Guide When Moving

Read out Tips and Tricks below
Moving HousePacking

Moving House Internationally

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Moving overseas can be a very stressful time in a family’s life. At Brytons removals international we believe that moving internationally should be an exciting time and not a time to be concerned about the small things. Trust the best South African moving company to help you with your overseas move. We offer additional packing and storage services for this precise reason, to make your global move as effortless as possible. Our consultants will always be ready and willing to share honest advice concerning your situation. To help prepare you a bit better, we have compiled a check list you can follow for each important step through your international house moving experience.
  • Prepare Ahead – When moving house, especially an international move, you will have to organize many things ahead of time. Make a list of the things you have to do. Get plenty of packing material (or let us supply you with that), 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 organize care for them.
  • 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’ll need extra storage space, book it now. Brytons Movers International has a wide variety of national 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.
  • 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 organize 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. Local charity shops will also welcome smaller items such as books, ornaments, some furniture or clothing.
  • Get the essential moving supplies.
  • Start packing items you don’t use very often and start emptying your freezer.
  • Notify your essential service providers, banks and any other financial institutions, about your move. You will need to arrange for water and electricity meter readings on the day of 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
  • Organize 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 jewelry, money and antiques and your plants and pets.
  • Finalize everything with your moving company. Confirm arrival dates, addresses, and think about parking facilities for the removal van.
  • 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, wills, birth certificates, insurance papers, cash and jewelry.
  • Defrost and clean your fridge and freezer.
  • Cancel any regular deliveries you have to your present home, like milk or newspapers.
  • 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. The removal crew will not carry any type of vessel containing refuse. This is particularly important when your goods are due to go into storage for a period of time.
  • Put together a ‘do not remove pile’ – Essential things that you do not want us to remove, such as snacks, handbags, or cleaning materials.
  • 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.
  • 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 and arrange a time to meet them at your new home.
  • When you walk into your new home, don’t 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, please contact Brytons via the number on side of the box from your home number. We will then arrange for a convenient day to collect the materials so they can be recycled.
  • 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 our Brytons office, or you may decide to get hold of moving boxes from shops in your neighborhood for example.
  • 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 Brytons Movers International, we always aim 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 neighbors 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 definitely 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.Don’t just throw away the items you are leaving behind. Ask your relatives and friends if they want anything, give the things to charities, or organize 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 definitely 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.
  • Professional Packing Services – 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. Don’t put too many or too few items into one box.
  • Notify gas, electric, gas and water companies in advance – As you are changing address, you will have to notify these companies, 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, jewelry and money –You might need these items during the removal, or while they are in storage.Don’t 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 –  It is very important to get to know as much about the new country as you can, before moving there. Especially the culture, transport systems and languages.This way, the transition will hopefully not be stressful for you and your family. Even if you are moving within South Africa, it is advisable to get to know as much about the new area and the neighborhood as you can.
  • 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.

The International Move

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Since Brytons has taken time to discuss and plan your global move with you, our removal crew will be fully briefed about your move. The crew will be aware of times, schedules, packing materials and special requirements and will arrive at your home with everything they need to pack and move your belongings swiftly and efficiently.

Prior to your move, Brytons will provide you with a moving checklist to help you get everything ready from your end. This ranges from advice on preparation from 3 weeks before your move to the day of the move.

We suggest that if you need to make any changes to your global move during this period, that you notify Brytons as soon as possible.

International Packing Service

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Whether you are moving in South Africa or moving abroad, we can offer a professional and reliable packing service. Our removers are trained to a high level in packing most standard goods. They are also capable of packing unusual, bulky, fragile and valuable items. Brytons international movers, packs and transports special belongings using purpose made materials and equipment. You can be sure that we will look after everything, from your glass and chinaware to a grandfather clock or a grand piano.

Having moved thousands of homes over many years, Brytons has built up the necessary experience to be able to cope with removals of all shapes and sizes. Your requirements may differ from other customers and packing is a key area where special needs may apply. By preparing well, listening to our customers and finally having the right materials on hand, Brytons is able to provide a full and secure packing service that reduces wear and tear to your household goods during the course of your global move.

Survey – Asking about your Global Relocation

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An accurate appraisal of your international move is vital to Brytons providing you with a successful and efficient move. That’s why we suggest a Survey visit from one of our representatives so that we can get a precise idea of what your move involves.

Your Brytons surveyor will be happy to offer advice and answer any questions you might have, putting your mind at rest and ensuring that you know exactly what is happening on your overseas move from packing your goods to delivering them at your new address.