Moving house in Singapore requires careful planning, understanding of regulations, and knowledge of the unique challenges posed by the housing landscape. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know for a successful relocation. From cost planning and legal requirements to choosing the right moving company and avoiding costly mistakes.
Understanding Singapore’s Housing Types and Moving Requirements
Singapore’s diverse housing landscape presents unique considerations for each property type.
For both HDB flats and condominiums, common moving hours are 9AM to 5PM. However, condos have stricter moving regulations that you will have to follow, and some condo building management will only permit Saturday moves until 1PM.
The Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) requirements for condominiums include advance booking of service lifts, security deposits, and specific moving forms that must be submitted at least three days prior to your move. These administrative requirements can add several hundred dollars to your moving costs and require careful coordination with your chosen moving company.
Last but not least, landed properties offer the most space and flexibility but typically involve higher moving costs due to larger volumes of belongings.
Step 1: Plan Your House Moving Timeline
In Singapore, there are peak seasons for house moving such as between June-August. Some moving companies would increase their prices during these period and may require bookings 3-6 weeks in advance. At Elite Movers, our prices remain the same during peak seasons, with a slight extra charge only on Sundays and Public Holidays.
In addition to peak moving seasons, you might want to consider the monsoon seasons (Northeast monsoon December-March and Southwest monsoon June-September) in Singapore. Always speak to your movers if you are moving bulky items that require more protection to avoid damage or unsafe moving conditions.
See https://www.weather.gov.sg/climate-climate-of-singapore/ regarding monsoon seasons.
Key Milestones For Moving
- 6–8 weeks before move: Create a moving checklist and budget, contact movers to book a slot
- 4–6 weeks before move: Declutter, sell or donate unwanted items
- 2–4 weeks before move: Begin packing non-essential items
- 1 week before move: Confirm logistics with movers, change mailing address, and prepare essentials bag
- Moving day: Supervise movers, double-check belongings, and hand over keys
Step 2: Find Out House Shifting Service Costs
House shifting costs in Singapore vary significantly based on property type, volume of belongings, and additional services required.
Depending on the moving companies, basic moving costs may start from SGD 200 for one-room HDB flats and can be above SGD 2,000 for large landed properties. These prices typically include transportation, basic labor, and standard packing materials, but additional services can substantially increase the final cost.
Factors that influence moving costs will include:
- Property size
- Amount of items
- Distance between locations
- Lift access availability
- Special items handling (pianos, bulky items, artwork)
- Timings (peak season, weekends, public holiday, etc)
Additional services that can be chargeable include:
- Furniture dismantling and assembly
- Disposal services
- Extra manpower for stairs
- Storage services
- Professional packing & unpacking services
- Specialty items like pianos depending on the type and access difficulty.
When you move with us, dismantling and reassembling are included in your moving service. We also offer disposal services at no cost, depending on the volume required.
Cost-Saving Checklist and Budget Planning
- Check if the moving company has any peak season or off-peak season pricing
- Book services you need 6-8 weeks in advance to secure good rates and ensure availability
- DIY preparation whenever you can to reduce costs substantially
- Check if the moving company charges for packing and unpacking. If they do, self-packing 6-8 weeks in advance will save you money
- Disassemble small furniture by yourself if you can
- Declutter aggressively before moving reduces volume-based pricing and eliminates disposal fees
- Choose only the services you need without unnecessary addition
Step 3: Decluttering Before You Move
You can donate used items to organisations like The Salvation Army Singapore or other organisations like Tzu Chi, New2U Thrift Shop and more.
Decluttering Checklist
- Clothes: Donate items you haven’t worn in over a year
- Furniture: Sell or give away oversized pieces that won’t fit your new home
- Electronics: Dispose of unused devices responsibly
- Documents: Shred old files but keep important records handy
Decluttering can help you reduce the volume when moving, reducing your costs and stress from unpacking and reorganising.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Moving Company in Singapore
What to Look For in a Moving Company
- Reputation and reviews – Check Google Reviews, Facebook, and forums
- Transparent pricing – Avoid movers with vague quotations
- Range of services – Ask the prices for packing, dismantling, storage, disposal
- Insurance coverage – Protects your valuables in case of damage
- Experience – What property type and items have they moved or encountered before
Singapore’s moving industry includes over 200 registered companies, ranging from large established firms to smaller specialised services.
Request detailed quotes from at least three companies, ensuring they conduct on-site assessments for accurate pricing. Verify that movers understand regulations, particularly for condominium moves requiring MCST compliance.
Elite Movers provide free on-site assessments for your moves to give you an accurate quotation.
Red flags to avoid include quotes significantly below market rates, companies refusing on-site assessments, lack of proper insurance coverage, poor online reviews or absence of verifiable customer feedback, and experiences in handling of specialty items like electronics, artwork, or musical instruments.
Step 5: Packing Strategies for Singapore’s Climate
Singapore’s high humidity and frequent rainfall require specific packing considerations. If you are packing your items weeks before moving, we recommend for you to:
- Put desiccants in boxes containing electronics, documents, and clothing
- Avoid cardboard boxes for extended storage, opting instead for plastic containers that provide better protection against humidity and potential water damage
- Use climate-appropriate packing materials include plastic wrap for furniture protection, waterproof covers for electronics, and sealed bags for important documents
- Pack climate-sensitive items like leather goods, musical instruments, and artwork with extra moisture protection
- Consider professional packing services for valuable or delicate items, as experienced movers understand local climate challenges.
Labeling strategies should include room destinations and handling instructions, with special attention to “fragile” and “moisture-sensitive” items. Use waterproof markers and consider plastic labels that won’t deteriorate in humid conditions. Photograph valuable items before packing for insurance purposes and maintain detailed inventory lists.
Packing Tips
- Use sturdy moving boxes (you can check if your moving company will loan them to you) and label them clearly by room and contents
- Pack fragile items with bubble wrap and “FRAGILE” labels
- Disassemble furniture in advance to save time on moving day
- Pack an essentials bag (clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers) for the first night in your new home in case you don’t manage to unpack everything
Step 6: Managing Moving Day Smoothly
Moving week requires final preparations and last-minute confirmations. Prepare cash for any unexpected expenses. Confirm access arrangements for both properties and ensure someone will be present to supervise the move.
Moving Day Checklist
- Confirm arrival time with movers
- Keep cash or PayNow ready for final payments
- Take photos of valuable items before moving
- Double-check cupboards, storerooms, and balconies
- Ensure fragile items are loaded last and unloaded first
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving in Singapore
Avoid making these mistakes to save yourself from stress and additional expenses during a move:
Inadequate Planning
Inadequate planning ranks as the most common and costly mistake that leads to:
- Rushed decisions
- Limited service availability
- Higher prices
Starting preparations less than four weeks before moving typically results in stress, compromised service quality, and missed deadlines for address changes and utility transfers.
Underestimating Costs
Underestimating costs frequently occurs when people focus only on basic moving rates without considering:
- Additional services
- MCST fees
- Peak season pricing
- Disposal cost
Hidden charges can include stairs, disposal services, elevator booking fees, and overtime rates for moves extending beyond estimated time. House shifting with Elite Movers typically are completed within a day, however, do keep us informed if there are any special requirements such as no lift access, high volume of items to be disposed, etc.
Ignoring Building Regulations
This particularly affects condominium moves where failure to secure proper permits and elevator bookings can result in move day cancellations.
Inadequate Insurance Coverage
Inadequate insurance coverage leaves belongings vulnerable to damage or loss, while poor mover selection based solely on price can lead to damaged belongings, hidden fees, and unprofessional service.
Step 7: Post-Move & Settling Into Your New Home
Post-Move Essentials
- Connect and test your utilities (electricity, water, Wi-Fi)
- Update your address with OSCARS, banks and any services not covered by OSCARS
- Unpack room by room, from essential items starting with the kitchen and bedroom
- Conduct damage assessment within 24-48 hours of moving in and document any issues with photographs
- Explore your new neighbourhood to get familiar with amenities
You may also want to introduce yourself to your new neighbours as building relationships may help enhance your living experience. Familiarising yourself with the new neighbourhood after your move helps you understand the local amenities and transportation options better and get into your new routine quickly.
The key to successful house moving in Singapore lies in thorough preparation, understanding local regulations, and choosing experienced professionals who navigate the city’s unique requirements. By following this comprehensive guide and avoiding common pitfalls, your relocation can be efficient, cost-effective, and stress-free. Remember that investing in proper planning and professional services ultimately saves time, money, and frustration while protecting your valuable belongings throughout the moving process.
Contact us via WhatsApp to get your free onsite assessment & quote along with advice. We offer house moving services with no hidden costs.