Frequently asked questions

Zilch. Zero. Nada. Nothing. That’s right, for anyone moving home, our service is absolutely FREE.

We’ve designed it this way and being transparent, the way we keep the lights on is we charge each service provider a facilitation fee for using our platform. That’s less than what they typically pay in marketing to say Google or Facebook so it’s designed to be a win-win-win for all parties involved.

We’ve also contracted with each service provider that they don’t pass on this cost to you and that their pricing on Happly is the same (or better) than you would find if you approached them directly.

Happly offers an all-in-one, user friendly platform with all the moving services you need to make your house move the best yet. Moreover, it’s all backed up by our assurance program known as HapplyProtect. We focus on quality and refer only top rated providers who we work with daily. Plus you’ll get no unwanted calls or emails from our providers and if unlikely issues occur, we help to resolve them. We’re also proud partners with ReLove, supporting families in need with furniture and love.

No. Pick and choose what you need to get done for your move.

Happly is a fully flexible checklist so you stay organised and always in control of your move – we’re happy to help with whatever you would like along the way!

Team Happly Complimentary Assistance is your very own personalised moving co-ordinator, but better because it’s free. We’ll happily assist you in booking in your move, compare moving providers and give you unbiased moving advice.

We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance of your move. Weekends and around public holidays are the most popular days, so if this is when you want to move, please provide as much notice as possible.

You can always shift around your booking (subject to the individual removalists cancellation policy) so it’s better to reserve your preferred timeslot early and change it if need be later.

A typical range for removalists in Sydney is between $60 – $110 per hour per removalist. The price can differ substantially given the length of time the removalists have been in business, the area they typically work in, the level of competition around and the state of the market. Click “compare and book” to easily compare removalist costs in Sydney.

Removalists often do a lot like local moves, interstate moves, packing, boxes, storage and sometimes offer specialist services like piano moves and art moves. Of course, removalists often have specialities like in other areas – some might be experts in oversize or heavy items; others are more experienced with high end furniture. That’s what makes it somewhat hard for people who only move once every few years to find the most appropriate provider for them.

Apart from comparing and saving money on service providers, some clever ways to minimise the cost of your move include:

• Making sure the truck can park as close as possible to the location of loading in and out furniture
• Having all small items boxed up and ready to go
• Having all furniture dismantled as much as possible
• Doing some of the work yourself and/or asking for help

Great – that’s what we offer! Feel free to self-help using the Happly platform or book in for a concierge call where a real live person can help you to book everything in and give you as much, or as little, advice as required.

Typically the actual move won’t take longer than a day but be prepared to spend up to 100 hours planning, booking and arranging your move. The Happly platform is designed to bring this down to a few minutes with a few clever clicks. We may not be able to pack boxes, but we can pretty much do everything else!

We service everywhere in Sydney from the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Shore, Hills district, Western Sydney, Sutherland Shire and everywhere in between. We can even help with outer areas like the Blue Mountains.

Moving house involves a whole lot of tasks such as booking your box delivery, your removalists, cleaners, packers, electricity and gas and more. Often these service providers need to come at a set timeframe given settlement might be occurring, or the end of a lease. Plus there are significant cost differences. By having everything in writing, there’s far less rooms for issues or surprises on the day and just part of the reason why booking everything online using Happly is the smart choice.

While not cheap, buying boxes for moving home is better than trying to use old second hand boxes. New boxes provide better protection, cleanliness and convenience for your belongings. They are also far less likely to break when moving which might be more expensive in the long run. Protection is always best!

Smaller boxes are usually used for heavy items like books. Medium boxes can be used for pots and pans, picture frames and toys. Large boxes are generally used for lighter larger items like cushions, bedding and the like. Last, but not least, there’s port-a-robes which come with a rail and are effectively a portable wardrobe.

It’s best to get a range but usually you’ll need more medium sized boxes like half tea chests or crystal boxes. These are the most versatile, big enough to pack a lot into, but small enough that they don’t become too heavy. They also have less room in the box than some of the larger units so items can’t move around as easily meaning less breakages.

When packing up your home, keep the following out of boxes:

• Food, drink and other perishables – these items can leak and damage other belongings. Best to put this sort of stuff into plastic tubs to avoid any issues.
• Valuable items – keep items liked jewelry, passports and cash with you in a secure location as they can get lost, stolen or damaged during the move.
• Hazardous materials – anything flammable, explosive or corrosive such as gasoline, paint, bleach, or fireworks should not be stored in boxes.
• Essentials – remember as well to keep things out you’ll need right away in your new home such as medication, toiletries, phone chargers and some basic clothing.

The most popular size are the crystal or half tea chest boxes. See also our answer above about the best box used for moving house.

For the easiest unpacking, it’s best to label your boxes clearly with what’s inside but also keep boxes together for certain rooms.  That way when the boxes arrive at your new address, you can have the removalists put them directly into the corresponding room for ease of unpacking, instead of just dumping them all in the main living room. In addition, if you’re trying to find something, you’ll be able to quickly and easily find if the box is clearly labelled with the contents. As described above, you should also keep a box of essentials aside so you’re not scrambling around trying to find really important stuff on moving day.

Absolutely! Sprucing up your home before you bid it farewell is usually a must, especially for rentals where an exit clean might be a condition of getting your bond back. Think of it as giving your home a big, happy last hug before you move on. A sparkling place not only makes for a great farewell but can also save you from any security deposit deductions or grumpy incoming residents.

End-of-lease cleaning, also known as exit cleaning, is all about making your place shine like it did when you first moved in. Lease agreements typically require a deep clean of the property at the end of a lease to ensure the property is clean and sanitised. The tenant needs to do this as part of their requirements to get their bond back.

Deductions to your bond can occur if there are unclean surfaces which is why an end of lease clean is so important. All Happly end of lease cleaners will guarantee their clean so you can rest assured that one more task is ticked off on your move.

As a really rough guide you might be looking at somewhere between $350 for a small 1 bedroom apartment to $2000 for a large house. That said, it’s important to also factor in the cost of not getting your bond back in full as choosing the wrong provider or trying to DIY can really cost more in the long run. To get a quick quote check out our quick pricing information here.

An end of lease clean typically includes cleaning all the rooms, appliances, fixtures, windows, carpets, walls, and outdoor areas of the property. It may also include extras like fridges and ovens. Often this is specified in your lease agreement and the agent may well require proof of the clean. If unsure, best to ask.

The time it takes depends on your home’s personality – its size and quirks. On average, plan for a few hours of TLC or even a full-day pampering session. If you have a particularly large house it will still typically get done within 1 day as the company will bring more people. A tip for getting this done as fast as possible is to ensure all furniture is out before the cleaning commences. This reduces the time getting into hard to reach spots.

The best time to clean is when the furniture is out and just before your settlement or end of tenancy occurs. This will make it as easy as possible for the cleaners but also means that you give a really good impression to the agents, tenants or incoming residents.

We recommend your packers come at least 1 day prior to your removalists showing up to do the job but ideally more. The more organised you are through your move, the more stress free it will be. If your packers do come more than 1 day prior, it might make sense to ask them to leave a basic set of cutlery and crockery out (enough for the family for a meal) but to pack everything else so you’re ready to go.

Ideally, yes!

Whilst our professional packers can do the job independently they may have some questions through the job and they don’t know your home as well as you do so it’s good if someone is around to answer questions. If that’s not possible and they can reach you on your phone, this is also ok.

Professional packers need proper materials like butchers paper and packing boxes. They will not use newspaper or linen to pack cartons as this leads to sub-optimal results and possibly leads to damage to your items.

The time it takes to get your internet connected at your new home in Australia depends on several factors, such as the type of connection, the availability of technicians, and the demand for services in your area. If you already have an NBN connection at your house it’s usually fairly quick and easy. Other options can also speed up the process but if you need a new NBN connection it can take a few weeks so again it’s better to book this in at least a few weeks in advance so on the day of moving in, you can Netflix and chill 😉

We don’t like sitting on the fence but the real answer is partly. While you can, and should, arrange the internet before you move in with your ISP there are things you won’t be able to do until you are in the property. For example, unless you have a really friendly vendor or tenant, you are unlikely to be able to setup your own router and have your internet up and running before you move in. Also, if technicians need access to the property this may need to wait until you move in.

Absolutely! Most ISPs allow you the flexibility to select the connection date for your new address. However, a potential hiccup arises if technicians require access to the property. In cases where you’re not yet residing there, you might need to coordinate property access through your agent or landlord, but this is only necessary under specific conditions. Therefore, planning ahead is crucial to ensure a smooth transition.

Start by checking your address to find out if the NBN is available at your new home. Happly will ask you this when you select internet. Next, choose a plan and a provider that works for you. Arrange an installation date and then once you’ve been notified the NBN has been setup, install your modem and follow the instructions to connect to the internet. Voila!  Now you can watch reruns of Friends to your hearts content.

Any nbn supplied equipment needs to stay at your current address – please do not take it with you. This is a legal requirement. The nbn equipment is registered to the specific address, therefore will not work or be compatible with your new premises. It also can’t be sold as it always remains the property of NBN.

When you move, the electricity and gas should be working from the day you move in but unless you plan ahead (and even then) it’s not something you should necessarily expect from your internet service.

The reason is that technical issues can arise (for example sometimes an NBN installation may not work as expected). ALso there’s often a disconnect between the retailer and NBN Co which means NBN may not do the work required as fast as the retailer (or you!) may like.

To minimise any possible delays, make sure to tell your new ISP as far in advance of your move as possible.

Best way is to sign up to a new electricity and gas retailer and they’ll pretty much do the rest for you. As long as your property is not on an embedded network (typical only for large apartment complexes), moving house is a great time to compare options and get a better deal. Don’t forget to also disconnect your old electricity and gas provider.

Remember to give as much notice as possible – we typically recommend at least three business days. Some retailers can connect your electricity and gas with one business day’s notice but it may require more effort and possibly additional charges. However, if you need a meter installation (typically when you are moving into a new property) the process can take more than 10 days so it’s always better to get it done well ahead of the day you move in.

There’s not really any difference between getting your utilities connected at your rental property compared to a property you’ve purchased. The only time it is different is where utility costs are included in your rental agreement or when you’re moving into a large apartment complex with an embedded network. Otherwise, the steps are really the same: 1. Choose your preferred energy provider and set-up an account for electricity and gas. 2. Arrange the connection date and time with your provider. 3. Read your meter when you move in to ensure accurate billing. That’s it!

Exciting – a new house! If connecting electricity or gas to your property for the first time, you will need to contact your local distribution company and arrange for the physical connection of your new home to the network. These are the companies that manage the poles, pipes, network and grid that gets the electricity from the power plant to your home. Once connected, you will need to choose an energy retailer and sign up for a plan. It shouldn’t be too hard but it does take time for a new connection. We recommend starting the process a couple of months before your move in date.

You can either choose to have a separate retailer provide your gas account, or you can bundle the two services. It pays to shop around given at different times in the market it can be cheaper to bundle and at other times it can actually be more cost effective to split the two services.

The easiest way is to use a comparison service like Happly. Once you enter the address you are moving to, Happly will show you available providers in your area. From there, you can compare the providers in terms of price, customer service, reviews and other features. If you’re not sure which one to go for, feel free to call us – we can walk you through the various options.

It’s a personal decision and there’s no hard and fast answer – things like pricing, customer service and feedback should all be factored into your decision. That’s why, comparing a bunch of utilities providers that can assist with getting you connected makes the decision so much easier.

It’s a legal requirement to notify various entities about your address change, including: updating your drivers licence and electoral roll. It’s also super important that you keep your bank/financial institution updated as well as your mail redirected if required.

Others you may want to advise include:

• Government agencies
• Utility providers
• Insurance companies
• Subscription services
• Employer (for payroll and official records)
• Friends and family

It’s generally advised to update your address as soon as possible after moving but given the amount you need to do, it’s often forgotten. You are legally required to notify some organisations, like  Service NSW or VicRoads with your drivers licence, within 14 days of your move, otherwise you risk a large fine.

You aren’t required to but updating your residential address is important for legal and administrative purposes. It ensures that important documents and communications reach you at your new location. Plus, don’t forget to change your mailing address on your favourite ecom websites like Amazon, Catch and the like.

The documents required for a change of address may vary, but common documents include proof of identity (driver’s license and/or passport) and proof of address (utility bills and/or rental agreement).

The duration of a move can vary based on factors such as the size of your move, distance between locations, and the services you’ve selected. On average, local moves take a day, while interstate moves could take up to a couple of weeks. At least the admin part of it can now be done in minutes with a few clever clicks on Happly!

At the time of writing the fine for not updating your drivers licence in NSW is a couple of hundred dollars. That said, what can happen is that registrations sent out by post are missed and the fines can end up in thousands of dollars if it means an unpaid registration letter. It’s essential to check with relevant authorities for the current fine amounts and specific regulations.

Happly collaborates with ReLove – offering a free service that redistributes old furniture to those in need.

You can donate a wide range of furniture items, including sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames, and more. ReLove accepts gently used items in good condition.

Simply book it on Happly. Our team will efficiently handle the removal of multiple furniture items at once, making the process convenient for you.

Currently, we only provide drop-off services for furniture donations. Please check our platform for the nearest drop-off location.

Donated furniture is carefully inspected, cleaned, and then distributed to individuals and families in need through our partnership with ReLove charity.

While we appreciate all donations, we can only accept items that are in good condition and suitable for reuse. We cannot accept severely damaged or unsafe furniture.

Yes, we have partnered with ReLove charity, an organisation dedicated to redistributing furniture directly to people in need in the Sydney community.

Donations made through our platform to the ReLove charity are tax-deductible. We can provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes. Donating your furniture won’t be tax-deductible but is very much appreciated!

The full list includes televisions, washers, dryers, air conditioners, microwaves, monitors, computers, laptops, mobile phones, iPads, tablets, video games & consoles, servers and racks, cables, stereos, DVD players, iPods, cameras, calculators, transistor radios, dishwashers, vintage collectables, tools and medical equipment.

Three options:

• Recycle: Use our electronic recycling services for responsible disposal.
• Donate: Give working items a second life with charities or community organizations.
• Sell: If it’s still in good shape, explore online platforms or local markets.

Happly makes electronics recycling as convenient as possible.

Three simple steps:

• Wipe the slate clean by removing personal data and doing a factory reset if possible.
• Unplug the power by taking out the batteries
• Make sure items are spick and span, free from contaminants.

Currently, we only provide drop-off services for electronic recycling. Please check our platform for the nearest drop-off locations.

Recycled electronic items are responsibly processed by certified facilities. They undergo dismantling, material separation, and recycling to recover valuable components and minimize environmental impact.

Recycling electronic components offers several benefits:

• Conservation: preserves valuable resources by reusing materials.
• Environmental Impact: reduces the environmental impact of electronic waste.
• Data Security: ensures secure data destruction during the recycling process.
• Compliance: aligns with environmental regulations and standards.

To make it easy, you’ll only find bin sizes appropriate for moving house on the Happly platform. As a guide it can cost between $440 and $900 depending on the amount of rubbish you have to get rid of. To get a fixed price, select your bin size, tell us your location, your preferred dates, and voila – we can have you booked in within seconds.

It’s probably too late to book in a council pickup if you’re looking to dispose of garbage on moving day. Best bet is to ask the removalists to drop it off at a local waste management or recycling centre. That said, if the incoming residents won’t mind you can always book a next day skip bin to get rid of it that may well be the easier option!

The answer depends on the type of trash. Obviously, the more you can put in your council bins (or your neighbours) council bins the better. But if that doesn’t suit aim for some local waste management or recycling centres. Some are run by councils and might be free, depending on the type of waste you’re looking to get rid of. For some information on sites that are open please see a list here.

Alternatively, some commercial waste operators also have centres where you can drop off your garbage.

If your items are in good condition we recommend donating it. Happly has partnered with ReLove which will take your good condition furniture and redistribute it to families in need. That doesn’t always work however particularly with furniture that is a bit more worn. In this case perhaps try listing it on Facebook marketplace or Gumtree at a low price or even free depending on how fast you need to get rid of it. Then if you still can’t get rid of it, you may need to dispose of it. Here’s where you may need a waste disposal service.

Bulky items are tough as they won’t fit inside the typical council rubbish bin. For bulky items that are still in good condition, try to find a charity or give them away to someone that needs them. This way you can not only reduce waste but also feel good about helping people. We make this easy through our partnership with ReLove.

For bulky items that are damaged or unusable a council pickup may be an option. These often occur at various times through the year or there may be a small fee.

Last but not least book in a waste disposal service to take care of your bulky items.  These are cheaper than you might think and will easily and quickly take care of your larger items.