Home Moving Hints

The cheapest way to move a short distance is always with the hourly rate system. This system eliminates a lot of the overheads normally incurred with fixed-priced moves. Even more, savings can be made by reducing the amount you have your removalists do.

At MiniMovers, we give you the total freedom to do as much as you want: the more you do, the lower the cost.

However, our MiniMovers crews are available to help you with any moving needs. If you want us to, we can take care of your entire move: from having us supply you with quality moving boxes and packing materials, to using our professional packing service, to moving all your goods (including heavy items such as pianos and pool table), to dismantling and reassembling furniture, to disconnecting and reconnecting electrical items, to unpacking your goods after the move.

These helpful hints will assist you in preparing for your short-distance move, so your moving time will be reduced, saving you $$$.

Planning

You are hiring our equipment, expertise, and labour. Use it where you have to. Take into consideration your physical capabilities and the amount of time you can spare. Good planning and preparation will save you money!

Packing

Almost everyone underestimates the packing time needed to pack small items. If packing yourself, start well before the moving date and check our hints on packing your small items section. You can also view our video, Packing and Moving Made Easy. Our packing hints are designed to help you pack properly. Remember, our written No-Damage Guarantee does not cover items that you have packed yourself. If you are concerned by this and want your small items covered, then call us and we can send a professional MiniMovers packer, who will pack whatever you need.

Items to empty

Wardrobes and desk drawers must be emptied. Chests of drawers need to have breakable, loose, and heavy items removed. Light clothing may remain. Never tape drawers shut. As a rule, furniture with doors must be emptied. Gas bottles and equipment such as lawnmowers must be empty before we carry them.

Pack in good boxes

Lots of small open boxes (that cannot be stacked) take a lot longer to move than goods packed in boxes of the right size. On the other hand, using boxes so large that they become overweight can dramatically slow down the moving process. Using proper removal boxes will not only help ensure a safe no-damage move, but it also speeds up your move.

Reduce the number of items

Moving your small items yourself will reduce MiniMovers’ moving time. However, doing many trips in a car will end up costing you more than it would to have us move it, especially if you loaded the small items while the MiniMovers crew loaded the larger items. The number of items can also be reduced by tying loose items such as brooms and mops in bundles. Leave drawers in dressers.

Reduce the distance

Every trip to the truck takes time. If you have packed your small items, try and have them near where the truck will park. Blocking entrances means we waste time when we arrive. So make sure to clear access to ensure quick moving. Keeping small children and pets away during the move also helps.

Dismantling

Dismantle beds, mirrors from dressers, and other furniture items (those that had to be assembled when purchased) before your MiniMovers crew arrives. Losing small items, especially keys, is common when moving and is very frustrating. Keep all screws and bolts in bags, and remember where you put them. Put the hose off the washing machine inside the machine.

Fridges/Freezers

Do not defrost less than one week before moving. Water in the trays causes problems. On your moving day, near the end of loading, we will indicate when the fridge should be emptied. We will then load the fridge last, and unload it first. This minimizes the time your goods are out of refrigeration.

Very heavy items

Leave heavy items (such as pianos, pool tables, large safes, etc.) to the experts, MiniMovers. When booking, please let us know about these items.

Flat glass items

This includes plate glass, paintings, prints, tabletops, and wall unit shelves. Simply leave them bare for us to handle. Never pack plate glass or glass front paintings in boxes.

Pot plants

Do not water them for a few days prior to the move. All necessary certificates must be obtained in advance from the correct State Department.

Water beds

If possible, siphon out. There is an easy way to do this – check with us. If your bed has baffles, carefully fold the mattress or leave it to us. If the bed has a timber frame, you may only need to loosen the screws to disassemble it.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Moving House.