Upping sticks is one of the most stressful things people can do. Organising and packing up lives into boxes takes a lot of time and careful planning, some of which starts three months before the move. But while moving house within Dubai can be bad enough, moving abroad is altogether more complicated and as such some people spend up to six months planning their relocation to ensure things run smoothly.
"It can be quite stressful and emotional because there is a lot of organisation and people don't necessarily think about that," says Maude Cote, Associate Director of Dubai Luxury Homes, which offers a relocation service.
Those in the throes of moving might find comfort in the fact they are not alone – more residents are expected to do it over the next few months as house prices continue to fall. Indeed, Colliers International's latest report revealed they fell by 41 per cent over the first three months of this year.
"A lot of people are deciding to take advantage of the price drops by moving to bigger houses, while others are taking the opportunity to move out of areas such as International City or Sharjah in favour of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers, and upgrading closer to the city," adds Cote.
In light of this, we have put together our top tips to help your move run smoothly – and reduce stress.
Set enough time aside
A local move should be planned two to three months in advance with the one overseas taking between four and six months, however, remember that packing always takes a long time.
It is even more important for those with children because moving house can be confusing for them so it is important to involve them.
"Try explaining the concept of moving to young children by play-acting and above all, keep your children safe on moving day and reassure them that you're not going to leave them behind," advises Mac Perez, Corporate Manager for Allied Pickfords.
Make lists
There are scores of things to think about before any house move, so it is important to write down everything that needs to be done. Not only do you need to make lists of things to pack, belongings to sell and those to throw away, but notifying the relevant authorities of a change of address is also vital, especially if the move is down to a job change. Electricity contracts need closing, while banks and schools also need informing of any changes.
"Plan a yard sale to sell [unwanted items]. It's not free to ship, so if you don't need it, get rid of it," advises Relogulf, which relocate people around the world.
Hire a removal firm
Having someone take the strain off part of the move can be a welcome relief for many. We have all seen the trucks loitering in Al Barsha or Bur Dubai with "for hire" signs on the side, but it goes without saying that these people offering help for a few hundred dirhams are not moving professionals.
For quality service, people are advised to hire a specialist company, such as Relogulf (04 501 5748) or Allied Pickfords (04 408 9555), whose prices might be higher but because they are experts in removals your goods have less chance of getting damaged. Charges vary and cost in excess of Dh1,000. Some companies, including Dubai Luxury Homes, also offer complete relocation services, where they not only find the home, but take care of the move and all associated paperwork from Dh2,000.
The other benefit is that not having to do the actual packing yourself can make the fees more than worth it. Needless to say, cross-country moves are considerably more than those within Dubai, but a professional service could make your belongings safer because their employees are experts in packing.
Relogulf, for example, charges $1,500 (Dh5,505) for a 20-feet shipping container exclusive of port and other charges, which makes it even more vital to only take what you really need. They will also arrange pick-up and load it for you to make the best of space available. It is, however, advisable in both cases to get quotes well in advance, book them a few weeks before to ensure availability and check they have insurance to safeguard against any items that get damaged.
The packing
Packing up is the final piece of the jigsaw, yet also the one that takes the most time. Many people find it easier to take time off work because trying to juggle both raises stress levels as people rush to meet their moving deadline.
There are a number of companies in Dubai selling boxes for just a few dirhams, while delicate items should be wrapped in bubble wrap first. It's also important to label each box so you and the movers know what is in each one – that way valuables should not end up on the bottom layer.
Relogulf also advises not to use boxes that are starting to wear in case they collapse under the weight of others stacked on top.
Perez from Allied Pickfords adds: "It is also worth planning where you want to put your furniture in your new home. You may also wish to draw up a floor plan to make sure that your furniture fits where you want it to go."
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