D.L. Thomas

Make a tour of your house, garage and yard. Decide what has to be moved and what is to be discarded. Make a list, take this opportunity to sort things out.
Have a garage sale - why pay to move anything you no longer require?
Start to use up your frozen food supply, and buy only what you need at the moment.
Collect family medical and dental records, and the children's school details.
Notify the magazines & newspapers you subscribe to of your change of address.

Have your car prepared for the trip, check all safety points and make sure it's in tip-top condition.
If you plan to do some packing yourself, start now. We will supply you with what you require. With respect to the cartons, don't forget to identify the contents and the room to be placed in.

Collect all items which are away being repaired or clothes being cleaned.
Return library books and anything you have borrowed from friends and neighbours.
Finalise any outstanding accounts.
Arrange cancellation of milk & newspaper deliveries.
Organise final reading for gas and electricity.
Compile list of all items that are absolutely necessary for your family during the course of an ordinary day. Keep these items aside.

Correctly dispose of flammables such as cleaning fluid, paint and matches. We are not allowed to transport these articles, and they are not allowed in storage.
Drain fuel from lawn mower and other engines. Make sure all seals are tight on bottles, jars and cans containing liquids. Put them into water proof packaging, such as plastic containers or bags.
Wash and dry dirty clothing.
Remove curtains, venetian blinds - unless they are to remain in the house.

Make sure all dishes are washed and dried.
Have all the items you want, packed together in separate lots.
Make sure the fridge and freezer have all food and ice removed.
Defrost the fridge and wipe the interior dry, allowing 24 hours to air before collection.
Pack fridge shelves and crisper separately.
Have electricity, gas and water meters read.
Make a final check of all closets, cabinets and storage areas for overlooked articles.

Before the removal van arrives, be aware about what they are contracted to do and what you should do. If you have any doubts, telephone our operations manager.
Turn off all taps.
Check gas and electrical switches and lights.
Lock all windows and doors.
Make sure that nothing has been left lying around in the garden.
Be on hand when we arrive. If you can't be there, please have someone to take your place.
This is the time to check, read and sign our inventory.
Remain on the premises until all goods are loaded.

For pot plants, collect some cardboard boxes which are a little taller than the pot plants. Make a bottom tray in the boxes using metal foil. Water the plants thoroughly the day before the move and place them in the boxes.
For small pot plants and ones with drooping leaves, lay the pots on their sides and roll them up in sheets of newspaper, so the paper forms a tube slightly higher than the plant. Lean the top of the tube of several pots against each other, which will keep the tubes upright.
For small garden plants, find some plastic sheeting and lay then together - high enough to avoid the plant tops. For added safety, place the plants in the cardboard boxes.
Check with our consultant regarding the regulations in moving plants and shrubs interstate.

To save alot of frustration on moving day, draw-up a plan on graph paper of where you want to place your furniture.
Cut out extra scaled pieces of graph paper to the size of the furniture, and after deciding on the best position, glue them to the plan. When the plan is completed, give it to our consultant or the removalist in charge.
This type of planning will prevent double handling, and avoid damage to furniture and walls

Pack some snack food, sugar, tea or coffee, kettle, soap, towel, tin opener, cork screw, plastic mugs, kitchen sponge and cleaner.
Include a rubber sink plug and some spare light bulbs.
Add the vacuum cleaner to this list, if you want to give your new house a quick going over. (We can arrange cleaning services if you require)
If you're sending the emergency kit with the removalist, mark the carton or case "Load Last", so it will be the first item unloaded.

Children usually look forward to moving, however, it can be a time of mixed emotions: leaving old friendships, starting a new school, wondering just how things will be. Try to keep them informed and if possible, take then to the new house and show them where their bedrooms will be, where school is and other places of interest around your area.
When moving, young children and babies should be kept right away from the scene of the removal. They can be a real danger, both to themselves and men carrying heavy objects. Try and arrange to leave the little ones with a friend or neighbour while the move is on. Involve the older children in the move, without letting then get underfoot, by allocating them specific tasks.

If you're moving a long distance, ask us to organise arrangements for the care and transport of your pets.
If they're still with you on moving day, keep them out of the way in a safe place.
Cats have a sixth sense for knowing 'when somethings up', so put them in a room with a big sign on the door "Don't let the cat out", until you finally leave.
If you decide to transport your own pets, there are special travelling packs for cats and dogs.
Caged birds can be kept in their cages, preferably covered.
Tropical fish and gold fish can be carried for several hours in plastic bags, providing the bag contains 10 times as much air as water. Seal each bag, and place it in a waterproof container for protection.
Finally, don't leave searching for your pets until the last minute.

Have someone travel in advance to open-up the house before the removal van arrives. The house can then be aired and dusted, and cupboards re-lined.
Another advantage of having a forward scout is to make sure the keys are available and the house can be opened. If no-one is available and a reasonable waiting period elapses, we may have to take your goods into storage and re-deliver them.
The forward scout can also take the furniture plan, and have it ready to direct the removalist when they arrive.
When the move is over and everything is in its place, put the kettle (which should have been in the emergency kit!) on, and have a 'cuppa' all round for a job well done!

Jewellery, money, documents, passports, insurance policies, etc. should not be included in goods to be transported. Take them with you personally, or have them placed in security storage.
Don't include perishable foods such as vegetables, flour and cereals, in goods to be stored.
Discuss valuable goods such as furs, paintings, crystal, etc. with our consultant, for your protection and insurance purposes.
Don't apply french polish or any other coatings to furniture before moving. It takes a long time to harden and is easily scratched.
Please ensure any electrical appliance has the required special transit packaging (as supplied by the manufacturer) before our arrival eg. washing machine, CD player, video recorders, etc. If unsure consult your 'Owners Manual'
Don't forget to book overnight accommodation, if required.
Keep aside everything required for the journey: keys, money, credit cards, cheque books, bank books, etc. Lock them in the glove box of your car so you know where they are.