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How To Help Your Dog Settle Into A New House

So you’re about to move house. You have set the date, organised the removalists, started the ordeal of packing but have you considered your furry friends? While dogs usually move and settle better than cats, it’s worth taking the time to ensure your furry friend is comfortable and at ease with their new house. These are some great steps to ensure it’s a smooth move for everyone.

Organise a moving day playdate

Getting a family member or friend to look after your dog on moving day will allow you to move safely (no falling over the dog) and keep your dog calm. Ideally keep your dog at their house until the house is somewhat settled. Having the familiar furniture and dog toys in place before they arrive will allow them to understand that this is their belongings but in a new location. It will come as less of a shock. 

Take them outside ASAP

As soon as your furry friend arrives at their new house, take them outside. Show them where you want them to go to the toilet and set expectations on how to behave in their new home. Treat toilet time as you would with a puppy, lots of encouragement and rewards when they do the right thing. 

Pack their items last and unpack them first

Ensure that your dogs favourite belongings and toys are around until it’s time to leave and as soon as they are in the new home. Seeing their belongings and toys in the new house will help them settle and understand that this is their place too. 

Take them for a walk around the neighbourhood 

Once everything is in place at the new house, take your pooch for a walk around the neighbourhood. Show them the local streets, introduce them to the new smells and help them understand the area they are now living in. 

Make sure your new house is safe

It is very important to ensure the new house is safe and ready for your furry friend. Check fencing and gates to see if they will be secure for you pooch. Check the shed, garage and shelves at nose level for any poisons and remove any chewable items. It may be worth completing a sweep of the garden to ensure no hazardous substances have been spread that you are unaware of. 

Keep your normal schedule 

Try to keep your dog’s schedule as normal as possible. Take them on their walks, feed them at their usual time, engage with play and place them in a similar environment at night. Keeping everything as normal as you can will help to settle them more quickly into their new environment. 

Be there for them

If possible arrange to be home for the first week. By being there you can help them become familiar with their environment and ensure they don’t engage in any destructive behaviours or try to flee. You can also observe how they are acting in their new space. If staying at home for the week isn’t possible, have someone drop in and check on them when they can. 

Be patient

Introducing your dog to a new environment is a bit like having a puppy again. Training may go out the window and your pooch may engage in behaviours that they were not doing before. Go back to the basics and be patient, settling may take a while but with the right encouragement they will grow to love their new home as much as their last. 

Are you moving house soon and need a reliable removalist company? Quick and Easy are here to help! Give us a call today for your free quote. 

Five Reasons Why You Should Hire professional Movers

Your moving day is set and you begin to plan for the big day. One aspect to consider is, should you hire a professional mover? While it may seem to cost more, the time and stress saved is worth every cent. Here are our top five reasons why you should hire a professional mover.

Peace of mind

Our lives are already stressful and busy with the everyday events of life, why give yourself more stress when it comes to moving? Hiring professional movers allows you to take a step back while the professionals deal with all the stressful things such as fitting oddly shaped items into one box and working out how the oversized couch is going to fit through your tiny front door.

Save money

While it may seem more expensive to hire professional movers, ultimately it will save you money overall. Professional movers come with everything you need to move your furniture plus the right size truck to move it all. Saving you money by doing one trip only and having the right tools for the job.

Avoid injuries

Hiring professional movies guarantees your safety while moving house. Maneuvering large, heavy and odd shaped items through small spaces can lead to injuries unless done professionally. Leave the heavy lifting to the professionals who are taught how to handle tricky moves so you all stay injury free.

Save time

Professional movers are fast and efficient allowing your house to be packed up quickly so you can spend more time organising your new home. While the professionals are busy moving all your items, you can spend your precious time doing those activities around the house, speeding up the whole process. Save even more time and hire a packing service too.

Better handling

Professional movers have been trained to move objects through tricky situations. Unfortunately accidents do happen but if you are using a professional moving service, any breakages the removalist cause will be covered. Choosing to move items yourself may result in more breakages with no one but yourself to cover the damage bill.

Are you looking for a professional moving service? Contact us today for your free quote!

How To Move House During Winter

Winter is fast approaching and with it comes the rain and colder days. Winter can be the perfect time to move house but with it comes challenges that need to be planned for in advance. Read our top tips on how to move house successfully during winter.

Consider your choice of box

Cardboard boxes are the norm for moving house. They are easy to stack, pack, dismantle and dispose of once the move is over. But, cardboard boxes have one big weakness. When it rains they get wet and as such they lose their shape and the ability to store your items safely. To overcome this issue, if you are planning to move during winter, when rainfall is higher, check to make sure you are moving on a dry day. If you are locked into a day and the forecast is indicating rain, consider using plastic tubs to protect your items and when cardboard boxes are needed, ensure they are kept as dry as possible.

Move safely

When moving it’s always a good idea to protect your floors from being damaged. Often plastic sheets are a great option as they are readily available, easy to clean and dispose of. In winter however, it may be a good idea to use another form of protection such as old sheets. Plastic can become a hazard in wet conditions, where falls and slips become more likely so a material would be a more suitable and safe option.

Wear appropriate clothing

Ensure you are wearing comfortable clothes that will allow you to move unrestricted throughout the day.  Layers will be the most sensible option as you may get warm moving furniture but need an extra layer once you’re outside. People often forget to leave a moving outfit out when packing up their clothes, so make sure you plan your outfit in advance and keep it seperate. Don’t forget about your footwear too! Choose a pair of comfy, non-slip footwear that will keep your feet dry, warm and safe.

While moving during winter may have it’s setbacks, it is often one of the quieter moving months resulting in lower moving costs and great availability with removalist companies.

Looking to move house this winter? Call us today for your free quote!  

How to Pack a Bathroom

How To Pack A Bathroom

While the bathroom is generally the smallest room in the house, it can contain a whole lot of products, products that aren’t easily packed. It’s important to also consider what you may need to keep while moving and what can be packed up early. Additionally moving is the perfect time to throw out any unused, old and expired products so start the process early to give yourself plenty of time. Furthermore, moving can be expensive so it may be worth cutting down the amount of boxes you use by throwing out inexpensive items that take up valuable space.

Organise your products into three piles.

Start by going through all your products splitting them into three piles; throw, pack and keep out.

The throw pile will include anything that is no longer necessary. Throw out anything that is expired, empty or hasn’t and probably won’t be used.

Pack includes any items that you are intending to keep and don’t need between packing day and moving day. Consider throwing out any products that haven’t been used in a while plus any old duplicates.

Keep out is the last pile and will include any items you require leading up to the move. Keep a wash bag handy so you can pack up the final few items on moving day and place them straight into your new bathroom.

Consider donating unopened items.

How many mascara tubes have you been gifted in showbags and just never used? If products are still sealed or in their original packaging, consider donating the items to a charity so someone else can use them. Research charities in your area that take unused toiletries and cosmetics and check if your items are eligible.

Pack your items correctly.

The bathroom can be tricky to pack. In particular, pay close attention to items that can leak or spill onto your other products.

Start by checking all lids and seals on bottles, ensuring they close and remain closed to prevent spills. Consider taping closed any risky bottles or place them in a ziplock bag separately before boxing them up.

Use small boxes when moving bathroom items. Often products are small and by using the wrong sized box it will end up with a disorganised and messy. Ideally group products so when it comes to unpacking it will be an easier process. If there is room at the top of the box, pack a towel or two to protect the products and ensure they don’t fly around during the move.

Are you moving house soon? Quick and Easy provide an array of moving services that will suit your moving needs. Give us a call today to receive your free personalised quote.

Unpacking Tips

Why unpacking is just as important as packing. And what you should be doing before and after you move.

Unpacking is often an overlooked step in the moving progress. You’ll be bombarded by hundreds of packing tips, but people forget that unpacking is just as important.

By the stage you have found your new place, packed everything carefully and bundled the kids and two dogs into the car, unpacking should be a breeze, right? While unpacking can be an easier task, often it is stressful and causes a new kind of living as you spend the next few months living out of a box. So, to avoid another moving stress, follow our steps below so you can be organised for your next move.

What to do before you move:

Take photos of areas in your current house that you love.

This could be your bookshelves, desk area or tool shed. Taking photos will allow you to replicate the same arrangement in your new home, saving you time and frustration. Additionally, take photos of the back of your TV and any other electronic devices so you know exactly what is plugged in where.

Strategically pack your boxes and label them accordingly.

Try to pack items that only belong in the same room. By keeping rooms separate, boxes can be placed into their applicable areas and easily organised in their new location. Ensure the box is also labelled with the room. Some may choose to take it a step further and write a list of items packed into the box but ensure however you label your boxes that they are clear not just to you but the removalists helping you move.

Pack a essentials box.

This box will contain anything you require on your first night. Moving can be a long process, so have your necessities handy for when you need them. These may include a change of clothes, toiletries, electronic chargers and any utensils and food items. Make sure this box is well labelled and travels with you on moving day.

What to do when you have finished moving:

Clean your new house.

Often houses are sold and rented out with a basic clean. With the busyness of moving, it can be hard to find time to deep clean your home before moving day, but it is an important step. If you have time, hire some carpet steamers so you can deeply clean the carpet a few days before moving day, ensure you leave time for the carpet to dry. Pay particular attention to surfaces often touched such as door handles and light switches, which are often overlooked in the cleaning process. If time is tight, at least give your floors a vacuum before moving any furniture in.

Clean your furniture.

Moving provides the perfect time to clean those items we often forget about. Moving dirty furniture into a clean house doesn’t make sense so make sure you spend some time thoroughly cleaning your furniture. Items to pay particular attention to includes, the fridge, washing machine, dryer and dishwasher. Now would be an excellent time to also hire a professional cleaner for your coach or fabric bedhead.

Move boxes straight into their applicable rooms.

People would argue that it is easier to quickly move all the boxes and furniture into the one room and then sort out where they go. While this approach may help you unload quicker it will slow down your moving process. Instead, place each box in the room it belongs to so when it comes time to unpack you can see what goes where and you don’t have to spend time moving items from one room to the next. If you have people helping you move, it may be best to follow a colour-coded box system where each box is labelled with a colour that matches a colour on a door in your new place. All the helper needs to do is match the box with a marker on the door, making it easier for people not familiar with your house to correctly place your boxes.

Unpack rooms by importance.

Decide which rooms will most likely be used first and unpack those ones first. People tend to start with the bedroom as after a long day moving, you’ll likely be exhausted and wanting to crash early. Ensure that when you do unpack that you unpack the whole room before moving onto the next. This ensures boxes with non-essentials are unpacked quickly and not left around for months later.

Planning a move soon? Quick and Easy are here for you, call us for your free quote today!

What Is Backloading And Why Is It Cheaper?

You’ve heard a removalist company mention backloading and how it can save you money when moving, but what exactly is backloading and why is it cheaper?

Backloading is a term you will probably come across when looking for removalists, but people are often confused as to what it is and sceptical because of its cheaper cost. Backloading is simply when a removalist company fills a truck that is heading back from a job. So instead of sending an empty truck from Sydney to Melbourne, the removalist company will fill it with another move.

The advantage of backloading is that because you only pay for the space your items take up, you will save money compared to a full-service offering. Additionally, companies would prefer the truck to have something in it rather than nothing, resulting in great discounts for the customer. Trips can also generally be arranged with shorter notice than a full service offering as the truck is already in that location.

The disadvantages of backloading is that it can be less flexible and take longer. Because you’re sharing the truck with other movers, you won’t get to dictate the exact time the truck will pick-up and drop off your items. Additionally, trucks are more likely to run behind schedule as you are relying on other people to be prompt and fill up the truck with their items by a certain point. Backloading services also won’t appeal to movers who want help packing or don’t want to share a truck with others, so a full-service offering may be the way to go.

Backloading can be a brilliant way to save money while moving, while it isn’t for everyone, it may be the best option for your next move.

Quick and Easy offer backloading services, give us a call today for your free quote!

Struggling to fit your furniture through the doorways?

Follow these steps

Prepare

Preparation is key to avoid any nasty surprises come moving day. It may sound like a simple thing, but majority of movers skip this step and end up paying for it. Any furniture that is large should be measured. This will allow you to plan ahead and ensure you have the man power it will take to get the furniture out. Three main measurements should be taken including:

  • Height: measure from the floor until the highest point. This includes any legs or feet.
  • Width: measure the widest point
  • Depth: for a couch this would involves measuring from the front to the back of the couch

Measure your space

Once you know the dimensions of your furniture it is time to measure the area you are transporting them through. This may include door frames, hallways, stairwells and other small spaces. Measuring is fairly straight forward with the height and width recorded.

Try different angles

If you have begun to move your furniture and find it is not fitting through door frames, try moving the piece of furniture differently. This could mean angling or standing it on it’s back or side. Couches for example can be stood up on one side, placed on a piece of cardboard and either pushed or pulled through the door frame.

Take it apart

If your furniture is a flat pack brand, consider dismantling it before moving it. This will not only make it easier to carry out of your home, but it will also save you space in the van. Other things to consider are removing legs and feet off couches. Those few centimetres can be all is needed to allow your couch to move through a door-way.

Remove the door

If you are still struggling to fit your furniture through a door-way, consider taking the door off completely. This can easily be done by removing the door from it’s hinges and then placing it back once the move is over. Additionally, if you are really stuck, the doorframe can be removed. This needs to be thought through carefully and done only when you know what you are doing to avoid damage.

Call in the professionals

Sometimes you just need that extra hand from the experienced removalists. Removalists have many years of experience manoeuvring furniture through awkward situations. We have the machinery and man-power needed for those tricky moves. Hoisting through a balcony or window could be a solution to your sticky situation but should only be undertaken by a professional.

Need help with that awkward couch or table? Quick and Easy can help! Call us today for your free quote.

How to move your plants safely

Plants are as fragile as antiques and moving them incorrectly can cause them to become damaged. But plants are also part of the family, they brighten your house and make it more welcoming. It’s important though to consider which plants you will take, and which ones will be safer to be left behind.

Consider prepping your plants before the move

When preparing your plants for moving day consider giving them a prune, removing any dead leaves, pests and weeds. Consider re-potting plants into lighter plastic pots so they are easier to carry.

Research before moving

If you’re moving interstate or overseas check that your plants will be allowed. Sometimes other states and countries will not allow certain species, so always be sure to check before bringing them in. Also check that the removalist company you have chosen allows plants in their trucks. Many companies do not transport plants due to their delicate nature. If this is the case, consider shipping the plant or bringing it in your car with you. Additionally, consider the possibility of leaving your plant behind. Sometimes it can be cheaper and easier to start fresh in your new home.

Move them yourself

If you don’t want to rely on the moving company or shipping them separately isn’t an option, consider moving your plants yourself. Plants are relatively easy to move, as long as you’re prepared, and you treat them like you would a pet, with care. Simply place your pot into some sturdy boxes, stuffing the empty space with paper or bubble wrap. If you’re traveling long distance and spending the night on the road, ensure you bring your plants inside especially in hot or cold temperatures as this can damage fragile plants. Taller plants can be placed on the floor while smaller ones can be placed on the back seat. Ensure you check on them regularly to minimise damage.

How to move outside plants

Outdoor plants can be shipped or transported with you if they are small. If moving an outdoor plant is not an option, consider taking some clippings, so you can plant them in your new garden. Simply place the cutting into some water to ensure it survives the move.

Caring for your plants post move

Moving can be stressful on plants so ensure you are giving them the best start possible in your new house. If you relocated the plants to plastic pots, leave them for at least a week so it can be used to it’s new environment before re-potting. If you’re re-planting outside consider the difference in soils, sunlight and temperature. When you have placed your plant into it’s new environment ensure you give it plenty of water and plant food.

Essential Steps for Moving Items into Storage

6-8 weeks before moving day

Choose the right storage facility.

Begin searching for the perfect storage unit a few months before moving day. Storage facilities should have good security and be easily accessible. The perfect location will depend on how often you will be visiting the storage unit. If frequent visits are necessary, consider a storage facility closer to home. If location isn’t a factor look at storage facilities further out of the city for better rates.

Confirm storage items.

Make a list of every item being transported to storage. Also note if it is fragile, storage requirements and estimated value. When making this list ensure all items are allowed to be stored at the facility as some items can’t be stored.

Organise removalists.

If you decide to use removalists, research and book early. Consider choosing a removalist company that also offers storage for a simple, quicker process. Quick and Easy offers 24/7 access storage facilities in a secure warehouse. To learn more visit https://quickandeasyremovalistsydney.com.au/storage/

If you decide to move your items yourself consider if you need an extra set of hands and ask for help early.

2-4 weeks prior to moving day

Begin to pack all your items. Ensure fragile items are packed carefully and electronics have their batteries removed and placed back in it’s original box for protection. To make set-up easier consider keeping the cords together with your electronic device. Start to deconstruct any unused furniture and disconnect, drain and clean whitegoods so they don’t produce mould.

Moving Day

Pack items strategically. Place items into clear tubs instead of boxes ensuring each tub is clearly labelled. Consider the storage space and pack strategically to save space. Simple things like placing any mattresses on their side and stacking boxes vertically (with the heaviest boxes on the bottom) will save you space and ultimately money. Consider protecting items with plastic sheets and don’t forget to lock your storage unit with a good quality lock.

Looking for a storage unit or removalist? Quick and Easy have you covered! Simply call us today for your free quote!

How to Quickly Add Value to Your House Before Selling

1. Freshen the house with some paint

A fresh coat of paint can transform a house and add serious value. Choose a neutral colour, such as white, to appeal to as many people possible. Choosing white will also give your buyers a blank canvas for them to apply their own personality while not offending anyone with bright colours.

One thing to remember when re-paining your home for selling, you’re not after a perfect paint job. Your goal should be to make the house appeal to as many potential buyers possible, chances are they will repaint it anyway.

2. Update flooring

While adding fresh paint to the walls will make your house instantly look better, nothing can improve old, warn and depressing floors. Updating your flooring can be easy and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Some carpets can be addressed with a professional steam clean, but other carpets are just too far past it’s use-by-date. Update your old carpet with a colour that will complement your wall paint. Darker carpet will make your home feel smaller and more intimate while lighter carpet will open up the room and make it feel larger.

Similarly, with carpet, floorboards have a use-by-date too and sometimes they are too far gone to be saved. Floorboards are generally easier to maintain than carpet and are easily installed. With numerous options to fit everyone’s budgets, floorboards are a great choice for your home.

3. Spruce up the garden

The garden can be the icing on the cake for potential buyers so it’s worth spending some quality time ensuring it is up to standard. Ensure plants are trimmed and well maintained. Fill in any blank spaces with additional plants to prevent the garden from looking bare. It may be worth hiring a high-pressure cleaner to ensure your paths, decking and outside of the house is clean. Wipe down any outdoor furniture and ensure your fence is presentable.

If you’re not feeling up to the task, hire a gardener who can ensure your garden will be perfect come auction day.

4. Kitchens sell houses

The saying often goes that kitchens sell houses. Ensuring your kitchen is up to date is one of the simplest ways to guarantee your house doesn’t just sell but you get the most money possible. If your kitchen has seen better days, consider getting a new one installed. Affordable kitchens can be purchased from major retailers such as Ikea and Bunnings Warehouse.

You don’t need to break the bank to update your kitchen, sometimes all that is needed is a face lift. Paint the cupboards or consider replacing the cupboard with new modern doors and handles. New benchtops can easily be installed and simple upgrades to the splashback and tap fittings will make your kitchen look like new.

5. Window treatments make all the difference

Freshly painted walls, new flooring and the perfect kitchen can be let down by a simple decoration, window treatments. Old, damaged blinds can outdo all your hard-renovating work so when updating your house don’t overlook the power of new blinds. The great news is that new blinds are easy to install with plenty of options for all price ranges.

Plain white roller blinds are affordable and will appeal to a large number of potential buyers. Make the room look softer by installing floor to ceiling sheer blinds which span across the whole wall. Find inspiration on Pinterest for the perfect blinds for your space.

Have you just sold your house and looking to move? Quick and Easy can help make your move easy and stress-free. Contact us today for your free quote.

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