15 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving House in Perth
Perth has its own quirks when it comes to moving house. The distances between suburbs, the heat if you're moving in summer, and the sheer size of the metro area all add extra layers that people don't think about until moving day is already underway.
If you've never moved before, or it's just been a while, it's easy to repeat the same mistakes that catch most people out. Here's a rundown of the 15 most common moving house mistakes in Perth, and how to sidestep each one.
1. Underestimating Perth's Travel Distances
Perth is spread out. A move from Joondalup to Rockingham isn't a quick trip across town, it's closer to an hour each way.
Factor travel time into your moving day schedule, and check whether your removalist charges by distance or by the hour, since this affects your final moving costs.
2. Booking Removalists Perth-Wide Without Comparing Quotes
Prices between Perth removalists can differ a lot for what looks like the same service.
Get quotes from at least three companies, and ask exactly what's included, truck size, number of movers, and whether furniture removal for bulky items like pianos or pool tables costs extra.
3. Moving During Perth's Peak Summer Heat Without a Plan
Moving house in the middle of a 40-degree Perth summer day is rough on you, your movers, and anything that can melt or warp in a hot truck.
Where possible, book early morning slots in summer, keep water on hand, and avoid leaving candles, electronics, or vinyl records sitting in a hot vehicle for hours.
4. Leaving Packing Until the Final Days
This mistake shows up everywhere, but it hits harder in Perth moves where the distance between old and new home means less flexibility to make extra trips.
Start packing non-essentials four to six weeks out. Leave only day-to-day items for the final week.
5. Not Setting a Realistic Moving Budget
Between removalist fees, packing supplies, cleaning costs, and possible storage, moving costs creep up fast if you haven't planned ahead.
Build a moving budget that includes a buffer of around 10-15% for anything unexpected, like extra packing materials or last-minute storage solutions.
6. Skipping Decluttering Before Packing
Moving boxes full of things you don't actually want in your new home just means paying to move clutter.
Sort through each room before you start packing. Sell, donate, or toss anything you haven't used in the last year.
7. Using Poor Quality Packing Supplies
Weak boxes and minimal padding are a common cause of damaged items, especially over Perth's longer average moving distances.
Use solid boxes, quality tape, and proper padding, particularly for anything fragile that's got a long drive ahead of it.
8. Getting Fragile Item Packing Wrong
Glassware, artwork, and electronics need individual wrapping, not just a box lined with newspaper.
Wrap each fragile item separately, cushion the box well, and clearly mark it so movers handle it appropriately.
9. Skipping Moving Insurance
Even careful, professional movers can't guarantee nothing goes wrong, especially on longer interstate or cross-metro moves.
Check what your removalist's insurance actually covers, and consider extra cover for anything high-value or irreplaceable.
10. Not Checking Furniture Fits Before Moving Day
A couch that doesn't fit through a doorway is a bad surprise to discover halfway through unloading.
Measure large furniture pieces and compare them to doorways, hallways, and stairs at your new place beforehand.
11. Forgetting About Utility Transfers
Turning up to a new home with no power, gas, or internet connected is an avoidable headache.
Arrange utility transfers at least two weeks ahead. Perth's utility providers generally need lead time to schedule connections.
12. Delaying Your Change of Address Updates
Your bank, Medicare, car registration, and subscriptions won't update themselves.
Make a checklist of everyone who needs your new address and work through it in the weeks around your move.
13. Not Planning for Moving Day Access Issues
Narrow driveways, strata parking rules, or apartment lift bookings can slow a move down if nobody's checked ahead of time.
Confirm parking and access requirements at both properties, and pass this info on to your removalist before moving day.
14. Cramming the Whole Move Into One Day
Trying to pack, clean, and relocate everything in a single day is how mistakes happen, especially with Perth's larger travel distances between suburbs.
Spread your moving timeline across several days where you can, keeping moving day itself focused purely on loading and transport.
15. No Backup Plan for Storage Gaps
If your settlement day and move-in date don't align, you need somewhere for your belongings to go in between.
Look into storage solutions early, particularly during Perth's busier moving periods when short-term storage can book out fast.
Key Takeaways
Factor in Perth's spread-out suburbs when planning moving day timing
Get multiple quotes from Perth removalists before booking
Avoid summer heat moves where possible, or plan around it
Start packing weeks ahead, not days
Set a moving budget with a buffer for extras
Declutter before you pack
Use solid packing supplies, especially for fragile items
Confirm moving insurance details in advance
Sort utility transfers and change of address early
Have a storage backup plan for any gap between moves
Final Thoughts
Most Perth moving mistakes come down to underestimating time, distance, or cost. A bit of early planning, the right packing supplies, and a reliable local removalist go a long way toward a smoother move.
Whether you're moving to Perth for the first time or relocating across the metro area, sorting the details early is what makes moving day actually manageable.
