Avoiding Common Moving Mistakes: Lessons from Melbourne’s Top Removalists

Moving home in Melbourne should be a fresh start — not a disaster. Yet every week, we see rushed relocations, last-minute packing chaos, broken furniture, and frustrated homeowners caught out by preventable mistakes. Whether it’s your first move or your fifth, avoiding common pitfalls is the key to a smooth, stress-free relocation.

At Maroondah Removals and Storage, our Melbourne removalists have helped thousands of households move home. We've seen it all — from overpacked boxes to blocked driveways on move day. Here, we break down the most common moving mistakes and show you how to avoid them like a pro.

1. Underestimating How Long It Takes to Pack

Packing always takes longer than people think — especially if you’re doing it while juggling work, kids, and everyday life. It’s one of the biggest reasons moves fall behind schedule.

Start packing at least four weeks before your move. Begin with non-essentials and seasonal items. Not sure where to begin? Our Packing Hacks guide offers 30 proven strategies from professional Melbourne movers.

2. Choosing a Removalist Based on Price Alone

The cheapest quote is often the most expensive mistake. Uninsured operators, late arrivals, broken items, or slow service can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

Make sure your movers are experienced, insured, and have real Melbourne-based reviews. Read our guide on choosing the right Melbourne removalist before you commit.

3. Not Booking Early Enough

Melbourne removalists get booked out — especially at the end of the month, during school holidays, or long weekends. Waiting too long can limit your options or force you into an inconvenient or costly time slot.

At Maroondah Removals, we recommend booking 3–4 weeks in advance. You can get a fast, no-obligation removal quote here to secure your ideal move date.

4. Forgetting to Label Boxes Properly

Generic labels like “stuff” or “misc” won’t help when you’re hunting for clean socks or a kettle. Clear, consistent labelling can cut unpacking time in half.

Label all sides of each box with room, contents, and a priority level. Our professional pre-packing service includes complete box organisation and room-coded labelling to make unpacking in your new Melbourne home efficient and frustration-free.

5. Ignoring Access and Parking Logistics

Driveways too narrow? Apartment lift not booked? No legal truck parking? These oversights cause costly delays. It’s your responsibility to ensure clear access at both properties.

In Melbourne, we help clients plan for tricky access scenarios — from multi-level apartments in Southbank to sloped driveways in Ringwood. For more planning tips, use our Ultimate Moving Checklist.

6. Leaving Kids or Pets Unsupervised

Moving day is no place for wandering toddlers or loose pets. Accidents happen fast around moving trucks, trolleys, and staircases.

In our blog on moving with kids and pets, we show how to prepare your household for a safe, distraction-free relocation day.

7. Not Taking Inventory of Your Belongings

If you can’t remember what you packed, how can you be sure everything arrived? A lack of inventory can make insurance claims harder and unpacking more chaotic.

We recommend using a simple spreadsheet or app to track what's packed in each box — especially high-value or fragile items. Our removalists can also help you complete a digital inventory before loading the truck.

8. Packing Fragile Items Poorly

Using newspaper or random towels might seem convenient, but it often results in cracked glassware, scratched furniture, or damaged artwork.

We offer specialised materials like double-walled cartons, foam wrap, and mattress protectors — or you can book our pre-packing services to ensure nothing gets broken in transit.

9. Underestimating the Volume of Your Move

Saying “it’s not much stuff” and then watching it spill into two truckloads is a common headache. It increases costs, extends loading times, and can cause scheduling conflicts.

During your pre-move quote, we’ll ask detailed questions about your furniture, white goods, and number of rooms to match you with the right truck and crew size.

10. Forgetting to Redirect Mail and Utilities

Nothing is worse than moving in and realising you have no power, internet, or missed bills piling up. Redirecting mail and notifying utility providers is often left too late.

We recommend starting these changes 2–3 weeks before moving. Australia Post’s mail redirection service takes time, so act early. Our checklist blog covers this too.

How Maroondah Removals Helps You Avoid These Mistakes

Our Melbourne home moving services are built to eliminate these problems from day one. When you book with Maroondah Removals and Storage, you get:

• Professional Melbourne removalists with years of hands-on experience
• Full-service options including pre-packing, storage, and unpacking
• Tailored planning for family homes, apartments, and specialty items
• Clear, upfront quotes — no hidden costs, no surprises
• On-time arrival, real communication, and genuine care

We’re not just another moving company — we’re your relocation partner. Our team is trained to prevent, solve, and streamline every aspect of your move.

Ready to Move Smarter?

Avoid rookie errors. Choose a Melbourne removalist with the systems, support, and experience to get it right the first time.

Get your free quote now or explore our full range of moving services for homes across Melbourne and beyond.