Prepare Ahead
When moving, you will have to organise many things ahead of time. Make a list of the things you have to do. Get plenty of packing material, think about the furniture and other belongings that you want to move, and the items you need to leave behind. If you have small children, or pets, for example, you will also have to organise care for them. Use Al Rashed – Moving checklist to have an overview of the things you need to take care of.

Moving Boxes
You may have already bought your new home, but to get the moving process going, it is essential to get moving boxes and other packing material. You can choose from a wide range of quality boxes and other packaging when you contact us.

Communicating with your moving company
It is essential to choose a moving company that is willing to help you whenever you need advice, and with whom you can communicate effectively. Establish the date of moving well ahead, do not be afraid to discuss anything you need to know, and confirm the removal again a few days before the moving day as well, to avoid any misunderstandings. At Al Rashed we always look forward to provide advice and information our customers need, so do not hesitate to contact us.

Access for the removal van
Think about how the removal van can access your current and future home, advise your neighbours that the van will be parking outside your house, and get any necessary permits.

Decide what to take and what to leave behind
You will not necessarily want to take everything with you, especially if you are moving abroad. Make a list of the things you are taking with you – It is also useful to have an inventory when you are unpacking, and it is a requirement at customs when you are moving abroad. Do not throw away the items you are leaving behind. Ask your relatives and friends if they want
anything, give the things to charities, or organise a garage sale.

Think about your new home
Draw up a map of your new home. If it is considerably smaller than your current home for example, you need to leave some things behind. If you start packing based on how you are planning to unpack in your new home, moving in will be much easier.

Packing
You can either order a professional packing service from your removal company, which is highly recommended if you are moving abroad, or if you have many fragile and valuable items, or you can decide to pack yourself. If you will be packing yourself, you should start packing your items a few weeks before the moving day and go through everything systematically.

Label moving boxes clearly, and pack essential items only in the last few days. Do not put too many or too few items into one box.

Notify Service Providers in advance
As you are changing address, you will have to notify all your service providers, banks, friends, and relatives to send your mail to your new address. Notify your employer, and if you have any children, you will have to take care of changing schools as well.

Do not pack personal documents, jewellery and money
You might need these items during the removal, or while they are in storage. Do not pack items that you will need right after you move in, or always keep track of where you are putting them.

Research the area where you are moving
If you are moving overseas, it is very important to get to know as much about the new country as you can, before moving there. This way, the transition will hopefully not be stressful for you and your family.

Be present on the moving day
To ensure that everything goes as planned with the removal team, it is important to be present on the moving day

Check your old home once more
Check that you have not left any items behind. Also turn off gas, electricity and close all the windows.

  5-6 weeks before your move

• Think about the exact date you want to move.
• Start planning your move.
• Decide what you want to take with you to your new home and what you are leaving behind. A floor plan of your new home may help you decide.
• You might need furniture for your new home. Start ordering them now.
• If you think you would need extra storage space, book it now. Al Rashed can assist with a wide variety of local and international storage facilities.
• Decide if you are packing yourself or ordering a packing service and plan accordingly.
• Start researching your new area or the country you are moving to. If you familiarise yourself with the local community or the new culture ahead of time, the move will be much smoother.

3-4 weeks before your move

• Confirm the date of the move with your moving company.
• Arrange childcare for the moving day – Although older children may well want to be involved in your move, and even help you pack and organise some things, you may decide that it will be less stressful for younger children, if you arrange them to go to relatives or friends on the moving day.
• Make arrangements for moving your pets – Moving can be very disruptive for pets so you may want to ask a vet for specialist advice on taking care of your animals during the move.
• Take a full inventory and start sorting out your belongings.
• Clear out unwanted belongings – Planning a fresh start in your new home is an ideal time to clear out any unwanted belongings. You can give these items to friends and family or hold a garage sale.
• Get the essential moving supplies.
• Start packing items you don’t use very often and start emptying your freezer.

2 weeks before your move

• Notify your essential service providers, banks and any other financial institutions, about your move. Make sure that all services are connected in your new home the day you move in.
• Transfer your phone number – Have your telephone number transferred or changed.
• Arrange for your post to be redirected – Contact Postal Services if you want to have your post redirected.
• Organise the disconnection and reconnection of domestic appliances, like your washing machine, cooker, and gas fires.
• Plan the moving day in detail.
• Decide how you are going to transport your valuable items, like jewellery, money and antiques and your plants and pets.
• Finalise everything with your moving company. Confirm arrival dates, addresses, and think about parking facilities for the removal van.

1 week before your move

• Finish packing all non-essential items and clean the house thoroughly.
• Check attic, garage, and basement for items you might have forgotten.
• Put all important documents in one box or bag which you will move yourself – this should include passports, driving licenses, Documents, birth certificates, insurance papers, cash and jewellery.
• Defrost and clean your fridge and freezer.
• Cancel any regular deliveries you have to your present home like newspapers, etc.

The day before you move

• If you have ordered our professional packing service, you have to prepare some things to make the packing as fast as possible – You can usually leave drawers and trunks with their contents intact, provided there are no breakable items inside. If you do this however, it is your responsibility to point out to the crew drawers, wardrobes, cupboards and other containers that have ‘out of sight’ items within.
• Liquids, oils and paints must be placed into sealed containers. We cannot transport inflammable material, so dispose of these safely.
• Empty all bins; it is your responsibility to ensure that all bins are emptied of contents. Removal crew will not carry any type of receptacles containing refuse. This is particularly important when your goods are due to go into storage.
• Put together a ‘do not remove pile’ – Essential things that you do not want us to remove, such as snacks, handbags, or cleaning materials.

The Moving Day

• You can now leave the hard work to us, but there are a few essential things you will need to take care of.
• Be present when the movers arrive and answer their questions when necessary.
• Check the condition of your belongings as they are being loaded.
• Perform final checks before leaving your home – Make sure that meter readings are taken, that water and power supply are turned off, and that doors and windows are closed.
• Make sure that you are not leaving anything behind. Walk around your property, ideally with the foreman of our removal crew to check that nothing has been overlooked.
• Drop keys at the estate agents if you need to.
• Make sure that you have exchanged contact numbers with our removal team
• When you walk into your new home, do not start unpacking right away. Give yourself some time to enjoy your new home, sit down and relax. The most stressful part of the move is over. Only start unpacking when you feel relaxed and energetic.
• If you have requested an unpacking service, please assist the crew to ensure that items are placed in the appropriate rooms. You will need to place items such as clothes into wardrobes and cupboards.
• Our removal crew will remove the majority of debris from packing materials, however if there are any left behind or you have asked to complete the unpacking kindly place a request for debris collection and disposal.