Moving House: Some handy tips to keep in mind

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Moving House: Some handy tips to keep in mind

 

Moving house can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t need to be. Careful planning and good organisation will ensure that your house move goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some ideas to help you on your way.

How much do you have to move?

This is the first thing you need to ask yourself. It’s easy to underestimate how much you will be taking with you. Most of us have a lot more “stuff” than we realise. The easiest way is to make a list of all the contents. There may be things you don’t want to take because they don’t fit in with your new home. You can make plans to get rid of them or arrange for storage while you decide what to do with them. Once you have finished, you should have a clearer idea of how much you are taking, which will help you to choose the best van for the job.

Get the best deal

Moving can be an expensive business.  Hiring a van and driving it yourself is, of course, a great way to keep the cost down. Compare prices and go for one that offers value for money as well as a first-class service.

Update your Utilities

It can be easy to overlook but try not to leave it to the last minute. New arrangements need to be put in place to provide you with gas, electricity and broadband etc. Try to give your provider two weeks’ notice to ensure that everything is sorted out in plenty of time.  It is not a good idea to give your moving day as the cut-off date. You might need to return for some reason or there could be a delay with the move. You don’t want to risk being stuck without electricity. An extra 48 hour should be enough to cover any unplanned return visits. Take final meter readings and also take an up to date reading when you arrive at your new home to avoid paying extra charges.

Packing Up

With everything now in place, the vans hired, and paperwork done, it is time to pack up your belongings. Following the suggestions below will make the job a lot easier.

  • Choose the right packing materials. Boxes of various sizes, large and small, means that things can be carried safely in and out of the van.
  • Take extra care of delicate items like glass and china. Use extra paper and packing materials like bubble wrap to keep them safe.
  • Use fabrics like felt or polycotton padding to protect larger pieces of furniture from scrapes
  • Many people find it easier to pack and then unpack room by room.
  • Make sure everything is labelled properly to avoid stress at the other end.

It is a good idea to load white goods into the van first, then pack boxes around them. And remember items like washing machines and driers might need extra care when moving, so dig out the manufacturer’s instructions before you start.

With these tips in mind and your move should go smoothly. Please contact Get Cracking For Any Home Or Office Moves In Dublin.

 

 

Removals from Dublin to Vancouver

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Moving from Dublin to Vancouver

If you are planning to move to Canada, you could do a lot worse than choosing Vancouver as your destination. As the biggest city in British Columbia, Vancouver has a lot to offer. It is a lively culturally diverse city. It is located only 15km from the US border state of Washington. The weather is generally mild compared to many parts of Canada and is, in fact, one of the warmest parts of the country. And the city is surrounded by beautiful scenery. The jobs market is quite healthy, and rates of unemployment are currently around 6 % compared to the Canadian Average of 6.8%. The main business sectors include telecommunications, film and television, aerospace and healthcare.

 

Cost of living

The cost of living is generally lower than Dublin. Some items including food and personal care are more expensive, but this is offset but paying less for other items including rent, transport and utility bills which on average work out around 40- 50% less than Dublin. Most people rent rather than buy as it is the cheaper option. Prices vary depending on the area, but average rent for a small flat would be around C$1,518 (€1,007) per month.

Where to live

Vancouver has some lovely residential areas whether you are looking for a cool upmarket flat or a more traditional family home.

Hastings-Sunrise is one of the most family friendly areas. It has excellent schools and parks including the well-known Hastings Park which houses the Pacific National Exhibition.

Killarney

This area, whose name gives away its Irish origins, is another popular residential area with lots of traditional family homes as well as new developments including high-rise flats. It is close to shops and other amenities as well as Everette Crowley Park.

West End

This is an up and coming area. It is more affordable than some because of its traditionally working-class origins but is becoming increasingly popular with young professionals and entrepreneurs. Property prices are a little lower than some of the more established residential areas. Attractions include Stanley Park and being near the Pacific Ocean.

 

Schools and Education

Vancouver has excellent schools and most children attend the local public schools. Vancouver also has good opportunities for higher education including the University of BC and the Simon Fraser University both of which have excellent reputations.

Making the move

Restrictions

Always check out any customs restrictions as these vary from one country to another and can include some surprising items. For example, Canada bans the importing of used mattresses, unless certified to have been fumigated. Baby-walkers have been banned since 2004 following a large number of accidents.

Depending on the size of your move, you will need to decide if you should bring your belongings by air or sea. Shipping your goods by sea is cheaper but takes longer.

While air transport is a lot quicker the cost is considerably more, and it is only suitable if you are bringing a smaller load – not for bringing the entire contents of a large family home!

To help you get ready for your move we offer a wide range of professional advice and services including a professional packing service to ensure your valuable items will arrive safely.

 

Removals From Dublin To Toronto

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The Friendly City

Although not the capital, Toronto is the largest city in Canada. It is the centre of financial tech and environmental sectors and has a reputation for being a friendly city.  Moving from Dublin to Toronto, you will be following in the footsteps of many previous generations who made the journey across the Atlantic.  Toronto is on the shore of Lake Ontario and a boat trip of only 20 miles will take you over the border into the neighbouring USA

 

Where to live

Yonge and Eglington is a popular district, sometimes described as mid-town Toronto.

As well as older traditional detached homes there are also newer apartments making it an upmarket but still affordable choice for young professionals. The area has a buzz about it with lots of trendy bars, restaurants and shops as well as being well connected to the subway.

 

Harbourfront

Harbourfront is another popular place to live. You can have the pleasure of strolling by the lake but still have the advantage of being close to the heart of the city. It is also a great location for airport and rail connections. But of course, it comes with a price tag to match, so expect to pay a little more to rent or buy in the area

 

Making the move

One question to consider is whether to move your belongings by air or sea. Air is obviously faster but more expensive and suitable for small loads only. Sea is cheaper, but as long as you plan ahead you can factor the longer transit time to ensure that your move still goes smoothly. You might choose to send certain items by air but do the bulk of your move by sea. At Get Cracking we offer a wide range of professional crating and packing services to ensure that everything arrives safely

A few things to keep in mind

You might be surprised at some of the restrictions you could encounter when moving to Toronto. As well as the usual things like weapons and plants being banned there are others you may not expect:

Mattresses: You cannot bring a used mattress into Canada unless it has been fumigated and you provide certification that it has been professionally treated. Something to keep in mind if you are planning to bring your bed from home.

Baby walkers:

Again, this might seem like an ordinary household item, but baby walkers have been banned in Canada since 2004 and cannot be brought into the country. Owners can face a fine of up to $1000 CDN or even a prison term.

Getting around.

Toronto is an easy city to get around. It has good public transport including an excellent subway system. Your drivers’ licence will be valid for 90 days but beyond this, you would need either an international or resident’s driving licence depending on your long-term plans.

With all this in mind and the fact that it has the 2nd lowest crime rate compared to other cities of a similar size; Toronto is a great place to live. To ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible, contact us and one of our staff will be happy to discuss your requirements.