Author: Sunny Sharma

We got in touch with Adrian, one of the industries most experienced removalists and asked for a first hand guide about the best way to load a truck while moving to prevent any breakages.

How do I prepare for moving day?

To make your moving day easier consider doing the following preparation:

• Pack all boxes prior to the moving day
• Book a truck to hire well in advance
• Make sure there is parking for the truck close to the property
• Ask a friend to help load furniture
• Ask relatives to look after your pets and children for a few hours
• Check your insurance in case of accidents

What do I need to load a truck?

Below is an essential list of things to remember to make your move easier:

• Ropes to secure heavier items
• A trolly to move large or heavy items
• Enclosed truck in case of bad weather
• A walk up ramp for loading the truck
• Furniture Pads or Blankets

Step by Step Guide for Loading a Truck

Adrian says there’s a particular procedure they always follow to ensure the safety of your possessions when moving.

Step 1 – Be sure to pack all loose items into boxes, there are three most common box types for moving, these are book boxes, large standard boxes and porta-robes. To make things easier consider having your belongings professionally packed to ensure they are not too heave and are easy to move.

Step 2 – Secure an easy to access parking spot for your truck and organise with neighbours or your apartment manager so the distance is not too far from the premises.

Step 3 – Use a walk up ramp as it allows you to be able to walk in and out of the truck each time rather than a tail lifter which is slow and inefficient.

Step 4 – Before packing the truck do a quick tour of the premises to calculate how to get all the contents into the truck the most efficient and best way possible.

Step 5 – Start with big wardrobes placing a soft tie around the entire wardrobe to stop the door from coming open whilst I’m carrying it.

Step 6 – Load from the front of the truck on the right hand side facing the doors to the wall then cover with a furniture pad to completely protect it.

Step 7 – Try to keep height even from right to left so next obvious would be a Lounge. Wrap it in plastic before it leaves the house, then stand it beside & behind the back of the wardrobe that was first in and place the lounge on a blanket that is placed on the floor and then one around it to further protect it.

Step 8 – Each item should be tied individually however if the contents are loaded perfectly, I may or may not tie items in at all.

Step 9 – On top of the wardrobe and lounge place cushions or light objects to fill the void between the roof.

Step 10 – Next on the left place white goods eg: fridge, washing machine, dryer and again place light items on top.

Step 11 – For the next two layers working from front to back start right to left again and start packing your large standard boxes with smaller book boxes on top, this will allow you to fill all the space from right to left evenly and give a level platform for load dining chairs on top.

Step 12 – Each chair is wrapped and protected and paired with another so they fit snugly. Put the first chair on its back & legs to the right then next one inside and so on, this will fill the space level and tight to the roof.

Step 13 – Keep loading in layers, bigger and heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top from right to left. For example a chest of drawers on the bottom followed by port-a-robes then lighter items on top

Step 14 – Finally load any pot plants and other awkward items last.

Other Truck Loading Tips

• When loading tables place them on their side with the legs away from the wall on a blanket and wrapped in a blanket. Inside the legs put a port a robe, small fridge or washing machine then lighter objects on top
• Always place the good side of the furniture or white goods to the wall and pad it once or twice, this allows extra protection to the visual side.
• Try and keep rugs and beds to the back of the truck so you unpack them first, as this allows you to put the rug down before the other furniture comes into the new house and allows the bed to be made first by the unpackers and get it over and done with.
• Also try to put kitchen boxes towards the back of the truck so you can start unpacking the kitchen items first.
• Art work are to be wrapped in special bubble Kraft which prevents sticking.
• Most of the weight in the truck should be distributed evenly and not too heavy at the front, technically heavier items should be over the back wheels.
• Fragile items like TVs, paintings, sculptures and mirrors may need a separate load.Always placing a pad on the floor folded to provide thickness and cushioning.
• Consider hiring an unpacking services to get settled into your home quicker on the day.

Welcoming a new family member? It is a great time to find a home that you are happy to settle into as your family grows.

We have some tips for you that will assist when moving during this special time, so that you can spend more time designing the furnishings for the nursery and less time worrying about the logistics of moving furniture and packing up your worldly belongings.

Get some help with packing

Pregnancy and lifting heavy boxes do not mix well, let us take the stress out of moving by packing and unpacking your home. We can also manage your whole move and even relocate your pets. With a white glove approach, your finest china will arrive in one piece and your clothes will be neatly rehung in their new wardrobe without having to be rewashed and ironed.

Remember if bub is already born to have a special box for their essentials on moving day.

Declutter your house before moving

Sorting out your belongings to make room for new things can often be a tedious task for some. As a new baby comes with a list of requirements as long as your arm, from a cot, to a change table, nappies and even more nappies, you will be asking where you will be able to fit it all. Let us let you in on a little secret, you do have the room, you just need to free up some space by disposing of some of your belongings that you don’t really use or are past their used by date, by donating or giving away what you don’t need. Our friendly and reliable team are experts at de-cluttering in a respectful and efficient manner. Even if you end up staying in your current home, consider decluttering your house to make room for the new arrival.

Sell unwanted items for a little extra cash

If you are about to head on maternity or paternity leave you may want to make some extra income on the side. When you are looking to move to your new home consider what items you can sell on selling pages like Gumtree or buy/ sell/ swap Facebook pages.

Make sure your new home is baby safe before you move

once you have become a parent you will never look at a house the same. Children can be clumsy, nosey and not understand the dangers available to them as they learn and grow.

Inspect your new home room by room to look for potential risks that may be an issue such as a stairwell without a handrail or supporting wall, or even sharp and dangerous fixed furnishings. It is also a good time to visit your local baby store to see what safety gadgets are available such as safety gates, bolts to attach furniture like bookcases to prevent falling and latches to keep cupboards and doors closed.

Get any DIY work out of the way before you move

if you are thinking of doing some minor renovations to your new home, or even painting the new nursery ensure that paint fumes, asbestos and other dangerous building elements are contained and dealt with appropriately. Read through your building report closely to see if there are issues like rising damp or mould that may also concern you when it comes to your family’s health.

Consider placing some of your possessions in storage

As children develop and the toys and furniture that they use now they will grow out of. If you don’t have adequate storage for big items such as a jolly jumper stand or a bulky high chair look at hiring them from a baby hire store or share these with friends who might be having a new bub soon. You can even research local storage options for the outgrown toys/ furniture; Moving House can help you with different storage options.

Design the nursery

whether it’s pink, blue or neutral, keep your nursery adaptable so that the baby who will one day be a teenager can still use the same space. Look to put up temporary features that can easily be updated such as removable decals rather than stickers and removable picture hooks instead of nails.

Plan the move early

Plan everything about the move in advance, and ask for help from family and friends or even ask us at movinghouse.com.au to manage the move for you.

Keep in mind that it will also be helpful to use a babysitter on the day of the move if your bub is already born.

Our final word of advice…Be flexible – not everything goes to plan, so have a few contingencies in place.We wish you all the best with your move and your new arrival. Our checklist will help you ensure that you have everything covered for a move, and if you really want to relax with your feet up let us manage the move for you.

Check out our comprehensive moving house checklist to make sure you don’t forget a thing.

Moving can be overwhelming, but changing States comes with a whole new world of adventure, learnings and opportunities- why put pressure on yourself by making the physical move more stressful and chaotic than it needs to be.

Having moved tens of thousands of clients in over 19 years we have learnt a thing or two that may help you find your piece of paradise in your new state.

Separate packing into three stages

staging your packing into three groups will help you manage the move better.

1. First sort and pack the items you aren’t using right now such as skis in summer, or school uniforms during holidays, these items are ready for the removalist and items not wanted can be given to charities.
2. Secondly a week prior to the move pack the rest of the items in your home that you do use regularly but can go without until you settle into your home. These will also be sent with the removalist when you move.
3. Last but not least. Pretend you are going on a holiday and pack a suitcase. All you should have left to pack now is your toiletries, some clothes to cover you during the time until you’re in your new home. Don’t forget to pack important documents and valuable jewellery separately to take with you.

Or let us pack for you with our expert staff providing premium packing services.

Consider using a concierge or moving service

Remember that you do not have to do the whole move on your own. Moving House Services are available for you to outsource those tasks that will take up time, as doing this for many years they know how to move efficiently and cost effectively. With a warm and friendly team, your belongings will be treated with so much care and ensure that your move is a happy one.

Research the state you are moving to and have an idea where you want to live

• Make A Visit – if you have the luxury of visiting your new state, head down a few months prior and visit some potential suburbs that suit your lifestyle and needs.
• Online Research – the World Wide Web is one fabulous resource that we have access to Use it to research the local area by accessing maps, see where your local areas activities are, the services and community groups available.
• Social Network – put the word out to your friends and family that you may be moving and ask if they have any friends who you can connect with. Also use social media or local groups/ pages to see what the neighbourhood news and information is such as bin collection day, local markets, find babysitters for your children, etc.
• Plan Your Home – write a list of what your home requires, is it a garage, backyard for a pet, guest room for all of your interstate visitors. Then engage an estate agent who can help you to locate your new home without you having to visit, some Real Estate agents even have virtual tours on their website, Skype video conferencing is also an option to see potential new homes without physically visiting it.

Settle the family in to their new suburb

• Schools – moving anywhere is a big adjustment for kids. Months before you move research schools that appeal to you and send enrolment forms to them. When you decide on the school buy the school uniform ahead of time.
• Play – research local playgrounds, extra curricular activities such as swimming classes- most will be available on the Internet for you to explore.
• Pets – at Moving House we can manage Pet Relocation services for you, so that your furry or feathered friend arrives safely and ready to explore a new home. You may want to also research where a new vet is located and also make sure that the new home has adequate fencing.
• Activities – if you like to be active and social look up where your local tennis club, golf course & gym is, library, charity group etc. they are good places to meet people.

Don’t forget the essentials when moving interstate

• Transportation – decide ahead of time if you will drive or fly to your new state, if you need to manage car relocation services do so ahead of time.
• Lights On – Ensure that the utilities, connections and appliances will all be plugged in and turned on ready to go for when you arrive. If you need to organise utility connections, internet etc.
• Groceries – Do an online shop before you arrive, with the delivery to be your second day to ensure that the fridge and freezer are cold enough to keep food fresh.

Don’t forget to let your friends know that you have moved

lastly send your new address to friends and invite them down to your new home when you settle in.

Wishing you all the very best with the transition into your new state. Give us a call to assist, we can help to support you and make it a more pleasant experience, and all you need to worry about is finding the best coffee in town!

Other interstate moving tips and details

If you live in Australia you may also want to investigate the Australian Government programme, ‘Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job’ as you may be entitled to some funds to help with the move.

http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/grants/complete/rrg

http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/grants/complete/rrg/srri

Movinghouse has relationships with good reliable removalists that can help move you interstate. Let us know and we can arrange a quote.

Our moving house checklist is also a good reference point for anyone moving, check it out to help you get started on the right foot.

Planning an interstate move for someone in your company?

If you are an Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant or HR representative that manages the move for your staff, keep in mind that we can manage the whole move from packing to unpacking, booking removalists, helping to declutter and even manage relocation of the family pet to the new state.

Check out our top 10 tips to remember when moving house

• Draw up a plan of your new home. Know before the move where you would like the furniture placed and give the plan to the moving company if you’re not planning to be there. Use post-it notes for the furniture with details of room placement and on cupboard doors for the unpackers.
• Pack sufficient towels, bedlinen and pillows separately so beds can be made up as soon as possible. Include sleepwear for the family and necessary toiletries and medications, children’s special toys that share the bed and pet food, leads and bowls.
• Pack kettle and supplies of snacks, tea, coffee, cups and spoons separately for easy access during the unpacking process.
• Have prepared and accessible fresh work clothes and school uniforms/requirements for the following day.
• Do a final check before departing. Leave the keys to any windows, garage locks etc. in a prominent position for the new residents.
• Gas cylinders, air bottles and similar containers should be emptied several days before moving and all flammable liquids such as thinners, paint, cleaning fluids should be disposed of before the move. It is illegal to transport or store these items.
• Have family or friends help out with children and pets on moving day.
• Start using the food in the freezer, empty the fridge and freezer the morning of the move and transport perishables in an esky.
• Arrange telephone and internet dis/connections at both old and new properties.
• Arrange mail redirections and final readings of power meters.

LIST OF TIPS FOR HOME CULLING

• When culling, sort your mess – be it toys, books or clothes – into four piles. That means deciding whether it needs to be thrown out, sold or given away, put back where it came from, or stored somewhere else.
• Give yourself 5 solid minutes a day to sort.
• Fill one garbage bag & give away one item each day
• Try the Hanger Experiment to identify wardrobe pieces to clear out, hang all your clothes with the hangers in the reverse direction. After you wear an item, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct direction. After six months, you’ll have a clear picture of which clothes you can easily discard.
• Make a list of places/areas in your home to declutter beginning with the easiest.
• Take the 12-12-12 Challenge: A simple task of locating 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items keep.
• Challenge yourself to live with less and see what you learn from the experiment.
• Purchase storage boxes to fit under bed & on top of cupboards.
• Use folders for papers & zip lock bags for small items
• Hire “pod type” storage for decluttering when selling your house.

HOW TO DECLUTTER EVERY ROOM

Kitchen decluttering

When decluttering your kitchen, start with pots, pans and containers – throw out any chipped or cracked china plus any pots or pans with broken handles, throw away any plastic containers that don’t have lids and to tidy your pantry three times a year. Check use -by dates on cans, wash containers and sort. Everything needs to be accessible.”

Bedroom decluttering

Start decluttering your wardrobes by only having seasonal clothes hanging in your closet. If there aren’t enough shelves in built-ins, buy storage systems that fit inside the wardrobe  and  compartmentalise large drawers, so your best lingerie is separate from sports bras etc.

Family room toy decluttering

To help your children put their toys away when they’ve finished playing with them, make sure they have easy spots to store them. That means containers without lids, as small children have to use two hands to put things away.

Bathroom decluttering

When it comes to clearing out the shelves and cupboards filled with shampoos, soap, shower gels, discarded make-up etc – first taking everything out and getting rid of anything that isn’t being used. Look for storage systems to make products easily seen

The best time to organise your new home is when you move in although it can be a frantic time try to relax & take an organised approach and start off with an orderly existence. Lay the foundations of an organised home life from the first day. Set up dedicated storage areas for every item and make sure everything is accessible and has a permanent place. You can have help from an unpacking service.  A few suggestions for the first few days are

Prepare a survival kit.

Water, snack food, pyjamas, toothbrush, hairbrush, glasses, medication & change of clothes for each family member.

Essentials to take yourself.

Tissues, tools, torch, toilet roll, towels, soap, first aid box, cleaning supplies, pet food & something for dinner.

On arrival

Check all services have been connected, be there to check inventory as removalist arrive, check major appliances, list anything missing or damaged, unpack essential kitchen items, set up bedrooms for sleeping or organise some unpacking assistance prior for that first day. Take the time to plan out each room.  Install large appliances with professional help if necessary.

Safety

Make your house  child proof if needed including outside areas. Also test smoke alarms are working and pool fencing is safely secured.

Technology

Set up a dedicated area for all your technological gadgets including mobiles, IPods, IPads, Kindles, remote controls and laptops now need an array of batteries, chargers, leads, earphones and speakers and need to be located in a secure, accessible place. Utilise small, plastic, zip-lock bags for clever storage and use elastic bands to keep leads tidy.

Important Legal Document

Best to utilise a small, portable safe to keep all your important documents together. Scan copies of all important documents and store on a USB. Mortgage Papers, computer back up hard drive or USB, wills, health records, passports, citizenship papers, banking and credit card details, insurance documents, investment records.

Keys

Label each key and store in a simple, accessible key tidy.

Lighting Essentials

Store a replacement supply of correct wattage bulbs with double adaptors, power boards, extension cords and travel plugs.

Instruction Manuals

You need them. Store all instruction manuals and warranties in easily accessible folders.

Kitchen unpacking

The kitchen is the busiest area of the home, make sure work areas are clear and the cupboards are carefully organised and have easy access. Group like food items together. Pots & pans should be close to cooktop. Appliances should be easy to use & plastics stored in graduated sets. China stored near the dishwasher & utensils organised and neat.

Laundry unpacking

Clothes take a lot of room so use plastic bins to store them in, try to stack bins under the laundry shelf so the bench is clear for folding and stacking as clothes are washed. Detergents, bleaches & cleaning products should be stored on a high shelf for safety if children are around.

Bathroom unpacking

Keep bathroom clutter to a minimum for easy cleaning around the basin. Organise electrical products like hairdryers, hair tongs & shaves together, arrange dental care items on the same shelf, toilet paper & tissues within easy reach, medicines on high shelves & cleaning products out of children’s reach.

Children’s area.

Sort toys, craft items, board games etc into large boxes. Arrange books on shelves with jigsaw puzzles & electronic games. Organise a stationery & study area for homework & hobbies.

Make the effort to explore your new neighbourhood and to meet your new neighbours and enjoy your new home!