Moving into a brand-new home is exciting. Nobody has lived there before, everything is clean, and you finally get to see the finished version of the house you’ve watched go up for months.
It also comes with a set of problems that an established home doesn’t have. Handover dates move, streets are sometimes still under construction, and a GPS may have no idea where your new address is. At Wecube Removals, we move a lot of families into new estates across South East Queensland’s growth areas, and planning for these issues makes moving day much smoother.
Why New Build Handover Dates Move
Almost every new home buyer has the same experience: the handover date you were given at the start isn’t the date you actually get the keys.
Building contracts usually allow for delays caused by things such as wet weather, variations and waiting on trades or materials. Final inspections, certificates and service connections also need to be completed before handover. Any one of these can push the date out by days or weeks, and in a wet Queensland summer, delays are common.
So until your builder confirms a firm handover date, it’s safest to treat your moving date as provisional.
What Should I Do if My New Build Handover Is Delayed?
A delayed handover is frustrating, particularly if you’re renting and your lease end date is fixed. There are a few ways to manage it:
- Talk to your property manager early. If you’re on a periodic lease, you may be able to stay a little longer. If you’re on a fixed term, ask whether a short extension is possible.
- Let us know as soon as the date changes. The sooner we hear about it, the easier it is to move your booking.
- If your lease ends before your keys are ready, use storage to bridge the gap.
Should I Book Removalists Before a New Build Handover?
Yes, but with flexibility built in. Local moves in Brisbane are best booked two to four weeks ahead, and waiting until the builder confirms the final date can leave you short of options, particularly at the end of the month.
When you book, tell us that it’s a new build and that the date may change. We’ll pencil in your preferred date and work with you if it moves. Once the builder confirms handover, lock in the final date and time, and allow a buffer after handover for your own inspection before the truck arrives.
Can Removalists Store My Furniture Until My House Is Ready?
Yes. When the gap between your lease ending and your handover is more than a day or two, move-and-store is usually the easiest option. We load your belongings once, hold them in storage, and deliver them to your new home once you have the keys.
It saves you from moving everything into a storage unit yourself, then moving it all out again a few weeks later. If you’re planning your own storage, our guide to storage unit sizes and costs will help you work out how much space you need.
Estate Access on Moving Day
New estates often look finished from the display village, but the streets around your lot may still be a work in progress. Common issues on moving day include:
- New roads can take a while to appear on maps and GPS. Send us a map pin or clear directions from the nearest established street.
- Many new homes don’t have their street numbers up yet. A sign on the letterbox or front fence helps the crew find you.
- Tradie vehicles, skip bins and delivery trucks can fill the street, especially on weekdays.
- Footpaths and verges may not be finished, and mud after rain can make the walk from the truck to the front door slow and messy.
- If your driveway is new, check with your builder before a heavy truck is driven onto it.
Let us know about any of these when you book, and we’ll plan the vehicle and approach around them.
What Should I Check Before Moving Into a New Build?
Do your own final inspection before any furniture goes in. It’s much easier to spot and record defects in an empty house.
- Walk through every room and photograph any scratches, chips, marks or faulty fittings.
- Check that power, water, hot water and internet are connected.
- Test doors, windows, locks and appliances.
- Measure doorways, hallways and the garage for large furniture.
- Consider laying floor protection in high-traffic areas for moving day.
Your photos also help separate builder defects from anything that happens on moving day. Under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, non-structural defects are generally covered if you become aware of them within six months of the work being completed and lodge a claim within seven months. Structural defects have a much longer period of cover. The QBCC website explains the details.
Moving Into North Lakes, Springfield or Ripley
South East Queensland’s growth areas each come with their own quirks:
- North Lakes is a master-planned suburb about 28 km north of the Brisbane CBD. Most homes have good truck access, but some estates have tight cul-de-sacs, and some townhouse complexes restrict visitor parking. Our North Lakes removalists plan around both.
- Springfield mixes apartments with suburban family homes, so access varies a lot from one address to the next. See our Springfield removalists page.
- Ripley, around 40 km south-west of Brisbane, sits in one of the region’s largest growth areas, with new estates still under construction. Our Ripley removalists know the area well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my new build handover is delayed?
Tell your removalist and your property manager as soon as you know. Ask whether you can extend your lease, and consider move-and-store if there’s a gap between moving out and getting your keys.
Should I book removalists before a new build handover?
Yes. Book early with your preferred date and let your removalist know the date may change. Confirm the final date once your builder gives you a firm handover.
Can removalists store my furniture until my house is ready?
Yes. With move-and-store, your belongings are loaded once, kept in storage and delivered when your new home is ready.
What should I check before moving into a new build?
Inspect and photograph every room before furniture arrives, check that utilities are connected, test doors, windows and appliances, and measure doorways for large furniture. Record any defects so you can report them to your builder.
Moving into a new home? Request a free quote or call our team on 0423 690 837.