So we move into our new house on Monday, all our worldly good are being delivered on Thursday and whilst i cant wait to begin ripping boxes apart and working out where everythign should go Id love to know if anyone has any advice for when the guys are here unloading our stuff. Should i be counting containers off the truck?

Lisa.xx

Get the packing list that you signed for when in the UK and match the box numbers against it on the delivery... Make sure you know the terms of your insurance and be a little wary of signing anything at the end that says anything about everything having been delivered in good order with no damage/breakages...

so if they give me something to sign that says that what do i say?

Try signing it as 'not all items unpacked; any damages to be advised within 5 days' or similar... Gives you a way out... They might not like it... I think it was on here that I read of someone that was faced with the choice of signing something as totally undamaged or paying the delivery crew overtime to unpack every single item... Not something you'd want to get into...

I insured with Letton Percival and I'm fairly sure you've got a few days after delivery to advise them of any damages...

great, anyone got any other ideas?

From experience... which rooms are best to unpack first?
I was thinking Kitchen stuff as a priority...

Look, I've worked in transport nearly 30 years... All delivery companies want to get their delivery notes signed off as everything being OK... This is definitely not to your advantage if you haven't unpacked everything and checked the contents, etc... I'd really stick to your guns and sign any delivery papers the way it is... ie... if you haven't been able to check all the contents say so and if you get any grief hang in there...

There's a bloke on here, Mr Mover, that works for Grace, probably the best in the business as far as personal removals go here in Oz... With a bit of luck he'll see this and give you some definitive advice... Or you could try PM him...

We were advised to label doors on our rooms with their "labels" as corresponded to the rooms they packed (e.g. Bed1, study etc) I think this was helpful as they seemed to know where everything went. If you've paid for unwrap don't let youself be fobbed off with "you wont want everything unwrapped. Much easier for you if you do it at your own pace" (Yes -- I was that stupid!) Also insist they rebuild flat-pack furniture etc (if this was agreeed in your contract) I just wish I'd been clearer about what we'd signed up to (paid for) as the guys were really nice but wanted to get away as fast as poss. Also agree with signing saying not every item is checked/unpacked....
Enjoy! It's sooooo great having your stuff back again!!!

Thanks Katherine , thats really helpful, i hadnt thought about the building of furniture and it IS in our contract... Im definitely going to get some room labels sorted out. Thanks so much for the tips.

Is it expected to tip at the end of the job? (We did in England)

Lisa.x

Don't know if it's expected -- we didn't tip but then I only ever tip if I feel the service has been exceptional.....

I keep thinking about all the stuff to unpack (200 boxes) but mainly getting my bed back....

Cant wait!
Lx

if you dont mind me asking - did you have a 20ft container or 40ft?? We got our visa's this week and are now thinking about things like shipping......although we need to get quotes etc - we keep trying to work out whether we can fit all our 3bedroom house / loft and some garden stuff in a 20ft container.....

We had a 40 foot container with shared use - we used 30 foot and so only paid for that. My advise is get a many quotes as you can not only do the prices vary but so does the service you are offered this way you can choose the servive or cost that best meets your requirements.

We are 2 adults (no kids) and have loads of stuff - a 3 bed large victorian house, 2 garages and a cellar worth of stuff into our container.

when the shippers come out to do a quote they will advise what size container you need.

Lisa.xx

Just get your valuables unpacked glassware /ornaments etc, pictures, electronics........books linen suffer very little damage [apart fom water] and can be left till last, the guys will get you to check your inventory and tick off the numbers as they bring things in to the house, make sure you notate any damages on the invent condition collum....and that the van foreman signs and prints his name on completion of the job................... mm

Thanks, Mr Mover! Its much harder to think of the practicalities when you are getting excited!