Leave nothing to chance with our removal checklist
When moving, there are countless things you need to think of. Therefore, it’s usually much easier to sort everything out before you leave than trying to organise things from another country by email and telephone.
Don’t leave anything to chance, and make use of the ready-to-use moving checklist that we have developed during our years of experience. This will definitely make sure you’ve got everything covered, without the headaches!
- Put your old house up for sale / cancel the rent of your old house/garage.
- Put in a request for removal leave at your job.
- Make sure the telephone is properly disconnected in your old home.
- Negotiate with the new buyers of your home on whether they want to purchase things you won’t bring: redundant carpets, drapes, aerials, etc.
- Find out if you qualify for a possible removal compensation.
- Take measurements in your new house (for your furniture, refrigerator, gas cooker, drapes, curtains, sunblinds etc.)
- Cancel or change automatic payments.
- Ask your family and friends to help you with the removal, so that you save money on your moving cost!
- Get your mover to deliver the removal boxes well in advance, so that you can start packing early. Take your time to think about what you’ll bring to your new house.
- Get to know your new place and it’s surroundings! Find out about centres for day care, schools, work, shopping malls, doctors, hospital, rates and taxes, garbage disposal and more, so that you feel at home right away.
- Make sure you have the right visa for the country in which you will live.
- Things to take care of before moving into your new home:
- Check out where your power outlets are, and if there are enough.
- Find out about your neighbourhood’s waste collection schedule.
- Find out if your new home is properly connected to the gas/electricity grid.
- Find out if your house is properly connected to a town heating system.
- Check out the chimney (if you have one): was it swept recently, or does it need to be cleaned?
- Is there a special connection for electrical cooking?
- Can your mover reach the new house easily? If not, let then know in time!
- Is there an elevator / a hoisting installation available for the mover?
- Inform family, friends and your removal company of the exact location of your new home.
- Give notice to your leaning lady / chimney sweeper; and terminate the rent of postbox (don’t forget the keys!)
- Inform your doctor, dentist, specialist, apothecary, city council, and your kid’s school.
- Inform insurance company/companies, banks.
- Terminate your contract with electricity/gas company, and terminate any other subscriptions (phone, internet…).
- Change your address in your passports and driving licenses.
- Arrange day care for when you are moving for your small children and pets.
- Plan the transfer of the keys of your old house, and make sure to get those of the new house (ask for at least one spare set of keys!).
- Cash in the coupons of local shops you still have
- Return library books.
- Donate whatever you do not need in your new house to friends and family, those in need of it, or to a second hand shop.
- Put items and goods that have already been packed on a place where they can’t be overlooked, so that you don’t forget about them.
- Disassemble any lamps, curtains and furniture that you would like to take with you.
- Have you ordered any new furniture? Then make sure delivery takes place at the storage facility of your mover, so that you save money and time.
- Clean your new house, so that it is ready for you to move in!
- Remove all carpeting.
- If there is an antenna on the roof, make sure to have it removed.
- Pack everything you will definitely not be needing on the day of your removal.
- Make use of the last day of garbage collection, and throw away everything you no longer need.
- Disassemble all larger electronical devices as soon as you don’t need them anymore. Put them in safety mode, ready for removal.
- Make sure you have enough cash at hand.
- If possible, make sure the parking space around your house is free to access. This will prevent unnecessary delays.
- Just a tip: coffee and a small bite are generally highly appreciated by the movers on the day of a removal!
- Always keep a couple of boxes empty, for possible last moment packing!
- Remove the last curtains in your old home.
- Keep important items such as keys, money, medical papers, spare fuses apart and close to you.
- Check every room for forgotten items.
- Write down ánd make a picture of current gas/electricity meter readings; and disconnect gas and electricity afterwards.
- Drain all of the water pipes in winter (yes, even in the absence of frost).
- Close all windows and doors carefully.
- Give your keys to the caretaker or new owner.
- Take a deep breath, and be proud of the big step you are currently taking!
- Mark all of the rooms in your home: what (and who) is moving in where?
- Try to put the moving boxes in their correct place right away.
- Check all items for possible damage as soon as they have been unpacked.
- Do not switch on your refrigerator and freezer for 24 hours to allow appliances to ‘adjust’.
- Release the safety settings on your electronical devices, like your tumbler or washing machine.
- Put your furniture in its right place and unpack all boxes.
- Attach your nameplate to your front door.
- Notify your mover of any possible damage to your household goods. Make sure to do this as soon as possible!
- Settle any discovered damage to your house with the old owner.
- Notify town council of your arrival.
- Pick up and try out the keys to your new mailbox.
- Introduce yourself to your new neighbours! For example, leave a card in their mailbox to invite them for coffee.
- Make sure that all your mail is being forwarded.
- Give yourself time to get used to your new place, and don’t try to arrange everything in one day: it can be a lot of work to move!
Get a Free quotation request!
Would you like to get a FREE quotation? One of our moving consultants can come by and perform a non-binding pre-move survey. During this survey, he will :
1. Assess which household goods will be moved and which are to stay to calculate the size of the move.
2. Enquire whether you will be packing your goods or if the Combitrans team will take care of this.
3. Check the access to your home.
4. Assess which furniture will need to be disassembled / re-assembled.
5. Discuss any other special handling which may be required.
Fill in your details to request a non-binding visit!