Moving to a new house, let alone to a whole new country is a very big decision. However, if your job or certain family responsibilities require you to do so, then, you do not really have much of a choice than to make the move. The next step is to find a reliable moving company that serves internationally. So, here a few things to absolutely keep in mind while looking for one to make your moving and shifting experience as smooth as it can be.

• Look for at least three options

Settling for the first mover you come across is a rookie mistake. You might end up paying double the price for half the work, which is obviously not good. So, look up for different options. If not more, then at least three and compare their services and prices. You can do so either by sifting through their website or by giving them a call. Give some weightage to the kind of packing material they use, years of experience and positive or negative feedbacks they have had as well. It will help you identify the right service for your needs and budget constraints.

• Compare everything

While your first instinct might be to settle down for the one with the lowest quote, it might not always be the best decision. In fact, at times, with all the additional charges you might end paying tons more in the end. So, compare the quotations for everything included in the services. Some of the most important services to keep an eye for include:

• The shipment method
• Packing and Unpacking Services
• Time frame required
• Type of containers being used
• Inclusion of terminal & port handling charges
• Custom clearance

• Ask about your service provider

By service provider here I do not mean the company. In fact, by this time you would already have covered that part. Keep in mind that whoever comes in to look at your things and provide you an estimate might not be the same person who will handle things at the other end. So, make sure that you enquire about the international mover and the packing crew before settling for one.

• Check if they are accredited by FIDI

FIDI is a quality control association for international movers. They set guidelines and strict quality requirements for the movers to be qualified as reliable. An independent auditor periodically assesses the accredited moving company in order to ensure that the standards of compliance are being met. In addition to this, most FIDI accredited international movers have insurance and protection policies in benefit of their customers. All in all, if you are a sucker for quality, no matter if you are moving from Japan to U.S. or U.S. to China, always go for an FIDI accredited mover.

• Ask for the quotes for additional services

Needing additional assistance when you are moving to a different country is only understandable. So, ask your mover if they could help with additional services like currency transfer or immigration assistance or pet transport etc. and what would the charges be. It will help keep your budget intact. In fact, some might even agree to unload and help you settle and re-assemble things in your new home. So, don’t be afraid to ask the right questions. After all, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Lastly, get recommendations from your friends and check for the reviews from previous customers. Once everything is said and done, ask for a detailed contract and you are good to go.

Whether you are moving around the block or out of state, it can become stressful. With so many tasks ahead, you may have trouble focusing on one item at a time. With a little bit of planning, you can take that element off the table and look forward to your new home.

Utilities and other services for your new residence

After you have signed contracts and have a firm date of closing, the first thing to do is to get mail forwarding in place. This is easy to do and one of the things many people forget. Once you have that in place you can contact the local township where you are moving and find out what electric company, gas, water, and cable services are available. This will give you time to review each one before making a blind decision that may end up costing more than it should. Some companies like Epcor Calgary offer both gas and electric services. This can sometimes save you even more by bundling the two with the same provider.

This is also true with cable companies that also offer phone and internet. With the luxury of time on your side, you can make educated decisions that will benefit you in the end. If you are able to visit before you move in, then you can schedule them for the same day so that all utilities for your new home are on before you move in.

Preparing to move

Moving is not easy, especially if you’ve been a pack rat for a number of years. The first thing you need to do is decide whether you want to rent a truck or hire movers. If it’s a local move, renting a truck can be cost effective. The mileage won’t play into the cost and you can rent a smaller truck and make a few trips instead of one. The transfer of utilities is also easy. You shouldn’t need any deposits since you are already an existing customer. On the other hand, if this is a long-distance move you’ll only have one chance to move everything. The best thing to do is write down on a sheet of paper the pros and cons and costs involved for a rental vs a moving company. One you have that worked out then you can plan the process of decluttering and packing.

Travel light

With moving, every object carries a price tag. The more space you use the bigger the truck you need and the more expensive the move becomes. In order to save money and reduce the cost of moving, a room by room assessment is a necessary step in discovering what you actually need and want to keep. For instance, if your dining room table has seen better days or is outdated and you may replace it, then taking it along will just fill space that you can use for more important items. Once you comprise a list of the things to will take, it’s time to decide what to do with the rest.

Host a Moving sale

If you find that you have a lot of items that are in good condition, hosting a moving sale is a smart way to go. It not only removes those items without any additional cost to you, but it also puts a few dollars back in your pocket, offsetting the moving expenses. You can hang flyers, list it in the paper or use an online service. Anything that doesn’t sell you can give away to family and friends, or make a deal for a one-time pick-up from your local garbage company. The rates are usually fair.

With the extra merchandise out of your home, you now have the space to begin the process of packing everything up. If you don’t want to part with a few hundred dollars for boxes, local retailers are usually pretty good about letting you take theirs. While they won’t be new, they will serve the purpose for the short term. Newspapers, coffee filters, and sheets also provide a great way to pack up delicate items without the need for additional packing supplies. Label each box with a list of the general items and the room it belongs to, this will make it easy to place boxes in the proper room on the receiving end.

By making a list and addressing all areas of interest ahead of time, you can look forward to starting your next chapter in your new home.