A Practical Guide To Ensure A Smooth Move In Sydney
Moving house or office to Sydney can be one of the most fun things to do, but not if you do not prepare well for the move. Preparing for the move can be a complicated task, but one of the most overlooked is preparing furniture. This is one of the most important steps. Once you prepare the furniture, you will help your removalists in working quicker, reduce the chances of damages occurring, and even help lower the total cost that you will be paying for the move.
At Ozzy on the Move, we have completed thousands of moves for customers in the Sydney suburbs. In this guide, we will explain the best methods for preparing your furniture before the movers arrive and how to prepare your furniture, house, apartment, or office for the move.
Why Furniture Preparation Matters Before Moving Day
Furniture is always the most important thing to remember while moving, and is often the most expensive. Movers can face several issues if there is a lack of preparation, such as delays in the move, or issues like tight access. Preparation is one of the most important things to do before the furniture, movers, and you arrive.
How preparing your furniture can help with a move:
- Faster loading and unloading
- Decreased chances of moving furniture and walls getting damaged
- Improved safety for the movers
- Accurate time estimates
- Accuracy in pricing
- Better organisation
- More efficient overall move
Preparation always helps and is something that should be done. Both you and the removalist will appreciate it.
Begin Preparing Furniture At Least 2–3 Days Prior to the Move
One of the most common pitfalls people see here is leaving the furniture prep until the last minute. Ideally, this should be started two to three days before the moving day to avoid being rushed.
Make a checklist of the following:
- Furniture that will need to be disassembled
- Pieces that will require special care or protection
- Furniture that will not be moved
- Access issues (stairs, lifts, parking)
This allows your movers to properly prepare and bring the necessary means.
Decluttering Furniture Prior to the Move
Before wrapping and dismantling anything, take time to declutter.
What to remove?
- Items that are stored inside cupboards, drawers, and cabinets
- Old furniture that you no longer require
- Items that are broken or no longer used
Moving furniture that is unnecessary increases time, cost, and effort. Also, decluttering before the move will make the new space easier to unpack.
Pro tip: Unwanted furniture should be donated, sold, or disposed of no less than a week before moving day.
Emptying All Drawers and Cabinets
Many people commonly believe that removalists are able to move furniture while items are stored inside it. While this may be true for small lightweight drawers on certain occasions, it is always best to empty the furniture completely.
Why this matters:
- Alleviates weight and burden
- Avoids breakage and shifting of items
- Prevents opening of drawers while in transit
- After you emptied drawers, place loose items in cardboard boxes and label them accordingly.
- Disassemble Large Items of Furniture Where Possible
Taking apart furniture makes their moving much easier. It is especially useful for Sydney homes where there are lots of narrow hallways, staircases and apartment lifts.
Furniture that commonly needs to be taken apart are:
- Beds and bed frames
- Dining tables
- Wardrobes
- Desks
- Modular sofas
If you are unsure how to dismantle a piece, don’t try to do it yourself. Let it be the responsibility of professional movers so that damage is not done.
Keep all screws and other small bits of hardware Together
Not having screws and other small bits in the moving process is very frustrating.
Optimal method is:
- Get small ziplock bags and place screws, bolts and fittings inside
- Tape the bag to the furniture piece firmly
- Label the bag to identify its purpose
This method is time efficient during the rebuilding process of the furniture, and lost items are not an issue.
Be sure to defend All Wooden Furniture Properly
Wood items can be damaged numerous ways, for example scratches, dings and moisture can all cause damage. It is very important that the wood items are given their proper protection.
How to protect wood items:
- Remove any dust and other small bits that may be lingering
- Wrap it in moving blankets or thick padding
- Use stretch to tightly secure the padding in place
- Avoid using plastic for any extended periods of time directly on polished wood
This is especially important for furniture that is made of wood and are custom made or other antiques.
- Glass, Mirrors, and Weak Furniture
- Glass furnishings need special care.
- Items that need the most protection include:
- Glass tabletops
- Display cabinets
- Mirrors
- Glass shelving
Bubble wrap, corner protectors, and strong cardboard should be used. Mark all glass furnishings FRAGILE, so they’ll be handled with care.
Upholstered Furniture Preparation
As upholstered furniture like sofas, mattresses, and fabric chairs easily get dirty while moving.
To prepare, be sure to:
- Thoroughly vacuum all fabric surfaces
- Use either mattress protectors or plastic moving covers
- Wrap the upholstered items in clean blankets
- And don’t put anything on top of the upholstered items.
- This will protect the fabric furniture while in transport.
- Furniture That Has Legs, Shelves, and Parts
People should be moving with fewer loose items since they can snap or scratch other pieces.
To prepare before the moving truck arrives:
- Remove the legs of all tables that you can
- Remove all of the shelves that can be taken out.
- Wrap the doors in stretch wrap, because tape will damage the surfaces.
- This maintenance plan helps moving furniture go smoothly, and keeps items safe.
- Label Furniture That’s Staying Behind
- Furniture that’s being left behind should be clearly labeled.
This can be done simply by:
- Labeling the item with large, obvious, “DO NOT MOVE” stickers.
- Communicating with your movers
- And if you have space, place the furniture in a separate room to avoid confusion.
- Good communication will keep moving day as easy as possible.
Safety Check Access Points
Prior to the movers arriving, do a walkthrough of your premises and check:
- Door Widths
- Hallways and corners
- Staircases
- Clearing the lift
- Truck parking space
Move things like rugs, plants, or wall décor which might cause obstructions and slow things down.
Prepare Outdoor Furniture Separately
Extra cleaning and protection may be required for outdoor furniture.
Tips:
- Before moving, wash and dry items
- Pack cushions separately
- Disassemble, if possible
- Moisture protection during transport is a must
Dirt-transferring to indoor furniture is prevented.
Advanced Communication of Special Furniture Requirements
If you own:
- Pianos
- Large aquariums
- Pool tables
- Furnishings of a high value or antique
Let your removalist know ahead of time as special equipment or more people may be needed.
Wrapping Up – Checklist for Moving Day
On the movers’ arrival, make sure the following is done:
- All furniture must be empty
- Fragile pieces are wrapped
- Disassembled items should be made ready
- Secure the hardware
- Clear access paths
- Label items that will not be moving
Being prepared saves time and reduces last-minute nervousness.
Why is Ozzy on the Move the Logical Answer in Sydney?
We do know the people of Sydney and their homes as well as the traffic and the apartment regulations and access points. Ozzy on the Move has the experience to handle furniture with care and efficiency for local and long-distance moves.
Our Service Includes:
- Packing and wrapping furniture correctly
- Manipulating large and oversized goods
- Transporting items in a secure manner
- Avoiding delays in transit.
Furniture preparation in advance of our arrival is key to having a smooth service delivered. The more ready you are, the more competently we can move you.
For an all inclusive, hands on approach to your move, we service all areas of Sydney with pleasure to help from Ozzy on the Move!
Read more: How to Move Large Furniture Without Damaging Your Floors or Walls
