We often get asked the golden question of moving; how long will it take to move house?
Well my question to you is; how long is a piece of string? There is no definitive answer as every home and move is different.
Here at MetroMovers, we have conducted thousands and thousands of moves over the years and we have yet to come across any two homes that are the same. There are a number of factors that come into play when referring to the duration of your move including how prepared you are on the day and how much you have done prior.
We understand why customers want to know how long their move is going to take, as they may need to consider budgets and time frames.
11 Moving Tips To Make Your Move Faster
Label Your Boxes with Room Destinations
Labelling your boxes makes it easier for the removalists to ensure they are placed in the correct rooms at delivery. It minimises the fumbling around and confusion of what goes where. People will remember to label the top of the box, but it is also a good idea to label at least 2 other sides as well. This ensures the removalists, as well as yourself, can see the room destination label from all angles. Another method we commonly see is the use of colour coding stickers where a different colour represents a different room.
Be Prepared and Organised
The more prepared and organised you are, the quicker your move will be! Try to have all the smaller contents packed into boxes before the movers arrive. If you are still packing whilst the men are loading up the truck, this will be very frantic for you and the movers. A good idea is to have a moving checklist so you have a point of reference to go back to guarantee a smooth move.
Stack Your Packed Boxes Near The Entrance
Whether you decide to stack them on the front lawn, in the driveway, in the front room of the house or right next to the truck door, every little bit of your help will contribute to a quicker house move. Be careful not to injure yourself and so leave the heavier boxes for the movers and just move the boxes containing cushions, linen and clothes yourself.
Pack All The Boxes Before We Arrive
Make sure everything has been boxed up as loose components often slow the team down. By having everything packed into boxes allows the removalists to stack everything neatly. Stacking a truck is like giant game of real life tetris; so the more uniform your contents and boxes are the easier it is for the men.
Move All Small / Loose Contents Yourself
If you don’t manage to get every small item packed prior to the team arriving, consider moving these items yourself. The movers can wait for you to finish packing up all your contents, but waiting time will cost you money so it is crucial to be prepared for your big day for an efficient move.
Plan Where You Want Your Furniture
Plan and think ahead of where you would like your furniture placed at your new home as this will reduce the time the team has to spend rearranging your furniture. It is also a good idea to draw your furniture placements on a floor plan and provide this to the removalists on the day.
Be Ready To Direct Your Furniture Placement
We always remember to help the team load and unload the truck, but sometimes we forget that the movers need authority in regards to where to put your items. Always have at least one person directing your movers and telling them exactly where you want your furniture placed.
Reserve A Park For The MetroMovers Truck
The closer the truck can park to the entrance, the shorter the walking distance to and from the truck, the faster the move. If you have a large driveway that can accommodate the truck, move your cars out of the driveway ahead of time so the team can back into your driveway as soon as they arrive. If you live on a busy street, use your car and some orange cones to save a parking spot for the truck right outside your front door. If you live in the CBD parking may be difficult so organise parking permits or loading docks for the trucks prior to your move day.
Stairs & Lifts Increase Your Total Move Time
If you live in an apartment or unit complex, stairs and lifts may be unavoidable. For lift access buildings, try to book a lift for your sole-use to minimise waiting time. You can also move the smaller items and boxes down to the lobby or ground level yourself to reduce the amount of times the removalists have to go up and down.
Book Your Building Lifts In Advance
Most lift access apartment buildings will require lift bookings to be made so protective pads can be placed on the walls of the lift for protection. Booking out the lifts means they are locked for the movers use only so it will minimise waiting time especially if it is a busy apartment.
Try To Dismantle Furniture By Yourself
Our men are trained and equipped with tools to dismantle and reassemble your furniture, but it does take time to ensure it is done properly. By dismantling and reassembling your beds and bookshelves yourself prior to removalists arriving, you are cutting down the time the movers are there and also allows for easier loading of the truck.
