Moving in December? Book Your Movers Early 

Moving in December can be challenging when you’re already juggling work deadlines, holiday plans and end-of-year commitments. Add packing, property handovers and arranging transport, and it’s easy to see why moving can become stressful. 

The good news? Moving in December becomes easier to manage when you plan ahead. Confirming your moving date, booking your movers and preparing your belongings early gives you more time to organise the details before moving day. 

Whether you’re moving to a new home nearby or relocating to another part of South Africa, here’s how to prepare for a smoother year-end move. 

1. Confirm your moving date early 

Before you start packing boxes, establish when you need to move. 

Your date might depend on your lease ending, a property transfer, renovations being completed or the availability of keys to your new home. If you’re moving between rental properties, you may also need to coordinate your move-out and move-in dates. 

Start by answering these questions: 

• When must you leave your current property? 

• When will your new property be ready? 

• Do you have confirmed dates for collecting your keys? 

• Are there restrictions on when you can move into either property? 

• How much time do you need to pack and prepare? 

Once your date is reasonably certain, contact your preferred furniture removals company to discuss availability. 

December is a busy holiday period for many households, so booking movers for December early is a sensible step. Your preferred date may not always be available, and leaving arrangements until the last minute can limit your options. 

2. Choose the right moving service 

The type of move you’re planning will influence the arrangements you need to make. 

For example, moving from a small apartment to another property in the same town is different from relocating an entire family home across the country. 

Consider the following when planning your move: 

• Local household moves: Think about the amount of furniture you’re transporting, access at both properties and how much packing assistance you need. 
• Long-distance moves: Allow time to coordinate collection and delivery, prepare your inventory and discuss the logistics of transporting your belongings to another city or province. 
• Office relocations: If you’re moving a business, consider furniture, equipment, building access and how to minimise disruption to your team’s work. 
• Packing and protection: If you have fragile belongings, bulky furniture or limited time to pack, ask about professional packing and protection options. 

Choosing the right service starts with understanding what needs to move, where it’s going and when it needs to get there. 

3. Request your moving company quote 

Once you’ve established your moving date and requirements, request a quote. 

A moving company needs enough information about your move to assess the work involved. Providing accurate details from the beginning can help you receive a more suitable quotation and reduce the risk of overlooked requirements. 

Prepare these details before making your enquiry: 

• Collection and delivery addresses: Where are you moving from and to? 

• Preferred moving date: When do you need your belongings collected? 

• Inventory: What furniture, appliances, boxes and other items need transporting? 

• Property access: Are there stairs, lifts, narrow entrances or loading restrictions? 

• Additional services: Do you need packing assistance, furniture protection or storage? 

When comparing quotes, don’t look at price alone. Check which services are included, whether additional charges may apply and whether the arrangements meet your needs. 

Key Moves offers a free furniture removals quote so you can discuss your requirements and start planning your move. 

4. Start packing before moving week 

Packing often takes longer than expected, particularly when you’re preparing an entire household. 

Instead of leaving everything until the final few days, work through your home gradually. Begin with items you don’t use regularly, then pack everyday belongings closer to moving day. 

Here’s a practical order to follow: 

• Start with out-of-season items. Pack clothing, spare bedding and belongings you won’t need before the move. 

• Pack decorative items. Wrap ornaments, picture frames and other fragile pieces carefully. Label boxes containing delicate belongings. 

• Move on to non-essential kitchenware. Pack extra mugs, serving dishes and appliances you can manage without temporarily. 

• Label your boxes. Write the destination room and a brief description of the contents on each box. This makes unloading and unpacking easier. 

• Keep essentials separate. Set aside toiletries, chargers, important documents, medication, basic kitchen supplies and a change of clothes. 

If you don’t have enough time to pack everything yourself, ask your removals company about available packing services and the level of assistance you need. 

5. Prepare your home for moving day 

Even a well-organised move can run into problems if access arrangements haven’t been confirmed. 

For example, your residential complex might require advance notice for a moving vehicle. An apartment building may have specific loading areas or lift-booking procedures. A property with a narrow driveway may also need additional planning. 

Before moving day, confirm: 

• Access arrangements at your current and new properties. 

• Parking and loading requirements. 

• Any building, estate or security procedures. 

• Whether large furniture needs to be dismantled. 

• Who will provide access at each property. 

• Your agreed collection and delivery arrangements. 

If you’re moving during the holiday period, communicate any changes to your moving company as early as possible. 

Taking care of these details beforehand can help prevent avoidable delays and confusion on the day. 

6. What if your moving dates don’t match? 

Sometimes you need to leave your current home before your new property is ready. 

This can happen when a property transfer takes longer than expected, renovations are delayed or your rental agreement ends before you can collect your next set of keys. 

If your dates don’t line up, you may need to adjust your moving arrangements or consider temporary storage for your belongings. 

Before deciding, establish how long you’ll need storage, when your belongings can be collected and when they’ll need to be delivered to your new property. Also confirm the available storage options and associated costs. 

If your moving date changes, contact your removals company promptly to discuss the alternatives. Don’t assume that another date or delivery slot will automatically be available. 

Planning for possible changes gives you more time to find a practical solution instead of making rushed decisions. 

7. Your December moving checklist 

Use this checklist to keep track of the essentials before moving day. 

• Confirm your moving date and property handover arrangements. 

• Request and review your furniture removals quote. 

• Confirm which services are included in your booking. 

• Prepare an inventory of your belongings. 

• Start packing and label your boxes. 

• Arrange packing assistance if required. 

• Confirm access, parking and loading arrangements. 

• Set aside essential items for moving day. 

• Discuss storage if your moving dates don’t match. 

• Confirm your final arrangements with your moving company. 

Work through the list at your own pace, prioritising anything that depends on another person, a property handover or a booking. 

Moving in December?

Moving in December doesn’t have to become a last-minute scramble. Confirming your dates, choosing the right service and organising your belongings early can make the process easier to manage. 

Key Moves helps households and businesses move their belongings, whether they’re relocating locally or travelling to another destination in South Africa. Depending on your requirements, you can also discuss packing and protection services to help prepare your belongings for transport. 

The first step is to explain where you’re moving, when you plan to move and what needs to be transported.