Category: Interior Design
Moving into a brand new home is one of life’s genuinely great moments. But getting there? That part can be a little chaotic if you are not prepared.
Between finalising your build, coordinating handover and everything else life throws at you, it is easy to leave the actual moving logistics until the last minute. We have seen it plenty of times over 40 years of building homes across South East Queensland. To help make moving day as smooth as possible, here are our top 10 tips for getting into your new Hallmark home without the stress.
Seriously, earlier. Whether you have got a house full of furniture or you are moving from a small apartment, having a moving checklist and working through it steadily will save you significant stress closer to the date. Write it down, tick things off as you complete them, and give yourself more runway than you think you need. A good rule of thumb is to start organising at least six weeks before your handover date, particularly if you are coordinating removalists, utility connections and school enrolments at the same time.
There is no point paying removalists to move items you do not want anymore. Donate, sell or bin anything that does not deserve a spot in your new home. A garage sale, a Facebook Marketplace listing or a trip to the local charity shop can all help lighten the load. You will arrive at your new place feeling lighter, and with considerably less unpacking to do. This is also a good time to measure your furniture against your new floor plan to confirm everything will fit comfortably in the spaces you have allocated.
You will always need more boxes than you expect. Ask around with friends, family and local Facebook groups before buying new. When it comes to wrapping fragile items like glassware, butcher paper or bubble wrap (available from most removalist companies) is the way to go. Skip the newspaper. The ink transfers onto everything and you will be cleaning it off your belongings for days. Label every box clearly with a permanent marker, noting both the room it belongs in and a brief description of contents. This makes unpacking far more efficient, particularly when you are trying to locate specific items in the first few days.
If your budget allows, professional removalists are well worth the investment, especially for heavy furniture and large appliances. Prices can vary quite a bit between companies, so get at least two or three quotes before you commit. Check online reviews as well. A cheap quote from an unreliable operator can cost you more in the long run through damaged items or missed timeframes. Make sure the quote includes insurance cover for your belongings during transit.
This one is easy to forget until something goes wrong. Notify Australia Post, Medicare, Centrelink, your bank, superannuation fund, insurance companies, the Department of Transport (for your vehicle registration), subscriptions and any other services. Most government agencies can be updated through myGov in one go, which makes the process significantly easier. If you have children, remember to notify their school and arrange for any records to be transferred.
Electricity, gas, water and internet connections can take longer to organise than you expect, particularly in new estates where infrastructure is still being finalised. Contact providers at least two weeks ahead of your move-in date to arrange connection or transfer. For internet, allow even more time as NBN installations can be delayed depending on availability in your area. Having these services ready to go when you arrive makes the first few days in your new home far more comfortable.
Pack a separate box, or better yet, keep it in your car, with everything you will need on the first night: kettle, coffee or tea, phone chargers, toilet paper, a change of clothes, toiletries, kids’ essentials and any medications. Moving day is long and unpacking everything in one go is not realistic. This box means you can call it a night without digging through dozens of boxes to find your toothbrush. Include basic cleaning supplies as well, such as surface spray, paper towel and bin bags, in case you need to do a quick clean before unpacking properly.
You do not need to be lifting boxes, but you do need to be there. Removalists will have questions about where things go, and being present means you can direct furniture placement while it is still easy to adjust. Have a rough idea of where you want the larger pieces to go before the truck arrives. It will make the whole day move faster and reduce the chance of having to rearrange heavy furniture later. If possible, have a floor plan on hand to refer to as rooms are being set up.
You are starting fresh in a new place. Make the most of it. A knock on the door, a wave over the fence or a casual invite to a moving-in barbecue can go a long way. Good neighbours make a big difference to how quickly a new house starts to feel like home, especially in Queensland where outdoor living and community connection are part of everyday life. New estates in particular tend to have a strong sense of community, as many families are moving in and settling at the same time.
For children, moving house can feel like a significant change, especially if it means a new school or leaving friends behind. Try to involve them in the process where you can. Let them see the new house before moving day if possible, show them around the neighbourhood and find the nearest park or playground. The more familiar it feels before they arrive, the easier the adjustment will be.
Pets often handle moving day harder than anyone. Keep them somewhere calm and out of the way while the chaos happens, ideally with a trusted friend or family member, and make sure their bed, toys and familiar smells are set up and waiting when they arrive at the new home. A little bit of preparation goes a long way toward helping them settle in quickly.
With over 40 years of building quality single-storey homes across South East Queensland, we know a thing or two about what makes a house feel like home from day one. If you are thinking about building in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast or Ipswich, we would love to help.
Come and visit one of our display homes to see the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every Hallmark build, or browse our full range of home designs online. If you have any questions about the build process or what is included in a Hallmark home, contact our team today – we are always happy to have a chat.
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