Moving your home, family and belongings is often an exciting experience. However, without preparing adequately  an interstate or an international relocation can be very difficult as you try to remember all the jobs you need to do. Experienced removalists can ensure that your move will be well managed with fewer unexpected issues. Here are some areas that you might think about in preparing to move your home.

Your Pre-move Consultation
Choose a removals company that will give you an obligation free pre-move consultation. All the services they offer and the process of moving can be explained and they will help you prepare and plan your entire move.

• Packing
• Transportation and storage options
• Special requirements for pets, vehicles and fragile items
• Insurance transit protection
• Keeping track of your belongings

Your consultant will help you choose the service delivery that will satisfy your requirements, explain what to expect when you arrive at your new destination and answer all of your questions. At the same time, you can choose and schedule your packing and loading day(s).

Learning About Your Destination
When first considering moving, particularly if you are moving internationally, there are many questions that you will need to answer. International or interstate removalists  that have a global presence often have an in depth range of services that can help you find out about the place you are moving to.

• “Settling-In Tips” give useful advice from relocation companies that have staff living in different cities around the world, including information about transportation, schools, shopping, accommodation, banking and much more. You should take advantage of local knowledge in preparing to understand about and then settle into your new location.
• Make sure that you have access to a professional relocation management team that is available to answer your questions and help you with every step of the relocation.
• Moving to a new place can be especially stressful for children, and a globalremovalist can have an extensive program to help children and parents through the transition. Specific children’s programs helps children learn all about different cities and the overall moving process.

 
Your Packing Day
On the day that your belongings are to be packed, make sure that you confirm with the packing team leader or supervisor the exact details and processes for the day. Ensure that you have access to important items during your relocation and set aside important documents, clothing, toiletries and other essentials. Isolate particular things you will need and tell your packing supervisor not to pack them. Leaving them “off-site” is a way to be certain no items are mistakenly packed.

Color Locator System
Using a colour locator system is a great way to make sure everything is organised and packed properly. The packing crew will then apply colored stickers to the cartons as they are being packed. They then match cartons with rooms. Color-coded cards, hung on doors at your new home, are matched to like-colored stickers on cartons, simplifying the delivery and unpacking process.

Packing Inventory Sheet
As your personal goods are carefully wrapped and packed, your supervisor will note each item on a “Packing Inventory Sheet.” Once all items have been removed from your home, packed and loaded into the moving van, they will be numbered and will appear on the packing inventory list. This inventory is a working document from your previous home to your new location.

Transportation Protection
Your relocations consultant should explain all of your transit insurance options and answer any questions you have. Make sure that you know which insurance company underwrites the policy and that it is a reputable company. The policy you choose should offer full replacement cost coverage on a door-to-door, all-risks basis.

To ensure that your insurance coverage is in effect when your removal services begin, sign all the papers and give them back to your removalists prior to your packing day.

Choosing a Shipping Method
Shipping by sea is an economical mode of transport that works well for most customers. Sea options include a number of methods:

• The Liftvan Method is loaded at your residence and liftvans are placed directly into containers. This method is perfect for those requiring storage or those with less than a full container load.
• Direct Container Method is when your belongings are loaded into your own secure sea container. This method can be a cost-effective way to send larger volumes.
• Groupage Method consolidates your shipment with others and you save money, though you’ll need to be flexible in the timing of your delivery.

Air shipping will get your goods to their destination quicker, but usually is expensive. For very small shipments, air shipments can offer better value.

When moving interstate or internationally to a location accessible by land, land shipments are a good option. Your belongings travel in specially-designed trucks or in rail containers.

Track Your Shipment Online
A global relocations company can link all its facilities by a common communications and operating network. This means that before you arrive at your new destination, the local office will already have up-to-date information on your relocation. At the same time, you can track your shipment in real-time using any computer with internet access through your own secure login to the removalists’ website.

Quality Management Program
Whether your items are shipped by sea, air or by land, your removalists should be able to assure you that your personal belongings will be handled with the utmost care. Ask about their commitment to quality and what they do to maintain and increase the standard of their service.

An experienced relocations company can leverage its well-established knowledge and set standards of customer service that will differentiate it from other removalists and benefit you.

Receiving Your Personal Belongings
When you arrive in your new city, you should contact the local removalists’ office. It is much better to deal with a single company if moving interstate or internationally as they take full and complete responsibility from beginning to end. Having a third party, or your removalists agent may not  give you the confidence you need to have about your belongings. They should be able to quickly tell you:

• the delivery date and status of your shipment
• which items will go into local storage
• details of your pet’s transfer
• orientation tours and other relocation services

Make sure that you tell your consultant before you move whether access to your new home is difficult, so the unpacking crew will be well prepared for the delivery.

Relocation Services
Taking an overseas assignment can be very exciting. However, it quickly becomes clear that changes have to be made when living in a foreign country. Are you going to live close to the office or amenities? If you have a partner with you, what will they do when you are working? Without knowing the language of a place, simple things like finding the grocery store can be difficult. Reputable international moving companies can arrange services to ease this transition—from the moment you step off the plane to the time you’re ready to pack and return home. They understand the challenges you face as a newcomer. In fact for many international removalists, a significant number of employees are an expatriate living and working outside their home country. They can help you ease into your new location by:

• Greeting you at the airport.
• Finding a home for your family.
• Finding a suitable school for your children.
• Showing you the community resources your new city offers.
• Getting a driver’s license or social security card.
• Helping you open a bank account. Arranging a rental car.
• Providing networking opportunities.
• Searching for partner employment.
• Familiarizing you and your family with the local culture and language.

So, if you are relocating your family, whether it is for yourself looking for a new life in a new location or it is a corporate relocation, there are many things to consider. Choosing the right international or interstate corporate relocations companies is the first and most important step to take. Consider all your needs, speak to and meet with removalists that are willing to come to your home and discuss your needs. As you progress, you will find that to manage your move successfully you need more than removalists that can pack and unpack your belongings. A successful relocation is much more than that and your preparation will ensure that you move successfully with as little stress as possible.