Tips and tricks 

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 visiting.
  Some tips and tricks and advice to make your move easier,
​Moving is one of the most stressful full things you will ever do and here at European relocation services we aim to make your move a smooth stress free occasion

So here are a few tips to make your big day go smoothly (including tips for international and Spanish moves )
(the Following tips and trick are based of our experience and are what we think could be useful) 
  1. Don't leave your move to the last minute as soon as you know your dates book with your chosen removals company to ensure you secure the services of the company you want
  2. Talking of dates what date do the people move out your new place ? as after all you don't want to try to move in before they move out
  3. In regards the above it is well worth noting that summer is often the busiest period of the year for movers (It is ours ) and they can get booked up fast 
  4. It is a good idea to always check a removal companies feedback before them here is a link to our Feedback  
  5. Make a list of the task you need to do EG. sort x out pack y clean the room 
  6. And when moving don't try to do everything your self, if there are 4 of you split the task among each other and make sure everyone knows what they are doing (have a list of the tasks )
    And have children get them involved with smaller tasks (that way they are involved in the move and don't feel left out ) And make it fun for them an adventure as after all they will be leaving everything they know their friends etc (especially true if moving country ) 
  7. When you move allow the fridge/freezer at least 4 hours for the gases to settle before you switch it one
  8. Please tape the plug of things like your washing machine / tumble dryer or Fridge to the front (or top or side in the washing machines case ) there are several reason this is a good is a good idea ( 1 it is not trailing when they are been taken to and from the vehicle 2 the cable is under control on the vehicle so is less likely to be trapped or damaged if it got snagged under something (low chance of happening but it is a good idea still to tape the plug as said ) 
  9. Take a last reading as you leave the house of your electric / Gas / water metre readings and take a picture of them for records purposes  
  10. And when you reach your new home take a metre reading as well again take a photograph 
  11. As silly as it is remember to turn the gas and electric off (easy to forget ) (as in no lights left on etc )
  12. Have you let the utility companies know your moving ? and on what day ? 
  13. Have you let the phone company know your moving ? and what day ? (landline and mobile phone companies )(do they both know )
  14. Have you let your bank know your moving ? the when and where ? as many (not all UK banks will have no problem with you having a for example Spanish address/ French etc) (ask them about it either way ) 
  15. There are many people and companies you may need to notify your moving and your new address, go though your wallet/purse and look at the cards in there and see which need notifying 
  16. When moving within the UK you can us the Royal mail redirect service to  redirect your mail, but even when moving overseas it has it's uses, if a friend or family member is willing to let you redirect your post to them then make use of the service to catch any mail that you get that hasn't either been redirected at the company etc   https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/
  17. I would always suggest labelling your boxes that way it is quicker to unpack also don't over fill boxes (But how is it quicker ? see tip 18 below )
  18. Well why is it quicker to unpack if the boxes are labelled well A: they will be in the rooms they go in B: you will be able to say right I need bedroom 2 box 5 next and find it in that room easier 
  19. Talking of packing boxes use packing tape not sellotape as it is stronger and will keep the boxes sealed better (less risk of it popping open ) *sellotape and parcel tape can also leave marks so always use proper packing tape. It's what it's designed for 
  20. While of course we handle all boxes and furniture with great care labelling boxes is also helpful to us for several reason we will know where to put it at the other end (as we where possible operate an in situ service ) We will also know which boxes can be safely place at the bottom of the box pile on the van 
  21. Talking of boxes and how to put them on the removals Vehicle when packing you box, if it needs to sit a certain way up then put a big arrow pointing that way on the box (on all corners/sides of the box ) 
  22. If the box has fragile items in it please label it fragile for example Fragile Glass 
  23. Talking of glasses have you wrapped them within the box ? the same goes for plates and mugs and then likes 
  24. A good source of wrapping material for  your glass/mugs etc is newspaper it is easy to get hold of as well 
  25. Have you placed crumpled up paper in things like your glasses and mugs ? to help protect them during transport 
  26. Please remove the bulb from lamps
  27. Do you have the original box and packing materiel your tv came in ? (quite a lot of people keep hold of them ) if so then pack your tv in it's original box and original packing it is the safest way for it to travel (*so getting a new tv keep hold of the box and packing materials it came in they will come in handy for when you move )
  28. When packing kitchen items like knifes please ensure the blade is wrapped for everyone's safety. You can use things like Tea towels to wrap the blade 
  29. Where possible keep clothes on hangers it make packing and unpacking them quicker as you can handle more at a time
  30. Tape unused coat hangers together ( that way they are easier to handle)
  31. Are your suitcases going on the removals vehicle ? if they are are they full ? a good thing to put in them of course is your clothes (make the best use of you space ) 
  32. Have you drained your washing machine ? Please ensure your washing machine is drained as a little water can go a long way and sometimes an undrained machine may not release the water for a while and when it does it would be on the vehicle and could damage goods (so please ensure the washing machine is drained )
  33. A good place to put the washing machines pipes when moving is in the drum of the machine and please ensure the machine is drained of water 
  34. Black bags can be useful to put soft things in but any items that are heavier are always better of in a box
  35. I would also suggest when taping the bottom of boxes to tape in a plus shape it will make the bottom stronger so less likely to give way and damage important items
  36. When packing books remember not to put to many in a box as books get heavy fast and could split the box. But do not keep books loose as they are then to time consuming to move, they make though an idea gap filler in boxes that are not quite full 
  37. When ever possible us a box with a lid it will make it less likely for any items in the boxes to become lost or misplaced during the move
  38. I would suggest when ever possible to use proper removals boxes that are double walled as they are designed for the weight unlike a crisp box and are therefore stronger  
  39. Are your items suitable packed for an international move ? (Europe )
  40. Please ensure all mirrors are wrapped and pay particular attention to the corners as they are sharper and can rip bubble wrap so are the corners reinforced ?
  41. A good and effective way to reinforce the corners is to use a piece of cardboard
  42. have you any pictures or paintings? are they wrapped ? and like mirrors have your reinforced the corners (as picture if not correctly packed for international moves are despite the movers best effort among the most at risk of damage )
  43. Have your cabinets got glass shelves  ?  please remove the shelves and wrap them following the above mentioned methods for mirrors plus write on their packaging *Glass Fragile * 
  44. We have moved many people aboard from the UK while moving in the UK is stressful moving aboard is a whole different set of challenges As a company we have moved people aboard  hundreds of occasion(figure keeps going up )( I have personal moved  aboard myself  twice once to Germany and now I am in Spain ) It can be helpful to know some basic words and phrase in the local lingo 
  45. Know the area where your going knowing things like the number for the police 112 here in Spain is very helpful or moving with kids know where the schools are. Know where the hospital is can also be helpful
  46. On any move but practically long distance and international moves keep in touch with the mover and be familiar with their eta ( we keep in touch with customers and will advise of any changes to the Eta (things like the ferry can add unexpected delays that are hard to account for as the port traffic volumes vary massively ) (usually the busiest days at Dover and Calais are Wednesday /Thursday and some times Sunday )
  47. When moving give your mover as accurate an inventory as possible as that way we can have the right tools and numbers of blankets and other protection items to protect your items ( we do carry loads of removals blankets but we can add more if we know we have more fragile or damageable . make able items ) ( no house is ever the same )
  48. Know what boxes the items you need first are in and where possible the mover can unload them first for you. Best way is to say number boxes like kitchen 11 and have a list if needed
  49. Spread your packing out don't pack all in one go but over a period of a few days or if possible weeks that way they will be less left to do the closer you get to the moving day
  50. Always pack the least important items first and leave the most important things until last
  51. (International move tip)Different country's have different cultural norms learn a bit about the country your going to culture will help ,  For example Spain still has the Siesta  normally between 2pm and 4.30pm/5.30pm (Area depending) or a further example for Spain is at the moment Spanish ambulances use amber beacons not blue ones (so look a bit like recovery vans in the mirrors of your car so just keep your eyes peeled )
  52.  Remember international moves take longer
  53. And even in the European union there are things you could take from your home in the UK to an other UK home you can't move aboard ( https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/banned-and-restricted-goods )
  54. Always check that your mover is insured to do the job (We will gladly show you a copy of our insurance )
  55. Remember in Mainland Europe they drive on the opposite side of the road to the UK so remember when crossing the road look the other way to what you would in the UK first
  56. And following on from the above point your car will need deflectors on it's headlamps if it is a British car not to dazzle the other traffic among the places you can buy them is on the ferry they are £8.99 on the +DFDS Seaways UK - English Channel services (correct at time of publishing prices may have changed) 
  57. If your car doesn't have a GB sticker on its number plates you will need to get a sticker if your taking a British car to Europe
  58. And when travelling though France (which many people relocating to Spain do ) You need a reflective jacket in the car one per person travelling (children included)
  59. Also in France you need an approved Breathalyser in your car  
  60. And if moving to Europe (France/Spain/ETC) remember they will have some different road rules ( a few I have referenced here  )
  61. Explore your local area you will find shops that are not on the likes of  +Google Maps 
  62. Shop like a local ( in Spain I am advised that the locals don't buy much meat from Supermarkets as it is more expensive but instead by from the local butcher )
  63. ( or 14A )Different country's have different social norms for example the Spanish don't do hand shakes but kiss on the cheeks when greeting people  ( An interesting article on this https://www.thelocal.es/20170407/things-foreigners-do-that-make-spaniards-feel-awkward )
  64. Ask your mover as many questions as you feel you need to ( and the only silly question is the one left in asked )
  65. When moving oversea remember that countries in Mainland Europe the electric socket have different plugs so make sure you have sufficient adopters ( count how many electric items your bringing )
  66. It is worth noting that some countries have electricity at different voltages ( not that I am aware of any in  mainland Europe but for example the Us has Voltage lower than Europe )
  67. Moving can be very stressful for pets as they don't understand what is going on so don't pack your pets toys and bedding to the day of the move and if they are travelling in a cage on a long move put some clothing that smells of you in their cage 
  68. Talking of cages for pet travel if your dog or cat is not use to a cage buy one several weeks in advance so they can get use to it. That way it will be a familiar space come moving day 
  69. I would also suggest putting in your pets cage just before you start the journey their favourite toy 
  70. When moving aboard always pack at least a suitcase/small bag with things you will need for the days between the removal as the van/truck will take several days to get from the UK to the likes of Spain (average transit time for our van is 3 days from.loading)
  71. if the removals team is due at say 9 Am have your alarm set for say 7:30am that way you have plenty of time to get dressed and have breakfast and be ready for the team when they arrive. This way you will not need to be rushing around 
  72. For the most up to date advice regarding pet travel rules always speak to your vet they are in the best position to advice you
  73. If your taking your Pet to Spain / France Etc know the local laws on animals as they may be different from the UK 
  74. Have you updated your pets Microchip with your new details at the micro chip company ? remember to do that Plus a pet must be Micro chipped  anyway for their pet passport 
  75. It is often worth getting your locks changed at your new home as it is possible for keys to go missing and be unaccounted for and the likes 
  76. When you reach your new home you will have a lot of unpacking to do, so have you packed a small bag with the essentials (tea bags, coffee, milk, toilet rolls and the likes ) so that you have them to hand before you start unpacking 
(not a Tip )
We aim to ring any customer when we are about 30 minutes away from both ends to confirm the eta we have given you

We have a helpful little guide to writing your inventory for your move click HERE

Got any tips or tricks you found while moving you want to share?