Thursday 23 November 2017

Moving House in Dubai Part 2 and Hidden costs after a relocation

We're on the move again, but this time just down the road, not a different country. We've been in this property for almost 3 years and I suspect there will be a few new purchases to be made when we move in to our new home. 
We are moving into a new build property, complete with appliances and our only costs will be to block pave the sandpit and erect a fence. 
However it won't be as expensive as it has been when we've relocated overseas, because this move we can take everything with us, including the contents of our fridge.

I had 3 companies quote for moving, some companies have included insurance, others have had to be chased up for it. All companies will pack and part of the insurance is a requirement that they unpack everything on the day they move you, but not back into cupboards, just onto surfaces to make sure nothing is broken so you can't make a claim further down the line that can be disputed. This is a pain in the backside as it means you don't get time to rest and on our last move to Dubai, we couldn't find several kitchen items for a week afterwards until we had the oven connected. 

For this move though I have found a company who will pack, move, unpack us and put everything away and remove all the packaging on the same day. But they will not pack and transport, valuables such as jewelry or alcohol and I have to pack all fragile ornaments.

When you move house, you pack your food up and take it with you, all of it, maybe not the milk and you've probably run the freezer down, but I bet you take herbs and dried goods and probably the sauces.

At least with this move we don't have to throw a big party to consume all our alcohol as that can't be packed when moving overseas.


But when you relocate from one country to another you have to start over, from fresh and I mean everything.


You can't pack half opened jars of spices or packet mixes. You can't take the salt and pepper grinders unless emptied and cleaned. You can't take cleaning materials and laundry detergents either.

The packers are responsible for what goes in your container. Every single item has to be declared and a value given, if you try sneaking something in and your container is checked at customs, not only will the item be confiscated, but you'd be fined and it will seriously delay the delivery of your belongings.

But when you've just relocated from one country to another and you've had to give away or sell at a loss so many other things that are banned on entry, such as outdoor and garden furniture and bikes, unless steam cleaned with a certificate when moving from the UK to South Africa or you're told DVD's and books declared on the inventory when moving to Dubai can seriously hold your container up so you give them all away with a few favourites in your checked luggage.

The last you thing you want to do or can even afford to do is restock all your cupboards from scratch, knowing at some point you'll be on the move again and have to start over once more.

8 comments:

  1. A removal firm that also packs for you? That will save a lot of time and stress! I hope all goes well with the move! Sim xx #PoCoLo

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    1. thanks it's pricey though but will be worth it

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  2. Good luck with the move!
    I had never thought about moving to a different country. That is so interesting to read.
    #PoCoLo

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    1. thank you, yes there are so many things to consider when moving abroad, that not even your removal firm will know about

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  3. Good luck with your move! When we moved from the States, we also had everything packed by the company. I hate moving. The last time we moved (in the UK), the movers even packed a binbag which I thought my husband took out to the bin, so we had our rubbish brought into a new home too. :)

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    1. lol, we had a waste paper bin packed once, but I've heard of people having rubbish bins with kitchen waste packed and shipped abroad, the smell must be awful

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  4. Hope it all went well - looking forward to seeing your new place - thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

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    1. all in now, a few snagging points, but feeling like home already

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