Downsizing in Singapore: How to Pack Light and Save Big

Several elders and high-earning singles are downsizing homes across Singapore for a more laid-back and simpler life. If you are among these peace-seeking individuals, you might be in the middle of downsizing right now.

Hiring reliable house movers in Singapore is essential for a smooth move, but removing all the redundant items comes first. You are moving to a more compact space, so the current volume of goods will take up a lot of space in your new home.

So, read this blog before you hire some of the cheapest house movers in Singapore for a guide to reduce your items and save up on the move. 

What Should I Throw Away Before Moving?

When downsizing for a move, remember to get rid of things that even the movers won’t move. So, it’s better you discard or donate these first- 

Purge Expired Kitchen Pantries

Remove all the expired spices, pantry items, rusted canned foods, and old condiments first.

Discard Outdated Electronic Cables

Be it an old Nokia charger, broken VGA (Video Graphics Array) wires for TV, or dead batteries, it needs to go.

Bin Heavily Worn Bedding Linens

Throw away the old linen, yellowed pillow covers, and frayed towels that are past their prime.

Clear Out Old Medicine Cabinets

For safe disposal, return all the expired medications and creams to your local pharmacies.

Ditch Half-Empty Paint and Chemical Cans

Your belongings will be in jeopardy because the movers cannot move the hazardous chemicals and paints. So, dispose of them safely.

For the effective removal of these items and bulky items, you can get assistance from a removal service. The people living in HDB will throw them away, but not without first notifying the town council.

How Do I Arrange Free Bulky Item Disposal In Singapore?

 For disposing of the bulky items, you can hire a dedicated removal service, or HDB residents can do it for free after the town council’s permission. 

Book Your Free Town Council Slot

Schedule to remove up to 3 bulky items for free every month with the town council’s permission.

Submit Requests 5 Days Early

For permissions, you have to log in to the website or make a call to secure a removal slot.

Adhere to Strict Placement Rules

Move your items down to the designated unloading zone on the morning of the scheduled collection.

Private Estate Residents Must Hire Pros

Before moving out of a landed property or condo, you have to hire private water collectors for the same.

For moving the bulk items, contact house movers in Singapore that also offer removal services. The smaller redundant items can be donated. 

Where Can I Donate Pre-Loved Clothes And Items?

For the smaller items that you don’t plan to move, and there are a lot of them, just donate. Here’s where you can donate easily-

Drop Off at Salvation Army Booths

All the gently used clothes, books, and smaller appliances can be donated to the regional donation centres across the island.

Support Local Blessed-With-Love Groups

List the barley used and the ones in good condition in the local community groups or gifting apps so that lower-income families can take them for free.

Facebook marketplace

You can also exchange or list your items on the “Buy Nothing” Facebook group for trading in return or just to give away these items.

Drop Old Clothes into H&M Bins

As for the unusable clothing, dump them in the H&M recycling boxes to prevent them from going to landfills.

Remember that the things you give are functional and can be used; do not use local charities for mere removal. 

Where Can I Sell Secondhand Furniture Fast in SG?

Finally, before you even think about employing one of the cheapest house movers in Singapore to have an inexpensive relocation experience, you will also need to throw out your old furniture.

Price Aggressively on Carousell

Offer your furniture on the table or sofas at a cheap price in order to get instant offers from bargain hunters.

Utilise Expats Furniture FB Groups

Post high-quality photos on popular Facebook groups where incoming expats hunt for fast home setups.

Offer Free Self-Collection Incentives

State clearly that buyers must arrange their own Lalamove vehicle pick-up to save you from transport stress.

Sell to Local Secondhand Dealers

Contact local thrift furniture shops to buy your items in bulk if you need a whole room cleared instantly.

Provide Exact Structural Dimensions

List precise height and width details online to avoid annoying last-minute size disputes during collection.

Removing anything redundant, especially furniture, will lower your move costs by a lot, and you can downsize more effectively. 

FAQs 

How do I downsize from a landed house to a condo?

Downsizing to a condo from a landed property includes strategising the move, applying for CPF proceeds, and reducing your goods volume.

Can foreigners purchase landed property in Singapore?

Foreigners have restrictions on purchasing landed properties in Singapore, but they can buy once they get approval from the “Singapore Land Authority”.

What items are not worth moving?

Anything easily replaceable, or old/expired items, are not worth the move. You can donate or discard them before the move accordingly.

What to do before the movers come?

Before the movers arrive, you can clear the pathways and sort items into packing/moving order.

What is considered lucky in a new home?

According to Feng Shui, letting Qi (positive energy) flow through by opening doors and windows in your home brings good luck. 

Conclusion

For moving into a smaller, minimal space, you have to get rid of a lot of items, as there’s no way a 3-bedroom condo’s things would fit in an HDB. The removal work can be performed by yourself in due time, or you may employ trustworthy house movers in Singapore.

For moving into an HDB, you should carefully plan downsizing early and do it effectively before the move day. Hopefully, with this guide, you can reduce your belongings on the go!

Article Rockstars
Logo
Shopping cart