There are many
decisions that you'll need to make when you're getting ready to move abroad. Of
the many choices that await you, deciding what to do with your furniture can be
one of the most difficult. Whether or not you should take your furniture with
you when you move internationally will depend upon many factors, so there is no
single "right" solution for every family.
Here are some things
that you should keep in mind as you consider whether or not you should take
your furniture when you move:
How far are you moving?
The further your move, the more difficult
it will be to shift your furniture, meaning that if you're bound for New
Zealand, it may be more practical to take your furniture than it would be for a
move to the UK.
Do you have pieces that are irreplaceable because they are one-of-a-kind
designer items, collector's items or heirlooms?
You may want to move
irreplaceable furnishings regardless of the distance due to their monetary or
sentimental value.
How does the size of your new home compare to your current one?
If
you're going to have to scale back the amount of furniture in your home, you
can save money by bringing only what will fit comfortably. If your new home is
bigger, you may be less inclined to leave furniture behind.
Will your new home come with any furnishings or appliances?
Knowing
in advance if anything will be left in your new house or apartment can help you
make your decision regarding what to move.
Are there certain furnishings that you simply can't be without in your
new home?
If there are key types of furnishings, such as a television for
the children to watch in the living room, a desk in the home office and so on,
you may want to replace these items when you arrive in your new home, so you
don't have to wait for them to be imported.
Are there any items that cannot be imported to your destination? Are
there high tariffs or taxes on importing any types of items?
You may need
to replace items rather than ship them, depending on the laws of your new home
country.
Do any of your furnishings, appliances or electronics need repairing,
updating or replacing? Are any brand new?
You may want to leave behind out-dated,
worn-out items and focus on bringing newer things with you.
What are the costs associated with moving your furniture?
Obtain
quotes for moving all of your furnishings, only the essentials and must-have
items and moving no large furnishings at all. Compare the rates and use them to
determine how much of your furniture can be affordably moved.
What is your moving budget?
If your moving budget is small, you'll
need to decide whether it's more cost-effective to move your items or replace
them all. Do some research to determine the costs of the types of furnishings
you'd be likely to replace in your new home and compare the anticipated total
cost of replacements with the costs of moving.
Chess Moving can
provide you quotes that outline our competitive international moving rates. We
can also help you research the cost of items abroad and provide you with
information about the import laws in your destination country.