Create an Accurate Inventory to Save Money and Reduce Stress.

Introduction:

A detailed furniture inventory is the key getting accurate furniture removal quotes. If you create the inventory, you can provide it to multiple companies and receive competitive quotes.  This article explores how to create a comprehensive moving inventory list, its benefits for moving estimates, and how it streamlines the entire furniture removal process.

Doing an inventory can greatly reduce the stress of the day for both you and your removalist.

Often clients believe that they have an ‘average” amount of belongings for the size of their house.  In my experience this is rarely the case, they believe it is average because they see it every day and it is normal, or average to them.

Key Components of a Comprehensive Moving Inventory List

Room-by-Room Breakdown for Accurate Moving Estimates:

Using a room-by-room approach (e.g., “Living Room,” “Bedroom,” “Kitchen”) ensures no items are missed during the furniture removal estimate. This is vital for accurate quotes.

I would recommend taking a printout such as the downloadable inventory pdf below this article and move room to room putting a number for each item in the column next to the item.

Where there is not an item that matches your furniture, choose something of a similar size (I would often use bedside table as a place holder for similar sized items found around the house).

When working room to room, try and look with fresh eyes and scan the room from the door all the way around. Working slowly and taking note of everything will ensure you don’t miss anything.  Items that are often missed by people doing their own inventory are things on walls (pictures / tv’s) and floors (rugs) and fridges and microwaves.

The downloadable inventory pdf, is based on average sized items, if your item is particularly large (for example a dining table or lounge suite it will be necessary to count it as 1.5 or even 2 of the average).  This improves the accuracy of a moving quotes you will receive.

How do I estimate boxes:

The number of boxes or cartons is often a large variable in a furniture removal. It is essential that you do your best to estimate this.  I would recommend using good quality standard removal cartons, which come in two main sizes – ‘book and wine’ (bookies) and tea chest (also known as “standards”)

There are numerous reasons to use these two box types: They are strong, they stack well together both for moving on a trolley and in a truck, and they can generally be handled by a single removalist.

These cartons are around (depending on brand) 60cm x 43cm  x 41cm for standards and 43 x 30 x 41 for bookies. It is often worth getting some of each and making them up (usually come as a flat pack)  to give you an idea of size. 

I would then go around and pack boxes in my head, sometimes things don’t fit the way you want, sometimes you will get more in, it all evens out in the end. 

Also you will need more boxes than you think you will so whatever number you end up with, add 20%.

A couple of notes on packing:

• If it fits in a box, put it in a box!
• Ideally no box should be labelled HEAVY AND FRAGILE.  If it is both it needs to be repacked.
• For more information of packing see our article on

Other packing Requirements:

Port-a-Robe

This is a tall box with a hanging rail these are around 115 cm tall by 60cm by 60cm so that dresses, coats and suits can be transported without folding. To estimate how many of these you will need push your hanging clothes up together and every 60 cm will need another port-a-robe. 

Be aware that these take up a lot of space and probably not worth packing items like shirts , polos and jumpers and pants that would be more efficiently packed in a box or moving bag.

Port-a-Robes can be purchased, but some furniture removalists will rent you them for the moving day. You can load them at the beginning of the day and unload them when you arrive at your new property. Then the removalists will take them away. 

So it is cheaper and greener, and you don’t have to worry about getting rid of a huge cardboard box.

Moving Bag

These, also known as striped bags, are ideal for doonas, and other linen and protecting your pillows and cushions in transit.  These hold these items more efficiently than a box and are good for removalists to pack around awkward furniture in the truck.

Volume: Essential for Truck Space and Moving Company Planning:

All of this work in creating your inventory will end up as a final figure of Cubic Metres.  This allows the furniture removalist to send the right truck and the right number of people, to get you job done, and from this they can estimate the time it will take.

Special Handling Instructions for Fragile Items During Furniture Removal:

• Note fragile items, antiques, or those needing disassembly/assembly. This ensures proper handling during furniture removal and prevents damage.
• If you have any particular items such as a piano, pool table or a very large piece of artwork for example it is essential that you communicate this to the removalist company when they are quoting. This will impact, the number of staff, the vehicle required (does it have a tailgate lift?) and extra tools for example a piano trolley may be required.  

Property Access and Obstacles: Planning for Efficient Furniture Removal:

You need to consider how a truck and the removalists are going to access your property.  Identify access challenges, both internal and external to your property, some suggested areas to consider include,

• Does your driveway allow access for a truck
• Are their plants or trees in the way of vehicles or removalists
• Is the ground level and firm? (both for the vehicles and the removalists)
• Is your home or building on a main road? Is there a clearway?
• Does your property have stairs or require an elevator to access?
• Was any of your furniture built in a room? Could it be too large to get out?
• Do you have narrow hallways?

All of these challenges will impact how long it takes to complete your move, and that in turn will impact the cost.

Photos and Videos for Accurate Inventory:

If you have any particular items that are large cumbersome or particularly heavy it may be worth sending a picture along with dimensions to the furniture removalists along with your inventory so that they can consider the impact on costs (if any)

Benefits of a Detailed Furniture Inventory for Moving Companies

• Accurate Furniture Removal Quotes: Prevents underestimation/overestimation, ensuring fair pricing.
• Efficient Moving Company Planning: Optimizes truck space, manpower, and packing materials.
• Reduced Risk of Damage During Furniture Removal Services: Identifies fragile items for special handling.
• Improved Communication for Smooth Furniture Removal: Ensures clear understanding between clients and moving crews.

Conclusion:

Providing a detailed furniture inventory is important for people looking to get accurate furniture removal quotes and minimise surprises for both themselves and the furniture removalists.  This can lead to lowered stress on what can be a very stressful day.