Moving day checklist and what to ask a removals company

Moving is the most tiring but also the most plannable part of changing homes. Most problems do not begin on moving day but in the week before: a vague quote, a deal without a contract, boxes nobody counted. This article first lists the questions to put to a removals company, then gives a practical checklist for before, during and after the move.

Why choose carefully?

Press reports and statements from sector representatives show that complaints cluster around a few points: items damaged or lost, prices that suddenly rise on moving day, and firms that claim to be insured but never show the policy. One report describes unlicensed operators advertising low prices online and then raising them on the day, citing the number of items, a lift or the height of the floor. So your goal is not merely the cheapest quote, but to put what you are buying in writing.

Ten questions for a removals company

• Do you hold an operating licence? Sector statements in the press recommend checking the transport authorisation issued through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (referred to as the K3 certificate). Ask to see it.
• Does the firm have a real address, a trade registry and a tax record? A website and a phone number are not enough; look at the physical address and past customer reviews.
• Will you see the home before quoting? Quotes given by phone without seeing the goods can turn into extra charges later. A site visit allows an inventory, the vehicle and the materials to be decided.
• What is included in the price? Ask item by item: packing materials, dismantling and reassembling furniture, lift or crane, extra charges for floors.
• Is the contract written? It should state the date, the total fee, the item list, the pickup and delivery addresses and the floors.
• Is there insurance, and can I see the policy? Be wary of a firm that says it is insured but will not show the policy. Check whether it covers damage in transit, and keep a copy.
• What happens if something is damaged? How damage will be recorded, within what period it must be reported and how it will be compensated should be in writing.
• Will the same crew load and unload? When different crews do each, responsibility for damage can become unclear.
• How are valuables handled? It is safest to carry jewellery, documents and computers yourself; if the crew carries them, make a list, have it signed and keep a copy.
• How and when do I pay? Rather than a large advance, agree a payment arrangement in writing that depends on delivery, and keep proof of payments.

Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin / CC BY 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Two to three weeks before

• Go through your belongings; donate, sell or throw away what you do not use. Every box and piece of furniture is a cost.
• Get quotes from at least two or three firms after a site visit and compare them in writing.
• Ask about the new building's lift, parking and loading, and tell the building or complex management your moving time.
• If you rent, review your current contract and exit conditions.
• Put official tasks such as address change, subscriptions and school registration in your calendar. For the address notification see how to change your address on e-Devlet, and for closing or transferring subscriptions see subscription transfer and closure.

One week before

• Label boxes by room with clear notes such as "kitchen – fragile".
• Put valuables, documents, medicine and first-day essentials in a separate bag.
• Measure your furniture and make sure it fits through the new door and staircase.
• Empty and prepare the fridge and washing machine according to the manufacturer's transport instructions.
• Plan your internet line and other subscriptions; our article on moving your internet line will help.

Moving day checklist

• Keep the contract and the item list at hand and check that the crew matches the paperwork.
• Photograph the meter readings (electricity, water, gas) at the old home.
• Record the condition of furniture, scratches and chips with photos or video before loading.
• Walk through every room before loading ends; check cupboards, balcony and storage.
• Have keys, remote controls and handover records ready.
• At the new home, count boxes as they come off the truck and have any damage written on the record before you accept delivery.

After the move

• Record the meter readings at the new home and put subscriptions in your name.
• If you notice damage, photograph it immediately and report it in writing; keep invoices, the contract and messages.
• If a dispute arises, the routes mentioned in the press include the Consumer Arbitration Committee, mediation depending on the amount, and the consumer court. Monetary thresholds are updated every year, so check the current figure with the relevant body before applying.
• If you will leave a home empty for long, see the precautions in leaving a home unoccupied.

Should you consider contents insurance?

A removals company's insurance may not cover every risk. If you own valuable items, extra contents cover is worth looking at; we explain how it differs from home and DASK cover in our article on home and contents insurance. If you are moving to Antalya, our checklist for moving to Antalya shows all the official steps together.

In short

A good move rests on three legs: a licensed and real company, a contract that puts everything in writing, and the habit of keeping records throughout the day. With those in place, moving day is far calmer. If you are still looking for a home, our page on buying a home in Antalya outlines the roadmap. Feel free to write to us with any questions.

This content is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional before making a decision.

Cover photo: Jörg Fuhrmann (Intermerker) / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons