Written by Sylvia Cieslik

            Moving from one home to another in the same city can be complicated enough – but what happens when you need to move to the other side of the world? You may have already booked your moving company to relocate your valuable goods overseas but it’s important to remember about your pet’s upcoming air travel experience too.

The following checklist can assist with your upcoming pet relocation:

• Make reservations for your furry friend well in advance and be sure to follow airline instructions provided along with having the proper veterinary documents ready to ensure a smooth transfer.

• Carefully schedule boarding and shipping arrangements for your pet to assure that your pet is well cared for until you are available to receive it at your new destination

• If your pet is accompanying you, allow for extra time at the airport. If you are shipping your pet, go to the freight terminal a minimum of three hours in advance of your flight 

• Be certain that contact names and addresses of person(s) responsible for your pet at origin and destination are clearly marked on the pet’s identifications tags and the shipping container.

  

•  If possible, obtain the pet shipping container a week or two in advance to familiarize your pet with it. Gradually lengthen the time each day until your pet is familiar with the surrounding. 

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• Get an estimate.

Sometimes you will not be able to move directly into your new home.  If that is the case, temporary accommodations will be in order.  Depending on how long you will be in transition, you will need to evaluate your options.  

There are great places out there that can make your stay very comfortable.  Depending on your budget and your needs, you may be able to find a place that has a kitchenette, bedrooms, sofa-sleepers, laundry facilities, gym and wifi.  Keep in mind that some places will even offer breakfast and happy hour.  If you have a family, having access to a pool is fantastic.  It helps to keep your kids occupied and enjoy something they may not have on a regular basis.  Nothing is better than enjoying the hot tub as your kids tucker themselves out in the pool.

Just remember that when you pack for your move to set aside important things that will get you through your temporary transition phase.  This way you will have access to medication, toiletries and family favorites to make it more comfortable.  If you have electronic games that help keep your kids occupied, don’t forget to pack them.  Further, if you have a pet, make sure to ask ahead of time whether or not your accommodations will allow for their stay.  Of the places that allow for pets, most have size limits and some have restrictions on breeds and exotic pets.  Therefore, calling ahead of time and asking will save you stress at check in.  

Keep in mind that doing a little grocery shopping before checking in will save you some money.  Most accommodations have convenience items for sale.  However, you will pay for that convenience.  For example, if you have laundry facilities, you will want to purchase some detergent before checking in.  You may even want to have spare change to pay for your load.

If you are on a corporate relocation, your relocation representative may have made arrangements for you and your family.  Therefore, you want to confirm with them what is your responsibility.  Further, some have arrangements with corporate relocation apartments that are fully furnished.  So clarifying this ahead of time will be very important.

Being in transition can be challenging, so the more comforts of home you have access to the better you will feel about it.  If you treat it like a vacation, the rest of your family will see it as such.  

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• Get an estimate.

It takes time to prepare for your move but it is worth it.  There are several steps that you can take to prepare yourself and your family for the big day.

Itemize your needs:

Before you get started, sit down and identify what you will need for your move.  Ask yourself some basic questions.  Where am I moving?  What is my budget?  Why Am I moving?  Will I need storage?  Am we moving straight into our new home or will we need temporary accommodations?  Are there any special items that need extra care and handling?  What is covered by my insurance and what additional coverage will I need for my move?  Itemizing these needs will help you to take the right steps forward.

Budget:

Setting a budget is essential.  This allows you to understand your constraints very quickly.  If you have a limited budget, you may have to pack yourself.  Think of ways that you can optimize your resources.  For example, asking your friends and family to help you pack could save you some money.  Downsizing may be a great option if you have the time to dedicate to it before your move.  If you are on a corporate relocation, find out what is covered in your move.  Ask your relocation coordinator or human resource representative about your companies policies and procedures.  This will help you understand what your company will pay for and reimburse you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your professionals here at Starline.  

List:

After you have itemized your needs and set a budget, you will be ready to start your to-do list.  This will change constantly.  Therefore, I suggest you have a centralized location for all your documentation and lists of things to do with reference numbers.  Keeping them in one location will help you tremendously.  It will save you time and energy trying to find things.  Further, it will prevent you from overlooking an important task.  

Secure dates:

Once you have a good idea of when you are moving, secure your dates.  This does not mean wait to contact us until you have a solid date. Rather, the minute you know you are moving, contact us so that we can have you in our system.  Once you have those dates secured, let us know right away so that we can accommodate you.  This is especially true if you are moving during the peak season.  Your professionals here at Starline will do their best to meet your needs.

Downsize:

If you are downsizing from your current location, take full advantage of the opportunity to sell, donate or give away your things that will not fit in your new home.  This will save you money in the end.  Therefore, the earlier you start this task, the more time you will have to dedicate to this.

Storage needs:

For a variety of reasons, you may not be able to move your goods from one location into the other.  If this is the case, understand your storage needs ahead of time.  Your professionals here at Starline have a variety of storage solutions for you and we will be happy to help.  Let us know your storage needs and we will find the best solution for you.

Moving is filled with ongoing tasks.  Therefore, the better prepared you are, the easier it will be on you and your family.

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• Get an estimate.

Preparing for your move is essential in making sure you will be successful.  Start as soon as you know you are moving.  This is definitely the case of the early bird gets the worm.  Your professionals here at Starline will do their best to help you. Just keep in mind that during the peak moving season, it is harder to be as flexible.

Here are a few tips to prepare for your big move.

Timeline

Set a timeline.  Based on all of your tasks at hand, put together a timeline.  This will help you keep track of everything that needs to be completed.  If you have to sell your house, make sure you include the time to sell and close on the home.  If you are renting make sure to include your notice to your landlord.  Keep in mind that if you are selling, your timeline will be contingent on the sale of your house.  Include in your timeline all the notifications to your vendors and canceling services.  If you are purchasing another home, do not forget to include that in your plans.

Folder or binder

I can’t say this enough.  It is very important to have one location for all of your important documentation. Get yourself a folder, binder or file container.  Keep all of your important information with you.  Put your birth certificates, passports and other vital information in it.  Make sure to scan backup copies and keep them in a safe electronic place.  This will help you in case your important documents are misplaced.

Downsize

Take this opportunity to go through all of your things and either donate or sell them online.  Ask yourself this very important question, do I want to pay to move this item?  If the answer is no, get rid of it.  Moving is the best time to downsize because you do not have the time to vacillate on making a decision.  Time is of the essence, so you will have to make your decision and stick with it.

Research

If you are moving to anywhere new to you, you will need to do some sort of research online.  You want to start this research before you begin to search for your new place.  This will help give you a feel for your new community and where you think you would like to live.  This way when you conduct your search in your new area for your new place, you will be ahead of the game.

Selling or Renting

Before you move, you will have to decide on whether you will be buying or renting your new place.  Also, make sure to have back up plans in case things fall through.  Remember, if you are buying a new home, nothing is said and done until closing.  Therefore,  delays and unforeseen things can happen.  Do not expect to move in and close on the same day.  Give yourself some contingency in the event things do not go as planned.  Your professionals here at Starline will do their best to meet your needs.  However, the better you plan the better we can help.

Contacting your utilities

Don’t wait until the last minute to do this.  Further, make sure to have a forwarding address set up prior to calling to cancel service.  They will need a place to send your last bill.  Chances are you will not be in your new location, so consider setting up a post office box for your forwarded mail.

Storage needs 

If you have any storage needs with your move, your professionals here at Starline will be happy to help.  Make sure to discuss your options with them ahead of time to make sure the arrangements best suit your needs.  You will have to determine whether or not you would like your goods stored at origin or destination. Ask which would option will be better for your move.

Forwarding your Mail

Don’t wait to the last minute to do this.  You want to make sure that your mail does not inadvertently get lost in the shuffle.  Take the time to make your plans accordingly.  This is especially important if you have plans to move a long distance and/or internationally.

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• Get an estimate.