Downsize and Move FAQ
Downsize and Move Sydney

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about downsizing, decluttering, retirement relocations, aged care moves, deceased estate clear-outs, packing, storage, charity donations and auction coordination.

Our Services

Downsize and Move provides a complete, carefully planned service for older Australians and their families throughout Sydney.

What services do you provide?

We provide complete downsizing and relocation support, including decluttering, sorting, professional packing, removals, unpacking, furniture placement, storage, charity delivery, auction coordination and property clear-outs.

We also assist with retirement village relocations, aged care moves, deceased estates and preparing properties for sale.

How are you different from a standard removalist?

A standard removalist generally packs and transports belongings. Our service begins much earlier and can continue after moving day.

We help determine what will fit in the new home, sort belongings, coordinate auction and charity items, arrange storage, clear the remaining property and unpack at the destination. Clients work with one coordinated team throughout the process.

Which areas of Sydney do you service?

We provide downsizing, retirement relocation, aged care moving and property clear-out services throughout Sydney and surrounding areas. Contact us with the property locations and we can confirm availability.

Do you offer an in-home assessment?

Yes. We can visit the property, discuss your priorities, assess access, identify what needs to be packed or removed and recommend the most practical sequence of work.

Following the visit, we can provide a written proposal outlining the service, stages and expected costs.

Do you provide fixed-price quotations?

Wherever practical, we provide a clear fixed-price quotation based on the agreed scope of work. This helps families understand the expected cost before the project begins.

External expenses such as auction commissions, storage fees or waste disposal charges are clearly identified where applicable.

Downsizing and Decluttering

Downsizing is usually easier when it is approached gradually and with a clear plan.

When is the best time to start downsizing?

The best time is before the move becomes urgent. Starting early gives you more control, more time to make thoughtful decisions and a better opportunity to sell, donate or pass on belongings.

Even if a moving date has not been confirmed, decluttering one room or category at a time can make the eventual move much easier.

How long does the downsizing process take?

The timeframe depends on the size of the home, the number of belongings, the client's decision-making pace and the moving deadline.

A smaller apartment may only require a few sessions, while a large family home may be completed progressively over several weeks. We can create a staged plan that suits the client's energy level and timetable.

Can the work be completed over several visits?

Yes. Many clients prefer several shorter sessions rather than one long and exhausting day.

We can focus on different rooms or categories during each visit and progressively deliver auction, charity, storage and unwanted items to their appropriate destinations.

How do I decide what to keep?

Begin with belongings that are essential, frequently used, personally meaningful and appropriate for the new home's size and lifestyle.

We usually recommend prioritising suitable furniture, everyday kitchen items, clothing, important documents, photographs and a carefully selected collection of sentimental belongings.

Can you help determine which furniture will fit?

Yes. We can compare the dimensions of your furniture with the floor plan, room sizes, doorways, wardrobes and available wall space at the new property.

This reduces the risk of paying to move furniture that will make the new home crowded or cannot be used.

What happens to belongings we no longer want?

Depending on their condition, value and demand, unwanted belongings may be:

  • Given to family or friends
  • Delivered to auction
  • Donated to charity
  • Placed into storage
  • Recycled or responsibly disposed of

We can coordinate each destination as part of the overall project.

Packing, Moving and Unpacking

Do you supply professional packing materials?

Yes. We can supply moving cartons, book boxes, crystal and fragile item boxes, portable wardrobe cartons, packing paper, protective wrapping, tape and other materials required for the move.

Can you pack the entire home?

Yes. Our team can pack the entire property or only selected rooms and belongings. Boxes are labelled clearly according to their contents, destination and intended use.

Do you unpack at the new home?

Yes. We can unpack boxes, set up the kitchen, make beds, position furniture and organise essential belongings so the new home is comfortable and functional from the beginning.

Can you remove empty boxes after the move?

Yes. Depending on the agreed service, we can remove empty cartons and packing materials after unpacking or arrange a later collection once the client has fully settled in.

Are you insured?

Yes. Downsize and Move carries both Goods in Transit Insurance and Public Liability Insurance for your peace of mind.

Goods in Transit Insurance relates to belongings while they are being transported, while Public Liability Insurance relates to work undertaken at the property and throughout the moving process. We also use professional packing materials and careful handling procedures to minimise risk.

Can you manage moves with difficult access?

Yes. During the assessment, we consider stairs, lifts, loading areas, parking, narrow access, building rules and retirement or aged care facility requirements.

We then plan the appropriate team, vehicles and equipment for the property.

Retirement and Aged Care Relocations

Do you move people into retirement villages?

Yes. We regularly help clients relocate from larger family homes into retirement villages, independent living communities and smaller apartments throughout Sydney.

Do you assist with aged care moves?

Yes. We provide carefully coordinated moves into aged care homes and understand that these relocations may need to be completed quickly and with sensitivity.

We can help select suitable belongings, pack the room, transport furniture and personal items and set up the new space.

Can you coordinate directly with the retirement village or aged care facility?

Yes. We can confirm access arrangements, lift bookings, moving times, loading requirements, room measurements and any special instructions with the facility.

Can you help when family members live interstate or overseas?

Yes. We can coordinate with nominated family members by phone, email, photographs and video calls.

We provide updates throughout the project and can work with executors, powers of attorney, real estate agents, facility staff and other authorised representatives.

Can you move medical equipment or a hospital bed?

We can assess and transport many items of furniture and equipment, including hospital-style beds, where the item can be moved safely and access is suitable.

Please tell us about any specialist equipment during the initial assessment so we can confirm the appropriate moving arrangements.

Auctions, Charity and Storage

Can I receive money from items sent to auction?

Yes. Any net proceeds from items successfully sold at auction are paid to you or your nominated family representative. The auction house deducts its applicable commission and charges before paying the remaining amount.

The final return depends on buyer demand, condition, quality and the sale price achieved.

What if we do not know what our belongings are worth?

Do not dispose of an item simply because its value is uncertain. We can identify belongings that may warrant professional auction assessment, including selected furniture, artwork, decorative pieces, collectables, jewellery and antiques.

Auction acceptance and estimated value are ultimately determined by the auction house.

Do you transport items to auction?

Yes. Once suitable items have been identified and accepted, we can pack, collect and deliver them to the auction house as part of the downsizing or estate-clearance service.

Do you deliver donations to charity?

Yes. We can pack, collect and deliver suitable household goods to our partner charities or other appropriate charitable organisations.

Charity acceptance depends on condition, safety, current demand and available storage space. Items that are not accepted may require an alternative solution.

Can you arrange storage?

Yes. We can help organise a suitable storage option, pack and label belongings, transport them to the facility and arrange them efficiently inside the storage space.

Can you later deliver stored belongings to another property?

Yes. Stored items can later be collected and delivered to a new home, family member, auction house or another nominated destination.

Property Clear-Outs and Deceased Estates

How long does a property clear-out take?

A small apartment may be completed within one or two days, while a large family home with substantial contents may require several stages.

The timeframe depends on the volume of belongings, access, sorting requirements, auction and charity arrangements and the amount requiring disposal.

Do you provide deceased estate clear-out services?

Yes. We provide respectful and practical assistance with deceased estates, including sorting, packing, family deliveries, auction coordination, charity donations, storage, removal of unwanted contents and preparation of the property for sale.

Can you work with an executor or solicitor?

Yes. We can work with executors, solicitors, real estate agents and authorised family representatives, subject to receiving clear instructions and any necessary approvals.

Can you prepare the property for sale?

Yes. After the main contents have been sorted and removed, we can coordinate the remaining clear-out and help prepare the property for cleaners, tradespeople, stylists, photographers and the real estate agent.

Can you work to a tight deadline?

Yes, subject to team availability and the size of the project. We often assist when a property needs to be cleared before settlement, photography, styling or an aged care admission.

Contacting us as early as possible gives us the best chance of reserving the required team and completing the work carefully.

Still Have a Question?

Every downsizing and relocation is different. We can visit the property, discuss your priorities and prepare a practical plan for the entire process.

Need Help? Chat with us