Why Every International Move Starts With a Move Survey
When you're planning an international move, one of the first questions you're likely to ask is:
“How much will it cost to move my belongings overseas?”
The answer depends on more than simply the number of boxes you're taking.
The volume and type of your belongings, destination, shipping method, packing requirements, property access, and other moving needs can all influence the cost of your relocation.
That's why a Move Survey can be an important part of planning an international move.
At My Global Delivery, a Move Survey helps our team understand your relocation requirements before preparing your quotation. This allows us to recommend a moving solution based on what you're actually planning to ship.
What Is a Move Survey?
A Move Survey is an assessment of the personal belongings and household goods you plan to move internationally.
Instead of relying only on an estimated number of boxes or a rough description of your belongings, a survey gives your moving team a better understanding of what you're taking with you.
Depending on your move, this may include:
Furniture and larger household items
Personal belongings
Fragile or valuable items
Items requiring additional protection
Packing requirements
Property access
Collection and delivery requirements
The information gathered during the survey helps your moving team understand the size and complexity of your relocation before preparing a quotation.
Why Is a Move Survey Important?
A Move Survey helps make sure your quotation and moving plan are based on the actual requirements of your relocation.
Without seeing or discussing the details of your shipment, important factors can sometimes be overlooked.
A survey gives your Move Manager an opportunity to identify these details early, helping you understand what your move may involve before moving day.
1. It Helps Assess Your Shipment Volume
The amount of space your belongings require is one of the factors that can affect your international moving costs.
A few boxes of personal belongings will require a very different shipping solution from an entire household containing furniture and appliances.
A Move Survey helps your moving team assess your belongings more accurately and determine the approximate volume of your shipment.
This can help identify which international shipping solution may be suitable for your move.
2. It Identifies Packing Requirements
Not everything can be packed in the same way.
Fragile furniture, artwork, glassware, antiques, electronics, oversized belongings, and other delicate items may need additional protection.
During a Move Survey, your Move Manager can identify items that may require specific packing or preparation.
This helps your quotation account for the professional export packing your belongings may need for international transportation.
3. It Identifies Access Considerations
Your belongings need to be collected from your current property and delivered to your new home.
Access conditions can affect how your move needs to be planned.
For example, your moving team may need to consider:
Stairs or multiple floors
Narrow entrances
Apartment buildings
Lift restrictions
Limited parking
Long carrying distances
Difficult vehicle access
Identifying these details before moving day gives your team more time to plan the collection and delivery properly.
4. It Helps Determine Your Shipping Options
Not every international move requires the same shipping method.
Depending on your shipment size, destination, and timeframe, you may have options such as:
Sea freight
Shared container shipping
Full container shipping
Air freight
Excess baggage
Unaccompanied baggage
Your Move Manager can use the information from your survey to explain the shipping options available for your relocation.
Do I Need a Move Survey for a Small International Move?
Not necessarily.
The right assessment depends on the size and complexity of your move.
If you're shipping a small number of personal belongings, you may be able to provide the necessary information through an online Self-survey.
For larger household relocations or moves involving furniture, fragile items, or more complex access requirements, a more detailed Video Survey or Physical Survey may be appropriate.
If you're unsure which option is right for you, contact our team and we can help you determine the best way to start planning your move.
What Happens During a Move Survey?
A Move Survey is designed to give your moving team a clearer picture of your relocation.
Your Move Manager will discuss what you're planning to move and assess the belongings included in your shipment. This is also your opportunity to mention anything that may require special attention.
You can also discuss important details such as:
Your preferred moving date
Packing requirements
Your destination
Shipping options
Collection arrangements
Delivery requirements
Potential storage needs
You don't need to know everything before your survey. Your Move Manager can help explain the process and answer questions as you plan your relocation.
What If I Haven't Decided What I'm Taking Yet?
That's completely normal.
When you're planning an international relocation, you may still be deciding what to take, sell, donate, store, or leave behind.
Your Move Survey can help you understand how the belongings you're considering may affect the size and requirements of your shipment.
As your plans develop, it's important to keep your moving team informed if your inventory changes significantly, as this may affect your quotation or shipping arrangements.
Does a Move Survey Guarantee the Final Moving Cost?
A Move Survey helps your moving company provide a more accurate quotation, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee that the final cost will never change.
Changes to your inventory, moving dates, property access, destination requirements, or requested services may affect the cost of your relocation.
That's why providing as much accurate information as possible during your survey is important.
The better your moving team understands your requirements from the beginning, the better they can plan your move.
A Better Survey Means Better Moving Plans
A Move Survey isn't simply a step you need to complete before receiving a quotation.
It's an opportunity to make sure your moving team understands what you're shipping, where you're moving, and what your relocation involves.
Whether you're shipping a few personal belongings or moving an entire household, having the right information at the beginning can help make your international relocation more predictable and easier to manage.
At My Global Delivery, our Move Managers work with customers to understand their individual requirements and recommend suitable international moving services.
Planning an International Move?
If you're preparing to move overseas, starting your planning early can give you more time to understand your shipping options and prepare your belongings.
A Move Survey can be a useful first step towards understanding the size and requirements of your shipment and receiving a quotation based on your specific relocation.
Request a personalised moving quotation or contact our team to discuss your international move.
