A Guide to Your European Removal
Posted on 30/09/2020
European Move Guide
Undergoing a national move is stressful enough, but if you decide to move abroad, things can get a little more stressful than imaginable. This article aims to make your European removal experience as stress free as is possible.
So the first thing to do is decide on moving dates. It is advised that you should not rush and leave everything until the last minute, it may therefore be wise to set dates which are not too close to the present day. A few months of preparation time will mean that you will be able to do everything required without having to rush and pull out your hair.
This is one of the most important points to note – make a checklist! This will keep you on track with your move and your progress. You need to remember to call up gas and electricity suppliers to give any final readings and to inform them about your move. If you have children, they need to be unregistered from their current schools. Also, you need to hand in your notice at work. Calling your employer and asking about how early you need to hand your notice in is not a bad idea, since different employers demand that you hand it in a lot earlier than others.
Decide which items you will be taking with you. Many people decide to take merely their clothes and decorative items such as pictures, canvases and ornaments. Their motto is that a brand new property in a brand new country deserves brand new furniture. If this is the option you decide to take, decide what it is that you’re going to do with the furniture. If you are currently living in a house that you are selling, does the furniture become a part of the package? Or are you going to sell it? Selling furniture via eBay, Amazon or even newspaper ads is an effective way of not only getting rid of your unwanted items, but also a quick and easy way of making some money while you’re at it.
If you are moving from a rented property and wish to keep your current furniture in that property, you need to ask your landlord for permission. Many landlords claim it is ok for a tenant to leave some furniture in the property, as long as it is not unnecessary. So wardrobes, beds and tables should be ok. It also means that your landlord can then advertise the property as furnished/part furnished and maybe have the chance to increase rent – a win-win situation!
Once you have decided on moving date and booked your tickets, it’s time to contact a removal company. Not all companies specialise in European removals, so it is wise to only check out the ones that are. Many European removal companies can be found online and in the yellow pages. Obtaining online or over the phone quotes will allow you to determine which company not only provides the services you are looking for, but will also allow you to make price comparisons and hopefully save a few quid.
Packing is probably the most stressful task of them all! Pack your items into large cardboard boxes and label them accordingly so that you know what each box contains. Informative labels such as “fragile” will help removers handle your items with extra care. Furniture should be wrapped in bubble wrap or furniture padding.
On the day of the move, removers will come and load their vehicle with your possessions, and you will finally get the chance to relax and enjoy the journey to your new European destination.
