Moving Planner

This article is part of a series bought to you by ALLSTORAGE SELF STORAGE. For drive-up easy storage at 1/4 city prices; in Warwick contact Harcourts Real Estate Phone 07 4661 3999; Stanthorpe contact Cec Mann & Co. 07 4681 4444; Glen Innes contact Robyn Willis Real Estate. (02_ 67321855. Or visit www.allstorage.com.au. We pride ourselves on providing quality, value-for-money storage.

House Moving Planner
If you read our last article on Finding a Rental property (see www.allstorage.com.au), you should now be thinking about moving, hopefully to Warwick or Stanthorpe, rather than away! It’s a great area, offers some enjoyable spots like Girraween National Park and Storm King Dam. A good family attraction is located on the banks of the beautiful Quart Pot Creek at Stanthorpe – Kidspace. Kidspace is four themed recreational activity areas based on Stanthorpe’s seasonal calendar – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn and incorporates playground themes and design elements associated with each season. There is even a cute version of the Brass Monkey on top of the Winter Garden jungle gym! This is a great place for mum and dad to spend some time with the kids and there is a play activity of interest to most age groups. Just another reason why Stanthorpe is proving to be such an attractive place for young people to move to and raise their families.
So hopefully you’ve got a job lined up or are ready to join the many business operating here. If not as a first place of contact try the Economic Officer at the combined Southern Downs Regional Council. This region is capably serviced by the Toowoomba Office of State Development and if you are in Stanthorpe Shire there is a special “drought” incentive package for Tourist operators.
4 WEEKS TO GO

Estimate the costs of your move and start saving
Notify your Landlord or Agent that you are moving and ask for a referral letter, for you and your pets.
Check if your Employer might pay any of your moving costs, or if these are tax deductible
If moving to Queensland, check any changes with Drivers Licences
Contact the local Council’s about relevant facilities and permits you may need
Write an inventory of all belongings going to your new home
Make any travel or accommodation reservations
Arrange a removalist, packing/unpacking service
Work out what you want to store with us and compare our costs.

3 WEEKS TO GO
Start packing!!
Get any school and medical records or prescriptions forwarded to your new area
Get a quote from our recommended Removalists and buy/rent packing stuff: boxes, tape, bubble wrap from him.
Visit schools or childcare in the Stanthorpe/Warwick and enrol children
Start keeping newspapers for wrapping breakables
Book storage space with one of our Agents.

2 WEEKS TO GO
Arrange for childcare for moving day if necessary.
If moving your pet in the car, get them used to car travel to see how they react
Familiarise children with the new area, check out social and sports club for them
Confirm details with removalist.
Organise to disconnect/connect essential services; gas, water and electricity
Transfer all home deliveries to your new address
Get your car serviced if you coming from a long distance
Update Insurance policies



FINAL WEEK
Organise any household repairs and thorough cleaning
Keep a few playthings out for kids on move day
Get Australia Post to redirect all your mail to your new address
Start using up all canned and frozen foods
Ask family and friends to help you on moving day – keep a cold beer for afterwards!
Transfer bank accounts if need be
Check new home and get any repairs done
Thoroughly clean your existing house or garden
Send emails to everyone with your new details
Return any videos and library books, collect all dry cleaning or items for repair
Empty petrol or hazardous chemicals before moving any machinery
Write detailed directions for the removalist
Gather all keys from old address, get spares from family and friends
Leave out vacuum for last minute clean ups
Keep a bag free with all the things you'll need for your unpacking and cleaning
Ensure direct debits are still covered if you close any accounts
Organise pet care for the whole of moving day
Defrost freezer, clean oven and empty pantry

MOVE DAY
Have final payment ready for your Removalist
Leave a note at your old address with your forwarding address
Lock all doors and windows as you leave
Have someone supervise the removalists while they are unpacking
Check all items during unload, look for any damaged or missing items
Read the Removalists contract thoroughly before signing and keep a copy.
Test all keys and consider changing your locks


AFTER MOVE
Unpack everything and store things with Allstorage that you can't bear to get rid of that don't fit in your new home.
Ask at the Stanthorpe or Warwick Tourist Centre where local sports clubs, parks and social centres are and get involved in your new neighbourhood
Get your pets familiarised to the new area as quickly as possible so they don't try to find their old place
Make a list for your landlord of any appliances that aren't working or any defects and ask your if you can add picture hooks/redecorate your new house
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Good luck! We hope you make a successful move to our region and look forward to meeting your storage needs.☺