a comfortable first night in your new home.