There’s nothing worse than unpacking and finding something you wish you hadn’t paid someone to transport. If you have to wonder if you really want to keep it you probably don’t.
Start a Month Out. Not the Day Before.
If you already know your move date, start getting rid of things now. Not on the weekend before. There’s a lot of unessential junk that collects in your home.
Go through bulky items first. Old sofas, rugs you never liked, crockery collecting dust in the back of a cupboard. If something can be replaced in under an hour or for under $50 NZD, it is an inconvenience to move.
| If it can be replaced for under $50 NZD or in under an hour, leave it behind. |
Hire Movers If It’s in Your Budget
It takes so much stress out of the whole process. You don’t need to call in favours from friends or look for bubble wrap or packing boxes.
Moving companies in Christchurch handle that and you focus on other stuff like caring for your family or preserving valuables.
If you are still on the fence, think about what your time and energy on move day is worth. People who pay for a home moving company wish they had done it for every move before.
How to Pack Without Losing Your Mind
Tools Go in Last and Come Out First
Whatever you are packing into, make sure your tools are the last thing you load and the first thing you unload. Something will need to be disassembled or assembled at the new place in Christchurch. You will want to know exactly where that screwdriver is.
Build Your Open First Box
Make one box and label it clearly: OPEN FIRST. Pack it as if you needed to live off it for 24 hours. For a longer move, or one with delays, this box is what keeps you going.
| What Goes in the Open First Box | Why |
| Scissors | You will need to open other boxes |
| Toilet paper and paper towels | Always needed immediately |
| Hand soap and a small towel | First thing after a long day |
| Paper plates | No washing up on night one |
| Lightbulbs or a flashlight | New place may have dead bulbs |
| Granola bars or snacks | You will forget to eat |
| Backup chargers | Phone dies at the worst time |
| Pen and paper with key numbers | Electricity, gas, water, landlord, internet |
| Cleaning supplies | You will want to wipe down before unpacking |
| Write down your electricity, gas, water, landlord and internet numbers on paper. Assume your phone is dead and the power is not on yet. What would you need? |
Label Every Box
Every single one. Write what is inside, even briefly. You will thank yourself at 9pm when you are looking for bedding and staring at six identical boxes.
Pack Bedding and Pillows Together
Put all your bedding and pillows in one spot, ideally in a large zip-up plastic storage bag. You want to find them quickly. The first night in a new place, your bed is the one thing that should be easy.
Not everything goes in the truck. Here’s some stuff that moving companies are unable to move due to safety hazards.
The Hanging Clothes Hack
Take a large rubbish bag and cut a small hole in the bottom, about the size of your fist. Feed your hanging clothes through the bag with the coat hanger hooks poking out through the hole. Fill the bag, then tie the bottom with the drawstrings.
Your clothes stay on the hangers, stay clean, and re-hang in minutes. No folding, creasing or repacking.
| Cut a hole in the bottom of a rubbish bag, feed the hangers through, tie the bottom. Hanging clothes moved in one go. |
Pre-Pack Before Move Day
Don’t wait for the moving company to arrive and then start packing. The week before, take down every framed picture and painting and put them all together in one place. It removes clutter, makes the walls easier to patch if needed, and means fewer loose fragile items on the day.
Read our detailed moving day guide to learn what to expect and how to prepare the night before.
Need a Hand With the Move Itself?
We are based in Christchurch and handle loading, transport and unloading. Get in touch and we’ll get back to you the same day.
FAQ
What do I do with dresser drawers?
Do not empty and box them. Take the drawers out, move the dresser to the truck, then slide the drawers back in. Reverse on arrival.
How do I protect fragile items without buying bubble wrap?
Use your own towels, clothing and linens to wrap breakables. Fill hollow items like mugs with rolled socks. Nothing breaks and you save on packing materials. We use high-quality packing boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and tape to make sure your items are well-protected. For extra protection, contact us to discuss packing options and materials.
Where do I stand while home movers are working?
Stay available in case of any questions but do not interfere directly with their work as that hinders the progress. You can have some good conversations with the moving company employees while they work.
Should I stop buying groceries before moving?
Yes. Eat through your fridge, freezer and pantry in the weeks before the move. The less food you have, the less you carry. Expired or awkward items are the last thing you want to deal with on move day.
