Moving to a new home is notoriously stressful. The relocation process is a juggling act, filled with moving parts that are all interdependent. There are bookings to make, utilities to transfer, boxes to pack, and logistical plans to coordinate with various service providers.
For instance, arranging removalists often depends on your settlement date, while coordinating cleaning services for the old property may hinge on when your furniture is moved out. Miss a step, and it can cause delays or extra expenses down the line.
Living in a house while actively packing is another challenge, as you try to maintain daily routines in a space being emptied. You’re sorting belongings, deciding what to keep or discard, boxing up your life — all while juggling chores, work, and other responsibilities.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease the burden and ensure a smoother, less stressful moving experience.
In this article, we’ll share some helpful moving tips, strategies, and hacks, along with a handy moving home checklist.
Money can be one of the biggest sources of stress when relocating. That’s why it’s important to outline your expenses from the get-go, taking every possible cost into account. Below, we’ve broken down the main ones you need to consider:
Get quotes from several professional removalists, carefully noting all inclusions and exclusions so there are no surprises further into the process. Prices will typically cover labour, mileage, packing materials, and any necessary insurance, but it’s always wise to double-check. To help get your budget started, we’ve included a table below with average moving costs for a 3-bedroom house in each major city:
Even if you plan to handle the move yourself, there'll still be expenses to consider. Be sure to budget for truck rental fees, fuel, insurance, and any necessary equipment like dollies or moving blankets.
Truck rental can cost anything from $40 per day for a 10-12 ft truck to $100-120 per day for a 26 ft truck.
The distance you are travelling may also impact the cost. Some rental companies charge extra per kilometre for longer distances; typically, around $0.80 per km depending on the truck size.
You’ll likely need to enlist the help of friends and family on moving day, so don’t forget to show your appreciation — perhaps with a gift or a home-cooked meal once you're settled in your new home.
Moving boxes can cost anywhere from $1 for a small box through to $20 for a large or specialty box. It’s important to estimate the number and sizes of boxes you will require before you start packing, to ensure proper budgeting and avoid budget overruns.
TIP: Check Facebook Marketplace for moving boxes and materials. There might be a neighbour who’s got everything you need.
You'll also need to account for the cost of bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, markers, and other standard packing supplies.
To pack the contents of a typical three-bedroom home, you’ll usually need around 45
medium boxes, 31 large boxes, 13 extra-large boxes, 13 picture boxes, and 4
wardrobe boxes. These boxes will set you back between $500 and $700.
NOTE: If you are using a professional moving company, it’s likely that all packing materials will be included. But it’s always best to confirm this in advance, to be on the safe side.
Check with your moving company to confirm whether they offer insurance or if you need to purchase additional coverage for your belongings. If you need to pay for insurance, there are online tools and calculators that allow you to compare costs and budget accordingly.
If you’re moving out of a rental, you will likely need to arrange for a professional bond clean. Prices typically start around $200 for a one-bedroom home and can exceed $750 for larger homes with five or more bedrooms.
When leaving one home and moving into another, you may need to pay fees for disconnecting and reconnecting your utilities. The costs can vary based on your location, plan, and service agreement. To help with your moving budget, we’ve provided some examples of typical electricity and gas connection and disconnection fees.
Fees may vary by retailer and connection access type available.
Source: Electricity.com.au
Source: Canstar Blue
Some services may charge a small fee for forwarding your mail to your new address or holding it on your behalf during the relocation process. Check in with Australia Post to set everything up in advance.
When it comes to moving, plans can change on short notice. That’s why it's always a good idea to set aside an additional 10-20% of your estimated budget to cover any unexpected expenses.
Before you get to the stage of packing up your home, it’s best practice to have a major decluttering (trust us, you’ll thank yourself later).
Go through each room in your home and ruthlessly decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
A well-organised home is easier to pack and will simplify settling into your new place, with less to discard at the other end.
This is also the perfect opportunity to gather any important documents. The last thing you need during the chaos of moving is to hunt for your passport, medical records, or other important paperwork while your home is turned upside down with packing materials. Store these documents in a secure and easily accessible place to avoid unnecessary stress during the move.
An inventory list helps you keep track of all your belongings, which makes packing, unpacking, and settling in so much easier.
Below are step-by-step instructions for creating an inventory list:
Tempting as it may be to save a few dollars and DIY your move, the easiest, safest and most efficient approach is to bring in professional movers. Fortunately, there are now plenty of ways to find affordable removalists who won’t compromise on reliability, security, or attention to detail.
If you do decide to DIY and handle the move yourself, it’s important to pack carefully and without cutting corners, as this can lead to damages in transit.
Invest in high-quality packing materials, including boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. The right supplies can make packing more efficient and protect your belongings during the move.
Begin packing non-essential items well in advance of your move date. Packing room by room, labelling each box, and updating your inventory list as you go will make unpacking so much easier.
Prepare a separate box or bag with essentials that you’ll need immediately upon arrival, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, and important documents. This “essentials” box will help you access the items you need as you settle in and begin unpacking in your new home.
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One of the first things you should do upon arrival is to check that all utilities and services are functioning properly. Be sure to address any issues with the providers promptly, to avoid disruptions.
While professional removalists usually pack everything on your behalf, you'll likely be solely responsible for unpacking. To make the process smoother, it’s a good idea to approach unpacking strategically.
Start by unpacking essential rooms like the kitchen and bedrooms. This will make your new home functional right away. As you unpack, be sure to check off items on your inventory list.
Take the opportunity to introduce yourself to your new neighbours. While you may not feel up to a community BBQ right away, building a rapport with those around you can make settling into your new home easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
Register with local authorities and community services
Update your address with local councils and other relevant local services to avoid any administrative issues.
If you haven’t already, now’s a good time to:
About Upmove
Upmove helps Aussies find and book removalists and car transport services across Australia. The easy-to-use platform allows customers to access reliable, cost-effective, and user-reviewed service providers in just a few clicks.
Founded in 2017, Upmove is dedicated to making the moving process as simple and effortless as possible for customers as well as the professionals they rely on.
Need a nice printable version of a moving checklist? download that here
UNO Brokers are available night and day for a quick review or your situation and bring expertise that will support better decision making that will save you time and money. Book in a quick call when it suits your busy schedule
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