Moving house marks the start of an exciting new chapter but packing and moving can still take a toll both physically and emotionally.  

When you see how the professionals go about it, so efficiently, quickly and calmly, you might decide that the cost of packers and removalists is worth the expense. 

We sought expert advice from Neal Martin, the owner of Five Star Removals, who we engage to move our display apartments, and discovered there are many ways to make moving house stress and accident free. 

If you have the budget and confidence in your removalist, Neal suggests you could even take a holiday and return to your new home when the job is done. 

Boxes: A cheap single-walled box is a false economy if it collapses under the weight of your precious but heavy dinner set. You need double walled boxes that come in three main categories – Crystal, Book & Wine, and Tea Chest. Tall Portarobe boxes are also handy for transporting clothing though they are expensive.  

Fragiles: Buy a big ream of butchers’ paper and lay it out on a table like a gift wrapping station. Line the bottom of the box with scrunched up paper, not newsprint, and wrap up plates individually keeping it loose to add some extra cushioning. Plates should be stacked on their side and the heaviest items at the bottom, with glasses on top. A box packed to international standard can be dropped from a height of 30cm without breakage. But best not try this at home. 

Wine: If your collection of wine includes corked bottles you can get special dividers to lay the bottles on their side and keep the cork hydrated, especially important if your boxes are going into storage rather than directly to your home. 

Kitchen items: Pots and pans, Tupperware and the myriad light but oddly shaped items that fill kitchen drawers and cupboards can be packed into a Tea Chest. 

Linens: Towels, sheets, doonas and pillows are best put into big garbage bags which the removalist can scatter throughout the truck to fill gaps. 

Clothing: Some items you may be happy to put into garbage bags with more precious garments stowed in a Portarobe or transported yourself.  

Furniture: Fabric furnishings should be plastic wrapped by the removalist to protect against marks while blankets come in handy for pieces that could chip or scratch and to wrap around mirrors and paintings. 

Labels: Clear labels to identify the contents of boxes and the intended room at the destination helps removalists to put furniture and boxes in the correct place, reducing the amount of heavy lifting you have to do afterwards. 

Placement: Being on hand at the drop-off allows you to guide the placement of furniture – and have your removalists move it around if you change your mind.  

*The article is intended as a guide only to provide general information.  Mirvac is not a provider of financial or investment advice and this information should not be relied on as such. Before acting on any information in this publication, purchasers should fully consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to their objectives, and financial and tax situation and needs, and seek their own advice from appropriately qualified advisers.  Mirvac has made all reasonable efforts and inquiries it believes necessary in preparing the publication but is not responsible for confirming the completeness or accuracy of such data and information. Purchasers must rely on their own continuing enquiries about purchasing decisions. Mirvac expressly excludes any and all liability relating to, or resulting from, the use of or reliance on, any information contained in this brochure by any person.