Whether you’re moving down the road or to another part of the country, preparation is everything. When it comes to moving abroad, it’s vital that you’re fully organised and ready, so that the whole new set of challenges you face can be navigated smoothly.
There are a number of different points you should consider before and during your move, whether you’re making a new home in Europe or travelling further afield. We’ve compiled a breakdown of some of the key issues, so you can rest assured that your move will be as stress-free as possible!
Be Prepared
As with any major decision or change in life, preparation is essential. Moving home requires a huge amount of planning, and moving abroad is no exception.
One of the main points to bear in mind is just what you need to take with you to your new home, so an inventory is invaluable. Produce a detailed list of everything you’re taking – from beds and sofas to computers and personal stereos – so that when you start to pack, you have a handy checklist to refer to.
It’s also important to ensure that you’ve informed all relevant parties, such as banks, utility providers and the Royal Mail, as well as others, of your move, and arranged for the necessary steps – such as mail forwarding and the final payment of bills and disconnection of services – to be taken.
You should also take time to research removals companies during this stage, so that you’re able to find a company that will be able to transport all of your items to your new property.
Packing
It seems obvious, but careful and thorough packing is vital when you’re moving abroad. After all, the last thing you want to do is get to your new home and find you’ve left the teabags or your toothbrush behind!
The list you made during the planning and preparation stage will be essential while you’re packing. Not only will it ensure you don’t miss anything, it will also mean that you stick to your plan – transportation options and your budget may mean finite space, so be ruthless!
Everything you’re taking with you – as well as everything you’re not – should be clearly labelled, so that both you and your removals company can see just what needs to go and what needs to stay. It’s also a good idea to provide any further details about the contents, such as if they’re fragile or delicate. Your removals company should be able to give you advice on how to pack fragile items, and many can supply packing materials, so always ask.
You could also code the boxes by room, so that when you get to your new destination, you can quickly and easily see what needs to go where.
Of course, valuable items, passports and money should always be kept with you. This includes jewellery, keys and travel documents and tickets, as there’s nothing worse than frantically searching for tickets at the airport, only to find that you’ve sent them off in the removals lorry!
Insurance and Paperwork
As part of the planning process, you should inform your home and contents insurance company of your move, as well as any providers of car, life or health insurance. You should also inform the Inland Revenue and your local council, as well as any other official departments of your plans.
Before you move, it’s worth finding out whether your items are insured while they’re being transported. In some cases, your home insurance will cover your belongings, but it’s essential that you find out whether this is the case, as well as finding out exactly what it covers, such as loss or damage of items. Your removal company may be able to provide insurance, so always speak to them.
You’ll also require paperwork to satisfy customs officers at your destination country, including documents to provide clearance of your belongings. Your removals company should be able to provide advice with this, and will have valuable experience when it comes to the customs procedures that are in place.
Choosing a Removals Company
As with any move, whether domestic or international, choosing the right removals company for your requirements is paramount. There are a number of points to consider when looking for the best company for your needs, including the following:
• The level and type of service offered
• Whether they offer insurance and packing services
• What items can they move for you? Does this include vehicles?
• How will they transport your items?
Of course, each move is unique, but there are a number of requirements that they will have in common, and an experienced and professional international removals company will be able to provide you with the answers you need.
It’s important that you discuss your needs with your chosen company, and that you provide them with your inventory so that they can determine just what the move entails and provide you with an accurate quote.
They’ll also be able to provide you with a timetable of how long the move will take and the delivery date of your items, and they should be able to provide advice and assistance with packing.
Barnes of Lincoln
We have over 30 years of experience when it comes to moving our clients abroad, and are specialists when it comes to international removals. No matter whether you’re going for 6 months as part of your job or retiring to warmer climes, our dedicated team have what it takes to handle your property with the utmost care.
Thanks to our extensive experience, we have procedures in place to ensure that, whether we’re moving your entire home or just one room, all your items will be transported safely and securely, and that they’ll arrive in the same condition they left.
Over the years, we’ve established connections with similar companies operating in a number of countries, so we can advise on the shipment process. And because our staff are highly trained and we use a variety of trusted and reliable resources, you can rest assured that your items will always be in the safest of hands.
Plus, we offer standard liability damage to, or loss of, your goods in transit, so you can rely on us to provide you with the very best in international removals – no matter where in the world you’re heading.
So if you’d like any more information, why not get in touch with the team at Barnes of Lincoln?
