It’s summer time, vacation time and also moving and relocating time in Israel. It’s a good opportunity to learn some rules about moving, movers and the consequence of a “bad move”.
You are staring at your apartment, at all the belongings you have accumulated during the past years, at the appliances and at children running around. It’s a great sight but not if you have to start packing to move out (hopefully to your own property).
There are many challenges you may have to deal with including the legality of the lease, the funds you will need to move, what to do with the children when packing, unpacking and organizing everything in your new place. You don’t need any “extra trouble” do you?
In this article I will try to guide you through a step-by-step plan to find the right movers you need, to deal with them and especially how to avoid “misunderstandings” doing business with them.
A step-by-step plan:
Some people love to receive referrals and in general they may be a good lead but are not always enough. My approach is a little different, more rational and based on natural instinct.
When deciding who will “shlep” for you (the moving company) you need some research and planning in advance. The months of July and August are the most expensive because people tend to move during summer vacation before the beginning of the school year.
You need not only to find “the best movers”, but also someone you have good “chemistry with”, and of course someone you can afford. The one with the fanciest advertising or website, or most expensive isn’t always the best – you need someone honest, trustworthy and reliable.
Moving with children:
I am sure you love your children, but moving your home with young children or when you are expecting a new child, can be a real pain! In Israel there are no real services for these “special needs” so don’t be tempted to pay any extra for these services because you won’t receive them.
By special services I mean: “quiet packing” for families with very young children, referrals for baby nurses and nannies, support for families moving with pets or packing a special suitcase for children that includes a favorite pillow, pajamas, and toy, to help ease the stress of transition by having familiar and much-loved items with them upon arrival.
You won’t find a company doing this type of work that would allow you to relax and breathe while they will do the rest.
A contract:
A receipt with the general rules and agreement is not enough, you should have a contract regarding the entire deal including exact dates for moving, arrival time, what type of truck will be used, how many workers will actually be working besides the driver (not including you because you are not supposed to do the work – just pay for it), the price for the entire deal including Vat and even the “tips” (it’s a big issue).
Insurance:
It’s an important issue and you should ask for a copy of the policy. Not every mover buys insurance in Israel and as in Israel, it’s always extremely difficult to get any compensation from an insurance policy. By insurance I mean special damage, loss or injury insurance for movers and not only the insurance for the truck.
Packing and unpacking:
Did I say packing? Let’s ask first: who will be doing the packing? Because in Israel packing is not a “package deal”. You will need to have a special clause regarding packing, and not only about who will provide the boxes, but also who will actually do the packing service and when.
I suggest you have a list in the contract:
Who will provide boxes, what kind of boxes and the different sizes, how many of them, when you will receive them, when you will have to return them, who will actually pack for you, who will unpack, etc.
Storage is not included, so if you need storage it must be stipulated and agreed upon in the contract.
Arranging the furniture is generally an “act of kindness” by the movers (hoping for a bigger tip in the end) but not an obligation. The movers are required to place every one of the boxes, pieces of furniture, and appliances in your new home, but not to arrange them for you! Remember, they are movers and Israeli movers – get used to the local practice.
Packing tools:
It’s up to you to be prepared. The movers will not supply anything but old boxes (in general good and strong). For an average 4-room home I recommend at least:
• 110 yards of strong and durable Packing Tape
• 2 or 3 Black Box Markers (permanent markers)
• A few yards of a strong rope (nylon type)
• 25 small Boxes (16x10x10)
• 40 Medium Boxes (18x14x12)
• 15 Large Boxes (20x20x15)
Special services:
If you need anything special you must notify the company in advance and have it all written down. Special services includes moving: pianos, huge objects, very heavy objects (such as a heavy safe), antiques, fine arts, and any other object that needs special care or special packing.
Services not included, but that can probably be purchased for an extra fee: setting up your phones, hooking up your TVs, cleaning the carpets, cleaning your old place or cleaning your new home before or after the move, disassembling and assembling closets, cabinets, etc.
Don’t expect too much:
The more you expect the more disappointed you will be. Most probably some objects will break, maybe disappear, others may be scratched, few doors and walls will be certainly bumped and most certainly you will find dents here and there. Take a deep breath and a second one if you need before deciding how unforgivable the damage is.
A word of wisdom:
The crew won’t be very professional, the prices will be high, the tips are never enough, movers are always asking for this and that or just complaining – remain calm, take medication if necessary, and always have a smile on your face.
Have a great and easy move and Mazal Tov!
