Moving homes in Kenya can be one of life’s biggest stressors. Sooner or later, we all have to do it – and without the proper plan, moving can become quite hectic. However, with early preparation and planning, you can avoid some common moving mistakes and might even enjoy the process.
Whether you’re moving to the next neighborhood or to a different town in Kenya, this timeline-based home moving checklist has you covered. From packing tips to decluttering your space, our professional house movers in Nairobi guide you through every stage so you can focus on settling in your new space.
1. Three Weeks Before the Move
After you’ve chosen a new home to move into, the first step is doing your due diligence in choosing the right home moving company in Nairobi. Some key things to go over with them include;
- Picking the desired moving date
- Doing a detailed pre-move assessment, which can be in the form of a video survey, online/email checklist, or an in-person survey (most preferred)
- Giving you an accurate and timely moving quote, including details on moving insurance
You should make a shopping list of moving and packing you will need for your items, depending on whether or not your mover will provide them. They may include moving boxes, bubble wrap, sealing tape, and box cutters.
Consider selling or donating items you no longer need or putting them in temporary storage if you’re not sure. Decluttering your home before the move helps you pack and load faster and your home mover may even charge less for the few items.
2. One Week Before Your Move
A week to the move, ensure you’ve secured enough funds to sort things with your current landlord and home mover. This means settling arrears such as water bills and estate service charges so that you’re cleared by the property management to move out.
You could also inform your WI-FI provider that you’re moving and request that they transfer your account to the new address. Thus, you will experience continuity of service, especially if you’re working from home.
The next step is paying the deposit to your chosen home mover. This shows your commitment and establishes trust with the mover. It also helps to lock down the move for the agreed upon date. The amount can vary depending on the company and the total cost of relocating.
Even so, avoid moving companies that demand full payment upfront, unless you’ve worked with them before.
You can take the week to complete any renovations and final touchups in the new house or plan the settlement layout with your movers in advance. This appraises them beforehand about where and how you would like certain things like furniture arrangements or wall hangings.
3. A Day Before the Move
A day before moving, arrange to clean your destination home so that it’s fresh and up to your standards. Deep cleaning the home while it’s empty is much easier than having to mop and vacuum around furniture after you’ve moved in.
Afterwards, your home mover will guide you on packing personal and sensitive items, such as legal documents, bank statements, credit cards, family photos, jewelry, and sentimental items.
To facilitate your house mover’s access to the new estate you’re relocating to, get a gate pass and secure parking spaces from the property management. Delays at the gate can severely affect moving timelines. This is why moving experts in Nairobi recommend clearing any bills and pending issues a week earlier so you can have a smooth transition.
For moving day, set aside some snacks for your family (and movers if you’re so inclined). Moving day snacks can be fruits, nuts, or even boiled eggs.
If you’re moving with a baby, remember to put their food aside as that is the one part of their routine you can control when moving. Babies are unusually fussier on moving day because they’re not used to changes in their daily routine.
4. Moving Day
Finally, it’s D-Day! Wake up early to receive and guide your apartment movers.
Once the move captain arrives with a team of movers, you will show them around your house for a quick walkthrough. This will give them an idea of the scope of work.
Next, you will sign the moving company’s documents. Before the team can start the packing and moving process, you will test your electronics to ensure they work properly.
You can now relax and let your apartment movers do the work. If you have pets or children, keep them from running around and obstructing your home movers.
Once your movers have loaded and transported your belongings to your new home, they will unload, unpack, and position the items according to the layout you discussed with them earlier.
They will also do some housekeeping, which involves;
- Putting up curtains
- Putting clothes in closets
- Arranging furniture
- Installing wall hangings and electronics
- Loading kitchenware into cabinets
You will have a chance to conduct a final walk-through once the movers are done. You can test your electronic appliances to confirm they’re still working. Additionally, ensure your glassware is put in the right cabinets.
5. After the Move
Once the relocation is complete, your moving company will issue an invoice which you can then settle.
If you choose to work with a reputable mover in Nairobi, you can expect a follow-up call from their Quality Control team a few days later. The call is usually meant to assess your moving experience and gather feedback on how they can improve their service. They might ask you to rate the service and comment on what you found helpful or not so helpful.
Best Home Movers in Kenya: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
If you’re looking for apartment movers in Kenya, Nellions’ has got you covered. We are an IAM-trusted moving company in Nairobi with over 12 years of experience relocating individuals and families locally and internationally. We provide full-service house moving with professional packers, insured trucks and zero-damage care.
Contact us via +2547 000 000 02 or email move@nellions.co.ke for a free moving estimate.
