How to Budget With Your International Moving Company

The task of moving a household to another country involves more than choosing a new residence. There are domestic items to categorize, legal papers to prepare and various service fees to evaluate.

As you create a detailed financial plan early, you understand the destination of your money and decrease the chance of paying for unplanned events. Your international moving company can also help explain the specific tasks they perform and how those tasks increase the total price.

Rather than focusing on a single figure, it is useful to look at the different elements that can make up an international relocation budget.

Start With a Moving Inventory

The first action is to record every item you intend to transport. The total space your items occupy and the specific types of objects you own change which vehicles and staff the company uses.

And you should go through every room to choose which items you will keep, sell, give away, discard or put into a warehouse – this action is useful for furniture, electrical machines, items for offspring and objects that are not necessary in the new house.

The detailed list provides the movers with a specific description of your needs. If the items change after the first meeting, you should inform your moving company so the employees can change the price estimate.

Understand What Your Quote Includes

When comparing international movers, look beyond the headline price. Ask what is included in the service and which parts of the move may involve separate charges.

Depending on your situation, the service is likely to include putting items into boxes, picking them up, transporting them and delivering them to the new address. The process also includes legal rules for border crossings that you must follow.

The movers should be able to describe the boundary of the price estimate. As you understand the specific services, it is easier to compare different companies.

Consider Packing Costs

By calculating the price of packing, you recognize a large part of the labor. You can put items into boxes yourself or hire professional movers.

In the case of self-packing, you must ask the movers which objects you are allowed to pack and if some items have rules. Certain objects are fragile or dangerous and require specialized handling by trained staff.

Professional movers are able to save time for residents of large houses. On your financial plan, you should calculate the money for the movers and the amount of effort you would spend doing the work alone.

Don’t Forget Storage

It is important to remember storage – there are times when your moving dates do not match.

You might leave the old house before the new house is available. Or you might keep items in a warehouse until you know if they fit in the new location.

Your moving company should be able to tell you if they own a storage and how they charge for it. You should think about how many months you need the warehouse and if you need to touch the items during that time. By including the storage in the plan, you see a more accurate total price.

Wondering what you should consider when planning your moving budget? Ask Cindy, our 24/7 AI assistant for practical guidance.

Allow for Destination Requirements

There are requirements at the destination address that you must follow. International moves are not just moving objects from one street to another.

The shipment must follow the laws of the second country, including the inspection of goods and the signing of legal forms – those rules are different in every country – you should not think the process is the same as a previous move.

The moving company is able to describe the steps of the legal process and the costs you must pay.

Think About Insurance and Valuables

It is necessary to think about insurance for expensive or meaningful objects. Before the move you should ask the movers what financial protection they provide for the shipment.

The terms and the process for requesting money after damage must be clear to you. If you own objects that break easily, you should talk to the company before the staff begins to work. The general rule of thumb is you should carry important papers and very small expensive items with you, instead of putting them in the large truck.

Keep a Contingency in Your Budget

There is a need for extra money in the plan for unexpected events. Dates often change, you might need a temporary hotel or you might choose to store more objects.

To prepare, you should not spend the entire budget on the first estimate – this provides flexibility if your situation changes during relocation.

The records of all price estimates and bills also should be kept in one folder. It is easier to watch your spending when all papers are in one place.

Ask Questions Before You Commit

The moving company must be able to explain the services and help you understand the process. In the other side, you also should ask many questions before you sign a contract.

It is helpful to ask about the total volume of the items, the packing methods and the delivery steps. If a part of the document is not clear, the staff is able to provide a description. This talk helps you find services that are not necessary.

Build Your Budget Around Your Move

There is no single budget that fits every household – the price is based on the weight of the items, the distance of the trip and the specific tasks the workers perform.

The best method is to start with a list of items and a talk with the movers. Then you are able to separate the necessary costs from the optional services. With a clear plan, you know what the financial situation is.

Moving With Greater Awareness

By budgeting you do more than find a low price – you learn about the labor, the legal rules and the requirements for moving a household across a border.  An experienced moving company will be able to help you organize a move that fits your specific needs.

Want to understand more about how responsible practices can form part of the way we operate?

Explore the Asian Tigers Group Environmental Sustainability Policy to learn more about our approach to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Let’s get moving.