You’ve got to admit, when you move house, there’s always a profound moment of relief when you unpack the very last box, tinged with possibly a hint of sadness as you realise that you’ve closed one chapter of your life and opened another. As you go off in a world of your own and start to reminisce about days gone by, you’re suddenly brought back into reality as you walk into that fatal spare room only to be greeted by a mountain of empty boxes that come tumbling out as you open the door.

Yes we’ve all been there, but the question is what do you do with all those empty boxes after your house move?

Here at On The Move Removals it’s fair to say that we’ve handled our fair share of boxes during our time and we know from experience that there’s nothing worse than having a spare room full of them. So here are a few pearls of wisdom that might help you lighten your world of unwanted cardboard boxes.

Give them away
As we speak (or at least as I’m writing this post) somebody, somewhere will be wanting empty boxes. They’re so in demand they’re like a big juicy steak at a convention for starving carnivores. So spread the word through social media channels, friends and family or your place of work. Trust us, someone will know someone who is in desperate need of boxes.

Sell them
Okay so the word ‘sell’ might not be the right terminology but if you’ve bought your packing boxes from new then you might be able to sell back your unused ones on a sale or return basis. Packing materials is often a significant outlay for most removalist companies, so they may be only happy to buy unused ones back at a greatly reduced price. It’s got to be worth an ask right!

Save the planet and recycle
Okay so you probably guessed that this one was heading your way, but the truth is that boxes can be re-purposed for a whole multitude of things, so if you don’t have a need for them, then why not pay a visit down to your local recycling plant. After all you might as well do your bit. This way you get to dispose of items you don’t want and while you’re at it you get to feel good about it too. What’s not to like about that?

At On The Move Removals we’re your local moving company covering Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, so let us handle your packing and moving needs including your boxes. Give us a call on 044 993 2603 or visit our website at www.onthemoveremovals.com.au and get a competitive quote that won’t leave you feeling crushed.

According to a recent study, the price of hiring a removal company for a straight forward, no issues move turns out to be around $2 per kilogram. That doesn’t sound a lot, but when you consider that a standard 2 bedroomed house or apartment has around 4100 kgs of ‘stuff’ it means that packing, moving and unpacking it again is likely to run close to $9000. If this sort of money isn’t really a problem to you then that’s fine, but what about if money is tight, or you simply don’t wish to spend that much money on a property move, what do you do then? The good news is that with a little bit of preparation and planning, you can bring down this cost considerably. Here’s how to do it.

Plan early
As soon as you know that you’re going to be moving you should at the very least open negotiations with a removalist. The simple reason is that by planning early, you can afford to shop around and get the best deal. You see, many companies offer flexible moving packages to suit both need and budget of the customer. If you only give a removal company a week’s notice, they may well be limited on the type of service they can offer you due to other commitments. Finally, by planning early you can look to get rid of items you no longer need, and if possible, even look to move some items yourself ahead of time.

Seek cheap packing materials
Buying packing boxes can be expensive if you purchase them directly through a removal company or are buying them brand new. Instead, what you might want to do given time is to go round family and friends and ask if they have any decent boxes hanging around that they don’t need. Another possibility is to ask your local store whether they have any spare boxes they can let you have. Chances are that if they have daily deliveries, then they’ll be only too happy to get rid of a few.

What about good old bubble wrap?
Okay so admit it! Who doesn’t like to pop the bubbles on a roll of bubble wrap? While it is an effective packing material it’s also pretty expensive and when you’re on a budget, utilising newspaper, old towels, blankets and even pillow cases will not only do a very good job, but could save you a few dollars in the process.

Get rid of junk
Every time I stay in one place for any number of years I tend to accumulate what can only be described as ‘stuff’. It’s probably the same for most people. By being ruthless and getting rid of any junk, you’re not moving items (remember $2 per kg) that you probably won’t ever use. Also by getting shot of your unwanted items early on it might make the difference between paying for a large truck and squeezing it in to a less expensive smaller truck.

So there you have it! Moving doesn’t have to be expensive if you do a little bit of pre-planning. If you are moving locally and are on a bit of a budget, but still want the best quality service then you need to speak to On The Move Removals. We’ve built a strong reputation for a speedy and efficient service, so give us a call on 044 993 2603 and let us give you a seriously competitive quote. You may be surprised at how much money we can save you.

When you’re moving house it’s easy to get so wrapped up in all the practicalities and organisation that’s involved that you may just forget to take into account the feelings of your children. Moving can be a tough time for them since they’re leaving behind their friends and familiar places. Saying goodbye to their bedrooms can also be a big wrench. They’ll be starting a new chapter in their lives. One which involves adjusting to a new house, sounding out the neighbourhood, starting a new school and making new friends.

Here’s a few tips for getting the kids involved from the get go:

Preparing for the move
Let your children know as soon as you can about the move since this will give them more time to get used to the idea. Let them express their feelings and be totally honest about your own. Help older children to create an address book so they know they can stay in touch with friends or, if they use the internet, help them set up emails or create a profile on a social networking site. You could also encourage them to start up a blog.

During the move
Try and remain positive and calm since any signs of stress will be quickly picked up by your children and may unsettle them even more. Get the children involved in packing. If they’re old enough let them put their belongings in boxes and spend a fun time decorating their boxes. It’s also important during the days leading up to moving day to stick to their normal routine and bedtime. Encourage them to make a scrapbook of their ‘old house’ filling it with photos, a piece of their wallpaper and pictures of their friends. Lastly, remember not to pack their favourite teddy or toy.

Getting settled at the new house
Begin by just unpacking the essentials and leave other boxes until later. Make sure that the children’s rooms are organised with familiar belongings around them, and as soon as you can get them back into their normal bedtime routine. Discuss with them how they’d like their new bedroom to look since this will help them to feel like they’re in control of their environment once more. Also take time out with them exploring the neighbourhood and locating parks and pizza restaurants, or anything else that they really liked about their old neighbourhood. Encourage them to make new friends by inviting them round after school for tea.

Moving house is a big deal for adults and children alike, so don’t expect it all to be plain sailing.

If you’re planning your move, then why not give us a call and tick one more item off your check list.
We’ve been servicing the area of the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane for many years and know it like the back of our hands. Call us today on 0449932603 and let us take the strain.