Moving house can seem simple when you have plenty of time. Then, somehow, the final week arrives and you realize there are still boxes to pack, furniture to sort, utilities to arrange, and a dozen small things you forgot about. If you’re moving in Perth, getting a few important jobs done early can save you from a lot of last-minute stress.
You don’t have to plan every little detail months ahead. The trick is knowing which tasks can cause problems if you leave them too late. Here are some of the things worth getting out of the way before moving day gets close.
1. Lock In Your Moving Date
Before you start making plans, make sure your moving date is confirmed.
This sounds obvious, but the date affects almost everything else. You need to know when you can leave your current property, when you can access your new home, and how much time you actually have to get everything ready.
Once the date is set, check:
- When you can collect the new keys
- When the old property needs to be empty
- Whether there are any building access rules
- If a lift needs to be booked
- Whether parking will be available
- How long the trip between the two properties will take
Having these details sorted early gives you a much clearer idea of how your moving day will work.
2. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Book Movers
One of the first things you should arrange is your moving team.
Leaving this until a few days before the move can limit your options, especially if you need to move on a particular date. It also gives you less time to explain anything unusual about your property or belongings.
When choosing professional movers in Perth, don’t just compare the cheapest number you see. Think about what your move actually involves.
For example, do you have:
- Heavy furniture?
- Stairs at either property?
- A narrow driveway?
- Large appliances?
- A long distance between the parking area and front door?
- Furniture that needs extra care?
Tell the removalist about these things before moving day. It helps everyone arrive with a better idea of what to expect.
3. Get Rid of Things You Don’t Want to Move
There’s little point spending time and money moving things you no longer use.
Start going through your home room by room. You’ll probably find clothes you forgot you had, old appliances sitting in cupboards, boxes you haven’t opened in years, and furniture that no longer suits your new home.
You can divide unwanted items into four groups:
- Keep
- Donate
- Sell
- Throw away
Start with the easy decisions. You don’t need to spend three hours deciding whether to keep every old kitchen utensil.
The fewer unnecessary things you take with you, the less there is to pack, carry, load, and unpack later.
4. Measure Your Bigger Furniture
This is one task people often overlook.
A piece of furniture can fit perfectly in your current home but become difficult to move into the new one. A large sofa, wardrobe, or refrigerator may not fit through a doorway, around a tight corner, or into a small elevator.
Before moving day, measure your larger pieces and check the route they’ll need to take.
Pay attention to:
- Doorways
- Hallways
- Staircases
- Elevators
- Gates
- Tight corners
- Garage entrances
If something looks difficult, mention it to your experienced moving team beforehand. It’s much easier to work out a solution before the truck arrives.
5. Check Parking and Access at Both Properties
Good access can make a huge difference on moving day.
Take a quick look at your current home and your new property. Think about where the moving truck can park and how far the movers will need to carry everything.
For apartments and units, check whether you need permission to use a loading area. You may also need to reserve a lift.
For houses, look at the driveway, gates, stairs, and paths leading to the entrance.
Things worth checking include:
- Street parking
- Driveway width
- Building entrances
- Stairs
- Elevator size
- Gated access
- Loading zones
If there are restrictions, let your Removalists Perth team know before the move rather than trying to explain everything while the truck is waiting outside.
6. Arrange Your Utilities Before You Move
You don’t want to arrive at your new home and realize you still need to sort out basic services.
Make arrangements for electricity, internet, water-related requirements, and any other services you need. Also check when services at your current property should end.
Internet is especially worth organizing early. If you work from home, study online, or simply rely on your connection every day, a delay can be frustrating.
Keep all your confirmation emails and account details somewhere easy to find.
A simple note on your phone can help:
Old home: final service dates
New home: connection dates
Internet: installation or activation date
Other services: confirmation numbers and contacts
It takes only a few minutes to organize this information, but it can save you a headache later.
7. Update Your Address
Moving doesn’t end when the last box leaves the truck.
You’ll also need to tell the people and businesses that regularly send you mail or important information that you’ve changed your address.
Depending on your situation, this may include:
- Banks
- Insurance providers
- Your employer
- Government services
- Subscriptions
- Medical providers
- Online shopping accounts
- Schools or childcare providers
You can also arrange mail redirection through Australia Post so important letters don’t keep going to your old address.
It’s a small job, but it’s much easier to handle before you’re busy settling into the new house.
8. Keep Your Everyday Essentials Separate
Not every box needs to go straight onto the moving truck.
Put together a separate bag or box with the things you’ll need as soon as you arrive. This saves you from opening ten different boxes just to find your phone charger or toothbrush.
Your essentials could include:
- Phone chargers
- Toiletries
- A change of clothes
- Towels
- Important documents
- Medication
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Snacks and drinks
- Pet supplies
- Basic kitchen items
Think about what you would need if you arrived late at night and didn’t want to unpack everything immediately.
That box should be easy to spot.
9. Tell Your Movers About Fragile or Valuable Items
Some belongings need more attention than others.
If you have mirrors, artwork, glass furniture, antiques, large televisions, pianos, or other delicate items, point them out before moving day.
The same goes for unusually heavy items and large appliances.
You don’t need to worry about every individual household item. Just make sure anything that needs special care is clearly identified.
A quick conversation with your moving team beforehand can prevent confusion later.
10. Don’t Try to Pack the Whole House in One Night
Packing is usually where people start feeling overwhelmed.
The problem isn’t always the amount of stuff. It’s trying to do everything at once.
Instead, pack according to how often you use things.
Start with less-used items
Pack things like:
- Seasonal decorations
- Books
- Spare bedding
- Decorative items
- Storage boxes
- Clothes you don’t currently need
Leave everyday items until later
Keep the things you use every day accessible for as long as possible.
This might include your basic kitchen equipment, work items, toiletries, everyday clothes, and cleaning supplies.
As you pack, label each box clearly. Writing the room name and a short description on the box can make unpacking much easier.
For example:
Kitchen – Everyday Plates
Bedroom – Winter Clothes
Living Room – Books
You’ll thank yourself when you reach the new home.
11. Prepare the New Home Before the Truck Arrives
If you have access to your new property before moving day, use that opportunity.
Check whether the house needs cleaning or whether anything needs attention before your furniture arrives. An empty home is much easier to clean than one filled with boxes and furniture.
It can also help to decide where your larger furniture should go.
You don’t need a perfect floor plan. Just have a general idea of where the sofa, beds, dining table, and larger items should be placed.
This makes unloading much quicker and avoids having to move heavy furniture around later.
12. Make a Simple Moving-Day Plan
You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet to organize your move.
A simple list with the important information is enough.
Write down:
- Moving date
- Old property address
- New property address
- Key collection details
- Parking information
- Access instructions
- Lift booking details
- Moving team contact
- Special furniture instructions
- Important phone numbers
Keep a copy on your phone so you can check it quickly during the day.
If someone else is helping you manage the move, share the information with them too.
A Few Things People Often Forget
Even when the major jobs are done, a few small details can easily slip through the cracks.
Before leaving your old home, remember to check:
- Cupboards
- Garage
- Shed
- Attic or storage areas
- Outdoor spaces
- Behind doors
- Power outlets
- Refrigerator and freezer
Mailbox
It sounds simple, but forgotten belongings are surprisingly common during house moves.
When Professional Moving Help Makes Sense
There’s nothing wrong with handling some parts of a move yourself. Packing your personal belongings and organizing your paperwork can easily be done on your own.
The physical side is different.
Moving sofas, beds, wardrobes, appliances, and heavy boxes can take a lot of time and effort. It can be even harder when there are stairs, narrow entrances, long carrying distances, or limited parking.
The important thing is to give your moving team the right information before the day. The more they know about your property and belongings, the easier it is to prepare for the job.
Final Thoughts
A house move doesn’t have to become a last-minute scramble. The biggest difference often comes from dealing with the important jobs before they become urgent.
If you’re moving in Perth, start by confirming your date, arranging your movers, checking access, measuring large furniture, organizing utilities, and gradually packing your belongings. Then take care of the smaller details, such as address changes and your moving-day essentials.
You don’t need to have everything perfect. You just need to avoid leaving the important things until the last minute.
