Moving Tips

Removalist Companies Tips

Moving has been rated in the top 4 most stressful things a person can do in their life, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  The best way to minimise stress is to be ORGANISED.

Here are a few hints to make moving into your new home in Turkey go smoothly!

Moving Tips

6 – 8 Weeks before the move

• Make out an inventory of what you have, in detail.  This will help you with a moving company’s quote, insurance, and it also gives you a ‘bird’s eye view’ of what you own, which can help you decide what you want to keep and what you want to dispose of.

• Decide what you will take and what you need to get rid of.  What ever you are not going to take, dispose of – sell, give away or throw away.  The more you take, the more it costs.

• If you want to use a removalist company, look around, get some quotes and book the services of one.  Evbazar.com lists removal companies on the Turkey Trades and Services page.

• Locate all important papers like Birth Certificates, passports, insurance papers, medical papers, wills  etc and put them all together in one place.  It is advisable to take these papers with you rather than run the risk of them getting lost in the move.  Also consider what other valuables (jewellery etc) you would be better to carry personally.

• Start collecting suitable moving boxes and packing supplies – newspapers, bubble wrap, packing tape, etc.  If you are hiring a removalist company, ask them about the boxes they can supply – how much they cost, and how big they are.  Boxes used by removalist companies are specially designed to prevent damage, so this may need to be taken into consideration.

• Think about your new home and how and where you would like to put the furniture.  Doing this now can save you the stress of having to decide what goes where in the middle of a hectic day.

• Finalise all real estate and rental affairs.

4 – 5 weeks before the move.

• Contact the Post Office and inform them of your upcoming change of address, and find out what they will do with re-directed mail (how long it ill be forwarded, etc).

• Give your new address to

  • Family and Friends

  • Banks, Insurance Companies, Credit Card Companies, Phone and Electricity companies, any other institutions.

• If possible, arrange to have the Phone, Water and Electricity transferred or connected in your name for the day you arrive.

•  Make a list of what you are taking and decide what you will move yourself, and what any removalist company or hire truck will take. 

• Start packing those things not used on a daily basis.

3 Weeks before the move

• If you are using a removalist service, notify them if any plans have changed, if you need to change the date of the move, or if you have more or less for them to transport.  Also decide how much of the packing you will do yourself, and how much you want them to do.  Inform them of this.

• If you need to hire a car, make the reservation now.

• If you have house plants, consider giving them to friends.  They can be difficult and messy to move, and if you are moving internationally, they may not be allowed to cross borders.

• If you have pets, you will need to make arrangements for their transportation.  If you are moving internationally, you will need to find out if quarantine procedures apply.  If you have veterinarian certificates, such as vaccination certificates, locate them and keep them with your other important documentation.

• Return any items you have borrowed.

1 Week before the move

• Buy a thick black felt tipped pen to write on boxes with.

• Mark which items are to be packed and moved by a removalist company, and which are to be packed yourself.  Make sure you have not overlooked anything.

• Mark boxes which need it with “Fragile” (Kirilacak), and “This way up” [drawn arrows with ”top” (Ust) and “Bottom“ (Alt)]. 

• Label the boxes at the time of packing, to make it easier to find what they contain and which room they should into.  You may want to label them with the room they should go to (eg kitchen), or with contents (eg cookbooks)

• Prepare the goods you will need while in Travelling.  Pack suitcases and confirm travel arrangements, flights, etc.

• Put a copy of your new address and the removalists contact numbers somewhere so you will have it with you, eg your handbag or wallet.  Leave details with friends and family of where they can contact you until you’ve settled.  Also make sure you have your flight details if required.

• Defrost your refrigerator and clean it at least 24 hours before the move.  Leave the door ajar to let it dry and air out.

• Clean your house as much as possible before the moving day.

Things to Carry Personally

• Any important documentation

  • Birth certificates

  • Identity Cards

  • Passports

  • Deeds for property

  • Original certificates for property or investments

  • Banking information and documentation

  • Personal qualifications (Education Certificates)

  • Business documentation

• Any irreplaceable items

  • Photographs

  • Sentimental items

Moving Day

• Review all details with a representative of the removalist company when they arrive.  Make sure they have the correct address and a contact phone number for you.  Go with them as they identify and label which pieces of furniture and boxes they will be carrying.

• Work with the removalists.  Make sure they are aware of anything fragile or delicate that you have concerns about.  Also remember that they usually do know what they’re doing.

• Don’t disconnect the phone until you are ready to leave.  Then pack it in one of the suitcases you are taking, so it will be easy to find when you arrive.

• Don’t leave until the last item is packed.  Make a final inspection of the place before the truck leaves. 

After your move.

• The removalist company should contact you 24 hours before they are expecting to arrive.  You should be there when they reach your place, or if this is not possible, you should designate another responsible person to be there.  If this is the case, notify the removalist company of the person’s name, as they will have to sign for your furniture when it arrives. 

They will also be responsible for noting on the inventory sheet if there are any changes in condition of the goods, damages, missing items, etc.  By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging the receipt of all items listed.  Payment is usually also required at this point.

• Count the boxes off the truck. If you had 50 boxes and 49 or 51 arrive, there is a problem, which may be easier to sort out if the company is notified while the movers are still there.

• Try to ensure that the movers place the furniture where it will live, assemble any items that they have dismantled, and unpack any boxes they have responsibility for.  This ensures that you won’t break your back trying to move things later, and that any damage or loss is identified while the movers are still there.  It may also minimize disputes, such as whether you broke it when you were placing or unpacking it, or whether it was broken by the movers at some stage.

• It is best not to use electrical items, such as TV’s stereos, etc in the first 24 hours after they arrive.  Allow them to adjust to room temperature.

• Have a look around the area to locate close shops, medical facilities, post offices etc.

• Enjoy your new home!

Removalist Companies Tips

Insurance

Find out what the mover’s policy covers, especially their guidelines on replacement or repair of damaged items, and new for old or depreciated value for lost items.

Ask about what they offer if the damaged or lost item is part of a set, or an antique.  In these cases, repair or paying a depredated value may not be acceptable solutions.

Find out what your home and contents insurance policy covers, especially individually noted items, if you do the move yourself, or if you hire a removalist company.

Ask about the difference in insurance for boxes they pack versus boxes you pack.

Ask the removalist company if their insurance covers public liability issues in relations to access to the old and new locations, and in transit.

Boxes

What sort of boxes do they supply?  (For example, book boxes, glass/wine boxes, wardrobe/hanging clothes boxes, etc)

Are the boxes included in the quote, or do you pay separately for them?

If you use boxes other than those supplied by the company, does it affect insurances?

Prices

Ask what the quote includes, for example, boxes, pre-pack, unpack, insurance, etc.

Inventories

Ask if the company has a ‘generic’ inventory – a form with normal household goods listed, with a space for you to write quantity and description.  If they do supply one, ask for a copy.  This helps you to get organised, and helps them give an accurate quote.

Pre-Pack

Ask if the company has a pre-pack service.  This is where the removalist comes to your house a day or so before the move and packs items not in use.