DHA and Toll Question

[MumtoSeb]

Hi

DH goes to Wagga in Sep than we move there in Jan 2011.

Quick question my dad is getting rid of his outdoor portable spa and has offered it to us at a real cheap price. so the question is, would toll move it for us and are we allowed this type of stuff in a DHA house???

thanks

[Blairysmum]

I am pretty sure you can DHA pretty much let you do anything as long as you fix it when you leave the house eg if you have painted walls you have to paint then back to the original color!! Toll is a bit picky they won't move pot plants or food or cleaning products but I can't see why the wouldn't move it!

[ethansmum08]

is there a limit on stuff we can move.. and wot are the dha like?? we have alot of stuff any ideas??

[Blairysmum]

No there is no limit!! The whole moving process is pretty good they pack everything and unpack everything too, even down to pulling your bed apart and putting it back together. They clean the house and all you have to pay for is carpet cleaning and if anything is broken in your house they fix it so in that way the are awesome! We have never really had a problem with DHA but alot of people I know have quite alot of bad things to say about them..

[*Cj*]

For a portable spa you will more then likely have to put a pool fence up. For that it will come down to DHA saying yes or no. You will have to put in paper working asking if you can put up a pool fence.

[ethansmum08]

we are renting thru a agent atm.. havnt moved into a dha yet wont b for 6 months.. how does the packing and moving process work??

[Blairysmum]

It's easy... But a long process you have to write down and value everything you own!! But once that's all done a moving company will come to your house and pack everything except for food, any liquids eg cleaning products and your clothes! Then they take it to your new house where they will unpack everything!

[Seacretsquirrel]

They pack most stuff and yes it is easy they do most of it.
They will move food - just not perishables - so closed things like pasta tinned goods etc are all fine as are most of the stuff in tupperware type containers - but DH and I usually use the move to have a pantry gut out! so opened things go!
You also have to do your own personal items (bathroom bits, clothes etc) -I try to have as much as possible on coathangers in the port-a-robes as it makes putting everything away at the other end much easier.
Toll (the removalists) will unpack to a flat surface only - so you do have to put everything back into cupboards etc - which is better anyway so everything goes where you want it!

Make sure if you have anything odd - like mini motorbikes or the like you show them when they come to do the prepack inspection - we had to sell DH's as it wasn't crated (the initial guy said it was fine and would be packed but nooooooo) - so double check!
Most cleaning stuff they won't take along with anything flamable - including some esentail oils etc as it is packed into shipping containers and then onto road trains etc so they get very hot inside (like 80 degrees or more)
You will have ot fence that spa (over 30 cm deep) so you will have to check with your landlords policy on that!

Otherwise try to relax and enjoy your next journey!

[KJEmum]

Check with Toll if they move the spa because from what I have heard previously they don't move spas and also heard everything needs to be able to be lifted by two men.
Just check cos my friend in Darwin has a spa and they are relocating so hmm I wonder.

With regards to the removalist, all depending on the company and the guys will depend on how competent they are. Some removalists don't have a clue and don't think when packing so will pack your food stuffs that aren't in sealed containers. Others will tell you that you can't take certain things.

Make sure anything that isn't to go on the truck like your own bags or the house heater etc is out of their way when packing. Some can be dopey and pack things that shouldn't be backed. Make sure the Priority Box goes on LAST cos some dopey tools put it first in the truck so it's the last to come out.

[Violetta]

Our priority box along with a few non essentials was delivered hours after the rest our the things.
I don't think I'll bother packing one next move.

[Blairysmum]

We have friends who's car keys have been packed!! DHA joked once that you should hold onto your kids because if it ain't nailed down they pack it!!
I would also reccomend taking keepsakes in the car with you we lost a box once that had some old photos in it!!

[Seacretsquirrel]

And the Plugs make sure they are in the actual sinks when they are packing so they don't get packed otherwise you will have to pay for new one! I agree that they pack anything not nailed down.
We put all our stuff that we were taking with us (we drove) into the master wardrobe and told them they were not to go in there (DD also sept in there during the uplift - out of the way and quiet)

[MumtoSeb]

thanks for your advice girls - We have decided not to get the spa as it will be too much of a hassel with fences etc.. I was thinking it would have been perfect for the cold Wagga winter, sitting in it sipping chamapagne :yes:

Also we are going to drive down instead of fly and lots of people have told us to take a trailer as you get more benefits is this true???

what have you girls done about Car rego's, insurances and licenses etc going interstate??? i only ask as the cars are up for rego renewal this month and we are currently QLD. Do you have to change plates very time you move to a new state???

thanks - i know so many questions :D

[sharn883]

Yep if you take a trailer you have more time to get to your new location (you are only allowed to drive so many km's per day)..... therefore they then have to pay allowances for more days..... have a look at http://www.dha.gov.au/relocation-pack/guide-to-relocation-services.pdf
it has alot of info in it that will be helpful.

With Rego and Licensing - When you move interstate, you do not have to change your rego or license over to the new State that you live in until they expire, then you must renew rego/ license in the new State.... (this is a special 'defence only' thing)....... it applies in every state and territory except NT. This is valid for the serving member/spouse/dependants etc.
We've been living in NSW for 18 months now and everything is still under QLD (good for the 6 month only rego and no inspection required) you can change your address that the paperwork is sent to for up to 18 months.

Good luck with everything.....

[Blairysmum]

Sharn883 already filled you in but I just wanted to share my story!!
Me and my hubby moved to brissy same time our friends did and we got $1000 more then they did because we had a trailer and our trailer only cost us $800 so we for our money back straight away!!

[MumtoSeb]

So if you take a trailer do you than have to take some of your stuff in it??? Or can you just put your suitcases etc.. in it or the prams etc..

Sounds great if what you get in benefits pays for the trailer and a bit extra :yes:

[Blairysmum]

No you don't have too!! But it is very handy we take porta cot, pram, hubbys tools and any valubles we don't want the movers to take!!
When you are sitting in a car for hours and hours you don't want to be squashed!!

[Seacretsquirrel]

We bought a trailer for this purpose too (Darwin to Melb drive) it did mean extra $$$$ - we camped all the way down so we saved $$$ there too but the trailer had all our camping stuff in it plus jerry cans for fuel and water!
You could drive an empty trailer down and it wouldn't matter (though an empty trailer is a bit pointless and would bounce arond a bit)

NT you have to change verything ove withis 3 months of arriving otherwise if you have an accident you may not be covered..... Oh and they regularly do random rego checks on the base too so you kinda have to be on the ball with it!