10 Stress-Free Moving Tips for Melbourne Homeowners

For most people, moving is one of life’s necessary evils. It’s a bit odd when you think about it, considering it marks an exciting change in one’s life: a new area, new neighbours, new parks to explore and new local restaurants to enjoy. But the emotional, physical, and logistical chaos of moving can quickly overshadow all of those upsides. Looking at your fully lived-in house, filled with years' worth of heavy, priceless, or sometimes useless goods, you might wonder how on earth you're meant to move everything from point A to point B.

The good news? There is a way to make the process easier for yourself and your family/housemates. Many of these tips won’t cost an arm and a leg, though hiring a professional moving team can make the experience not only easier, but sometimes even enjoyable. No matter your budget, here are 10 stress-free home move tips that have helped hundreds of Melbourne locals move without the chaos.

Key Takeaways

• Start planning your move as early as possible to avoid last-minute stress.
• A simple moving checklist helps you stay organised and in control.
• Declutter before packing to reduce unnecessary items and save time.
• Choose a reliable Melbourne removalist with fixed pricing to avoid hidden fees.
• Clearly label all boxes to streamline unpacking and protect fragile items.
• Pack an overnight bag with essentials to get through your first day smoothly.
• Confirm parking and elevator access well in advance, especially for apartments.
• Notify service providers early to avoid billing issues or service disruptions.
• Use secure storage if your new home isn’t ready or you’re downsizing.
• Don’t do it all alone – ask for help and lean on your support network.

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Tip 1: Start Planning Early

Let’s start with an easy one: plan your move early. It might seem like obvious advice, but judging by the number of last-minute move requests we get at Jim’s Removals and Storage, it’s worth repeating! If you start early, the only thing you’ll need to stress about is the move itself. If you start late, you’ll stress about the time pressure and everything else! As soon as you know you're moving, start shopping around for quotes. Chances are, if you leave this part to the last minute, you may end up with a not-so-ideal company, or a not-so-ideal date that leaves you taking time off work to accommodate the move in time. You can never be too well prepared, so if you know you’re moving, pick up the phone and get yourself booked ASAP!

Tip 2: Create a Moving Checklist

Creating a good check-list is the backbone of any stress-free moving guide. Even if you haven’t done anything on the list yet, you'll feel better just for being organised. There are several moving templates available online, but don’t overcomplicate it - many lists include tasks that won’t necessarily apply to you. A simple checklist in your phone notes will do, and this can be created any time, whether you’re at your desk, or in line at the store with nothing else to do. Make sure to include tasks like utility disconnection/reconnection, packing timelines, and elevator or parking bookings (if you live in an apartment). Think about what needs to get done, write it down, and enjoy the mental relief of knowing you’re already one step ahead of your move!

Tip 3: Declutter Before You Pack

A huge mental roadblock when it comes to packing is thinking about the sheer amount of items you need to pack away. A super simple way to reduce the stress of packing is to coordinate a cleanout before you begin packing. Sort your items into three piles: discard, donate/sell, and keep. Reducing clutter lowers stress, and you'll save time and money by not moving things you don’t need. Plus, unpacking will be quicker and easier when you’re settling into a clean, clutter-free space. 

Tip 4: Choose the Right Removalists

If you’ve followed step number 1, this part should be a breeze! Melbourne has plenty of great moving companies - from small indie outfits to large corporations. Before booking, read reviews, check their policies on police and medical checks, and ask about insurance and damage-free guarantees. Our biggest tip when choosing a removalist is to always ask for a fixed price, as opposed to hourly or estimates. Fixed pricing will ensure that you know exactly what you’re paying on the day, and takes the guesswork out of payment. To get a fixed price from Jim’s Removals and Storage, you can simply send your item list, access details, locations and preferred date to 0427 014 711, and we’ll get back to you ASAP with a fixed quote. Once you know exactly the type and quality of service that you’ll be paying for, book early to secure your spot!

Tip 5: Label Everything Clearly

If you’re self packing, labelling everything clearly will help both you and the movers throughout your move. Not only will having everything organised make you feel a lot better, but labelled boxes will also mean the movers can take the boxes straight to their designated rooms, as opposed to dumping them all in the garage and leaving you to sort through the wall of unlabelled boxes. Bonus points if you label fragile boxes so that whoevers moving them will take extra care, and priority boxes for special items that you may need to reach earlier rather than later. Labelling the boxes might seem like a pain now, but trust me, your future self will thank you!

Tip 6: Pack an Essentials Bag

This is one of the best moving tips our Melbourne customers swear by - and one of the most commonly overlooked. Pack a bag or box with all your must-have items for the first night. Think chargers, toiletries, important documents, snacks, and a change of clothes. Treat it like packing for an overnight trip. You’ll avoid rummaging through boxes and start the next day calm and ready to go.

Tip 7: Confirm Access & Parking

This tip is specifically useful if you live in an apartment - make sure to organise elevators and parking as early before the move as possible. Many apartments have set elevator booking times, so it may be worth booking the elevator first, then finding a removalist who can accommodate this specific time. Having access organised, especially in apartments, can shave off hours of your total job time. While it may not seem like it, waiting that extra few minutes for the elevator every time can add up and end up costing you a lot of money on move day.

If you live in an area with a shared driveway, also make sure to communicate the time and date of your move to your neighbours. Several hours have been wasted due to movers shifting the truck every time a neighbour needs to make an exit. To save costs (and your sanity), make sure to confirm access and parking as early as possible!

Tip 8: Notify Important Services Early

Don't get stuck paying someone else's bills! Let your provider know your move-out date ahead of time. This one is easy to forget amidst the chaos of the physical preparation, so make sure you deal with this early so it’s not on your mind later. This tip also applies to any important mail that you need redelivered to your new address - don’t let someone else enjoy your magazine subscriptions!

Tip 9: Consider Storage if Needed

Are you moving to a smaller place, or staying somewhere else while you wait for your new place to be ready for settlement? These scenarios are more common than you may think, which is a reason why storage services pair so well with moving. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your furniture just yet, but need a place to store them while you figure out alternative arrangements, storage can be a great way to keep your items safe and secure during this period. At Jim’s Removals and Storage, we offer secure per-item storage, so you won’t be stuck paying for an entire storage unit for just a couple pieces of furniture.

Tip 10: Take a Breath - It’s Not All on You

It might feel like you're carrying the weight of the world (or maybe just your house), but you’re not alone. Ask friends or family for help - even if it’s just for a lift or packing session. Most people are happy to lend a hand for a slice of pizza. And don’t forget, your removalist should be there to answer any questions, big or small. At Jim’s Removals and Storage, our customer service team is always happy to help. Never forget, the chances are you’ve got a great support network to rely on during this time, just make sure to take advantage and reach out!

As you can see, there are several things you can do to take the stress out of your move. If you’re reading this article, you’re already on the right track! Hopefully there has been at least one tip you can take from this stress-free moving guide, but if you’d like more direct or specific advice, always feel free to give our lovely team a call or a text at 0427 014 711. Regardless of how you choose to tackle your move, we wish you the best of luck, and send our love and support over for this exciting new period of your life!

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Take care,

Sylvia

Want personalised help? Contact us for a free quote or advice on a stress-free move!

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