Moving Tips
A guide to moving smoothly and efficiently — use it as a reference for your own move.
Sorting
Moving is a great chance to declutter. Be brave about letting go of things you don't need — the secret to good organising is throwing things out.
Start by separating what you'll keep from what you'll discard, beginning about two weeks before moving day. The key is to start early. Tackling a room you rarely use first makes it easy to see what's essential and what isn't.
Anything you no longer need can be collected for free through River Express's Garage Sale service.
Packing
Always label each box with the room it belongs to.
Clothing
Pack clothes into cardboard boxes rather than plastic bags, which can tear. Pulling a whole drawer out and placing it beside the box saves time. Note that some flat-pack furniture (e.g. IKEA) can be damaged even by light loads when moved — let us know in advance if you're unsure.
Books
Use small boxes, fill about half way, and place lighter items on top. Triple-tape the bottom seam to prevent it giving way.
Fragile items (dishes, glassware)
Weave a length of bubble wrap between plates of the same type — it's faster than wrapping each piece individually and still keeps them safe. Label boxes "Fragile" and "This Side Up".
Note: damage to items packed by the customer is only covered by insurance if the box itself shows external damage. If you're concerned, contact us in advance and our staff can pack fragile items for you.
Electronics
Repack in original boxes if you still have them. Damage isn't covered where there's no visible external damage. Please carry data drives and laptops with you personally. For long-distance moves (2+ hours), empty and defrost your fridge the night before.
Everything else
Pack toiletries, towels and a few essential clothes/dishes last. Keep old and new keys in your everyday bag so they don't get lost in the move. We're unable to transport cash, valuables, securities or hazardous materials — please carry these yourself.
Move-in
Label each room (A, B, C or 1, 2, 3).
Measuring your furniture and marking it on your new floor plan makes placement day much smoother — especially for fridges and washing machines, which sometimes don't fit the intended spot. Putting a room-number sign on each door also helps movers know exactly where everything goes.
Unpacking
Once furniture is in place according to your plan, put the matching boxes in front of each piece and unpack as a family. Flatten empty boxes and nest the smaller ones inside larger ones — it saves tying them up and makes disposal easier.