How to convince your friends to help you move

With more than 40 per cent of Australians moving house every five years – a process that can easily cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars – having friends help on moving day can save a lot of time and money.

It’s a big ask, but with the right approach, attitude and gratitude, moving house with friends can be an enjoyable and beneficial experience for all – just ask these experienced movers. 

The more the merrier

Enlist the help of multiple friends and family members when moving, allowing them to divide up the tasks or work short shifts that are less disruptive to their day. 

This is the advice of Brayden Currey, director of Oaklane Property, who’s spent many Saturdays helping friends move their couches and fridges across town.

“As the mate with a ute, I was often the friend getting asked to help move,” he says.

“More people helping means less work for an individual, and a more fun energetic environment rather than a long exhausting grind that feels like it will never end.”

Be organised

The more notice you can provide friends and family ahead of your move, the more likely they’ll be able to pitch in.

“The issue isn’t usually helping, it’s what they miss out on by helping,” explains Currey.

“If you lock it in ahead of time, they won’t have to cancel anything to make it work.” 

This is also the advice of Sharon Westin, founder of Artfulness Retreats, who has moved almost 40 times in her life. 

She says: “Be organised and make sure you have tasks allocated so you don’t waste their time, particularly if they are parents who are giving up their weekend with their family to help yours. The last thing you want is to annoy anyone helping.” 

Provide choice

If you’re lucky enough to have multiple people help you move, allow them to pick the tasks and times that best suit them.

In her lived experience, Westin has had friends assist with everything from packing to heavy lifting on moving day, unpacking, and even preparing food for moving day.

“I will always let anyone helping know that they can do whichever tasks that need doing and I will do whatever is left. You’d be surprised what your friends and family will offer to do for you,” Westin says. “I also try to do any of the less desirable things.” 

Don’t underestimate the time it takes to clean both the house you’re moving into and leaving – another task where many hands make light work.

Appoint a moving day driver

For those not physically capable of lifting boxes, they can help by doing the driving on moving day.

Simply hire a ute, van or truck from Budget Australia using their free Fastbreak membership program and go and pick it up.

Budget Australia allows customers to add extra drivers to rental agreements for free, making it easy for friends to take control of the vehicle pick-up, drop-off, or do trips throughout the day. 

“All you need to do is present your driver’s licence and, if applicable, the additional driver and their driver’s licence at checkout to collect your keys. It also provides faster returns as you simply need to drop your keys off at the Fastbreak return drop box,” says Tom Mooney, managing director at Avis Budget Group.

Budget Australia also provides peace of mind with their PhotoProofed™ technology that captures your vehicle’s condition before pick-up, so there are no surprises down the track. 

By outsourcing the driving, you can spend more time packing, decluttering and cleaning, as well as saving your friends’ backs from heavy lifting.

Give thanks and return the favour

Say thank you to friends by shouting them a meal, buying a slab of their favourite drink, or returning the favour. 

If they’re not moving house themselves any time soon, Currey advises offering to take something else off their hands. 

“Ask a favour that you could help with even before the move date so you’re returning the favour before you owe it,” he says. “Even if they don’t accept the offer, it shows the intention.” 

If all you can provide is a verbal thank-you, that’s OK, too. A good friend will benefit from knowing they’ve helped make a taxing experience more achievable for their loved one. 

“Moving is incredibly stressful, particularly as a renter, as it’s usually not your choice to move,” says Westin.

“Having loved ones around makes the time more enjoyable as there is always a laugh to be had, and great conversation to get you through.”