How to prepare for moving day (the realistic guide)

After 2,400+ moves, we've seen what makes a move smooth and what makes it stressful. The good news: most of the stress is avoidable with a few hours of prep the night before. Here's the realistic version of what to do.

Pack the essentials box last (and unload it first)

One box per person with: toothbrush, change of clothes, phone charger, painkillers, tea/coffee, kettle, mugs, toilet paper, snacks. Loaded last onto the truck so it comes off first at the new place. You'll thank yourself at 8pm when you're too tired to dig through 30 boxes.

Label boxes by room, not by contents

"Kitchen — fragile" beats "plates and bowls and that thing from the second shelf". Our crew can drop a box in the right room in 2 seconds with a room label. Without one, everything ends up in the living room.

Empty drawers, but not too thoroughly

Soft items (socks, t-shirts, towels) can stay in drawers — saves you packing them. Heavy items (books, files, kitchenware) must come out or the drawer can break under its own weight when we lift the dresser. As a rule: if it's lighter than a stack of paper, leave it. Heavier, pack it.

Disconnect appliances the night before

Fridge defrosted and drained. Washing machine drained and transit bolts back in (find the manual on Google). Disconnect electronics and wrap cables with a rubber band — we always run out of time when these get tangled. If you've got a smart TV mounted, take it off the wall before we arrive.

Park clearance and access

Move your own car off the driveway. Tell us about narrow streets, low-hanging branches, dodgy gates. If your new place is in a unit complex, book the lift if your building requires it (most do for moves >2 hours).

The last 24 hours

Pack a "first night" bag for everyone in the family — same idea as the essentials box but for bedding, pajamas, and the kids' favourite toys. The crew will work fast but unpacking a king bed is a one-hour job. You want a soft place to land.