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If you are planning to move to a new home, whether it is just across a few suburbs or hundreds of kilometers away, or even overseas, packing and unpacking is one issue that you unfortunately can’t avoid.

Depending on your circumstances no, not everybody needs to call on a professional packing and unpacking service and can manage just with removalists. However, in our busy day and age most of us are just too time poor with some homes and apartments being in desperate need of professional advice and assistance to get the move done. So how do you know if you need to look to hire experienced home organisers for your packing and unpacking tasks?

There are three major factors to consider when reaching the goals for your move. Below we have reflected on some of the reasons why you should consider hiring packers and or unpackers for your pending move.

• Do you have enough time to do all the packing?
• Do you have children or pets that won’t allow you to focus on your packing and unpacking tasks?
• Would you rather spend time doing something else more valuable?
• Are you may physically capable of doing your own packing and unpacking?
• Do you work from home and have a large office or library you need help with?
• You don’t know where to start or plan the packing?
• You would rather an expect get the job done quicker and better?

The Benefits of hiring a packing service:

Although not everyone can afford the extra money to hire them, there are definite benefits to hiring a professional packer. With their efficiency the investment in a packing service can save you precious time and money. Why waste your dollars on too many boxes or longer hours taken by removalist plus the added stress of doing it yourself! The Mooving Matters professional packing service will:

• Go through every aspect of your packing requirements with you.
• Let you to decide what stays and what goes.
• Provide their experience and special care when handling fragile, heavy and high value items
• Provide and be familiar with packing materials.
• Be knowledgeable and familiar with correct packing procedures.
• Pack a standard sized family home with a minimum of a few days.
• They take less time to pack because they have no sentimental attachment to your things.
• Reduce the number of boxes and can reduce the overall cost of transport.
• Free up your calendar to prepare your new home for the move.
• Provide a stress-free environment – The all women team are trustworthy, reliable and efficient.

One – Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of hiring packers to help with your move is the flexibility you gain. When you hire a packing service, you can take advantage of the full service or you can pick and choose what you would like them to pack for you.

For example, you could have the professionals take care of certain rooms or items in your home as Kitchen, bedrooms, furniture placement and general organisation. 

Two – Safety

Moving everything and packing it up on your own can be hazardous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Mooving Matters use trusted and specialised packing techniques to ensure your expensive and delicate items don’t get broken and nobody gets hurt in the process.

Professional packers handle moving people’s belongings every day. They know how to do so safely and keep your stuff from getting broken or becoming too heavy to handle. When you hire Mooving Matter the professional packers, you won’t have to worry about safety as aspect.

Three – Professional Packing and Supplies

After safety, gaining access to professional packing supplies makes a great difference, too. When professional packers, Mooving Matters pack your things, they will use only high-quality packing materials for your items. This is especially beneficial if you have antiques, paintings, furniture, and other valuable items.

The professional packers will use quality bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, markers, moving boxes and everything that needs to be used to pack up your items securely, ready for transit. They will also have specialised crates and options for things, such as TVs and other odd items to help ensure your things are well protected for the journey ahead.

If you are moving overseas, it is strongly recommended to have your goods packed by a trust professional packing company. This will help you avoid any unnecessary delays or additional charges from customs or quarantine officials.

Four – Better Efficiency

This why people hire Professional packers, they will be far more efficient with the packing than you will be. They are so efficient because they know what they are doing and have been doing it for many years. They will take utmost care however won’t be emotionally attached and over think things that slow the packing process. They will be packing faster, and at the same time won’t compromise on safety.  

The decision to hire professionals to handle the packing is a big decision. If you have a larger home to pack up, it really can be a no brainer as it can be a huge time saver.

The Process Of Hiring A Professional Packer / Unpacker:

During a move there’s so much to do that hiring a professional packing service might be the best and most stress-free way to go. When Hiring a professional packing company, you should be given options of packing packages that suit you needs and budget, from packing your entire household to packing selected things only.

If cost is not an issue, then consider hiring professionals for both packing and unpacking. There are many services that provide everything from packing up your household to unpacking and organising and styling your new home to your brief, but before you hire or even decide to hire, you’ll need to weigh your time and energy versus the cost involved in hiring professionals to pack and unpack your home.

Home Assessment of your Pack

First, the company will send out a surveyor to assess the details of your move. They’ll list each item that needs to be packed, including furniture, cupboard and draw contents. This is to 1 – more accurately provide you with a quote and 2 – help determine what’s of value and may need extra special care.

Valuables, such as paperwork, artwork, and jewellery will be discussed during the household survey, determining how these items should be handled. Usually, items that can be taken with you on the day of move and can be packed separately by the company and set aside for you to take with you.

Full-Service Packers

Full-service packers will make sure all furniture is taken apart, properly wrapped and secured using padding and protective packing. Hung pictures and art are removed from walls and carpets are rolled and wrapped ready to move. Boxes are clearly labelled and sorted according to room and placement.

Appliances preparation

Many moving companies will suggest you hire a professional to prepare and move large appliances including fridges, stoves, washers, and dryers. If appliances are not properly prepared and protected, the moving company will not take responsibility if they don’t work in your new home.

The company will also provide you with a time estimate on how long it’ll take them to pack your goods and the cost involved – usually, they can do it in a day. Depending on your time frame and how much stuff you have will also determine the price.

It is recommended to make sure you arrange for babysitters or pet sitters to ensure that children and pets are kept safe and out of the way when the company is packing.

Most packing services can pack your home in one day. This saves not only time but the hassle of living with and out of boxes.

You’re in, now the unpack!

Whether you pack or you hire help to pack, unfortunately it is only half the exercise, because everything must be unpacked at the delivery end.

After a tiresome move, the task of unpacking is the last thing you want to do, and for many it usually takes weeks to get it all done. In fact, you may still have a few boxes in storage that are still waiting to be opened from your last move. With a professional unpacking service to help it doesn’t have to end up this way. Within a day your house can be completely unpacked, organised better you’re your last and styled! 

So, to help you decide if you should hire an unpacking service, we thought we’d review what to expect and when you might want to consider getting someone to ​help you unpack. 

When to Hire an Unpacking Service?

If you’re on a budget, then yes you need to carefully consider spending money on this type of service, but for most the investment makes sense. Unpacking services are life savers:

• When you can’t get leave from work to unpack, or you have a limited amount of time between jobs.
• If you’re a stay-home parent and you can’t see a way to do all the unpacking and mind the kids in at the same time.
• You packed all the boxes yourself, and you can’t bear the thought of unpacking everything.
• You saved enough money, and have funds left, and you feel exhausted from the move and deserve a break.
• When you have to have the unpacking done at a specific time. –  IE preparing the home for an event or people are staying over.  
• You hired professional packers to help you pack and move the entire house, and you negotiated a good deal for them also to unpack your stuff. 

What’s typically included in an unpack service package:

Each unpacking service is different and should be tailored to customer needs, so it’s best to inquire about their full range of services with company you hire. Most will include the following items:

• Unpack all your boxes
• Unwrap items and at the same time collate an inventory list of anything broken
• Wipe off shelves. Offer additional cleaning services.
• Put all items away, in a logical, safe location.
• Organize the house from the kitchen drawers and cupboards to the linen closet and wardrobes.
• Set-up all extraneous items, such as the shower curtain, adjusting the clocks to the correct time, spreading the tablecloth, hanging pictures (at your request).
• Assemble all furniture, including beds, desks, and tables if the movers haven’t.
• Unpack and organize all clothing and make beds.
• Clean up – Removal and recycling of all boxes and packing materials.

How Do They Know Where Everything Goes?

A good professional unpacking services will hire experienced professional home organisers. At Mooving Matters, our all women team have unpacked and organised and styled more households than the average person. A great professional unpacking service should find solutions to home organisation problems that usually frustrate homeowners.

If the unpackers have questions and you are available or around, they’ll ask. In most cases however the unpackers will have taken a brief from you initially and will do their job without having to contact or bother you.

At Mooving Matters, our unpacking services are unlike any other. Not only will your kitchen be expertly coordinated to your liking, all your clothes will be neatly hung, folded and put away. All the items in every box will also be appropriately placed into their new rightful places. We make you feel like you have always lived there, making your new house a home faster.

If you are just needing some extra hands and are budget savvy, then you can also ask us to unpack specific boxes or items in rooms inside your new home. IE in the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms you name it. Based on this we can either provide you a fixed price for a full service unpack or to unpack one or two areas of your home. Our unpack services are designed to provide you with the power of choice and the right amount of assistance you need.

So what are the Costs?

Of course, prices vary depending on the size of the home and how fast you need to be settled in. Most services are completed in one day; however, if you need your home unpacked and completed the same day as the move then contact Mooving Matters or their express unpack service.

Again, most companies will provide no-obligation quotes, either online or by phone, so it’s best to shop around for a service in your area.

Hopefully this article has answered a lot of question you may have on if you should hire a full-service pack and unpack team to assist in your move. As mentioned earlier, this is a decision you need to make based on time versus cost. If you need to take two weeks off work in order to get the house packed and organised, it may be worth the price. Packing takes alot of time, and you need to add in the preparation that comes with packing, from purchasing packing materials, and culling and organising house before you pack.

To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your moving, packing tasks by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02)93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

Moving can be stressful for people, however it can also be a very anxious and demanding task on our dear animal companions, our pets. Pets can easily get stressed out when there’s unexpected change or activity in their home or when they’re introduced to a new environment. Unfortunately moving with pets can often be a difficult if not planned correctly. It can lead to pets going missing (in search of their previous home) or them developing behavioural issues. Managing change with pets requires patience and like us humans, pets need a little extra TLC during the main three stages of a move. Luckily, with some insight from animal experts there are a number of recommendations for how owners can keep pets safe and happy while undertaking a move. Here are some tips Mooving matters, your home organiser Sydney have complied that should make the moving experience a bit calmer for you and your beloved pet(s).

Before Move

Is your new home pet friendly?

Before you actually get to t packing and labelling cardboard boxes, it’s a good idea to make sure your new home is pet friendly.

Walk through the local area, make sure there are dog parks or beaches where pooches can get their exercise, and thoroughly assess the property you’re moving to ensure it’s animal-proofed. Ensure the properties fencing is high enough and that gates can shut and lock properly and all yards are secure to prevent curious pets becoming runaways.

Get orientated with the new neighbourhood

If you are moving relatively close by, let your dog visit your new place before moving day (this method can also be effective with cats, however with them secure in their crate). Don’t act nervous or unsure, show them that you’re relaxed in the new surroundings. It is common for animals to wander back to their previous home, so this can help overcome problem.

A good strategy is to map out a route from your current location to your new home. Otherwise if the distance is too far, try finding a local dog park in the new area. Walking them along this route or visiting the park at least once a week, will help familiarise your pet with all the new sights, sounds and smells. Gradually increase exposure and when the time comes to move, it’ll already feel like home.

If possible, it’s a good idea to bring dogs along to new property prior to move give them a chance to sniff out and explore the new neighbourhood surroundings. It’s essential for them to familiarise themselves with your new house as soon as possible. For example, walking them around the perimeter so they get to know it.

It’s the anxious animals that are more likely to try to escape. Thus, it is important to make sure their new home is safe and secure as possible, be it a pet dog, cat, bird, rabbit or fish.

Prep an overnighter

Prepare an on hand ‘overnight essentials bag’ that has enough dog food, or if a cat kitty litter, toys and grooming tools to sustain your pet and keep them comfortable during the first few days of unpacking

Contact or visit your Vet

If you’re moving out of the area, visit your veterinarian a couple of weeks prior to moving. Request a copy of your pet’s medical history and records, importantly including documents as their vaccination and a desexing certificates. Its good idea to ensure your pets are up to date with their shots, get any prescription medications and your new address is added to their microchip database. If your pet suffers any has health issues or mature in age, possibly a mild sedative would be advisable before any travel. Another option is to chat to your vet about using a pheromone device. What a pheromone device does is emit a scent which mimics the scent released by a mother to her litter which is known to be quiet calming.

You may want to see if your current vet can recommend another vet in your new neighbourhood to connect with.

Prepare, prepare, prepare

Hopefully you still have a few weeks before the big move. Be sure to use this time wisely. Apart from the obvious preparations, you may want to hire professionals to reduce the workload.

Hiring removalists to pack and unpack and declutter, handy man to fix any damages, or organise cleaners to do a detail clean, this is will help clear up your schedule to address your dog’s needs. A concise moving house checklist is a great way to help coordinate all the various tasks that you’ll need to tick off.

Keep your pet’s routines

With enough change happening as it is it’s good to keep like feeding and walks, as they are if possible. And it goes without saying, treat them with the same level of attention that you would normally show them. Make sure you give your pet an identical, predictable daily routine for the first couple of weeks in your new residence. This will make your pet feel more confident if they know what to expect each day, such as what times they’ll eat and go to the toilet.

Pack your pet’s belongings last.

To keep them comfortable and at ease during moving, do not wash their bedding until a couple of weeks after the move, this is so they have something familiar smelling in the new house.

Travel checklist

Make sure you have the following organised before the move:

• veterinary records, certificates, and recent photos
• your pet’s usual food
• food and water bowls
• toys and treats
• leashes (both cats and dogs)
• beds, pillows, towels or other crate liners
• plastic bags and scoops for dogs
• litterbox for cats
• cage covers for birds and rodents
• paper towels for messes
• provisions for the first day at the new home

When traveling long distances, you can prevent travel sickness by not feeding them for 12 hours before the journey. Otherwise If you your pet suffers from travel sickness, consult your vet about anti-sickness medications.

Carrier Train your pet in advance

When moving it’s a good idea to crate or pet carrier train your pet prior to the move. This way, wherever you move in the future, your pet will always have a safe and familiar space they can retreat to, making the process less overwhelming. Cats need a little more security and protection compared to dogs, which makes utilising a pet carrier the perfect solution making your life a lot easier as it’s the most convenient method of relocating pets. Some tips when selecting a pet carrier is that to make sure it’s large enough that your pet can stand, lie down, and turn around easily. Make sure it’s made of solid materials like plastic or metal, you can latch the door, and that it has plenty of ventilation

Packing

If you’re a pet owner you will know how dogs and cats will watch your every move. Companion animals can detect changes in their environment, and are attuned to signs that their humans might be leaving them.

While packing up an entire house, it’s best to reassure pets by keeping their routines as normal as possible. As mentioned previously Continue to feed and walk them at the same time as usual. Also make sure they have some of their favourite toys and treats around for as long as possible.

Play with your pet

A couple of weeks before you move, introduce your pet to a new toy.

If possible, take them on a visit to your new home. Spend some time there playing with your pet and the toy. On the moving day, give them the new toy with a treat inside when you get to your new home to create positive associations. If you need to return to work, these can be helpful as your dog can play with them unsupervised.

Toys that offer the dog a slow treat reward are great as they also encouraging the dog’s natural instincts.

During move

Its Moving day, so keep them out of the action

When it comes to moving day, look to keep your pets with you wherever possible, rather than boarding them at a kennel or cattery. The truth is dogs and cats respond better to their owners, not to other people.

If removalists will be coming and going through the house, restrict pets to a closed room or Quietest area. Using a crate comes in handy here, both as a safe space an animal can go to if stressed, and to securely transport them.

Move them in a cat carrier with familiar smelling bedding and only release them from their carrier once your home is quiet and calm.

Make sure you check in on them regularly and try your best to feed or walk them at the time you usually would; keeping routine in the midst of all the changes will help immensely.

If your dog isn’t carrier trained, don’t be embarrassed and always be pet safe and hire a pet sitter, take them to a pet kennel / daycare or ask a family member take responsibility for looking after your dog.

Things to remember during the move

• Place new identification tags on them
• Make sure your pet is safely secured in the vehicle they are to be transported in
• Make sure that they get regular toilet and water breaks.
• Never leave your pet alone in a parked car.

Take your pet in your car

Take the pet to the new house in your own vehicle. Cats and small dogs can be put in a carrier in the back seat, which can then be secured with a seatbelt. A bigger dog can be moved in a kennel in the back of the car; you may need to put seats down if possible. Some animals feel more comfortable if you throw a blanket over their carrier during the car ride so they can’t see the environment changing outside.

Wait till you have arrived to let them lose

Once loaded into the car, it’s crucial to not open the carrier until the pet is in the new home. And give them a few days in the new home to adjust. For cat owners keep your cat indoors for safety reasons, a move is a good opportunity to get them used to being inside as they won’t be used to being allowed out in the new home.

Keep them secluded

Move the house before you move the pet. Set up as much as you can, even just in a room, before you introduce the animal to the new home. Confine them to a section of the house while they slowly adjust to their surroundings. Give your pet lots of attention and introduce familiar objects like toys or blankets as soon as possible to make them feel at home.

Post move

Settling in, in the new home

Yay, you survived the move! However, before you begin laying out the furniture and hanging artwork, spend time helping your pets acclimatise.

In the new home, choose a small room to be your pet’s pet room, where they can feel secure as you move in furniture and belongings. As much as possible, have furniture, bowls, and toys in place before you let your pets out of their crates.

Cats should initially be confined to one room, and then gradually introduced to other surroundings. this is a good method to help them adjust.

Settle it into one room and after a few days just start opening doors so it can start exploring the rest of the house.

Just like humans, our pets need time to settle into their new surrounds. Some common behaviours that your pet may experience:

• Constant barking or noise that is more than usual
• Lack of sleep
• Running out your property
• Odd toilet movements
• Destroying property

Here are some tips to get your pet familiar with your new home:

• Take them for walks
• Find local park(s) especially for dogs.
• Provide entertainment, such as soft toys, especially when you are not at home
• Find a local vet just in case of an emergency

Try playing games like hiding small pieces of dry food around the house to encourage cats to explore at their own pace.

The RSPCA advises owners to keep their cat indoors, but if you choose to let them outside, do so very slowly to lessen the risk of them becoming lost or running away

Visit some of your pet’s favourite places for the first few weeks if possible. Set rules early on so they know where they’re allowed and where to eat and sleep, and use positive reinforcement – pats, praise and treats – to make them feel happy and relaxed.

Double check the boundary fencing to make sure it’s secure and free from holes before letting your dog run free in the garden. If your dog is able to escape, only take them out on a lead until you are able to do the necessary improvements. Unpack the essentials before introducing your pet to the new house so they can see familiar items within the unfamiliar house.

If your pets start to misbehave, it many cases it’s because they have become stressed during the move, so consider ways to calm them. If you suspect they may be ill, make an appointment with a vet. Whatever you do try not to punish your pets for initial misbehaviour. Cats especially will not understand, and you don’t want them to start to distrust you. The golden rule is to be patient with your pet in the new home and make allowances for ‘accidents’. And don’t draw attention to it as it could make the problem worse. When your pet goes to the toilet in the correct area, please praise them.

Keep routines consistent

Stick to your usual routines, as this will help them to settle. Feed and walk at the usual times, giving them the same attention, they are used to having. Ensure your pet’s diet, bed and toys are the same as they were in your old house. The familiar tastes, smells and sensations will reduce stress and help them gain a sense of belonging.

If you give them more or less this may cause them to become anxious or over dependent on you and lead to behaviour problems.

Update their owner info

Be sure to update your dog or cat’s council registration so that if they do escape and go missing, you will be quickly reunited. Update your dog or cat’s identification tag with any new details, too.

Remember to get their microchip records changed to your new address if you haven’t already.

One of the most vital steps is to ensure you choose the right packing and removal company. The Mooving Matters team, your full service moving and packing company understand the moving process, and all the components that need to be addressed for a smooth move especially when pets are involved!

To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your packing tasks by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

So, it’s on! the move is happening – you’ve completed an extensive search of the best local top-rated moving companies, having chosen a full-service mover that will give you the best offer in terms of price for size of job. With most things in life it makes sense to be organised for an event and this is exactly the case with preparing for moving. Strapped for time with your hands already full jugging life as it is, you’ve also opted for the extra service of out-sourcing your packing and having your home packed up by professionals. However, you may be now asking so what exactly are the tasks you are supposed to complete before the packing experts arrive? To make Pack day and Move day easier for everybody, especially for yourself and your family, this article is a handy guide on the dos and don’ts of how to prep before your hired professional packing team lands on your door step. Some of these may come as common sense, however the main thing is that you want to ensure your belongings remain secure and intact as well as in the in their new correct location and home once you have moved.

1. Ensure your items are Clean and organised

Your soiled washing, dishes, utensils and tools and other essential daily miscellaneous items can be packed and moved with ease when they are clean and in order.

2. Undertake that essential Purge of useless items

It doesn’t make much sense to pay for having items packed professionally and then transported to your new home only to be never used again. A head of time sort through your house hold items and belongings and access what you can sell, dispose of, giveaway or give to charity. It’s a must to do this before packers arrive, if you aren’t able to get rid of it all before then, create a pile and place a sign on it stating “STAY” or “DON’T PACK / MOVE”. So, packers wont go near it.

3. Dispose of the item’s your packers won’t touch

Look to part with any items that your packing crew won’t agree to pack for you. Even though you’re paying for the professional packing services you’re about to receive, there are a number of hazardous items that moving companies may not be allowed to pack up and transport for safety reasons. Check with your packers if they can or will pack the following:

• Hazardous items such as corrosive, explosive and flammable materials, including weapons and ammunition, chemicals, oils, cleaning fluids, paint, etc.
• Perishables such as frozen, refrigerated or fresh foods. Don’t forget to use up your food supply prior to the arrival of your packing team.
• Plants– due to their extreme fragility, the transportation of your leafy friends is your sole responsibility. Consider gifting your plants to friends or donating them to local hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc.

4. Create an Inventory List

Once left with only with the personal belongings you will be moving to your new house or apartment, it’s time to create an itemized checklist that will detail everything that is quite ready to be packed up by the hired packing help. A household inventory will:

1) you will have a detailed list of all the items in your shipment and will check the delivered items against it in search of missing or damaged things, and

2) you will be able to file an insurance claim with your insurer, if any, or file a damage claim with your mover if you do find any of your delivered goods damaged or missing.

Creating your home inventory list may sound overwhelming but its not at all! Using good old pen-and-paper method (mark down the type, quantity and current condition of each item, and leave and extra column for comments), or try an app to complete your house inventory checklist in no time! One to try is MoveAdvisor – the free mobile app will help organize your inventory list of your entire home in minutes.

5. No pack zone and do not pack items

These are often you personal, private or most sentimental processions. It can include items as clothing for period whilst move is happening, toiletries, work items, chargers, electronics or any hazardous items. Look to pack these yourself ahead of time and look to place signage once again instructing packers not to touch.

Next one of your priority tasks is to select one room where you will place all the things that will be traveling with you to your new home. This room is the no-pack zone for your professional packers – make sure you let them know that you intend to pack and move those items yourself before they start.

6. Organise and sign post rooms

Try and keep for example your main bedroom bathroom items in your master bedroom bathroom so packers know how to label box and where it will be located in new residence. If some items are to be relocated to another room in your new place, then place a note on the item and where or what room it is to be located in once moved.

7. Save and back up

Use a portable hard drive or USB to back up your computer / laptop and tablets.

8. Pack your essential boxes

Preparing for professional movers and packers includes packing up a few essentials’ boxes out from the things you’ve already placed in the no-pack area. The smart idea behind organizing such essentials boxes is that the moment your furniture pieces and your household items are packed up by the movers and loaded into the moving vehicle, you will cease to have access to them until you are reunited with them once more at your new home. And until that moment in time, you will still need a number of important or even life-saving things to have at arm’s length.

What should you pack in your survival kits? Anything that you think you will need to survive a day or two without your stuff. The most common-sense suggestions to cover are; prescription medicine, non-perishable food, bottled water, plastic kitchen utensils, towels, bed sheets, spare clothes for each family member, toiletries, any favourite book or games, essential tools.

9. Expensive items

If it’s an item that’s very special to you or has a high value, please let your movers and packers know this is the case and make sure to tag these items with “handle with care” or “fragile” notices.

If you dont feel comfortable with them packing these items then look to have these packed by your self and moved by yourself for that extra peace of mind.

10. Prepare layout space and declutter

Ensure to give your movers and packers a good amount of space to sort and pack boxes. Remove clutter where necessary. Clear and open spaces will allow the pack to be streamlined and turned around more quickly.

11. Tick off the small stuff

It’s a great idea to take care of the small items that you can easily pack up yourself. Although you’re paying professionals to pack up your household goods for you, sometimes it’s much better if you choose to pre-pack some small items the way you want it. So, scan your home and see what items may benefit by being pre-packed by you so time is saved in the end.

This tactical move can be especially useful when packing collector’s items – things you generally insist on handling yourself due to their high value – both sentimental and monetary.

12. Prep appliances to be packed

Included your household appliances in the inventory checklist. And if you did, then you must have made an informed decision to let professional movers and packers pack up and move those large electric appliances all the way to your new residence. And considering their Size and weight. These all effect moving costs.

Unplug any large appliances you intend to have packed – refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, electric or gas cookers, and clean out and empty them. If not, you will have to do all that after the move. Either way, your appliances should be ready to be wrapped up and protected before the professional packers for moving show up at your door, so get down to work.

13. Call a family meeting

It’s wise in preparing for professional movers and packers is to ensure the all family members are across what’s happening and their safety, including any pets you may have. Discuss with those living the house what to expect when the packers arrive and what major role each member will have during that often hectic phase of moving out. Soon enough, you will need to welcome complete strangers in your home for a packing job that can take entire days.

So, make sure everyone is informed to avoid making your move traumatic. Keep your kids and pets safe, if in the house at the time place them in a room as far away from the packing action as possible with trusted persons to supervise your loved ones while your hired packers do their job. Otherwise have them looked after with family or friends at another location.

14. Take Photos for peace of mind

Hired professional movers and packers bring high-quality packing materials, as well as experience and resourcefulness, they pack things fast while also taking all the safety measures you can think of, and they are also properly insured – meaning that they will accept the liability for any damages when they pack your boxes.

However, being extra cautious won’t hurt – on the contrary, it can help you resolve an issue in your favour after the move. Take out your trusted digital camera and take plenty of photos of your household items before packers come to pack. Concentrate on valuables and antiques, and make sure you produce numerous close-up shots as well.

In case any disputes arise between you and the moving company that has serviced you, those photos can serve as proof of your items’ condition before the professional packing has started.

15. Tell them your expectations

Make a list of what you would like the packers to take care of and notify them as soon as possible.

Do a walk through before and after packers arrive to check that everything has been covered and to inform the packers if there is anything incomplete or if you aren’t satisfied with there completed job.

Prepare and think ahead, it will save you the stress and time relocating items in your new home.  Put a bit of effort into getting yourself and household contents in order and ready for the packers and the impending move. Mooving matters, the movers that pack for you team and experienced professional home organisers Sydney are more than happy to answer any of your questions regarding preparing for their arrival to pack up your home.

To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your removalist and packing tasks by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

Today more than ever people are working more from home (at least for part of the week) or have even set up a full-time personal business out of their house. With this growing trend there has become an increasing need to separate the work space from the normal harmonious home surroundings and to keep it clean, workable and under control.

The gratification and feeling a clean desk and office can give you is energising and sometimes often than not inspiring! With a decluttered desk and work area you can better focus on the task at hand and get jobs done! The problem is a few days or big projects later the chaos returns, and your clean desk and office is nowhere to be found.

Regardless of the amount of desk layout space or your office size you have, full home office organisation is a big job. And it tends to be overwhelming at first glance or at any glance! If you’re not quite ready for a full makeover but desperately need to be able to find things, here some manageable tips and tricks you can do to organise your home office right now, helping any house bound worker keep their office decluttered and clean.

 

 

Your desk Is Prime Real Estate

Whatever is placed on your desk work top should to deserve to take up the space. Only frequently used items, those to be accessed daily should reside here. Often its handy to do a 1 week desktop cleanse, below are the instructions recommended by top professional home organisers Mooving Matters:

1. Start by getting 1- 2 large cardboard boxes. Next take everything off your office desk except for items that are necessary for your work, such as your computer and phone. Put everything you remove from your worktop into the cardboard boxes.
2. Put the boxes somewhere accessible bit out of the way. Then go to work as usual. As you are working in your home office, if these something you need that’s not on your desk, fetch it out of the box and put it in a logical place on your desk.
3. By weeks end you will find you have everything you need to work efficiently on your desk or close by and nothing else. As for whats leftin the boxes, these items belong else where. IE properly stored or filed away.

 

In The Zone

Look to establish work zones for maximum efficiency. An activity-driven approach is conducive to maximising space and making the whole work space easier and more efficient for daily use.

A home office should feature three distinct sections: “the work zone” (the desk and computer), “the reference zone” (manuals, reference books, binders, filing cabinets, etc.), and “the supply zone” (where stationary and office supplies are kept).

This approach is just as effective in small home offices as it is in larger studies.

 

The Paper Purge & Colour Coding

Most people’s home office spaces usual ends up in sea of paper piles, ebbing and flowing across desktops and shelving units. Look to get control of the clutter before it takes over your work space. Decluttering services experts advise on applying  the strategy called “The System of Three”: shred/toss it, file it or take action from it. Vet every piece of paper in your office by this protocol and place your important paperwork in a colour-coded filing system.

A well-organised filing system is a good indication of a functional office space and colour coding is the easiest and most stress free method. To organise, separate the filing system into five colour-coded categories:

• Green – Financial
• Red – Medical
• Orange – Personal
• Yellow – Insurances
• Blue – House hold

Label each hanging folder according to your needs. Invest in a good label maker and label your files, drawers and boxes for an easy way to organise your office. Whenever someone needs something, you will know exactly where it is.

 

The Mail & Print Stations

1. The Mail Station – To keep track and maintain control of the paper coming into the home office, create a mail station. Make a folder for incoming and outgoing mail, mail to file, bills and a folder for every family member. As soon as the mail comes in, file it in the mail station. Then once a week, take a few minutes and go through each folder. If you prefer not to use folders use a stacked In/Out tray for your mail. Papers and unopened mail coming into your office need a temporary home until you can make decisions regarding them. Make sure that the bottom of the two trays acts as your In-Box, thus limiting just how much stuff can accumulate before you give it some attention. This helps you keep a clean desk and stay on top of projects that need attention.
2. The Printing Station – Designate a space in your office to house the printer and printer supplies. If you have a wireless printer, it doesn’t need to take up room on your prime real estate – your desk. By placing it in a cabinet or other area in your office, you will gain much more space on your desk for other items.

 

The Life Binder

Organise your most important papers in binders for easy grab-and-go in case of any emergency. For example, if there was a medical emergency, you could grab your medical binder and have all the information you need at your finger tips.

Here are some top binder categories:

• Medical –  Where your family’s important medical records are stored. If you ever need to go to a new doctor or if you have a complex medical diagnosis, everything is organised in one spot.
• Pet – This binder should contain your pets’ medical records, shot records and medications.
• Auto – Designated for all car repairs, maintenance records and car insurance documentation.
• Manuals – Store all your manuals in one place in this binder. You can even separate the binder by sub-categories, such as appliances, electronics, garden and house.
• House – Store all house-related information here, such as maintenance, pest control, security system and contact numbers for handymen.

 

The Only Way Is Up

If you have a small home office it might be a good idea to rethink bulky filing cabinets, storage cupboards and low height bookcases instead look to transform your wall spaces. Floating shelves, hanging filing systems or a panel of wall-mounted caddies can increase your storage and give a modern designer look as well. New space-savvy, wall organisers are practical and convenient as all your files and supplies become more visible and easily accessed.

With your new shelving up, you can infuse some design aesthetic by organising your books by genre, colour or size depending on your preference. Organising by colour will add an eye-catching feature while giving your space a clutter-free, streamlined look.

Storage isn’t the only office item that can be taken vertically. By placing your computer monitor on a stand, you’ll not only raise it to a proper ergonomic level and give your neck and back a break, but you’ll give yourself more clean desk surface space to work with.

 

The Writings On The Wall

Ever considered a multitasking message board? A message or pin boards will ramp up the efficiency and appeal of any home office. Not only does it act as a quick reference guide for important appointments, to-do lists and must-revisit ideas, but it also serves as a visual muse that boosts creativity and productivity and also provide inspiration.

For added practicality, choose a board you can write and display papers on, such as a whiteboard or magnetic chalkboard.

But as desk drawers and filing cabinets Bulletin or message boards that are to keep us posted on up-to-date events and keep our lives organised, can often fall by the way side and become cluttered time capsules.

Look to tidy and review you board regularly at least every couple of weeks and ask yourself… Is there anything posted or written that relates to a task that you need to do today or in the next week? Are there ancient documents that need to be filed away or thrown? Is it only consumed by pictures drawn by the kids? Or family photos from years ago…These are nice but shouldn’t dominate the board, as you want it to still stay functional.

 

That Dreaded Drawer

Are your desk drawers in total chaos? You can easily Divide and conquer the clutter by using the simple drawer organiser to keep small, loose items tidy and contained. If you can’t find an insert that fits your drawer perfectly, you can easily create a custom setup by lining the drawer with a selection of small containers, trays and bowls that slot in next to each other.

 

Those Chaotic Cables

Unruly wires that snake across your desk and floor not only are a trip hazard but create annoying visual clutter as well. By simply adding an integrated cable management and power system, which is hidden under the desk top will keep the desktop free of distracting, dust-collecting wires.

If you happen to be a renter and require a temporary solution that’s cheap yet won’t leave any damage, try a stick-on cord organiser. Alternatively, you could use velcro affixed to the underside of your desk or the trusty cable tie to wrangle excess lengths of wire together. It’s also a handy tip to remember to label each plug so there’s no cable confusion down the track.

If you want to eliminate unsightly cables all together from your home office, then its best to invest in rechargeable Bluetooth- or WiFi-network. Working wirelessly will declutter your work space making cleaning even easier.

 

Don’t Forget About It, Maintain it!

So, you’ve finally got your home office looking like the one of your dreams, but you just need to make sure it stays that way. Look to Schedule regular maintenance and tidy up of your office space. The easiest way is to do daily or weekly reviews. All you need to do is allocate a few minutes at the end of each day or a time slot once a week for a quick tidying up.

 

 

Some simple and quick tactics to help tidy are as follows

1. Pick Three Things and Throw Them Out – There’s probably a lot more than just three things either on your desk or scattered around your home office that can go right to the waste or recycling bin.
2. Weed One Filing Drawer – Filing cabinets can consume so much clutter which is ironic because they are known as clutter solutions. In a typical home office, thou we seem to stuff them with whatever we can’t find a place for, IE random documents we don’t want to deal with but don’t want to throw away. And so filing cabinets soon become our own personal landfill! If you have the time and are up for an archaeological dig, then go for it and start sorting through your standard-sized four-drawer filing cabinet with years of accumulated stuff right away. However, most people can only spare 30mins max so it’s probably best to start small. The best means to knock over the task is to choose one drawer at a time and removing anything that’s no longer current or necessary. (Remember, though, to hold on to any important documents like business information for at least 6 years.)

Personal and confidential documents and papers that you no longer have to keep should be shredded. For older items you need to hold on to but won’t need to access regularly, look to purchase a cardboard file box and use it to store old files. Store the box in a spot away from your home office such as under the stairs or in the garage, wherever is safe and dry yet out of sight!

 

 

If you want to regain your office space and don’t have the time and would love some professional home organisers assistance to declutter your home office, look no further than Mooving Matters!

To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your home office by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

The kids have moved out and maintaining the 4-bedroom 2 storey house is too much work as it is, so you’re mulling over selling the family home. Downsizing and opting for a smaller abode seems like the answer as your head down the retirement path. However, are you feeling uneasy and don’t want to have to deal with a stressful move? You aren’t alone! 

The family home for many empty nesters holds a lot of fond memories so it’s only natural to have mixed feelings about moving on and letting go. Couple this with the idea of moving into a newer and more compact home will also bring with it changes to your lifestyle you may not anticipate. Empty Nest Syndrome is a real condition, and it affects many as they are looking to downsize their living spaces.

Downsizing isn’t for everyone, but for some, it’s the right move. To prepare new empty-nesters for this exciting next chapter in your life Mooving Matters have put together an informative guide to better equip you to make the transition with ease.

What Is Downsizing?

The essence of downsizing is going from a bigger home to a smaller place – whether that be an apartment, independent living unit or retirement village.

The empty nesters of today do not think about downsizing for retirement in the traditional sense, and their lifestyle expectations are very different to their parents’ generation. Once downsizing, empty-nesters they are looking to enjoy their new lifestyle close to transport, infrastructure and amenities, and be actively involved in their communities. 

“The city centres – once dominated by young singles – are becoming more and more popular with empty nesters looking for low-maintenance living. In metropolitan Sydney, for example, 33 per cent of apartment owner-occupiers are aged over 60, and 23 per cent of those intending to move to an apartment are over 60.”

With a changing lifestyle, it is vital to think about where and how you want to live, what your financial situation looks like and what is important to you.

There are even nursing homes that are adopting this idea and putting it into their facilities to allow residents their independence while still offering them care. There are many benefits of leaving the family home for something a little cosier.

But downsizing isn’t just about moving to a smaller home. Doing so can cut costs, prepare you for the future, and even make you feel happier and less cluttered overall.

“Finding a compact home for the next stage of life shouldn’t faze you. Simply research costs, find the right location and embrace good design”

Benefits of downsizing;

Less to House to Maintain

Keeping a bigger house tidy gets harder as you get older, especially as children move out and there is less help. If it is just yourself and your partner, do you really more than a couple of bedrooms? Smaller or shared spaces are always easier to maintain. And when you are spending less time maintaining your home, you have more time for yourself and other things you enjoy doing.

Mental Clarity & Ease

When you are ready to move int a smaller space, you’ll have to be prepared to downsize your belongings and the things you want to keep going forward. 

Apart from the less cleaning, there is something therapeutic about having less things, less clutter equals less to worry. But doing so is all about getting rid of what doesn’t matter, holding on to what does — and knowing the difference. When you are ready to move int a smaller space, you’ll have to be prepared to downsize your belongings and the things you want to keep going forward. 

Having a more minimalist lifestyle with fewer possessions, while still keeping a select number of treasured items, such as photographs, furniture and sentimental items, can be calming. There is also a reassurance in having shops, friends and care options in your immediate vicinity – so you are never needing to worry about distance to access things.

Maintaining your Independence

As opposed to staying in a larger home where you may need assistance from family or professionals to maintain it, downsizing into an apartment is a great way to keep a person’s independence. There are also some care facilities where you get your own independent bedroom and bathroom but share spaces like a kitchen or living room where they can feel at home and do certain tasks for themselves.

Increase Your Social Bonds

Moving into a smaller apartment or residence, where neighbours are in closer proximity, is a great way to socialise. You may even find other people like you, who are in similar life places. Your neighbours, though living independently from you, can become like a second family to you. This is especially true if you share space like a recreational area or nearby shops. Moving could also see you in closer proximity to family and close friends which makes it all the more worth it.  

Downsizing and your pension

Many Australians may be reluctant to downsize because of how it may affect their pensions. However, now appears to be a better time than ever to consider moving to a smaller residence with the Federal Government trying to break down barriers that discourage older Australians from downsizing. Those who are retired are set to gain new incentives to save the what they earn when selling the family home with the introduction of new rules to the pension asset test and caps on superannuation.

Some potential challenges of downsizing:

Your neighbours might be a bit close for comfort

Its only on moving into a new house do you tend to discover who you’re living next door to, and their noise levels – something far more obvious when you share a common wall or your backyards or balconies sit side by side. However there are some easy privacy upgrades that you can implement like window treatments and screening plants so you feel you have your own space.

On the other hand get to know your neighbours, the first step towards building a community in your new neighbourhood. Making friends next door will enhance your everyday experience and comfort.

Storage is key

The double vanity with plentiful storage you’ve taken for granted may well be things you miss about your old bathroom – and this could be one of the first rooms you renovate in your new home. In the meantime, rest assured that you’ll get used to having less surface space on which to rest your belongings, and accumulating bathroom clutter will no longer be an option.

Give yourself permission to acquire only products you love. You’ll have fewer of them, so it’s the perfect excuse to splurge.

 

It’s harder to have “Me” time

If you live with and looking to move out with your partner, transitioning to a smaller home often means more face to face time. New empty nesters who’ve planned do well to develop separate interests to give each other space and things to talk about, as well as activities they like to do together.

On the upside: You may have a smaller home and fewer opportunities for time on your own, but you’ll also have fewer rooms that need cleaning.

Your furniture may need an upgrade 

Even if you’ve double checked and taken careful measurements and passed on all the furniture that’s clearly not going to fit in your new abode, it’s frustratingly often not until you move in that you realise what you’ve brought with you is still just not going to work out. The colour or style may be all wrong for the space, and the way you find yourself using a room may mean your furniture feels like a mismatch
On the upside you have the perfect excuse to go shopping for new furniture.

Your outdoor & entertaining space shrinks

Moving to a smaller home almost always means a smaller backyard or only a courtyard or balcony, particularly if you’re moving from the suburbs into the inner city.
However, mowing the lawn will be a time-consuming chore of the past.

If you’re used to a spacious back deck with room for lounging and dining, believe it or not a compact backyard can still be a restful outdoor escape and a place to entertain family and friends. For example, making the most of a rear courtyard with built-in seating and a barbecue.

On a positive note a smaller garden allows you to actually enjoy gardening, rather than tiring yourself out trying to maintain it.

Cooking in compact kitchen

 When you have metres of island bench space, banks of storage cabinets executing your culinary ambitions is relatively easy. However a smaller kitchen will require you to clean as you go, shop for ingredients more often, and often means your will need to pare back your serving ware, glassware and kitchen gadgets. 

With a smaller kitchen you can look to embrace your downsized lifestyle and eat out more often – meet friends out for dinner instead of always having them over, head out for impromptu visits to new or favourite restaurants. Simplify the meals you do cook at home, focusing on recipes that use limited but high-quality produce and ingredients.

Multipurpose spaces and rooms

Many empty nesters have the luxury of turning rooms their children once occupied into everything from craft rooms and man caves, to home offices etc. Downsizers however must readjust to multi-purpose rooms and make do, particularly when guests are staying.

However on having less rooms the accumulation of stuff is less tempting. You’ll buy only what you need or genuinely love.

If your kitchen and laundry are now one, what to do with baskets of washing can become a challenge – separate laundries are prime dumping grounds for all manner of items, from shoes needing a clean to socks soaking in the sink. Doing smaller loads more often is the key to a successful kitchen/laundry combo.

Guests make their presence felt 

Larger homes often come with guest rooms for visiting kids and grand-kids, but some downsizing empty nesters will have to get creative to squeeze in more than one guest at a time. Bunk beds, wall beds, sofa beds and air mattresses are all options.

 

6 important aspects to consider when downsizing:

1. Costs – Consider the total cost of downsizing.

• Consult at least three real estate agents for appraisals of your family home so you can gauge how much can you realistically sell it for. Then research ask how much money will I have to invest in a new apartment?
• Start searching early for the right place to live. There are specific real estate websites that focus on apartment developments and retirement villages in Australia and overseas.
• If you plan to buy into a body corporate, check out the monthly fees and consider consulting a strata searcher to help you make the right decision.
• Depending on where you would like to live, calculate your cost of living, which might be higher in an inner-city environment.
• Think about what additional furniture you might need and if you can re-purpose existing pieces.

2. Lifestyle – Take the time to thoroughly think about your desired lifestyle once downsizing. 

• Embrace the change and be open to the opportunities that come with it.
• Consider which activities, hobbies or interests you want to pursue. How will you accommodate your hobbies, and what will you need to do so?
• If your hobby requires a studio or workshop, find like-minded people who are willing to share space.
• Now is the time to do the things you always wanted to do: exercise, start painting, join a writing group, travel, socialise with friends, and spend more quality time with your family.
• Experiment and try something new. You deserve it!

3. Location – Choose a location that is close to the places you love and the services you need.

• Studies show that many retirees are not ready to retire from work in their 50s, but wish to downsize, pay off their mortgage and live a simpler life with less stuff.
• If you need to commute to work and prefer to use your car less often, choose a location close to public transport.
• A survey of 1,068 people – conducted by Seniors Housing Online– revealed that 88 per cent expect a garage or parking space, but 85.3 per cent also want to live near public transport facilities.
• Over 80 per cent said they were prepared to move away from their local area to find the right retirement property and lifestyle.

4. Functionality – Examine the design features of a prospective new home. 

• Whether buying an apartment off the plan or downsizing to an independent living unit in a retirement village, always have a close look at the features of your new home.
• There are a number of factors to consider. Ask yourself: How functional is it? Does it have enough storage options?
• Is there a balcony or courtyard that you can use as an outdoor area and additional room in the summer?
• What about traffic flow? Will thoroughfares still be wide enough once you have furnished the apartment?
• Does it have enough natural light?
• Consider consulting a professional to assist you in optimising the existing design according to your needs.

5. Independence – Make sure your home allows for you to live in it safely, independently and comfortably for as long as possible.

• Unfortunately for many their health condition might deteriorate, and walking becomes difficult.
• If you intend to stay in your prospective apartment for the next 20 years, for example, have a close look at the details of its design.
• More questions to consider are: How accessible are the storage cupboards? Are they in easy reach, or is a step ladder required?
• How big is the bathroom? Can it be easily updated with safety features as grab rails, if necessary?
• How wide are clearances throughout the apartment? The smaller the apartment, the more important it is to work out

6. Security – Do extensive checks on level of security and you will have peace of mind.

• The aspect of increased security in an apartment block can play an important role in the decision-making process when downsizing.
• If you are living on your own, it can be reassuring to know that you are not alone in the building, and that neighbours are within reach in case of an emergency.

 

The transition from being parents who are busy with work and family, who have to care for others, to being empty nesters does not have to a be a depressing one. This is an opportunity to have a new beginning in a new place, and to importantly a means to start focus on you and what you want in your life.

As an empty nester, it can feel daunting to plan the move you have longingly always dreamed about. Your current life and possessions are settled in one place and the sheer idea of packing up and transporting all your belongings and family memorabilia seems impossible. The stress begins to build, and so you begin to give up. There is just no way you can do it all on your own.…

Luckily, now you can get all the help you need to make your downsizing move a reality by simply contact Mooving matters, your experienced packing and unpacking service and moving company Sydney. Let us put together your own customized moving plan to suit your timing and budget.

To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your property by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

Moving is an incredibly difficult event in itself for anyone, sorting through and packing up your belongings, saying goodbye to friends, and hiring packers and movers takes time and energy and can be stressful. But it’s even more taxing if you or someone who you are moving has a disability. When moving with a disability, you have to approach the move with a deeper, broader perspective of what the move is going to take and the need to tap into various resources to make the move as smooth and easy as possible.

People with disabilities take pride and importance in their independence, but moving into a new home can be overwhelming and an intimidating experience for them. Moving house is a task in which everyone generally requires help, whether they are physically or mentally challenged or not.

Of course there are numerous methods to help make things easier. Some involve preparing the new home to accommodate the person’s disabilities. Understand that changing homes can be stressful for anyone, but particularly for those with special needs. As always it is in anyone’s best interests to listen, be supportive and focus on the positive aspects of the move and be there for the person or family going through the process.

Disabled people have the goal of staying or becoming more independent after moving.

Figuring things out like where you will live, who will help you pack and the associated costs are stressful factors for anyone considering moving. For disabled people, moving can be a challenging experience that includes finding sources for financial assistance, taking care of accessibility issues and making sure that specialised health services are available in the new location.

That’s why in this blog post as professional movers and packers Sydney and home organisers we’ve rounded up our best tips for making a smooth move when you are temporarily or permanently disabled. This guide will cover the essential aspects when assisting persons with disabilities move house and ensure to make the moving process both easier and less stressful for all those taking part.

The things you can do Before the Move.

1. Make a plan

The best way to avoid mishaps when moving is to give yourself plenty of time and plan everything in advance. Mooving Matters, the experienced full services residential packers and movers recommend those with disabities meet several times with the person that’s helping them to go over all details big and small, pre and post move. The interaction will bring up aspects of the move that you both may have forgotten.

In any move it’s a great idea to create a “moving binder”. This will contain all those important documents, phone numbers and anything else you might need on the way or upon arriving at your new residence.

2. Make a Pre-Move Checklist

Organisation in any move is key and being organized is even more critical if you have a disability. Make sure that you give yourself at least a month to a few weeks before you move and to flesh out a concise pre-move checklist to ensure all is covered.

Write down all of the things you need to accomplish before you start packing or moving anything. This can include a declutter of your existing home by getting rid of old and unused items and making sure that you clean your existing residence before moving into your new one.

We also recommend making a timeline of when you’re going to pack certain things or when you require assistance to have someone do this for you. This is the outline and order of when and how you are going to organise everything for your move, so you don’t pack something up then discover that you require access to it before your move.

3. Finances & Applying for Financial Assistance 

As with any relocation it is important to talk about financial issues. This includes any monetary assistance that may be available.

As people living with disability may require more help during a move, investigate government and community organisations that can assist with the financial aspects of moving expenses such as coordinating reliable movers and support in packing and unpacking. Before you approach them with a request, be sure you list out exactly what you need assistance for: hiring movers, cleaners, or adding accessibility adaptations to your new home.

Preparing your home to accommodate a person who has special needs or has disability can mean having additional expenses. Learn about any community or government resources that will be able to help when it comes adding special installations to help persons with disabilities.

If you purchase a property that will need renovations to accommodate its occupants safely and comfortably, be sure your home-buying budget accounts for those costs. Similarly, you might want to budget for hiring help with packing, unpacking, and moving day.

4. House-Hunting & Accessibility Considerations

The first thing to do is to check whether the new location already has all the accessibility that you need. Certain disabilities make it necessary for you to have certain accommodations wherever you live. You will need to fully access the space to determine whether or not modifications will need to be made. For example; Are the doorways wide enough? Are the counters at a reachable height? Are all the rooms in the house accessible to you?

If you or someone else in your household is dealing with a disability, such accessible adaptions to a home may include:

• At least one step-free entrance to the home.
• Cabinets and shelves within easy reach.
• At least one kitchen work surface that can be used while seated.
• Hallways and doorways that are wide enough to accommodate mobility aids.
• A shower without a step-over barrier.
• Flooring that fits your family’s mobility needs.
• A bedroom, full bathroom, and kitchen on the ground floor if climbing stairs is a challenge.

If you are renting, discuss your needs with your potential landlord to be sure that whatever modifications are needed are ok with him or her — or ideally, that they will help you to prepare the apartment for move-in day.

Make sure all of that work is completed before time to move.

5. Checking for Safety Hazards

As you’re scanning your new home for accessibility, scope-out potential hazards in your new home. Make sure that you or a trusted helper take a good look at your new home and the area around it for potential hazards, including:

• Ledges and stairs
• Surfaces that may be slippery when wet
• Low-hanging ceilings or doorways
• Other obstacles that may be a threat to your health or safety

 

6. Clear out & clean

Moving to a new home shouldn’t be a negative experience but a great time to cull and to reorganise your life and get rid of stuff you neither need nor use any more. Those with disabilities should get help to go through his or her possessions. Have some one assist you in making difficult decision to part with things that you no longer need and help preserve the things that are absolutely sentimental. You find you may require a trip to drop things off at the local charity store or have a garage sale or post adds online of things you may want to sell. If you require an extra hand, taking on a decluttering service by professionals organisers Sydney – Mooving Matters will help you stream line you move significantly!

7. Address & Review your Utility services

Its essentials you make sure that all utility services are transferred over and operating properly before the move. This is especially critical if the person is required to use medical equipment that absolutely needs functioning utility services. Phone and Internet services are as essential to the disabled as electricity, water and gas.

8. Make sure medical needs are covered – Find Health care services near your new home

Make a list of the locations and phone numbers of the nearest emergency care facilities, primary care physicians, and other specialists that you use regularly. Post that list in a prominent place in your new home, right alongside a list of personal emergency contacts. Also ensure the following is organised as soon as possible:

• Gather all of the person’s medical records and keep them separate from everything else being moved and easily accessible.
• Locate the nearest emergency and heath care services in the area, such as hospitals. Create a readily accessible list of essential contacts. If the disabled person is retaining a doctor that may not be in the area, plan how to get him or her back and forth.
• Notify the person’s doctors and any support specialists of when and where their patient is moving. If the disabled person receives in-home care, make sure that all arrangements are made so that the service will be uninterrupted.
• Locate a nearby pharmacy to fill prescriptions and have that information transferred there.
• It is very important for a disabled person to have their medical records in a safe and easily reachable place. If possible, they should keep all the records with them during the move so you’re sure that they don’t get misplaced. And in case the unthinkable happens and they need medical care in a new place.
• If the person with disability’s doctor or specialist is far from your new home, be sure to inform anyone involved in their care and also make a plan on how to go about their regular appointments.
• If you have specific health needs, making a move can impact the care you receive. Your physicians, pharmacists and caregivers should be among the first to know about your move. Hopefully they can continue to provide services, but if not they can make recommendations and help you find a suitable health care provider in your new city. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the locations of medical facilities in case care is needed.

9. Hire a reputable moving company & Organise an unpack service

When deciding to hire a moving company, please do your due diligence first. There are packers and movers who will charge a lot of hidden fees. There are also scammers who will ask for deposits over the phone and never show up. Hire a local and trusted full service moving company and do your best to find out everything you can about them before agreeing to anything.

It is best to either check the reviews or inquire specifically whether the company has experience with moving people with disabilities. It would be extremely helpful to hire a moving company with movers who have experience with people with disabilities and understand how to handle any specialist medical equipment they might have. Aside from being sensitive to their needs, they could also help out in the whole moving process in general. If you would like them to help you pack and unpack as well, be sure they offer that service at a reasonable rate and time frame that works for you. Mooving Matter, full-service movers and packers Sydney will be able to help you coordinate movers, any time consuming packing and unpacking tasks as well as many other details of your move including home organisation and styling!

The best moving companies will help you unpack, especially if they have experience with moving people with disabilities. Mooving Matters professional home organisers and packers and movers will work with you to ensure your belongings are organised in a way that makes sense and makes settling in as easy and straightforward as possible for yourself and your family. We make sure that before we leave, you take one last look at your new home to see if you need any thing re arranged to your liking.

10.  Get to know your neighbours & Centres for Independent Living

Introduce yourself to your future neighbours and learn about your new local neighbourhood. You might be able to gather useful information such as disability assistance programs. There may also be valuable services or organisations near your home which would be very useful for people with disabilities.

Getting the perspective of other disabled people in the new community you will be relocating to can be very useful. Centres for Independent Living will be able to provide such counselling and assistance. More importantly, they will provide you with the chance to speak with disabled people in the area you will be relocating to and to check with them about available services and assistance.

 11. Pack an essential 2-3 day bag or box

Completely unpacking your new home might take some time, so put together an overnight bag with your essentials including medication, necessary charging cords for wheelchairs or other equipment, and comfortable clothing for the night as well as the next day. Consider what things you’ll need to keep you most comfortable on the journey, too.

Moving is a long arduous process, and it isn’t always perfect. It can be easy to misplace a box here and there along the way, making it really hard to find what you’re looking for. With this in mind, make sure that you don’t get caught with all of your clothing boxes buried at the bottom of the pile, and be sure to pack a bag with 2-3 days of clothes and toiletry supplies in it. Make sure that you always keep any medications or medical devices that are pertinent to your disability within arm’s reach while the moving process is going on.

It is usually best if each family member packs one for themselves, but you can also choose to let everyone pile their items into one. The important thing is that it is easily accessible and can be unpacked first.

Helping people with disabilities should not be seen as a dreaded chore. There are numerous ways to make the whole moving event go smoothly and seamlessly. As long as you prepare ahead as outlined in this article and think things through thoughtfully, you’ll be able to pull off moving to your new home successfully.

Always be mindful of how you assist the person with disability or those who have special needs. They may need a lot of help and support, however they also like to be able to be independent and help themselves out, they are the expert on what they need. If you are helping someone with a disability during the move process help enrich their lives by making sure that you keep them positive and help them continue to be independently functioning individuals.

If you need special assistance to help organising your move call on Mooving Matters your team of trusted and caring movers and packers Sydney.  To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your property by  Mooving Matters, your removalists, packers and home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

Whether you have just finished high school and heading to university, starting out in your career, getting hitched or going through a separation – there will come a time in your life when you decide to move out of home or go it alone in a new abode.

No matter why you’re moving out always stay calm and don’t make rash decisions. Are you ready to live independently? What are your options? Moving out for the first time is an emotional roller coaster. You will most likely be feeling highs and lows during this time, excitement at a new beginning and anxiety at the unknown. Be it moving out of your parents’ house or into an apartment on your own, this step is a major life change. There is a lot to consider both emotionally and financially. This guide put together by Mooving Matters packing services Sydney, is designed to alleviate this daunting life stage and reduce the stress and mystery of your pending First Ever Move! Here are some tips from the professional home organisers Sydney to help you fly out of the nest and hopefully only returning to pay your loved ones a visit.

 

 

Stage One: Before you make the move…

Finances

If you have you’ve been living at home, you probably had at least some kind of financial safety net. Now that you’re heading out on your own you need to have a better understanding of what a budget is and how it works.

Leaving home or going it alone is expensive, and it doesn’t take long for lack of budgeting to lead to financial turmoil, so it’s essential to plan ahead. Your income and savings are key from the get go…so tuck away some extra cash in the months leading up to your move.

In a recent A Melbourne University study it found that many young Australians were actually resorting to going without food and borrowing money to survive when they moved out of home. So to avoid this situation calculate your known monthly income minus your fixed expenses. Basically plan a monthly budget for food, bills, transport, entertainment and also some spending kitty. With the technology available currently, it’s really easy to get a picture of your spending habits and create a budget to stay on track. You can set this up yourself by using an Excel sheet, or you can opt to use a mobile app.

When setting up or moving house there are also establishment fees such as the rental bond (usually a month’s rent in advance), phone, pay TV, gas, electricity or internet connection fees, as well as the set up costs of furnishing rooms or equipping a kitchen.

Always pay any bills and rent on time to avoid a bad credit rating. If you want to buy a home later on, someone will be looking at how you managed financially.

It’s also smart to take out home contents insurance, just in case of any accidents.

No matter how much, or how little money you have, managing your money well is the best foundation to living independently and this will have flow on effects to all aspects of your life.

 

Secure a steady job & income

If you are leaving home to discover the real world Congratulations, you’ve reached adulthood! It’s unfortunately no walk in the park, and no place will teach you this faster than in a fulltime job. Most young adults start their climb to the top in some sort of entry level position with a not so crash hot salary but do not let this discourage you! Instead, use this job as an opportunity to utilise your talents and ambition and to plan wisely for the future. Keep in mind if your entry level job doesn’t cover the rent, maybe it’s not the time to flee the nest just yet.

 

Find the right place to live

Whether you’re buying, sharing or renting, you’ll need to work out what kind of property best suits you and your lifestyle.

Ask yourself some serious questions. Can you live alone or is a flat share the best option? Will you be happy in a grungy share house or is a slick inner city pad more your style? What can you actually afford? And where?

This stage might take some time but it will definitely pay off if you don’t rush it. There are lots of places to look for a good apartment or home online, and the best place to start is your social media profiles. Get the word out that you’re looking for a great rental and see what comes up. You can also go through listings on Domain, realestate.com.au. Also, consider the following:

1. Houseshare

If you’re testing the waters maybe a room in a share house, rather than taking the lease in your own name, is best to start with.

Moving in with someone is (almost always) the most cost effective option. On an emotional level, it can relieve some of the anxiety of moving out for the first time, especially if that person is someone you already know. One great option is to team up with a friend, look for a home, furnish it and move into it together. Another option is to move in with somebody who’s looking to share their apartment- that could be even more economical as it is likely their place will be mostly furnished. If you can afford to rent without roommates, you will probably want your first place all to yourself. It might be smaller and less accommodating, but it’ll be all yours.

2. Location
This is a really important one but how do you decide where to rent your first apartment? First of all, it needs to be close enough to your workplace, as well as other places of interest depending on your likes, wants and needs. For example, you might want to live near a gym, a park or a really good cafe. Importantly, it needs to be a safe area. Lastly, it is handy to be accessible and have good public transportation. This might even mean you could sell your car and say goodbye to your car repayments.

Start your search online, and make sure you attend open houses as you can’t tell everything from photos. You will get a better sense of what your budget really buys you.

And if you’re looking for someone to live with, ask friends or family if they know of anyone looking to move out or visit trusted house sharing sites online.

Hire the professionals for moving and packing 

It might seem like a decadent decision, and it’s the step that many unfortunately miss but its one you won’t regret: hiring a professional moving and packing services company. They will take the hassle and backache out of moving. You have enough to worry about with the rest of the small details, so let a team of full service movers and packers make your first moving experience a good one. Getting a quote from Mooving Matters will help you factor this expense into your moving budget well in advance, so you can stay on top of your finances.

A knowledgeable full service moving team will make sure your move is quick, easy, and painless. And they can even help figure out where to put all of those random knick knacks. Be sure to hire movers and packers who are professional, insured, and experienced. Ensure to read their reviews on a third-party site before going ahead! Mooving Matters have great google testimonials to prove it!

 

Practice good domestic habits 

If you’ve been living the easy life without having to do many chores or watch your budget, it would be wise to start changing those habits now to make the transition easier. Pay close attention to your cleanliness habits and step them up. Start sticking to a budget now so you can get an accurate picture of your spending habits before relocating.

If you’re thinking about moving out, see if you can trial it for a while to test your skills at budgeting and housework. Perhaps you could stay with a friend. Or get a short term rental for a few months.

If you don’t do your own washing, well now’s the time to start. Make sure you can do all the things you’ll need to do when you step out.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Moving out for the first time can be daunting, and there’s a lot to get on top of. Don’t be too proud to ask for help if you find yourself under financial or emotional stress or if you have any other kind of trouble.

If you are embarking on this just leaving school, chat to your parents. They’ve likely done this before, at least a few times, so they’ll be able to help you understand what to expect.

 

Invest in a good bed

It can be tempting to skimp on your furniture purchases when you’re decking out your first place, but even if you buy everything else second-hand or for cheap, you should at least invest in a good mattress. Sleep is so important and if you’re not sleeping well, the rest of your life will suffer. For a bed that won’t cost the earth look to Amazon.com, for example, they have some great deals on high-quality mattresses. If you want to go with a new Memory Foam mattress, it’ll show up vacuum packed into a box on your doorstep the same day.

 

Learn to cook – simple but healthy

One of our biggest daily expenditures is on food. Takeout, and Premade frozen meals cost significantly more than preparing simple meals for yourself, they are also generally full of preservatives or fake ingredients that you shouldn’t to put in your body anyway. Start by getting to know your local supermarket & find foods in their most natural form. Visit the dry bulk section as well, where you can find rice, oats, and various other staples usually at lower prices.

There are plenty of amazing blogs online with heaps of recipes, all downloadable for free. Choose a few recipes that appeal to you, and master them before you worry about becoming a master chef.

 

 

Stage 2: When you have made the move…

Be on top of your chores

Moving out gives you independence, freedom and adventure, but it all comes with added responsibilities.

Without sounding like your parents, try to keep on top of the chores like cleaning, cooking, laundry, and taking the bins out. In those first few months of living out on your own, it can be tempting to let everything get a little loose such as a sink overflowing with dirty dishes, clothes that never get put away, a bathroom that just gathers soap scum… I’m sure you get the picture. Trust us after a while, you’ll wish you haven’t let things get so out of hand. Don’t revert to your teenage ways and, try to create (and stick to) a schedule of chores immediately upon moving in. If you have a housemate, get them on board so you can both contribute to keeping your house a home.

And don’t forget to look after yourself: if you’re used to having meals cooked for you at home make sure you get into a groove of cooking for yourself, than skipping meals or relying on take away every night (that’ll eat up budget pretty fast).

 

Communicate

Communication is always the key to any relationship and it is no different for your flatmates or partner if you decide on not living alone.

Avoid unnecessary disagreements by setting the house ground rules, always being open and respecting others’ opinions. Living independently for the first time you’ll face your share of bumps and hurdles, it’s the challenge of living with others. It’s not uncommon for such situations to make people a bit on edge or unsettled.

Basically remember to work on expressing how you’re feeling to avoid frequent misunderstandings with those you live with.

 

Always keep a spare

Being locked out is never fun and there’s nothing worse than the unpleasant surprise of the bill of an after-hours locksmith, so give someone you trust a spare key to your house. And No it isn’t wise to hide it under a rock or door mat.

Keep in Touch

No matter how old you are, if it’s your first time out of home your parents or guardians will probably miss you. Touch base with them from time to time or go home for a meal. Just try not to bring your dirty washing over too often.

 

You don’t need fancy cleaning supplies

You don’t need expensive cleaners for wood, porcelain and glass, they are a waste of money, and mostly full of chemicals and synthetic fragrances. You can make your own chemical free cleaners for less a few common house hold ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap. Need to scour your tub? Just mix up castile soap with baking soda and scrub. A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, wiped with a microfiber cloth, will remove the grime from sink fixtures, and clear up streaks from mirrors, and also clean windows. Baking soda is great for the toilet pan too, just pour it into the toilet to coat the bowl, then spray with vinegar and scrub with a toilet brush. For tough stains, Borax is a natural but really effective ingredient that can be added to a baking soda-castile soap mix.

Unplug when you can 

If you’d really like to keep the electric bill down don’t only switch off lights but, unplug your electronics when you’re not using them. This is so energy can’t be drawn still when your electronics are plugged in, but not on. Unfortunately the electric meter still ticks away, and adds $ to your bill, even though you have turned everything off. You can make this easier by plugging things into a power board/surge protector that has an on/off switch so that with one flick of a switch you can stop the electricity for example to your entertainment system.

In any move you need to plan ahead. So start writing lists and collecting things you’ll need for your new place. For example this can include furniture items, kitchen and personal essentials unless you’re planning on moving interstate or overseas. In that case, it’s smarter to buy those things once you’ve moved there.

 

 

If you need help to getting started on organising your first move call on Mooving Matters your team of trusted and caring Professional home Organisers and packing services Sydney . To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your property by  Mooving Matters, your Movers and packers Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

 

 

 

 

A question we often get when people are looking to move is “How clean is a seller or tenant required to leave a house or unit once moving out?”

As you load the last of your belonging into the moving truck, unfortunately your hard work isn’t done yet. Before any relocation is complete, it is essential to thoroughly clean your house or apartment to pass the all important final inspection with either your landlord and or the new owners of your home.

When there is an absence of any legal requirement to clean the house before moving out, most sellers will take special steps of their own to present the home in an acceptable condition, for the buyers or for handing back to the landlord or leasing agent. It’s understandable that after moving all day, sellers or renters will often be too tired to spend a lot of time cleaning but unfortunately that’s no excuse to not get it done.

For this reason, having a “moving house cleaning plan” set in place is an important way to stay organised and clean efficiently after any relocation.

Your first step in home cleaning before you move house as previously mentioned is to adhere to any specific cleaning regulations set in place by your body corporate, landlord, or real estate agent.

Depending on what was stipulated in your lease, you may be required to steam clean the carpets, clean your oven, or even hire a professional cleaning service to do the work and show receipts as proof of work done. If time is money to you then Mooving Matters, your professional home organisers and movers that pack and unpack for you, are ready to lend you their expertise and decluttering services.  

 

 

How to clean a house you just sold or are vacating?

We have all been there; the temptation to opt out on those last few cleaning chores is a force to be reckoned with! But don’t give in. How dirty you leave your home isn’t just about etiquette—it could also cause problems with the sale of your home if you are selling.

While buyers may forgive you if you forget to sweep under the stove, more serious offenses can have serious consequences. Check your contract: Some sellers may stipulate that the place be spotless by the time they move in. If you agree to this (verbally or in writing) and don’t live up to your end of the bargain, you could be at risk for a lawsuit.

So if you leave the property in a filthy state, potentially any new owner could delay or even opt out of the sale altogether.

Hiring a professional organiser and or decluttering and cleaning service can be an excellent solution. Sometimes, the real estate agent will pay to have the home professionally detailed cleaned.

While majority of buyers will clean the home to their own standards before moving in, regardless of previous renter or owner’s efforts, the following is a list of things a seller or previous tenant can do to leave a home reasonably clean:

Cleaning the home before moving out – 

General cleaning and detail cleaning items:

1. Wash the inside all windows. Clean windowsills and curtain rods.
2. Wash the inside and outside of all doors.
3. Wash marks and scuffs off the walls. Remove all nails from the walls.
4. If you have one clean out the fireplace.
5. Clean the blinds and light fixtures.
6. Mop the floors.
7. Vacuum and shampoo the carpet or stem clean them.
8. Remove and dispose all rubbish.

Cleaning the Kitchen:

1. Clean the dishwasher inside and out.
2. Mop the kitchen floor – as well as areas underneath appliances.
3. Clean the inside of the stove, top of stove, exhaust fan, hood, and bottom drawer.
4. Remove stove racks and clean thoroughly.
5. Wipe cupboards inside and out.
6. Wipe out all drawers with a damp cloth.
7. Wipe down counter tops and the sink.

Cleaning the Bathrooms:

1. Mop the floor.
2. Clean the bathtub, sink, and fixtures.
3. Clean the toilet inside and out.
4. Clean the medicine cabinet and door.
5. Clean the mirror with glass cleaner.

Cleaning the Garage / car spot:

• Remove personal belongings.
• Throw away trash.
• Properly dispose of toxic chemicals.
• Sweep the floor.
• Stack items pertaining to the home such as paint cans, roofing materials or extra flooring. Check to make sure the buyer wants your leftover materials, first. Some do not.

Cleaning the Exterior where applicable:

1. Wash the outside of all windows
2. Mow the yard and trim shrubbery and plants.
3. Dispose of all garbage via a skip bin or driving a trailer to the tip.

The above basic moving house cleaning plan will definitely help you simplify your cleaning process. The time that it takes you to clean your house will depend greatly on the size of your home and the current condition that it is in.

For the most thorough moving house cleaning, it is recommended to rent a professional carpet steam cleaner to remove deep dirt deposits from carpeting. Otherwise if you have the time you can rent an individual carpet cleaner for personal use. Mooving Matters your full service moving company are happy to recommend and source the best cleaners to leave the vacated property in tip top shape so that the new buyer is more than satisfied or landlord will happily return your bond.  

 

 

 Cleaning Tips for those putting their homes on the market

Step one: Work from the top down

When it comes to cleaning, starting early is easiest.

“Mooving Matters recommend doing a good scrubbing and decluttering before putting your home on the market. For many it can be very stressful to do at the last minute,” The very experienced Mooving Matters team can take this stress out of your hands with our specialised decluttering service done by none other than our professional home organisers.

But if you didn’t start early, there is no need to panic. If you attack the job with a plan and Mooving Matters at your side, it’ll get done faster for sure. But basically just try to clean room by room, working from the top down.

It’s the most neglected items that prove the hardest work and are often the most time consuming. Ensure you dust the ceiling fans, wipe down the walls, and then sweep, vacuum, or mop. Give a good once-over to the oven and stove—including the drip pans. And always check any air vents for filth or mould—in some instances you made need to call in a professional to inspect it.

Once you’re done with one space, then only should you move on to the next. And don’t skimp on the details.

“Light fixtures are the number one dust and moth magnet and unfortunately are rarely cleaned enough”. “Wiping down cabinets and drawers inside and out is also often forgotten—to be honest not many sellers ever do it properly.”

Step Two: Breath it in

How to clean the house isn’t the only thing you have to worry about before the final walk-through.

“The number one thing buyers always notice when they walk inside is if your home has any unappealing smells, be it is cat litter, wet dog scent, garbage odours, or even the lingering fish aroma from dinner you made a few nights back”

With any strange odours, even if fleeting these can make the buyers think the home is unclean and even make them think twice about placing an offer.

Even if you’ve already moved out, go back into the property for a quick sniff before any inspections are due to start. It might be a good idea to bring a friend along, as they might not be use to your old home’s scent like you are. Ask them for their honest opinion.

Air fresheners can help to minimize lingering odours, but try and see if you can find and eliminate the source first.

Step Three: Please take everything with you

It is very common for many sellers to leave behind various unwanted personal items, some because they think the new owner may get use out of them or rather they just don’t want to deal with disposing them. But honestly who wants your old shower curtain and matching dust bin?  

The rule is unless the buyer specifically asked for it, just take everything with you. Always remember to a double check any attic spaces, basements, storage cupboards, and the garage for anything you may have missed.

Some other valuable cleaning tips:

Don’t waste your time and always dust before you vacuum. Dusting without a doubt will stir up dirt and debris from any bookshelves and cupboards, which will then settle back onto the floor or other surfaces.

After you have dusted, thoroughly cleaning any the nooks and crannies, all excess dust and debris can then be easily vacuumed away.

 

 

Haven’t got the time and people coming by?  Its time for some Speed Cleaning!

The last thing you want to do is waste your precious time HOUSE cleaning! It’s usually anything but a fun activity to complete in your spare time. So below we have put together some methods to ease the pain, improve your end results and, most importantly enable you to reclaim your weekends & freedom.

When it comes to a quick tidy before an inspection, the key is to “have a simple plan, multi-task, and get a room done one at a time”. At Mooving Matters we live and breathe this process. “Organisation is always the utmost the key”. Basically set yourself a time limit, have your products on the ready, and move from room to room efficiently.

“The best way to achieve the best speed clean is to keep all distractions limited while you concentrate on getting the house presentable.”

Think big picture and focus on where people will hover and walk through the home. Make sure to cover the areas that are important, this is not the time to detail clean the microwave or empty out the fridge, these can be left for another day.

Set the clock, lets go!

A proven ay not to waste time or getting side tracked is by putting yourself on the clock. Allow approximately 15 minutes in each room. Set a timer, to keep your eye on the prize. This method will help you achieve as much done as possible in a short time, so it is essential that you are constantly on the go.

Focus on specific rooms. When people inspect, their time is limited to particular spots. This typically includes the kitchen, lounge room and bathroom. Concentrate on these areas.

Clear the space at hand

Before you start cleaning, it’s a good idea to throw any dirty / used towels and bed linen in the washing machine and hit go on the cycle. It’s a sure way to clear up the space and makes rooms accessible and easier to clean.

Tote your cleaning tools

Speed up the process by having all your cleaning products in a bucket or basket to carry from room to room.

This way you are not wasting valuable time going back and forth to the kitchen for different products and devices as they are already with you wherever you are in the house. So get prepped to get set and go!

Hit up the big spaces properly

Always look to do the bathroom and kitchen first as they are the big-ticket items, taking the most amount of time and interest by any potential buyer or renter.

The Kitchen: Spend a minute or two decluttering the benches and putting items back in their place. It’s the less is more principle – the emptier your benches are, the cleaner your kitchen looks.

Clean hard surfaces working from top to bottom. That way any debris that falls gets wiped up in subsequent cleaning.

Wipe down the stove, microwave, and fridge. Pay particular attention to the good old sink, a clean sink does wonders to help make the rest of the kitchen sparkle.

The Bathroom: Firstly spray the basin, vanity, shower and bath tub with an all-purpose srfacec cleaner and let sit while you tackle the toilet with a good scrub with the toilet brush and cleaner, let sit then flush. Lastly, spray a cloth with all-purpose cleaner and wipe down the outside of the toilet suite and pan.

Next clean the mirror with glass cleaner spray and, starting in the top corner, wipe in a circular motion with glass cloth or paper towel. Go back to the basin and give it a good final wipe over.

Lastly just wipe down the shower and tub, there is no need for a full scrub – just give them a quick swipe with a dampened cloth.

Eliminate the Dust storm: Make dusting the all-round house cleaning time.

Whilst you are dusting, look to tidy by put things away, placing toys in the toy bin – this is the mutli-tasking part of the cleaning process. While dusting, you are prepping that room to be vacuumed and finally mopped.

It’s essential to start in one corner of the room, working the room from top-to-bottom and back-to-front so that the dust falls onto the floor. And if you have blinds, best to run over them with the long-armed duster.

Get the Vac out: Start from the very back corner of a room and vacuum your way out the door, using long firm strokes. You can save time by only running the vacuum over each area of carpet once – not twice. It’s always a good idea to make sure the vacuum is empty and its filter cleaned before you start, it will make the job a whole lot easier and more efficient.

Bye bye broom: Don’t waste time sweeping, use the vacuum for all hard surfaces, carpet and tiles.

You only need one appliance – a vacuum – for all floors throughout the home, including bathrooms and kitchens. Sweeping is only getting the job half done as it doesn’t pick up all the dust and hair and should just be used for tidy ups in between if you don’t have stick vacuum.

Clear the clutter: Quickly scan rooms to see what’s out of place. Stash scattered items like remotes and DVDS in drawers; neatly stack magazines on the coffee table or in bookshelves.

In essence, leave the home in the condition that you would like to find your new home. Remember, the new homeowners might receive some of your mail or packages by mistake. It’s a good idea to stay on pleasant terms with the new buyers. And it’s also the right thing to do. 

 

 

If you need help to getting started on organising your move and clean up why not call on Mooving Matters your team of trusted and caring Professional Organisers. To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your property by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.

What Is a Green or Sustainable Move?

Moving out in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner is simply about finding ways to use green processes and products as much as possible when undertaking your next relocation.

As we all know moving in or out for many is seen as a stressful task. However, that does not mean that you should avoid being environmentally-conscious when you are decluttering, cleaning, wrapping and packing up your belongings in preparation in moving them to your new destination. It’s time we all took responsibility to lower our negative environmental impact wherever we can even when it comes to moving time.

This informative article by professional organisers Sydney – Mooving Matters will provide tips on how to create your own green move process with less stress, also saving your time and money along the way.

 

Plan Ahead of Time – Before the Move

With any relocation your first and most important advice is to plan your move well ahead of time. This will not only save you time and money, but it will also give you the opportunity to have a look at your move from a different perspective of achieving a greener and more sustainable one. By starting early you will gain better knowledge of what will fit into your new space in advance and know what you will need to bring or discard. The rule of the 3 R’s – Reuse, Reduce & Recycle is a simple yet effective eco friendly principle and place to start when accessing your homes contents and if and how they will be used in your next home. Below are the major areas or aspects recommended by professional organisers Mooving Matters to put into play come moving time.

 

Recycle – Donate or sell unneeded Items

Moving is the best way to kick that hoarding habit to the curb by donating or recycling things you no longer need or want. It’s a win-win situation as you will then use fewer packing materials and may reduce your moving truck trips which in turn can save you money and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time.

Basically the golden rule here is to only pack what you need! Before you start packing for your move, take our old TVs, computers, mobile phones and other electronics and household appliances to a centre that specialises in recycling those items. Many retailers and local communities will have these recycle collection facilities for such products. Otherwise your local council will have a monthly e-waste pick-up scheduled for your neighbourhood, so best to contact them in advance on when the next pick up will be. Batteries and interior paint can also be disposed or recycled responsibly so try not to just throw these in you otto bin. Movers that pack for you, Mooving Matters believe it’s this little bit of extra effort that goes a long way for the environment.

In terms of other everyday items as clothing and house hold goods and furniture you can look to donate these to your local charity store. Furniture, in particular, gets thrown out at record-high levels so try and pass it on if in good condition or if it can be restored.

If the items you have are of value and you would like to make a few bucks at the same time, you can also look to place these on online market places as Ebay or Gumtree. Otherwise the good old garage sale could work for you to remove most of your items over a day.

 

Think outside the standard moving Boxes

Corrugated boxes are luckily pretty easy to recycle. However the bubble wrap, tape, and packing peanuts you use in those boxes unfortunately are not.  If you do need boxes, there is no need to buy them new to only create new waste. Here are some clever moving friendly boxing options:

Use pre loved boxes – Check with the local grocery store if they can spare any empty cardboard boxes instead of buying new ones. This way, you will not only reduce waste, but will also save money on moving materials. Your new neighbours or extended family members or friends might have just moved and they could be open to selling or borrowing some of their relocation materials in order to help you facilitate your move.

Ditch the cardboard option – Ever consider packing your belongings in your suitcases or using or purchasing large plastic storage bins? If you don’t have these handy and you don’t want to buy any, talk to moving matters about organising reusable crates that you can rent during your move. You can also use other containers and vessels as shoeboxes or sandwich bags to pack those small loose items.

Done with your boxes and don’t want to hold on to them? There are plenty of mover and packers out there so be sure to pass on the boxes via posting them online for free or look to recycle them once your move is complete. 

 

Green packing materials

Did you know that your home is already full of packing materials?! So don’t throw out those old newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, blankets, and towels. Newspaper is great for protecting glassware, plates, and other fragile items. If you prefer to purchase padding protecting, opt for reusable pads, recyclable packing paper, and specially marked corn or wheat based biodegradable bubble wrap and peanuts. Don’t forget you can also seal your boxes with tape made of biodegradable plant material.

Unfortunately the standard plastic packaging materials as packing peanuts, foam and bubble wrap that most movers and packers use, all put an enormous strain on the planet as they breakdown real slow and have become major environmental pollutants. Using towels, blankets and old newspapers is the most conscious way to go…

At Mooving Matters the home organisers and full service moving and packing and unpacking experts, we will be able to provide you with reusable, eco-friendly packing materials as well as suitable boxes and bins.

 

Green removalist transport

As awareness of the need for more environmentally sustainable approaches grows, many removalist companies in the industry are now adopting a zero emissions approach with numerous many full service moving companies providing removalist trucks that use cleaner biodiesel fuel, Truck rental companies are also following suit offering similar options for those that want to complete a DIY move. If possible for longer-distance moves, look at consolidated shipping where you can pack your belongings in a compartmentalised truck with other movers. It’s a great way to reduce your move’s carbon footprint. Shipping your belongings by train is also a good idea for a greener move.

If the company you choose simply doesn’t use any eco-friendly practices, you can ask them if they could make an exception — if you have something specific in mind. Provided that they are a reliable company which value their clients, they surely will be glad to listen your preferences and make an agreement.

You will find that some relocation companies see being environmentally friendly as an integral part of their business values. Companies that have Environment Accreditation ISO1400 – a standard recognized worldwide, is awarded to organisations that are aware and go out to actively reduce their impact on the environment. They will have a clear environmental policy, demonstrating their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint yet will keep to industry standards and quality.

 

Go Green When You Clean When Moving Out and Before Moving In

Before you get trigger happy with the bleach, remember that a lot of household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that have an impact on the environment and also your health. They can get into and ultimately affect the quality of our water supply and cause harm to animals and humans with some household cleaners even cause air pollution.

When embarking on your exit clean on your existing premises or getting your new home in sparkling condition, please try and opt for all natural cleaning agents instead. Vinegar, bicarb soda, ammonia, and lemon are cheap, readily available and all great replacements for regular chemical-based cleaners, and they work just as well.

 

Other Eco Friendly Tips for Post Move:

Preloved Furniture and Eco sustainable interior finishes

Buying second hand is also an option if you need to add any new furnishings to your new space and home. Second hand items reduce the waste in local landfills. If you need to repaint before decorating, choose Eco-friendly paint that is low VOC. Once you are done with the walls, look to recycle any empty leftover paint cans.

Unpack Smart

As you are unpacking your truck and bring in your belongings to your new home try and close the door between each trip to grab boxes from the truck. If the weather allows it, avoid turning on the heater or air conditioner until after you bring everything inside and completed the move. This will reduces the amount of energy you use on your first day in your new home. If you don’t have time to do your unpack just leave it to the home organiser Sydney team at Mooving Matters your full serving moving, packing and unpacking company who are ready to help.  

Buy Energy-Efficient Products

If you have decided to combine your move with the replacement of your old appliances, buy only new generation, energy-saving products. Buy power strips to help you manage power to your appliances. Try to implement other similar tricks in order to create a sustainable, energy-efficient environment at your new home.

Switch to Energy Efficient lighting

Moving into a new property poses a good cause for evaluating your lighting situation. Install Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as these are popular choices for energy saving, and while they might cost more up front, they will save you and the planet in the long run.

Change your address and go paperless

Don’t forget to change all your addresses over to avoid the new residents letter box being filled with your personal mail. While notifying service companies of your address change why not request to go paperless and opt for email statements and bills wherever possible.

Switch to a greener energy provider

Moving is a good excuse to seek out a more environmentally conscious energy provider. The ‘Green Electricity Guide’ is a great online reference for comparing the performance of Australian electricity providers. 

Prep meals for the big move

Prepping and or freezing meals for the packing and unpacking period is a good and environmentally considerate idea. Not only will it save you time and headaches, but it will also save you some dollars and the environment by avoiding excess takeaway costs and packaging wastage.

Turn Over a New Leaf in Your Home

Every move is like getting a fresh makeover. So try and use this relocation as a chance to cull and declutter excess items and belongings, and make a new commitment to not buy cheap house hold items you don’t really need. If you don’t have time to do it yourself get Mooving Matters professional home organisers and decluttering services on board. In the future try and take time to consider your purchases, instead buying on impulse and at sales. It will ensure you will have less to discard next time you move, which hopefully won’t be in the near future…

Before your move consult with Mooving Matters your full service moving, packing and unpacking company on how they can help you achieve your next eco sustainable move. Our staff member’s many years of industry knowledge and experience may be able to identify other ways to reduce your move’s negative environmental impact. When the movers know your priorities, they will be able to perform their job better.

Moving requires plenty of time and energy. If you plan ahead of time, you may be able to conserve energy and help save the environment as well.

If you need help to getting started on organising your green move why not call on Mooving Matters your team of trusted and caring Professional Organisers. To arrange a complementary on-site inspection of your property by  Mooving Matters, your home organiser Sydney or to simply discuss our ‘Ultimate full service packing + moving’  experience call (02) 93375333 or visit us at moovingmatters.com.au.