Moving Day Challenges & How to Overcome Them: Weather

It’s raining cats and… moving boxes?

Moving is a complicated process. There’s a lot to manage and a lot to remember, and no matter how prepared you are leading up to moving day, there is still a lot of work to fit in on the day, and a lot of ways that your plan can get derailed.

Now, don’t panic. Just because an issue comes up, doesn’t mean it can’t be handled. If you have chosen the right removals team, they can be an important source of strength for you to rely on. In the midsts of your lists and plans, remember that removalists handle multiple moves every day. No matter what challenge you’re facing, they’ve seen it before and they can help you  find your solution.

The Move On Removals Blog is here to help with a new series: Moving Day Challenges and How to Overcome Them. We will talk to you about a few challenges you might face and how your removalists can work with you to overcome them. Our first challenge is weather:

1)It’s raining.

When you live in Melbourne, it’s impossible to predict a clear day. Rain can and will happen, but it doesn’t have to derail your move. Your removalists are experienced in how to handle rain. They will wrap and cover your belongings so they don’t get damaged in between the house and the truck and dress appropriately to work safely in wet conditions.

2) It’s hot

Summer temperatures can be brutal in Melbourne, especially when you’re spending the day lifting heavy furniture and packing boxes instead of relaxing on the beach in Brighton. It is important that you keep yourself cool and hydrated, but also consider how heat might change your removalists schedule. They also need to remain hydrated and may take short, hourly breaks instead of one longer break mid move. Your removalists are humans, not machines.

3) It’s Melbourne aka “It was cold this morning but then it got really hot and now it’s raining oh wait no that’s hail”

No matter what Melbourne weather throws at you on your moving day, your removalists have seen it (and moved in it) before. Talk to them about the best approach, precautions that should be taken and what they would recommend. Bring up concerns at the start or as the weather changes so that everyone is clear on what’s happening and how plans may change.

Don’t let Melbourne weather keep you from your new home! All you have to do is hire professional removalists- we know what we’re doing!

I’m not a hoarder, I swear….

Challenge: You have more stuff in your house than you thought.

If you underestimated the amount of stuff you have to move, it’s important to understand that this will most likely slow down your move.

The best way to avoid this would be to carefully and accurately document the contents of your home, pack ahead of time, book a larger truck than you think you’ll need or have your removals company come to do an on-site assessment.

However, if this issue occurs on the day, figuring it out as soon as possible is important. Check with the removalists when they arrive to see if the amount of stuff you have will fit in the truck and if not, then consult with them for the best way to manage the situation. However, this will cost you time and money so do what you can to make sure you estimate the load correctly the first time.

A good way to make sure your move gets estimated correctly and stays on track is to provide an accurate inventory when making the booking. Ask your removalist if they have an inventory sheet you can fill out, or grab a piece of paper. Then walk through every room in your home and catalogue each item of furniture. While you’re doing that, make a note of drawers, cupboards and shelves containing additional items.

People tend to underestimate the amount of items in their homes and how many boxes it will take to fit everything. Leaving items off the inventory or not estimating appropriately is the easiest way to blow out your move. Communicating clearly and accurately with your removalists will ensure your move goes smoothly and efficiently.

Clutter accumulates in any living space. We throw mail in a pile on the counter, we keep our old torn up shoes in the back of our closet and every top drawer, whether in the kitchen, the bathroom or the nightstand contains a wide range of random items we swear we might one day use.

We don’t actually want this clutter – its really just organised mess—but still we find it hard to throw away. A move to a new home is the perfect opportunity to throw away the clutter in our lives and start fresh. You’ll feel lighter and so will your moving boxes!

Here are a few things we suggest throwing away as you’re packing:

1.The entire contents of that top drawer. Put the spare change in your wallet and throw out that junk mail. Unless you’re a scrapbook enthusiast, you don’t need to save those plane tickets or those movie stubs or that birthday card mum gave you in 2012. We hold on to these things for sentimental value, but at the end of the day they just sit in a drawer. Besides, it’s time to make new memories!

2.Old, broken, destroyed clothes & accessories. If you haven’t worn it in the past year, if it’s torn or if it’s missing its pair, throw it out. You already got new shoes to replace the old ones and honestly, when will you ever wear just the one earring?

3.Electronics & cables. Still holding on to that pink Razr flip phone? Any phone pre-iPhone 4 probably won’t get used again. We’re used to our technology and even if you do break your current phone and your old phone its very unlikely you’ll be willing to settle for the old old phone. While you’re at it you can also get rid of all those random, unidentified wires and cables.

4.Worn or stained linens, towels & rugs. Moving house is a great time to get fresh linens. All of these items won’t necessarily match your new place anyway. Plus, its just good to replace these for hygiene reasons as they get a lot of use. Particularly white linens get stained and dirty no matter how clean you keep them.

5.Mismatched Tupperware. When you pack your kitchen take the time to make sure each container still has a lid. No lid? Don’t pack it. You can also get rid of those bent takeaway containers and anything that’s been stained a weird colour.