Moving (on a tight budget) - tips please!

[ss_storm]

Also if anyone has any tips on how to fit a fully furnished 4 bedroom house into a 3 bedroom townhouse I'd like to hear them!

Garage sale!

I've only ever moved twice, both of them were pretty easy as we didn't have much stuff. First time was when I moved into a unit with DF in town, out of my little box of a room at uni. I didn't really pack anything, it all just got thrown in the car!
When we moved from the unit into our house, again we didn't really pack as such...we were moving literally around the corner and we were only packing up a one bedroom unit so we didn't have a great amount of stuff. For boxes we just used what we had, and OH worked at the time for a business that sold office products so I think he grabbed a few larger boxes from them. Maybe ask around at some furniture places to see if they have any large cardboard boxes that they were just going to throw out, they might give them to you for free? Otherwise those cheap plastic stripy bags from a $2 shop are great for non-breakables.

[luna moth]

Got boxes in Woolloongabba. Come on over...

[C~Q]

Thanks guys, snugglybean I might take you up on that! I saw a house today that I really like so fingers crossed, it's a 4 bed house but it's in a neighbourhood that I wouldn't normally choose...

We'll see. Thanks, i'll let you know about those boxes!

[C~Q]

Well I got the house and we move on thr 25th so if I could borrow those boxes that would be great an you pm me your add?

[Kazbah]

If you rent a truck, its cheaper on sundays too.

For the exit-clean, if you want to save time, get a list of what the real-estate agent wants and work to that.

Prioritise your utilities - if there's anything you can do without (landline?) then don't install it for a week or so - don't forget you'll be getting bills from the old place which will possibly be hefty along with the connection fees for the new place.

Good luck - um, as the 25th is a public holiday, how will you drop the keys back?

[New Dawn]

boxes are the biggest expence so get as many free ones as you can... If you have seen anyone move to the area in the last few weeks, go knock on there door and see if they have any boxes there still... ( and sell your boxes in the trading post when your done )

cull cull cull its what we do at every move.... it amazing how much crap we collect along the way... and we move almost yearly


best of luck with the move hope you find your dream home.... well at least one you really like

[Sibbie]

Maybe try your local supermarket for boxes? or places like bunnings etc, i'm sure all they do is throw away the boxes, they might be willing to give you some. (that's how we got most of our boxes for the move we just did!) ummm.... what else... make sure you ring around HEAPS of places for the carpet cleaning... we got a quote of about $300ish from one place and i'm glad i called around cos we ended up getting it done for about $150!

That's all i can think of now... if i think of more i'll come back!

I hope your move goes well!!

[jackrose]

Keep in mind that with Utes and trailers it means lots of smaller moves, lots of trips across town (which add up even if it is a short distance) and you can't be in two places at once. This means that you have to be either controlling the pack and load or contolling the unload at the other end...

FWIW I really recommend hiring an ISUZU truck for a day. We have moved our entire house a few times in just one trip in the right sized truck. They are easy to drive and you only need a regular license. I would never go back to a van or trailer now . I think the price is pretty reasonable and is well worth the time and effort you save. There is a website that helps you compare all of the hire companies (google - vroomvroomvroom).

And I second the idea of a garage sale! It feels so good to offload excess stuff!What works really well is to move out of your house a few days early, leaving behind all the stuff you want to sell. That way you can have the garage sale in the empty house if it rains. Then, the way I look at it, people are paying you to take away all your crap!!! Remember to keep the prices crazy low so that it walks out the door... otherwise you will need that trailer to take it all to the dump/salvos later .

all the best with the move and the new house!

[luna moth]

For the exit-clean, if you want to save time, get a list of what the real-estate agent wants and work to that.

This is where Qld's quarterly inspections rock out. You can get away with the shoddiest exit clean - seriously, just mop, vacuum, clean the windows and toilet and you're pretty much set. Both Brissy places we have moved into were filthy compared to Melbourne exit clean standards.

Dropping the keys off shouldn't be too much of an issue. I know our agent will accept them the following Monday if you move on a weekend. It's pretty rare that they get someone move in on the day that the place is vacated, so you should be all right.
We did a dodgy when we left Melbourne - had an exit cleaner coming at 1, and we were leaving for Brissy at 4. Cleaner was late, so we dropped off three sets at the agent and gave a fourth to the cleaner. We told the cleaner to drop the keys in the letterbox over the road when he was finished (a friend's) and our friends then disposed of the key. SOOO naughty!

I second the "get a truck" philosophy. If you can afford it, they're cheaper than you think, get one of the boys to drive it for you or drive it yourself. I'm not that into it, terrified of hitting something with the top of it.

Will PM you the address.

[C~Q]

Awesome thanks guys! I have a couple of friends helping with trailers and utes and it's only 10 mins so should be ok! Now i'm thinkning of hiring a skip, my garage is FULL of rubbish and you have to pay to go to the tip here.

I got a quote for outside and inside pest spraying and carpets (4 beds, lounge and study) for $450 - does that sound about right? I have no idea!