Useful moving tips
General tips
The run-up to any removal is a busy time. There's a lot to think about. As a reminder, De Jong Verhuizingen has compiled a list of practical tips, so the removal runs smoothly for everyone involved.
Parking the removal van: consult with your neighbours
Are there any cars parked in front of your door during the day? Consult with your neighbours and other parties involved well in advance to ensure a free space for the removal van on the removal day.
Using the building's lift
If you live in a flat, let the concierge know when you will be moving out in connection with the use of the internal lift. You can inform other residents of your removal with specific cards that De Jong Verhuizingen places at your disposal.
Goods attached to floors, walls and ceilings
- If you take the wall-to-wall carpet with you, make sure it is removed in advance (by a professional).
- Detach lamps from the ceilings and walls in advance, except if our movers need to pay special attention to the disassembly of these (e.g. a chandelier that needs to be crated).
- Decorations and other items that are attached to the wall, need to be detached too before the arrival of the movers.
- Paintings and other framed art can stay on the wall. The movers will wrap these up on the removal day itself.
Gas appliances
The pipes of gas appliances should be disconnected professionally (i.e. according to the local regulations!).
Refrigerator/freezer
Switch off refrigerators and freezers at least 48 hours before transportation. Clean the interior and exterior meticulously and dry to prevent moulding. Don't forget the filters. Protect the rubber seals against drying out with talcum powder. Moreover, it is recommended to put absorbing materials inside the appliance (e.g. a nylon stocking with cat litter or ground coffee). Clean other kitchen appliances, such as an oven, microwave oven, deep fryer and toaster, as well.
Washing machine
After using a washing machine, an average of two litres usually remains in the filter housing. Therefore, it's necessary to empty and dry the filter the evening before the removal day.
Although we're able to lock the drum of the washing machine with packaging materials, it is recommended to secure the drum with the original transit bolts in advance yourself. If your washing machine has a fixed electrical connection, let an electrician disassemble the switch! You can protect the rubber seals against drying out with talcum powder here as well.
Computers and other electrical devices
Should you still have the original boxes of computers and other electrical devices, use these for the removal. Follow the instructions for transport in the respective manuals. Disconnect the devices and label the wires for an easy reconnection at your destination. Remove the batteries: batteries are considered hazardous goods and therefore cannot be transported.
Waterbed
De Jong Verhuizingen can take care of draining your waterbed. Depending on the type of waterbed, we do this ourselves or we outsource it to a specialist. If the warranty period of the bed has not yet expired, please contact the supplier. Usually, they will drain the waterbed so the warranty will not expire.
No hazardous goods
The following hazardous goods cannot be accepted for transport:
- flammable liquids
- alcohol
- lubricants
- antifreeze mixtures
- cleaning agents
- stain removers for clothes and office equipment
- flammable substances, lighter fluids
- matches
- lamp oils
- paint, stain, varnish
- glues and adhesives
- gas tanks
- charcoal/briquettes
- butane/propane gas
- petrol
- oil
- corrosive substances
- acids
- drain cleaners
- bleaching agents
- batteries (wet and dry)
- anti-corrosion agents
- photographic acid (used for the development of films)
- water purification agents (used for swimming pools)
- compressed gases
- spray cans
- fire extinguishers
- oxygen tanks (used for diving)
- explosive fireworks
- flashbulbs
- weapons and munition
Make sure these goods are no longer in your home on the removal day.
Tips for international removals
Keep your hand luggage separate.
If you're moving abroad, make sure before the arrival of the movers that you keep all the belongings that you take with you in your hand luggage, separate from the rest of your household items, so that they don't end up with the shipment on accident. Think of passports, driving licenses, travel documents, medical records, bank and insurance documents, marriage record, etc. Don't forget jewellery and other valuable possessions and of course things that you need until the last minute, such as toiletry and special toys (soft toys).
Food and (alcoholic) drinks
Perishable foods and open bottles cannot be packed. Check in advance which restrictions regarding the import of food and drink products apply in the country of destination.
Preparing for an international removal
If you have more than one shipment (e.g. an air freight & a seaborne freight or a seaborne freight & storage), carefully sort your goods according to destination in advance. For larger pieces, De Jong Verhuizingen has labels for you: air/seaborne/storage/leave behind. Let us know in time if you need more labels!
Do you have items in smaller boxes for transport to different destinations? Keep them separate from each other, so that they can't get mixed up.
Bicycles, gardening tools, barbecues, flower pots, golf sets, etc.
In various countries, an intensive inspection is carried out of goods that come into contact with earth in order to control the spread of plant diseases. For this reason, make sure that these goods are meticulously cleaned before transport. In this way, you prevent problems at your destination.
