Local moves are usually thought of as easy, but they often have hidden obstacles that can completely change the outcome of your moving day.
“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 40% of Australian households reported moving within the last five years, Out of which most of them reported that they had unexpected problems during moving.”
The majority of these incidents during house removals could have been avoided by good planning and being conscious. Whether you are going to move within the same suburb or a neighboring area, moving from one house to another still has issues that will shock you, even if you are a seasoned mover.
In this blog, we will discover the seven significant challenges and the ways to conquer them efficiently. So, read to the end!
Key Takeaways
- Underestimating the size of your move leads to major delays, inadequate packing materials, and oversized workloads.
- Poor packing practices cause breakage and chaos; use strong boxes, proper labels, and correct weight limits.
- Timing and coordination issues are common, especially with settlement delays, weather changes, and building access rules.
- Moving is physically and emotionally demanding, often causing injuries, stress, and family tension if not well-managed.
- Clear communication and proper preparation, including first-day boxes, schedules, and written plans, are essential for a smooth local move.
Challenge 1: Underestimating the True Scale of Your Move
The act of packing and moving a house is usually quite a shock, as it turns out to be far more belongings than what people initially think. This miscalculation causes serious problems.
You have been living in your house for years, and little by little, things have been piling up in your cupboards, garages, and storage places without you noticing them.
Such situations often end with the following scenarios:
- An insufficient amount of packing materials was used halfway through the job
- Removal trucks that are too small for your belongings
- Moving extended hours, which are not in accordance with your timetable
- As overwhelming as the stress may be when the truth hits you hard
It is essential to go through every room, cupboard, and storage place of your house a few weeks before your moving day. Make a very detailed inventory list while packing for house removal.
Challenge 2: Packing Mistakes Before Move Day Arrives
During local house removals, bad packing can lead to disasters. It often leads to broken things, ruined furniture, and total chaos.
- When boxes are too full, they can’t be lifted safely. Aim for boxes that don’t weigh more than 15 to 20 kilograms.
- When you pack in more than one room at once, unpacking is a pain. Completely pack one room before moving on to the next. Label boxes clearly with the names of rooms and what’s inside.
- If you don’t protect fragile things well enough, they will break. Don’t forget to wrap fragile things separately. To make things more comfortable, use soft things like towels.
- Worn-out boxes cause bottom blowouts in the middle of a move. Buy strong boxes that are made for moving, and double-tape the bottoms of the boxes to keep big things inside.
By avoiding these packing mistakes before the move, you can have a more efficient and safe house removals.
Challenge 3: Moving House—Common Problems With Timing and Scheduling
Timing issues create problems that spread through your entire move. Poor coordination causes worry and moving house common problems.
- Settlement delays happen a lot when people buy or sell property. Always leave some room in your moving plan for changes, and make sure the movers you hire have easy cancellation policies.
- Limits on access to apartment buildings are a huge pain. Talk to the building management at least four weeks in advance. For your own safety, make sure you have all the standards in writing.
- Changes in the weather have a significant effect on outdoor moves. Always check the weather and be ready with a backup plan. Tarps and plastic sheets are important for protecting against the weather.
Challenge 4: Physical Demands and Safety Risks During Removal
Moving is one of the most challenging things you’ll do for your body. Injuries happen frighteningly often during beginner moves.
More than 80,000 Australians go to emergency rooms every year with injuries they got while moving. Many involve lift crashes that could have been avoided.
Protecting Yourself Effectively
- Do not use your back to lift. Instead, use your legs. Keep your back straight as you bend your knees.
- As you carry big things, never twist. Instead, turn your whole body to prevent strain.
- Use the right tools, such as dollies, carts, and furniture sliders. These tools make it a lot easier on your body.
- Every 30 to 45 minutes, take a break. When you’re tired, you make mistakes and hurt yourself.
Challenge 5: Emotional Stress and Family Tensions
Moving triggers real emotional reactions that surprise a lot of families. The mental toll should be taken very seriously.
- Even when changes are good, they make people anxious. Moving is especially hard for kids because their whole world revolves around where they are now.
- It’s easy to get tired of making decisions during moves. Having to make a lot of small decisions quickly drains mental energy.
- When there is changing pressure, relationship strain shows up. Partners always have different ideas about goals, pace, and methods.
Communicate openly about your thoughts and worries on a regular basis. As much as possible, keep up with your regular habits during the process. Celebrate small victories during the moving process.
Challenge 6: Coordination Chaos and Communication Breakdowns
- For local house removals, you need to coordinate a lot of people at the same time. Unwanted tragedies happen when people don’t work well together.
- When family members don’t have clear goals, they often work against each other. Make written job lists for each family member and give them clear duties.
- The movers need to know exactly what items are fragile and what needs to be done first. Give your moving crew a lot of information before they start pointing out important things.
- Service providers for utilities, internet, and delivery services need to know exactly when to do their work. Create a master timeline document with all of the schedules and send it to everyone who needs to see it.
- Access times must be coordinated by the building managers at both sites. Make sure you have written proof of all your plans 48 hours before the moving day.
Challenge 7: Forgetting Essential Moving Day Tips for Home Removal
Moving day itself brings its own problems that catch people off guard. Simple mistakes can lead to big problems.
Critical Moving Day Oversights
- Essential steps for preparing the boxes are lost in the chaos. Make sure each family member has a clearly labeled “first day” box with their medicine, snacks, and other basic items.
- It is easy to forget to make sure that everyone is properly hydrated and fed. Stock plenty of water, easy snacks, and simple lunch options throughout the day.
- A final walk-through of the old house is often skipped. Before you leave, carefully check every room, cabinet, box, and outdoor area. By considering these moving day tips for home removal, you can have a safe move.
Make Your Removal Day Stress-Free and Successful
Almost all house moves in Australia go through these seven problems. Now that you know this, you can be prepared in advance.
Remember that professional help exists for excellent reasons. Professional movers deal with these issues every day using tried-and-true methods and their expertise.
Your house removal will go smoothly and well if you make one choice today. Preparing yourself is still the best thing you can do, whether you do it yourself or hire a known service like Move On Removals to help you. Visit our website or contact us to explore more about our services.
FAQs
- How long in advance do I need to hire local movers?
When moving is busy (December–January), book professional movers at least three to four weeks in advance. You can only book with a few reputable companies at the last minute.
- What is the worst thing that people do when they move nearby?
Misjudging how long it will take to pack is the most common mistake. Many people wait until the last few days to pack, even though most families need two to three weeks to do it right.
- Does insurance really matter for a small move?
Yes, without a doubt. Accidents happen no matter how far you move. Your expensive belongings need to be protected, and basic transit insurance does just that.
- Should I hire movers, or do I have to do it myself?
This depends on how much time you have and how well you can move. Professional packers can get the job done faster and more safely, but if you start early enough, you can do it yourself.
- What should I put in my pack-it-all box for the move?
For pressing needs, bring toiletries, medicines, phone chargers, important papers, a change of clothes, snacks, water, and basic cleaning supplies.