So what does a day in the life of the removals officer worker at a European mover like ?

There are many , many tasks involved in running and operating a European mover , now in a bigger company many of the role and task I do , would be done by several people 

But I thought I would discuss some of the tasks I do in the ERS office to ensure that your moves go smoothly and the other tasks I get up to you might not realise (some of these task are not of course done daily )

Tasks including :
Marketing 
Running the companies Social media accounts 
Networking 
Running the companies website 
Route planning Accounts and record keeping 
Dealing with Emails and phone calls that aren't from customers / general emails 
General Admin tasks 
Covid related admin tasks : EG Passenger locator forms when the vans on route to the UK (until this is dropped anyway )

Planning/arranging maintenance of the van and equipment : including the vans regular services , arranging/sorting any maintenance needed that is not planned/scheduled , for example replacement of tyres and likes. And of course keeping the required records of all planned and unplanned maintenance, and ensuring the van stays in a safe legal roadworthy condition.   
Planning moves: including ensuring the right equipment and likes is on the move and the van team know everything they need to in advance .A further example would be to ensure the can has sufficient removal blankets for said move , any packing materials is on the van , and if more is needed brought and got before the due move 

Dealing with customer enquiries 

Helping / advising customers 

Communicating /working with van team when they are on the road (including knowing where they are , when they expect to arrive at x or y (for example the customs depot or Ferry port )(and referring to when reaching the customs Depot , I also need to then let the Spanish customs broker know the Eta to the Spanish Depot )

Booking the Ferry/s: (which also then includes uploading/entering details onto the Ferry companies booking system with the customs clearance references etc)

Customs: Sorting / arranging customs , and working with our Customs brokers to ensure clearance is sorted and arranged in a timely manner to ensure that the move can carry on in a timely manner, as this side of the customs process can not be completed until the van is loaded and on the road 
This of course includes , putting your inventory and all the needed information onto a Spreadsheet for the brokers: (with information you as the customer couldn't in advance know , including what vehicle the loads on its weight ,value (the value is the value you advise us of (used 2nd hand value of your items ) a confirmed number of items , the sailing route and departure time (plus the Transit customs , customs post code ) and the receiving customs post ) 
(this needs doing twice once for the export customs and once for the import customs )
Some tasks in the customs process only need doing in one direction for example the French Envelope needs doing from Spain to UK when transiting via France (right now our Spanish agent does this (but using as an example , as we transit the return ,leg via T1 when don't need a French envelope on the return leg 
The Van team thou do need to complete the T1 , the UK broker sends us an LRN (local reference number) the van team then need to present that on the outbound leg to UK border force for a T1 to be generated 
(when discharged the T1 officially becomes a T2)
Sorting the GVMS (for both entry and exit from the UK (when loaded or unloaded ) The GVMS when completed becomes a GMR I then need to send that to the van team and monitor to see if the UK Government wants to do an import/ or export inspection and advise the team 
Then there is ensuring that the customer has sent all the required documents we need for the customs brokers (this task is of course done early as soon as a customer books we advice them the list of documents we need and work with them to ensure we get them , and in a format that the brokers can work with )
Don't worry this task/tasks may sound tricky when explained like that but , we take care of all that for you 

This is just an overview and no two days are quite the same and some tasks we do , I haven't included as they either are only done a few times a month/year eg submitting the accounts to company house etc 

There is quite a bit that goes into running a European mover , or any mover for that matter and as said the above is an overview 
​Yes I have gone into more detail for some tasks, than others 

Thanks for reading 
Fell free to ask any questions as would love to discuss /share an insight into the world of removals a bit more 

So in the last blog entry of this blog i discussed why using a mover is better than (in most cases) than self moving and how that was partly due to the experience (often vast experience )that professional movers have , but that only really touched on the subject of a movers experience

So I will be again discussing it and expanding on what i previously said 
you might have expected me to discuss equipment movers have and how that is an advantage which is true but experience comes in here to , a mover has the equipment to do the job yes and the knowledge gained means they know how to use that said equipment in an effective and safe manner.
So what you might say anyone can use a sack barrow yes that is true but a sack barrow is only one piece of equipment.
I am more referring to things likes of Ratchet straps (and other load securing means) and the knowledge of how to properly load and secure the load on to the removal vehicle in a way that is :
A secure 
B The weight is properly distributed (as there is axle weight (each axle on a vehicle has a max weight each axle can take)
C The weight is evenly distributed so one part of the removals vehicle is not over weight/over balanced (connect also to Axle weight)
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Moving home is often said to be in the top 3 stressful thing we can do in our lives, well while that can be true 
There are many ways you can reduce the stress or avoid the stress all together 

*And before I get into this article remember that moving can be stressful for both children and pets for various reasons 

*Make a plan 
Make a moving plan and stick to it

*what should be in my moving Plan ?

​​1*Start by writing a list of the tasks you need to do 
And it will need to be more detailed than just pack 
2* Write on the plan who is responsible for what task and what day it needs doing by 
(and where possible let your kids (if you have any that is) get involved in the move so they feel involved and not left out. 
*Tips for moving with Children can be found here 
*And please ensure that you have no packing to be done on the morning of the move as that will increase the stress levels*
3* On the packing plan where you have the dates things need doing by, start packing early as possible, and list items that can be packed away first as they will not be needed and can be packed earlier as well as listing items that should be packed last* 
*some items will not matter when they are packed *
*And list any items you don't thing you will be needing
4 *And plan in to the moving planning a decluttering As after all what is the point of taking unneeded or unwanted items 

5 *Write a list of the people and companies/Organisations that need your new address 
(Tv licence , gas , water , Internet , phone , Doctors etc )
*And if moving aboard Let the tv licence people know the date your moving aboard and that your moving aboard*
*and don't forget to update with the Dvla your driving licence address *
*And it is a good idea to set up with the Royal mail a redirect service for your mail *
https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail
Moving with pets don't forget to either let the vet know the new address or to register with a new vet 
And don't forget to update your pets Mirco chip when you move 
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*and as you sort the people /companies that need the new address out tick them off the list *
6*Make sure in the moving plan you allow yourselves plenty of time , you do not want to be rushing around 
7* And make sure that as soon as you know the moving dates you book the mover you want to avoid the risk of them been fully booked if you tried booking closer to the moving date
8* In relation to the above when you start the moving plan before even knowing the exact date you should start looking for the mover you want and doing research on the Mover
(Reading feedback , checking their terms and conditions etc ) 
​9*when looking around for the mover I would suggest that only one person is responsible for this task to avoid duplicating work and causing confusing of oh have you do this or that , which movers has x spoken to or have they spoke to Y if one person is doing that stage there will be less confusing of course discuss what you have found out with your partner etc as applicable 
10* Write a list of questions you have for the mover out during the initial moving planning so that you can tick them off as you are in contact with the mover and know what you need to know 

For more moving/Packing  advice click here 

Summing up 

• Write a list of tasks needing doing 
• Write who is responsible for each task 
• Set deadlines for each task to be completed by (allowing sufficient time )
• Make sure everyone is aware who is doing what 
• Do your research on movers 
• Book the mover you want as soon as possible (don't leave things to the last moment )

​Latest update on this trip
The #Van has crossed the border and is back in #Spain and on route back towards base

https://www.europeanrelocationservices.co.uk/tips.html click the link to find over 70 + tips 
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We have space on the van for up to 15 cubic metres 
And the trailer can carry either goods or a car or motorbike or atv or quad bike etc 

*Enclosed car trailer so your car will be protected from the elements during transit

​Why you are better off letting a professional mover move you :

Key points

• We do it all day long
• So we have the experience getting things like sofa though doors or gates or up stairs in some cases (and will some door ways might be easy many home have points with tricky access for things like furniture but we will most likely as not have faced a similar situation and have the experience to call up on )
• We can load and unload quickly and safely taking less time (after all we know our vehicles and their capacities and how to  best use them) and we often hear ''how did you get it all in? I would never have managed '' or ''you can more in than I thought''
• Often taking less trips than if you had done it yourselves  (because of the above reason )
• We have the relevant equipment ( straps, sheets, trolleys Etc)Plus a 19 plate van in our case ( latest equipment for the job) ( First aid kit + First aid manual + Tool kit electric screw driver , manual handling equipment (sack barrow , piano wheels )
• Moving is one of the most stressful things in your life letting a professional mover take the strain we do it all the time  (here at European relocation services) we offer an in situ service )
• Moving house can be physically very hard work, but to an experienced removal person while not easy they are use to moving heavy items and can carry them easier than may be able to 
• How often do you move and lift 2 person lift items ?, well removal teams do it all the time and know how each other work, and can walk backwards. A 2 person lift can be stressful if your not use to it. And do you really want to be carrying a large/heavy or bulky item down stairs and having to walk backwards ? which can be a tricky thing to do if your not use to it 
• You can check out their/our previous feedback
• We operate a highly experienced two person team on all house moves to ensure it is as quick smooth and stress free as possible
• Insured for the job 
• (Long distance moves) Knowledge of the country's geography (For example on our routes to and from Spain we know where the likely bottle necks are and most likely areas to hit traffic and the likes )
• A good point worth noting also is access, very often we will as will many other movers, how did you get your vehicle in here ? as we couldn't have '' and this again comes with experience a professional removals driver will have they are able to safely get the van/truck closer to the house in places with trick access (on most occasions anyway) than most self drivers would be able to achieve 

Self drive vans don't:
Come with any equipment or removals blankets 
You have to do all the work 
Plus there is a deposit to pay 
You have to ensure the van has the same fuel it came with