5 of the biggest moving mistakes and how to avoid them!

1. Not getting help - 

What makes moving a real drag is doing it all on your own. Getting help where you can will lighten the load, literally.

The realestate.com.au Instagram followers were split almost down the middle when it came to DIY moves versus using professional movers, although ultimately DIY was preferred. 

If doing a DIY move, make life easier by asking friends or family for help, and hire yourself a reliable vehicle to get the job done in one go.

SIXT car hire offers moving truck rental in every state, servicing over 170 locations. If you know what you're after, you can simply book your van or truck online for the date/s it's required. Not sure what you need? Give SIXT a call to find out how they can help.

2. Rushing the job - Being unprepared for a big move and rushing to get it done last minute is a recipe for disaster. The good news is there are easy ways to stay on track. 

Firstly, don't leave all of your packing or moving to the last minute. Start packing up non-essential items early, like decor, books, non-seasonal and storage items. Then, if you have your keys before your official move-in date, start shuttling over a few things ahead of time.

Also, ask around for any advice from people who have moved recently. Don't forget to do things like defrost the fridge and let it stand for a short while at your new premises before loading it with stuff.

Finally, remember to give your utilities providers a heads-up about disconnecting and reconnecting your services at your new home. Finally, make a loose plan and organise as many things ahead of time as possible — from moving boxes to cleaners.

3. Neglecting cleaning - 

Don't make the mistake of moving into your new house before you've given it a good clean. Once your furniture and boxes are in, the job becomes 10 times harder.

Therefore, give yourself time to clean your home before you move in. While it should come to you in a reasonable condition, you may still want to disinfect surfaces and give the floors a good mop and vacuum to start fresh.

You should also clean the place you're leaving behind. If you're in a rental, your landlord or property manager should supply you with an end-of-lease cleaning checklist. If you're not hiring specialty cleaners, don't underestimate the size of this job. A deep clean can involve removing light fittings, getting carpets steamed, wiping down blinds and tops of cupboards, and cleaning the oven. All of these can take at least a couple of hours.

4. Not taking photos - 

Some of our Instagram followers said not taking enough (or any) photos of their rentals was a huge mistake.

Whether renting or buying, take some photos before signing your lease or contract to purchase. With a rental in particular, take more photos than you think are necessary to document the condition of the home before you move in. Photos may become relevant for the return of your bond.

5. Breaking things - 

It's a hard to avoid this mistake, but you can prepare yourself as best as possible.

Firstly, pack everything carefully, padding boxes and items with newspaper, towels or linens (for a more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditionally-used bubble-wrap). Don't overstuff boxes, which will make them heavy and put pressure on the items inside. Similarly, utilise any storage containers, plastic tubs or hard-cover suitcases to help transport some heavier items that could benefit from the hard exterior. Finally, label your boxes carefully and mark them clearly for fragile contents.

Some of our Instagram followers lamented items being broken by removalists. While unfortunately this does happen from time to time, you can minimise damage by purchasing insurance and choosing reliable movers recommended by people you trust. Opting the DIY route may be more time consuming but at least you know your stuff and what is in each box, so you will (in theory!) take more care.

Source: Realestate.com - Presented by SIXT