No More Moving Mayhem!
Read this article and no more moving mayhem!
Extract from Expat Living (Issue April – May 2018)
Moving into a new home, whether across the city or around the world, is undoubtedly an event that can be both very excitatory and stress-loaded in equal measures. Any seasoned expatriate will tell you that there’s more to a successful move than just stuffing your things in a box. Without proper preparation and management, the moving day will become a hectic and exasperating affair. To guide you easily throughout the process, we have crafted a step-by-step guide that also comes with a timeline, ensuring that your relocation will be nothing but safe and secure.
Three Months Before Relocation: Start Early
The secret to a successful move is planning very early. You need at least three months before your intended date of relocation, providing you enough time to plan important decisions and avoid last-minute stress.
Looking for a Reputable Moving Company
It’s good to start investigating your options now in case your employer does not provide you with a moving company. Moving companies differ in services, cost, and dependability, so meet with several to compare quotes and get customer reviews. Look for a company with a stable and good reputation for the type of move you are making—especially an international move—where the costs are transparent. Once you have narrowed down your choices, book your mover well in advance, especially during the peak season (summer or end-of-year).
Declutter and Organize
Begin the process of cleaning out your house now. Moving is a great time to get rid of things you do not need anymore. Create piles in the home of things to keep, donate, sell, and throw away. The fewer items that need to be moved, the more painless and less expensive your move will be.
Make a Moving Binder
Storing all documents related to the relocation in a moving binder or digital folder is a good idea. This should contain copies of contracts with the mover, receipts, inventory lists, and contact information for everyone participating in the process. This will help you to stay organized and easily refer back to any documents.
Two Months Prior to Moving: Notice and Preparation
More concrete preparations need to be put in place as the moving date draws near. Two months before moving, focus on notification of institutions and the individuals, as you get your personal life in order.
Notify Institutions and Individuals
Notify all concerned people or institutions with your change of address. This could include, but is not limited to, banks, embassies, insurance companies, schools, solicitors, financial advisors, the tax department, and even the post office, along with your present landlord, social clubs, and electoral registrar. Don’t forget to inform your doctor, dentist, or other people taking care of your health. Going to the trouble of notifying them in advance will ensure that you do not miss correspondence or services as from your moving date.
Check Documentation
Moving to another country? It’s a good time now to make sure all your documentation is in order. Check that your passport, visa, and residence permits are up to date. Apply for new papers if need be but do it early to avoid delays. Other important papers to gather are an international driving permit, personal accident and medical insurance, school records of your kids, and access to your funds including travelers’ checks or international banking arrangements.
Start Packing Up Non-Essentials
Now, you will be able to pack things that you don’t need for the next weeks before your move. This might include the seasonal clothes, books, decoration items, and all other things you may think of that you are unlikely to need. Label each box with its contents and an indication of the room it would go into. This should make unpacking much easier.
One Month Before Relocation: Final Preparations
You can’t begin to finalize this month without confirming your moving company has all of this correct now and that any other details or services you might require are clear.
Confirm Your Moving Company
By now, you must have chosen a moving company and fixed the moving date. If you haven’t done so already, contact your mover to confirm the details of your move. Be sure to clarify the services that will be provided, when they will happen, and any special requirements you may have.
Arrange for Special Services
Check to make sure that there are no special services needed, such as backing-up of the personal computer, air or sea transport of specified items, or the disposal of unwanted items. Consider selling or donating plants, used furniture, and other household items or appliances that are not part of your list. It will be safe, during the move, to have a list for insurance valuation purposes of what items need to be covered.
Sell Your Car and Finalize Medical Appointments
You might have to sell your car if you’re migrating abroad, so do the needful and plan well in advance to save yourself from the ignominy. Consult your doctor and dentist to get medical and dental records and to ensure that you are current with all required vaccinations or other treatments.
Two Weeks Before Relocation: Tying Up Loose Ends
As moving day approaches, focus on loose ends and finalizations.
Cancellation of Routine Services
Schedule cancellation of routine services such as electricity, gas, water, telephone, internet, cable TV, and newspaper/magazine delivery. Schedule these to end the day after your move to avoid the service being discontinued prior to your day of departure.
Pack Important Documents and Valuables
Collect and organize all your vital documents, including your passport, visas, residence permits, identity cards, flight documents, hotel bookings, birth and marriage certificates, school records, medical and dental records, insurance policies, bank records, and international driving licenses. Set them aside in a safe location where they won’t be packed accidentally. Besides, pack medications, jewelry, and any other valuable items.
One Week Before Relocation: The Final Countdown
Now, with only a week to go, it is time to finalize everything and ensure that you are fully set for the day you move.
Confirm the Arrangements with Your Mover
Confirm the plans with your moving company. If they’re doing the packing for you, make sure you’re clear on the exact date and what that day will look like. Be sure all of your essential documents and valuables are packed away and ensure you verify the identification on items that will travel by air or ocean.
Do a Last-Minute Scan
Before packing begins, do a final walk through of your home to ensure that nothing is missed. Let your mover know which items are fragile, high value, or may need special handling. After packing and inventorying, walk through with your mover to make sure everything is packed and ready to go. All paperwork is complete: make sure that on top of the signed inventory, you obtain signed copies of the moving vessel information and destination contact details.
On the Day the Goods Arrive: Settling into Your New Home
Finally that big day has come. Here’s how to ensure that your move-in goes smoothly.
Coordinate with Movers at Destination
Upon reaching your new home, follow up with your movers at destination to fix dates of delivery. If applicable, complete all import customs forms; as a result, your goods will be able to pass through the customs without any problem.
Check and Unpack
As your items are being delivered, you want to check off each carton against your inventory list. You may allow unpacking by the movers and trash removal. You want to see that all cartons are opened and empty so that you are not left or have forgotten anything. If anything has been broken or lost, you want to list those items on the inventory and contact your moving consultant so that a claim can be immediately filed.
Conclusion: No More Moving Mayhem!
With this complete timeline, you can make your move as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Regardless of whether you are moving locally or internationally, the key to successfully avoiding the potential chaos that always comes with moving day is planning and organizing well ahead of time. If you need help with moving, then don’t be afraid to contact a professional moving company like Asian Tigers to help you with your job. Get ready to bid chaos farewell and embrace a new beginning with the right support and preparation when moving to a new home.
