The questions our clients and their families ask us first.

Moving home is one of the most stressful things a person can go through, and often people put off making the best decision for their future because the emotional and physical aspects of packing and moving are just too much. We have the skills and experience to make this change less stressful so that the focus can be on a positive future - hence our name, Upside Downsize!

Clare's background is in social work and NDIS support, Candy's background is in industrial psychology, people and culture. We have chosen to start this business because we know we make a difference to our clients in a very daunting time for them. We treat the person at the centre of the move as the client - everything we do is led by their needs, their pace and their wishes.

We bring calm, experience and genuine care to what is often one of the most emotional and overwhelming transitions a person and their family will face. We've done this many times, and we know how to make it feel manageable.

We offer a true end-to-end service: understanding, planning, sorting, packing, the move itself, and unpacking and settling into the new home. You don't have to coordinate trades, removalists, charities or sales - we hold all of it together for you.

And we're discreet, trustworthy and respectful. Nothing leaves the home without the client's say-so, and we're happy to liaise directly with family, solicitors, executors and aged care advisors so the people we serve can focus on what matters. We can keep communication clear with family members if the need for that is required.

We primarily work with:

• Seniors and retirees
• Families supporting ageing parents
• Clients transitioning to retirement living
• Individuals managing estate or lifestyle transitions
• People living with a disability or requiring additional support during major moves and transitions

We also offer consultations for all downsizing, relocation and transition enquiries.

We also collaborate with:

• Real estate agents
• Retirement villages and over-55s communities
• Residential aged care homes
• Families and executors
• Estate planners
• Hospital and discharge planning teams
• Allied health professionals
• Support teams where required

We predominantly work across South East Queensland - from the Sunshine Coast down through Brisbane and the Redlands to the Gold Coast hinterland, and west through Ipswich out to Toowoomba.

We also offer interstate consultations and relocation support, understanding that many families are coordinating moves for loved ones from interstate. In these situations, having a trusted and carefully coordinated approach can make a significant difference during what is often a stressful and emotional time.

Where required, we are able to travel to assist with the coordination and relocation process, and can also liaise with interstate families, providers and services to help ensure a smooth, safe and well-supported transition.

If your home has become a burden to maintain, or your life circumstances or health has suddenly changed and downsizing or decluttering would be beneficial for you - but it just feels overwhelming and you don't know where or how to start - it's time to give us a call.

Send us a note through the contact page, or give us a ring.

We'll talk through our initial consultation fee and arrange a time to meet with you.

After the initial consultation, we can discuss the future steps which may include a written plan: what we’d do, in what order, and what it will cost. You decide from there.

For specialised moves we have to understand the needs of the person moving, and where possible we like for them to agree to the plan, and assist in the sorting phase.

On the actual day of the move, no we do not need anyone there as by that point we have everything sorted, packed and ready to go. It's often a very emotional day for the person moving and it's best if they are not present for the part that can be stress inducing, and to arrive at the end at their new home with everything unpacked and ready for them.

With living estates and deceased estates, as long as we have clear direction from the authorised person we do not need someone to be there with us.

This is the most common version of the first call we get. We never push our way in. The heart of our success is the respect for the person whose home we are changing or moving, they are the main character, we consider them to be the client.

If the person isn't ready, we'll either wait, or come in for one small piece of work - a single cupboard, an afternoon - so they can see what working with us is actually like. Trust comes first and we are led by the client.

Items the client or their family want kept are catalogued and held aside. We can assist in the sale of items of value through trusted local channels and have contacts at auction houses and specialist collectors.

What's still useful is donated to charities we know well. The rest is recycled or properly disposed of. Very little goes to landfill.

Absolutely. We understand that downsizing and moving can be an emotional process, and that many belongings hold years of memories, history and sentimental value.

We take the time to carefully support clients through decisions around their belongings, including items they may wish to keep, pass on to family, donate, sell or dispose of.

This may include assisting with:

• selling special or valuable items
• coordinating donations and charity collections
• recycling and rubbish removal
• estate clearances

For clients who would prefer to avoid the stress of online selling platforms, buyer enquiries and collection arrangements, we can also assist in managing the selling process on their behalf - helping make this part of the transition feel simpler and more manageable.

Where possible, we always aim for respectful, thoughtful and sustainable outcomes for unwanted belongings.

That's what we are here for.

• Carefully unpacking belongings and helping set up each space in a way that feels familiar, comfortable and easy to navigate
• Taking the time to thoughtfully place meaningful and everyday items where clients naturally expect them to be, helping maintain a sense of home and routine
• Assisting with kitchen, bedroom and wardrobe setup in a practical and personalised way that suits the client's lifestyle and needs
• Supporting furniture placement and room setup to create spaces that feel comfortable, functional and welcoming
• Helping clients settle into their new home with less stress and overwhelm, while maintaining familiarity with the belongings and spaces that matter most to them

Our clients have differing needs and abilities, sometimes we are appointed by the enduring guardian, enduring power of attorney, statutory health attorney, solicitor, executor or aged care advisor.

Upside Downsize maintains appropriate business insurances, and team members hold the following:

• National Police Checks - Australian Federal Police
• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Working with Children Check - Blue Card
• WorkCover QLD
• First Aid
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Public Liability Insurance

At Upside Downsize, we understand that moving later in life can feel overwhelming and emotional - not just for the person moving, but often for the whole family.

What makes us different is our ability to combine professionalism, efficiency and genuine care throughout the entire process.

We take a calm, practical and organised approach to every move, helping simplify what can often feel like a very stressful time. We understand that belongings hold memories and meaning, and we take the time to carefully support clients through each stage of the transition.

With personal experience in both family and interstate relocations, we understand the importance of trusted support, clear communication and thoughtful coordination from beginning to end.

Our goal is simple - to help every client feel supported, organised and more at ease throughout the moving process, from start to settle.

We also like a chat, so may need to pop the kettle on!

Every downsizing journey is unique, so our pricing is based on the level of support each client would like through the process. We take into account:

• the size of the home
• the amount of support and coordination required
• packing and unpacking assistance
• move preparation and setup
• interstate relocation support where needed

We will be able to provide you with a quote following an initial consultation.

If money is a barrier to your move, we can put you in touch with finance providers who can assist with funds to engage with real estate agents, cover the cost of your move, or small renovations to make sure you maximise the sale price of your home.

A typical downsizing move - planning, sorting, packing, the day itself, and unpacking on the other side - usually takes between two and four weeks from start to finish but can vary if there are other parties or deadlines involved.

Estate clearing timelines depend on the instructions of the executor, the size of the home and the amount of items that need to be processed.