Tips for moving house.

[HH3]

Me and my partner are renting our first house together. We signed the lease last night, and are moving in on Friday.

We've never rented before, so I'm a bit lost when it comes to getting everything ready to move in.

First problem. Utilities. Do I just need to call my prefered suppliers, and they'll just hook the house up? (Its a brand new, unlived in house)
Also, which company or companies would be the best to go with for gas and electricity?

Second problem. Furniture. Being our first house, we are a bit low on furniture and white goods.
We have a lounge, fridge, tv's, ect, but need stuff like dining settings, book cases, coffee tables, other "homey" stuff.
We're on a pretty small budget, and have checked out sites like Gumtree, and Garage Sale on facebook. Does anybody know of any cheap shops or have anything yourselves that you dont want anymore.

Cheers

[Footy Chick]

Fantastic furniture usually have "room deals" where you can furnish a whole room for x amount of $$.

You'll spend a million years putting all the furniture together but at least it'll be new

[smac]

And ikea for the plates and crap.

[HH3]

Not a fan of Fantastic FC. Had experiences with their stuff being pretty flimsy. And dont have the cash for a big purchase. More interested in accumulating as much of the stuff we need. We dont wanna rack up any more debt.

Yeah, smac, I foresee a few unfun trips to Ikea in the near future...

[Jimmy_041]

1. Go to Melbourne
2. Watch footy all weekend
3. Let girlfriend organise everything
4. Dont complain about the flowery doona or pink furniture because you had a good time at the football.
5. Break up with her before her Visa account arrives

[LMA]

If your moving to Elizabeth, you'll need a second lounge for the front porch:)

[Phantom Gossiper]

Me and my partner are renting our first house together. We signed the lease last night, and are moving in on Friday.

We've never rented before, so I'm a bit lost when it comes to getting everything ready to move in.

First problem. Utilities. Do I just need to call my prefered suppliers, and they'll just hook the house up? (Its a brand new, unlived in house)
Also, which company or companies would be the best to go with for gas and electricity?

Second problem. Furniture. Being our first house, we are a bit low on furniture and white goods.
We have a lounge, fridge, tv's, ect, but need stuff like dining settings, book cases, coffee tables, other "homey" stuff.
We're on a pretty small budget, and have checked out sites like Gumtree, and Garage Sale on facebook. Does anybody know of any cheap shops or have anything yourselves that you dont want anymore.

Cheers

Think you can compare Utility companies online to find the best deal can't you? Try googling. Gumtree and Garage Sale are your best bets for furniture, just don't be in such a hurry or stress to get your place perfectly set, you will be there for a while (i imagine), things take time, as long as you have the important stuff then just get stuff as you can

[gadj1976]

HH3, if you're trying to do this on a budget, a real budget, you've got two options.

One, rent furniture. That way you can upgrade when you want. The obvious problem is that you are outlaying money and don't own anything of course.

Secondly, go to a second hand furniture mob. That irritating advert of that mob on Port Rd would be a start http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyH4BZRfr6o

Best of luck and it's refreshing to see someone who's willing to go with second best to start with and work up to the stuff they want in time.

[Dog_ger]

I am sure it will all work out.

Take your time and put the priority to enjoy each others company and care for each other.

If you really love each other, you could live in a tent and not notice anything wrong.

Don't go overboard with the credit card.

Buy something each week.

Don't take any advice from anyone. It's your life. Enjoy the ride.

It takes a lifetime to build your life.

[Pag]

I bought my place last year and sat on a bean bag for six-seven weeks and ate toast for breakfast/lunch/dinner for a couple of weeks. I was too stoked to have my own place to care it was empty.

Eventually got a second hand dryer and fridge from my uncle's granny flat for bugger all.

When I eventually got to getting some new gear, went to Super Amart at Gepps Cross for a dining setting, entertainment unit, lounge with ottoman and outdoor setting. And the Good Guys for a TV and washing machine. Had no problems with either.

The old dryer and fridge are still going strong 18 months later, will get them replaced eventually but no rush.

Good luck with it mate, you'll love it.

[Pseudo]

HH3, if you're trying to do this on a budget, a real budget, you've got two options.

One, rent furniture. That way you can upgrade when you want. The obvious problem is that you are outlaying money and don't own anything of course.

Secondly, go to a second hand furniture mob. That irritating advert of that mob on Port Rd would be a start http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyH4BZRfr6o

Thirdly, order pizza consistently for the first month and use the empty boxes for furniture.

[Squids]

HARD
RUBBISH
DAY

[Moe]

Utilities: Who are you with now? Transfer it over if you currently have a supplier. Let them know asap or you will be waiting for a day or 2 without power. If you are not with anyone currently, try Tru energy, and ask for their 14% discount, or try Origin & ask for their 15% discount.
Do not take their bullsh*t, and be firm with them without being over demanding. Don't let them crap you with the old "8 working days" lines cos thats rubbish.
Telephone can wait, just use your mobile for a while, unless you are dying for internet.

Super A-mart are good for furniture when starting out. Remember, you dont have to fill every space, just what you & the missus really want.
Knick Knacks: Ikea, downstairs. Good for cutlery etc as well.
Whitegoods: Can never go past good guys. Always the best price, although Keith Bowden at St. Mary's aint bad either.

A tip: Have a small house warming and ask for vouchers to good guys as presents, not a friggin pot plant This can save you on big ticket items.

I have moved 19 times in my life, and the key is patience my young jedi. As long as the bed is warm & works, there is peace in the world.

[BenchedEagle]

What Moe said in regards to utilities. If its a new build, check that gas meter has been installed (if it has gas) if not you need to make sure u advise the gas company that you require one. Even though it's not your house! We have to tell our tenants to organize that all the time and they never get their heads around it
The electrical meter will be there, save time by popping past the house and grabbing the meter number before u contact the company, they can sometime struggle to find meters that have not been connected previously.

Hope my advise helps and enjoy the experience, remember u don't need it all at once. Havin bugger all and just adding to your house when u can is more rewarding than maxin the credit card in 1 big binge.

[mighty_tiger_79]

could try deyoungs salvage yards and others for some whitegoods etc, just to get started.

[Lightning McQueen]

And ikea for the plates and crap.

Kmart have excellent prices for this sort of junk aswell, matching sets of utensils for $2 a thing, dinner sets are cheap as aswell.

[HH3]

Cheers everyone. Reading through this is a massive help.

We picked up a decent dining set for $50 yesterday, so the only thing we really need now is a washing machine.

Ill check out Deyoungs Salvage for it. Ive never heard of that place, so itll be interesting what we can find there.

Cheers everyone

[valleys07]

When I eventually got to getting some new gear, went to Super Amart at Gepps Cross for a dining setting, entertainment unit, lounge with ottoman and outdoor setting.

Same here. When my wife and I moved into our place, we did a massive shopping spree at super amart and harvey norman.

Good luck HH3, enjoy the experience!

[Psyber]

The lady who became my 2nd wife had furnished her place in Unley from the local St Vinnies.
In that location she got some good durable stuff cheaply.

Today's furniture does seem to offer you a basic choice - it is generally either flimsy, or b..... expensive.
(However I have, occasionally, picked up some nice bits at Freedom's sales - it becomes worthwhile at half-price.)

[The Ash Man]

Electricity Wizards will hook you up with cheap electricty