The ultimate guide to moving nationally with Elliott

Elliott’s expert teams compiled this ultimate moving guide, and it is available as a PDF.

Moving homes between provinces is stressful, emotional, and pricey. However, if you are prepared for the move, surprises are fewer, and moving day is a comfortable step in your relocation journey.

This article is a comprehensive guide on moving nationally. The lengthier PDF, available here, is compiled by Elliott’s expert moving team and is regularly updated. However, Elliott cannot guarantee that the information in this article or the PDF guide is entirely accurate, as the information changes. Please ask Elliott for clarity and updates. The PDF also has a printable checklist for your convenience, which appears at the end of this post.

Planning your move

Planning well in advance is key to a successful move. For this reason, when you reach out to us for a quotation, a sales executive will book an in-home pre-move survey if you reside within 100km of a major city centre. Sales executives assist with planning and estimates based on the exact number of belongings that need to be moved. If you live more than 100km from a major city centre, a video survey or pre-printed list will help us deliver an accurate moving quotation.

The pre-move survey

During the pre-move survey, it is crucial to point out every item that must be moved. Remember to include items from the garage, the garden, outbuildings, the attic, and other areas that are not regularly used.  We will also need to inspect the contents of cupboards, chests, drawers, and bookshelves.

The sales executive will explain many of the points we cover in this guide. They will also answer any additional questions on the day of the survey. We advise pre-preparing a list of questions to optimise the time we spend on site.

Items of Special or Sentimental Value

If you have unique or sentimental items, please point these out to us during the pre-move survey. At an additional charge, Elliott offers a trunk security system for packing sentimental items. These may include silverware, photograph albums, delicate ornaments, trinkets, and so on.

The trunk security system includes the following:

•          A metal trunk and padlocks

•          Items are packed in your presence

•          Locking and sealing

The survey list is not a final checklist

A survey list is compiled from the pre-move survey that reflects every item that must be moved. The survey list is emailed to you together with our quotation.

You must carefully check the survey list to ensure that every item that must be moved is included and that no item is omitted. Check items such as the jungle gym from the garden, items from the garage, furniture from the housekeeper’s room, etcetera. These items could easily have been overlooked if our attention was not drawn to them.

Elliott’s quotations are based on the items on the survey list that must be transported. So, if you purchase additional items, dispose of items, or alter the items that must be moved after the date of the pre-move survey, adjustments to the survey list and quotation must be made to avoid confusion and last-minute disputes.

On the survey list, under the section for “special instructions to the ELLIOTT removal supervisor”, the sales executive will provide the details of any special extra packing and other services that will be provided. Please read this section carefully and advise us if any special requested requirements have been omitted.

Extra protection wrapping and crating

Elliott Extra Protection is a service for carefully moving delicate or irreplaceable antiques, family heirlooms, and yellow wood pieces. This service includes cushioning such items in bubble wrap and wrapping them in protective wallboard. When necessary, such items will also receive the additional protection of tailor-made wooden crates.

It is essential to remember that special services noted in this moving guide incur additional charges. The details of these changes will reflect in the quotation. If the quotation does not show a particular service you have requested, please ask us for clarity or to rectify the mistake before any work commences.

Packing

We advise letting us do the packing. This minimises the risk of damage to, for example, china, glassware, linen, books, and even clothing. Packing requirements must be discussed with your sales executive to plan and execute your move properly. It is however important to remember that insurance cover will exclude liability for damage to any item which ELLIOTT does not pack. Also, the maximum insurance liability for any package which ELLIOTT does not pack is limited unless you provide us with a detailed valuated list of the contents of those packages.

If the benefit outweighs the risk of doing your own packing, and you decide to pack yourself, you can hire cartons from us at a non-refundable hire charge. When Elliott packs, we do not use newspapers! Elliott uses plain white paper, tissue, bubble plastic, blanket wrap, and other protective materials.

For many reasons, Elliott packs on a day or days preceding the move. It is therefore essential to arrange separate days for packing. If you need any items overnight (linen, a kettle, etc.), please let us know so that our packers don’t accidentally pack them that day.

Elliott uses different-sized boxes for practicality. If the largest carton is, for example, filled with books, the weight of the carton will make it difficult to carry. So, books are instead packed into smaller cartons.

Cartons handed to us already packed will only be re-packed if we receive a written request to do so. In this case, additional charges will be raised.

Contents of chests and wardrobes

The contents of chests, drawers, and wardrobes will be packed into cartons as the weight of the contents could cause damage to the furniture. Elliott does not accept liability for damage because of items left in the chests of drawers, wardrobes, cabinets, etc. Please add this to your own moving checklist if you are compiling one.

Unpacking

Elliott unpacks the contents of cartons onto flat surfaces. If we run out of flat surfaces, we will pack items on the floor, which we do not advise. For this reason, customers sometimes prefer to unpack themselves. If you choose to unpack, we will collect the cartons and packing materials on a day that we are in your area. We also do not offer a discount if our team does not unpack. Additionally, if you live farther than 100km from an Elliott office, we will unfortunately not be able to collect empty cartons and packing materials when you have unpacked.

Contractual liability

The nature of household items, with their varying shapes and sizes, carries a risk of damage despite the professionalism and caution exercised by our packing and moving teams. And since the risk of damage cannot be eliminated, it is standard practice to accept nominal liability for damages or losses and to offer all-risk insurance protection at an additional charge.

Insurance protection is by no means a cause for moving companies to become careless. Elliott is a highly reputable moving company that receives many of its customers from referrals. Our customers are enormously satisfied with our level of service.

Insurance protection is essential in the event of calamity (e.g. fire, floods, over-turning of the vehicle, etc.) For this reason, it is essential that all-risk insurance cover is made available and arranged for our customers.

Insurance protection

When you are moving house, insurance protection should be the first thing on your checklist.

Why is the cost of insurance not included in the removal price?

Although we always recommend insurance, a small number of customers do not want to pay the additional cost of insurance. When insurance cover is declined, the customer agrees to accept any liability arising from damage and or loss.

On the other hand, some customers prefer to arrange their own insurance protection. If doing so, it is crucial to ensure that the cover is truly ALL RISK. Some insurance protection plans have critical and important exclusions, such as limited cover ‘in transit’ and risks of damage, marking, scratching, or breaking (and other important risks) are excluded.

Elliott therefore highly recommends that customers choose our genuine all-risk insurance protection.

The cost of insurance is also excluded from the quotation so that our quote can be compared to another on a ‘like for like’ basis.

Should I choose my own insurer or insurance through Elliott?

It must be emphasised that unless insurance cover is arranged by you, preferably through our insurers or through any other recognised insurance underwriter, you will not receive any compensation in the event of any claim arising from fire, burglary, or floods. Additionally, our liability in respect of any other claim is strictly limited in accordance with clause 13 of our contract conditions.

If you choose insurance through Elliott, you will receive an insurance policy underwritten by one of the leading underwriters in South Africa. For peace of mind and to demonstrate the legitimacy of the insurance policy, we will email the document to you.

Where Elliott has arranged your insurance, it is vitally important that you receive a copy of the insurance policy before the commencement of the move. If you have not received the insurance policy, it means that insurance has not been arranged and that you should urgently contact our office by telephone and in writing to ensure there is no omission or oversight in this regard. When you receive a copy of the policy, please make sure that the value reflected on the policy conforms with the insurance value nominated by you.

If Elliott has arranged your insurance and you are storing items, ensure that the insurance cover covers the total period of storage. An additional monthly premium is payable for this extension.

What about long-term storage?

For long-term storage, note that the onus is on you to arrange for escalation of the value, which should occur once per year. If an escalation of the value is not performed annually, inflation will erode your insurance value, and in the event of a claim, you may find that the consignment is underinsured, which is financially risky. If insurance has been arranged through your insurers, please remember to deal with them regarding the steady escalation of the value to combat the erosional effects of inflation.

Escalation of the original value requires issuing another insurance policy to cover the escalation. Therefore, when requesting an escalation of the insurance value, make sure this is done verbally and in writing and ensure that you receive a separate insurance policy covering the increased value from us.

A guide to moving with Insurance – Application form

Our insurers require the insurance application form to be completed by the customer, in as much detail as possible, for all-risk insurance cover. If you prefer to compile your own detailed valuated inventory, you may do so. However, you will still be required to complete the front of the insurance application form and refer to your own valuated inventory, which must accompany the completed application form. This form MUST BE IN OUR POSSESSION PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF YOUR MOVE. If we are not in possession of this correctly completed document, the insurance company has the right to cancel or withdraw the insurance cover you requested. Please understand that this requirement of the insurer is in your interest and theirs as mutual protection.

Your insurance value

It is imperative to insure your possessions for their total replacement value. This means the full replacement value of each and every item that will be moved.

When calculating the approximate value of the contents of a home there is the inclination to consider only the larger items, such as the lounge, dining room and bedroom furniture and to ignore the smaller items, such as pictures, glassware, china, kitchenware, linen, clothing, books, etc. which often represent a greater value than the value of the furniture.

Bear in mind that underinsuring your consignment is risky. If underinsured, the insurance company has the right to decrease the claim settlement by applying the principle of “average” when settling a claim.

Let’s look at an example:

If you declare a total insured value of R50 000 for a consignment with a full replacement value of R100 000 by applying “average”, a claim of R1 000 may be reduced to R500.

Unless the insurance value is inserted in the appropriate section of the acceptance of our quotation, and unless we receive a properly completed insurance application form from you before the commencement of the move, insurance will not be arranged, and our liability will be limited strictly by our contract conditions. We therefore urge you to take special care when inserting the values on the insurance application form and, after arriving at the total sum insured, recheck the values making sure that each item included in the consignment is insured for its NEW REPLACEMENT VALUE.

Your insurance premium

The insurance premiums made available by us to our customers provide fully comprehensive all-risk insurance cover at rates which are highly competitive.

When comparing our insurance premiums, please note that the insurance cover made available by Elliott bears no excess. This means that in the event of a claim, no first amount is payable by you.

Insurance claims

When you receive your possessions, you should carefully inspect each item. In the unlikely event of damage, the matter should be reported to us verbally and in writing within 14 days. Claims are handled by qualified staff based at the Elliott head office in Gauteng.

You are assured of prompt and efficient attention to the settlement of a claim by the standard terms and conditions of the insurance cover, which we believe is more comprehensive than any other similar cover made available in South Africa. In support of this statement, please remember that the insurance protection made available to you by Elliott is subject to no excess/deductible. This means that no amount is deducted from the settlement of your claim, as is the case with most other transit insurance policies offered to customers in South Africa.

Elliott’s removal quotation

We provide two options for quotations, namely with or without packing. We will only provide a quotation that includes all packing and ancillary services to customers who have explicitly requested for us to perform these services. However, if customers express uncertainty or plan to handle some of the packing themselves, we will provide a quotation that excludes these services.

•          Packing of smalls (glassware, kitchenware, books, linen, TV sets, clothing, etc.) into cartons.

•          Providing wardrobe cartons (hang packs) to hang your suits, dresses, etc.

•          Extra protection cushioning or wrapping of delicate antiques, paintings, etc.

•          Crating of items that require this specialised ancillary packing.

•          Provision of plastic covers and other protective materials.

Have questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns about the quotation you received, please reach out to us for clarification to avoid any misunderstandings. It’s important to note that if you choose to accept a quotation that excludes packing and ancillary services, additional charges will apply for these services.

Please ensure that the acceptance form is filled in correctly

Our quotation includes a QUOTATION/ACCEPTANCE FORM, which must be filled out in full, signed by you, and returned to us as soon as possible before the moving date. Once we have received the completed and signed form, we will be able to confirm dates for packing, moving and delivery. Please keep in mind that the availability of our packing and moving teams, vehicles, and equipment will affect the confirmation of dates. Although we will do our best to accommodate our customers’ needs, there may be certain times, such as the first and last weeks of each month and the months of December and January, when demand for our services is high, so we recommend booking as early as possible.

The insurance premium is quoted separately and is calculated based on a rate per R100 of the sum insured. For example, if the rate is R2.85 + VAT per R100, the cost for insuring an amount of R100,000 would be R2,850 + VAT.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

For any international moves (to or from South Africa), there is no VAT charge. However, if an international move is cancelled after it has started or if the international move turns into a domestic move, the zero-rated VAT will no longer apply and VAT at the current rate will be charged.

Access to your residence

Our removal contract includes carrying and/or removal of items on trolleys within a reasonable distance between the main entrance of the residence and the nearest parking spot for our removal van. The distance covered is up to 40 meters, as per our contract. If a pre-move survey is conducted at your current residence, our sales executive will assess the distance and include it in the quotation. However, if a pre-move survey is not done, it is your responsibility to inform us in writing if the distance exceeds 40 meters. The same principle applies to the delivery address, and you must inform us in writing if the distance from the main entrance to the parking spot exceeds 40 meters. This is especially important for deliveries to rural or farm residences where access might be limited by overhanging trees or narrow roads.

We strive to have as close as possible access to the main entrance of your home, both at the pickup and delivery address. If you do not want our vehicle to drive on your driveway, please inform us in writing beforehand.

Directions to premises

If it is difficult for people to find your address or if you are moving to or from a rural or farm location, please provide detailed directions or a map to help our supervisors find the location. This will prevent any delay caused by difficulty in finding the address. Kindly add this to your moving checklist.

Planning placement of furniture in your new home

It’s beneficial for you to plan and decide where furniture and other items should be placed in your new home. It’s advisable to create scale drawings of rooms to determine the best placement of your possessions. This is particularly important when moving from a larger to a smaller home, as it ensures that all your possessions can fit in the new space. If not, we can plan to store any excess items. Our removal team will be patient, and our removal pricing includes time for placing your furniture in your preferred location. However, additional charges may apply if our team is required to continuously reposition items while you are unsure of the final location or if items that cannot fit in the smaller home need to be moved elsewhere.

Pack, move, and delivery dates

Please be aware that our quotations are subject to the availability of our personnel, vehicles, and equipment on the moving and packing dates requested by our customers.

Please note that unless you explicitly state that you will be using our services, any pack, move, or delivery date mentioned by you will not be reserved until we have received your official acceptance of our quotation. The sooner you can confirm the dates for packing, moving, and delivery, the better chance we have of meeting your requirements. It is essential to confirm your requirements over the phone and then in writing. You can do this by completing and emailing the acceptance of our quotation to the office you are working with.

The demand for our services increases during school holidays and is at its highest during the second half of November and December and January. This puts a significant strain on our personnel and equipment. If possible, avoid moving during peak season as prices are usually lower during off-months. We understand that many people cannot choose when to move and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Direct loading and unloading

We try to load your possessions onto the same vehicle for a long-distance move. But, it’s not always possible when unforeseen technical issues arise. We appreciate your understanding.

Timing of the move

We will try to provide an estimated time for the start of your move or delivery, but it’s not a guarantee. Technical issues may cause delays. Our team takes care to minimize these, but they can still happen. If we’re running late, we’ll try to reach you by phone if we have your number.

Please be aware that your consignment may take longer than planned and delivery may be delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. If you have a prior commitment, please make alternative arrangements. We cannot be held responsible for any delays that may prevent you from keeping that engagement.

The Elliott removal teams

Our packers will arrive at your home to pack your items in the morning before the removal team arrives on moving day. The team is led by a supervisor and typically consists of 5 people. Our staff do not require food, but offering them refreshments is appreciated.

If you need additional services or want the team to return the next day, please contact the office directly. Do not make arrangements with the removal team. They are not equipped to handle such requests and may forget to relay the information.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office as soon as possible. The quicker we know, the faster we can address the issue and prevent it from escalating. This is in both of our best interests.

Moving day tips to add to your moving checklist:

1.         Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

2.         Accompany the supervisor and point out items that must not be moved.

Note: You will be responsible for items that will not be moved by us.

3.         Check that everything that we must move is loaded before departure.

4.         Inspect the entire premises including overlooked items such as built-in cupboards, plants, attic or basement items, etc. We are not responsible for items that are left behind or not loaded.

Keep items that will accompany you separate from items that we are moving. We advise locking them in a closet or room.

What else?

Pack a “survival kit” of essential items for immediate use upon arrival at your new residence (e.g. electric kettle, teapot, tea/coffee, towels, soap, etc.) Label and mark these items “for immediate use”. Ask the supervisor to arrange for them to be packed and loaded last on the vehicle for easy access. Be present during the move in case the packing and moving teams need to consult you. Do not leave valuables lying around.

Avoid having builders, electricians, plumbers, etc. work in your building during the move. It makes it hard to determine who is responsible for damages or losses when something goes wrong while your possessions are being handled.

In short, an inventory of items for transportation is compiled for moves beyond 100 km. The inventory is a crucial document in triplicate and is given to the customer for accuracy check and signature. The inventory does not list every item packed. It however gives a rough outline of carton contents and the room of origin to help with placement at the new residence. The company cannot be held responsible for missing items not reflected in the inventory.

Tipping

Tipping the packing and moving team is not mandatory, but appreciated for exceptional service. The amount is subjective, based on the customer’s satisfaction and the amount of work done. As a general guideline, R200 to R300 per crew member is common for a standard-sized home removal.

Dismantling and assembling of furniture, units, items, etc.

Our team will dismantle items for transportation and reassemble them after delivery. This work does not need a specialist carpenter or complicated tools. If a carpenter, electrician, plumber or other specialist is required, or if the item was not dismantled by us and needs complicated assembly, additional charges may apply.

Inflammable products

Flammable liquids such as paints, benzene, and paraffin, as well as products like matches, cannot be transported or stored by us at any time.

Liquid products

Unfortunately, there is a risk of liquid products like wine, groceries, oil, or paint leaking during transportation. We cannot guarantee the elimination of this risk. As such, any claims for the liquid itself or damage caused by the liquid to other items will be declined.

Jewellery, watches, firearms and similar valuables

For items such as jewellery, watches, or other valuables, special written arrangements must be made with us prior to their removal. Add this to your moving checklist. These items should not be given to us for removal or left out during the move. We cannot be held responsible or liable for loss of these items. The same applies to money left around or given to us for transportation. We cannot, under any circumstances, transport firearms due to country laws.

Electrical appliances and fittings

Electrical appliances and fixtures such as stoves, lights, and chandeliers must be disconnected and reconnected by a licensed electrician. We can arrange this service for you, but it will come at an additional cost. To protect washing machines during transportation, stabilizing rods must be used. If you don’t have these rods, contact the agents to arrange for stabilization. Minimize mildew formation and damage by defrosting and thoroughly cleaning refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, and dryers before transportation. Ensure they are dried completely to prevent leakage during transit. Note that we and the insurers won’t accept liability for mildew formation or damage to other items due to appliance leakage.

Curtains and blinds

The removal quote does not include the disassembly or rehanging of curtains or blinds. These tasks require additional time and may result in an increased cost for removal services.

Pot plants

Most people forget to include pot plants on their house moving checklist to-do.

Plants are often sensitive to being moved and can be damaged during transportation. We understand the sentimental value of plants and will accept them for removal. We however can’t be held liable for any changes or damages resulting from transportation.

Liquor

For security reasons, we request that you personally hand over your liquor to our supervisor. They will pack it according to our special liquor security procedure. This is to prevent temptation and ensure the safety of your items.

Keys

Please label and keep keys for chests, cupboards, wardrobes, etc. to avoid loss or damage. We cannot be held responsible for mislaid or lost keys.

Payment

Removal companies around the world usually ask for payment before the move. Please read our contract for more information on payment. If you need our services regularly, you can apply for credit, but payments must be made when you receive the invoice.

Over border moves

For international road removals, necessary customs documents must be provided before we can deliver your possessions from South Africa. Please cooperate with us on this matter.

Storage

Elliott’s containerized storage system is the most advanced and secure option available worldwide. Our executives regularly travel overseas to ensure our methods and systems are the best in the world. Our dust-free containerized storage minimizes handling, reducing the risk of damage. For long-distance pickups or deliveries beyond 100 km of our warehouse, items may need to be temporarily stored in a different location. If you require this, please inform us in writing at the time of booking. Insurance is essential for stored items and should be arranged through ELLIOTT or your own insurer. If insurance is not arranged, compensation will not be provided in the event of fire, burglary, or flood. It is important to escalate insurance values for long-term storage to avoid under-insurance. Storage charges are billed monthly, with a minimum charge of one month.

Re-delivery from stores

The cost of your removal service is based on the transportation from one location to another. If you need to store your possessions or cannot receive them at the time of delivery, they will be stored in our facility. The storage fee and additional delivery or redelivery services are not included in the original removal quote. You will incur additional charges, which vary based on factors such as the distance to your residence and access to the location.

It’s important to confirm the date of redelivery from storage as far in advance as possible, both verbally and in writing. Our services are in high demand during the first and last weeks of the month. To ensure availability, we request at least three weeks’ notice for redelivery during these times. Bookings are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Access to goods in store

To make accessing your stored possessions as smooth as possible, we request that you provide ample notice in advance. Whether you need to retrieve papers from a suitcase or inspect all your items, we will carefully remove your belongings from our storage containers and place them in a convenient location. However, as this process can be time-consuming, we require as much notice as possible to accommodate your request. A fee based on the time required will be charged. We will do our best to meet your needs while ensuring the safe handling of your items. Keep this information with you in the linked moving guide.

Storage

Please do not store perishable items unless they are properly sealed in containers like tins or jars. It is strictly forbidden to store hazardous materials, including but not limited to ammunition, flammable paint, used paint, turpentine, paraffin, petrol, cleaning fluids, methylated spirits, fireworks, aerosols, and chemistry sets. Please take care when storing important papers and documents such as driving licenses, vehicle licenses, birth certificates, insurance policies, and bank statements as you may need them during the storage period. While we take precautions to prevent moth or insect damage, we cannot be held responsible for such damage.

If there are items you may need during the storage period, ask the supervisor to mark them “keep-forward” in the inventory. This will make them easily accessible. But, please keep the number of these items limited as retrieving individual items from the storage depository can be costly. A fee will be charged for unstacking, selecting, and replacing items in storage. It is important to inform us of any changes to your address during the storage period.

The Elliott Customer Experience Review

– Accessed via QR Code

This moving guide shows why and how Elliott has established a reputation for excellence in South Africa and globally. We have achieved this by consistently delivering high-quality services, only possible through the hard work of our well-trained staff. To maintain this level of excellence, we ask our customers to fill out a Customer Experience Review by scanning a QR code on their mobile phones and answering a few questions about the services they received. Your honest feedback helps us understand where we can improve. And, ensures that our team is aware that exceptional service is valued by our customers.

Elliott customer protection guarantee

Elliott’s goal is to provide the best possible service to our customers, living up to our reputation for excellence. However, we understand that there may be instances where our service falls short of customer expectations. That’s why we offer the ELLIOTT Customer Protection Guarantee. If you have any issues, you can contact Brad Barker (ELLIOTT’s COO) or his Personal Assistant for personal attention and prompt resolution.

Pet travel

High on any moving guide for your house is your pets. Elliott understands the strong bond between pet owners and their pets. We offer air transportation for pets to any commercial airline-served area in the country. Our service includes specially designed air containers with maximum safety, space, and ventilation for the pet. Containers come in various sizes to meet airfreight weight and height requirements. These can be custom-made for pets with unique dimensions. To ease the pet into the trip, we recommend getting them used to the container before the move. You can provide extra comfort by leaving a favourite blanket or toy in the container. Our team will arrange collection and delivery according to your needs.

A moving guide for motor cars

We offer road transportation of your motor vehicle(s) during air travel. If you have two cars, we can transport your second one as well. We also offer under-cover storage within our modern warehouse for your vehicle. However, we and our insurers cannot be held responsible for any personal items left in the vehicles during transportation or storage.

For children, moving can be traumatic or exciting

Moving to a new home can evoke different emotions in adults and children. Adults may see it as a fresh start or an inconvenience. On the other hand, children may experience fear and frustration at leaving home. However, with the right approach, moving can be an exciting adventure for the whole family.

Dr. Richard K Grana, a psychologist in the US, has created guidelines for parents to help their children cope with moving.

A moving guide for children:

1.         Breaking the news – Let children know immediately once the decision to move has been made. Schedule family meetings to discuss the move and to address any concerns.

2.         Exploring the new neighbourhood. Visit the new area with the family and focus on the positive aspects of the new home.

3.         Sorting and packing. Involve children in deciding what to keep and pack, as it makes them feel a part of the process.

4.         The family pet – Explain the pet’s transportation method and reassure children about their safety.

5.         Saying goodbye. Encourage children to spend time with their friends before moving. But, also focus on making friends in the new home.

6.         Moving day – Allow children to participate in packing and loading, it helps them understand the process.

7.         Your new home – Let children help unpack and organize their rooms.

8.         The new school – Keep teachers informed about the move and stay in close contact to ensure a smooth transition.

9.         Making new friends – Encourage children to make new friends and participate in new activities.

By following these steps, parents can help their children navigate the complexities of moving and make it a positive experience.

Recognition

Elliott is a proud member of three international organisations: FIDI (World Federation of International Furniture Removers), IAM (International Association of Movers), and ICEFAT (International Convention of Exhibition and Fine Arts Transporters). We have over 100 employees in Centurion, Cape Town, and Durban. Our company is dedicated to providing exceptional services to our customers.

National and international recognition

Elliott has received numerous awards for excellence in international packing and moving. Elliott is recognised by South Africa, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Switzerland. The company has been honoured with the prestigious FAIM accreditation from FIDI, the World Federation of International Furniture Removers. This recognition, given to only the top international movers in the world, offers customers peace of mind.

Visit us in South Africa and experience the energy, dedication, and passion that has earned ELLIOTT its prestigious awards. We’re here to assist you and look forward to serving you.

House moving checklist

Remember, the ultimate guide to moving with Elliott is available as a PDF at the link provided above.

• Have you confirmed your removal date?
• Have you arranged insurance? Please remember to fill in the Insurance Application Form and send this to ELLIOTT before you begin your move.
• Did you complete and submit the acceptance of our quotation?

Have you discontinued these services or advised of change of address?

No moving checklist is complete without the following:

• The Post Office for redirection of mail and transfer of TV licences, DSTV and/or other pay TV stations?
• Your bank to transfer your credit cards or current account?
• Electoral Officer?
• Receiver of Revenue?
• The motor licensing authority?
• Your hire purchase suppliers?
• Insurance company about your motor, household, and other accident policies?
• Your life assurance companies?
• The municipality – regarding rates?
• Clubs and societies?
• Publications to which you subscribe?
• Outlets where you have charge accounts?
• Relatives, friends, and regular correspondents?
• Home Affairs regarding your ID document?
• Your solicitors?
• The family place of worship?
• The launderers?

Have you also:

• Contacted the principal of your children’s school and obtained a letter regarding the status of your children in school?
• Defrosted, cleaned and dried your refrigerator and freezer?
• Checked with the agent and carefully prepared your washing machine for transportation?
• Carefully secured or taped the arm of record players?
• Had your outside TV aerials and satellite dish taken down and dismantled by a qualified technician?
• Arranged for disconnection of your stove? Check-List
• Disposed of your unwanted furniture by auction? Elliott can arrange this or store it for you.
• Put aside bits and pieces you don’t want to take.
• Cleaned out the medicine cabinet and safely dispose of old medicine bottles?
• Tightened the lids on all jars containing liquids?
• Returned any garden tools, or books you have borrowed?
• Had your doctor and dentist recommend someone in the town or area to which you are moving?
• Drained the fuel from primus stoves, heaters, lamps and lawnmowers?
• Kept aside in a locked built-in cupboard jewellery, money, firearms, insurance policies and documents of extreme value?

Now… one last look around:

The final points on a moving guide must always include:

• Is anything left behind? The attic – garden – garage – basement?
• Any clothing still at the dry cleaners. Think about shoes at the boot maker or clothes and sporting goods in lockers at clubs or schools.
• Water heater turned off?
• Light switches all turned off?
• No taps left running?
• Windows and doors locked?
• Old house keys surrendered?

And now?

What about a farewell drink with the neighbours? You’ve earned it!!

FINALLY …

When you have settled in …..

Please write and tell ELLIOTT about your move. We enjoy compliments, and even the occasional complaints help us to provide even better service in future. Remember, you can download the house moving checklist at the link at the beginning of this post.

HAPPY MOVING!!!