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Moving is an adjustment for anyone especially when it’s a long distance move. As resilient as kids can be, moving to a completely new city can be very overwhelming and even cause your child to become depressed. Below are some tips on how you can help your kids cope with the changes that are about to happen in their lives when moving to Port Elizabeth.

Include the kids in the moving process

Moving can be scary and overwhelming for children. It is crucial that your kids feel like they have some kind of control. By giving them choices (however small), they will feel like they too have a say in the whole moving process.

Involve them in the packing process

Let them pack their favourite toys in a box and decorate it. That way, when you reach your destination, they can easily find their special box and be reunited with familiar things.

Let your moving company do the packing

If financially possible, hire professional movers or let your moving company handle the packing for you. When you have to pack yourself, it could take weeks, thus more time for your kids to feel insecure. But by letting movers do it for you, your stuff could be packed up in one or two days, limiting the time for kids to dwell on the situation.

Unpack Your Children’s Rooms First

In order for your child to feel safe and secure, you’ll want to get them settled in familiar surroundings as soon as possible. By getting their rooms set up first, you will also prevent them from claiming the master bedroom as their own.

Keep your kids busy and fed

Kids like to play and they like to eat. Keeping your kids occupied and fed will ensure they feel more secure and give you the chance to get more things done.

Have Fun and be patient

Taking a child out of their comfort zone and away from friends can be challenging for them. Try to incorporate as many fun activities and spend plenty of time with them to help them adjust to their new environment. It might take a while for them to make new friends so be patient with them.

Moving to Port Elizabeth from anywhere in South Africa is a huge adjustment for your family. By following these tips mentioned above, you can make it a little bit easier on your children, and also on yourself. Speak to one of the friendly staff at BusyBee Removals for a quote. Hiring a professional and reliable moving company will take the stress out of moving to Port Elizabeth.

Finding a reliable yet cheap moving company can be quite the challenge. But by doing a little research on good old Google is totally worth it. Shopping around can save you money. Just make sure you avoid being scammed. Below are some steps you can follow to help you find cheap moving companies for your next move.

1. Ask around for recommendations

Talk to family, friends and coworkers as well as local real estate agents – someone will know of cheap moving companies.

2. Don’t settle for estimates

You’re going to want to get a real quote, not just an estimate which means a consultant will come and do an inventory of everything in your home.

3. Never assume that big-name companies are the best

While your moving company should have experience, hiring an international company might cost you double than that of a local company.

4. Be careful of brokerage services

Working through a brokerage service will unnecessarily increase costs. Make sure you contact moving companies directly to cut out the middleman.

5. Do a thorough background check

Before you hire cheap moving companies, make sure you check them out online. Do a proper “investigation” to make sure they are not trying to scam you. Search the net for consumer complaints and check their website for testimonials. If none are listed, ask them for references and actually phone their “happy clients”.

6. Make sure there aren’t any hidden costs

Once you’ve settled on a quote, make sure you read the fine print to avoid any hidden costs. If you aren’t clear about anything, speak to the cheap moving company so there’s no room for misunderstandings.

7. Don’t move when it’s peak season

Moving mid-month or during the week can save you plenty of money. If you are flexible with your moving date, ask your moving company when the best time is to move in order to save some cash.

8. Ask for a discount

Once you’ve done all of the above, ask your moving company for a discount. They can only say no. But you’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Moving doesn’t have to wreck your budget. By following these tips you too can hire a reliable AND cheap moving company for your furniture removal needs.

BusyBee Removals is a well known cheap moving company in South Africa. They have helped many families move over the years, nationally and internationally. To get an obligation free quote, get in touch with one of their knowledgeable staff members today.

So you’ve made the decision to finally move your business offices and your employees are excited about having more space. But along with any move comes a multitude of worries like how the downtime will affect your bottom line and how you can avoid your personnel damaging your expensive equipment.

Fortunately, you’ve found reliable movers in Johannesburg that have experience with office relocations. Now you can relax and know that they have the necessary skills and equipment to make your move run smoothly.

Below are some tips on how you can make your office move even more stress-free.

Appoint a Moving Supervisor and Meet Your Office Movers

As a business owner, you have a business to run, thus assigning one of your trusted staff members to work closely with the moving company is a great idea. Together with your moving supervisor, set up a meeting with your office movers in Johannesburg to discuss the details of your office relocation.

Your office movers have plenty of experience with office relocations and can tell you exactly what to expect. Ask about the timeline for a company of your size to make sure your expectations are in line with reality. Once you all agree on the details, book a moving date.

Develop a Timeline

An office relocation is more involved than moving homes since any downtime can affect you financially. To ensure that your move runs smoothly and to limit prolonged downtime, create a detailed timeline and make sure you include all of these important tasks:

1. Get in touch with your IT department/service provider.

They will need some time to prepare for your move and arrange with your office movers in terms of disconnecting and setting up equipment.

2. Create an inventory list.

Draw up an inventory list of all desks, chairs, computers, printers, and cabinets to make sure nothing is misplaced during the move.

3. Complete any outstanding paperwork for your new offices

Meet up with the realtor and sign your business lease. Just make sure all specifications and agreements are adhered to before you sign on the dotted line.

4. Assign staff members to office spaces to avoid chaos on moving day.

Even if some changes will still be made, it’s easier to assign office locations for every department beforehand.

5. Create a moving-day agenda.

Every single staff member needs to know what to expect come moving day or else you can prepare yourself for chaos. Send out enough reminders and advance notices so no one can say they didn’t know.

Trust Your Office Movers

Keep in mind that the office movers you appointed have successfully relocated many businesses before. While it can be tempting to micromanage the moving process, it’s better to let them do what they do well, while you run your business.

To hire the best Office Movers In Johannesburg, get in touch with BusyBee Removal today for a free quote.

 

A lot of planning and preparation goes into an international relocation and it is impossible to not make some mistakes during the whole process. But making mistakes can cost you precious time and hard earned money and should be avoided as far as possible.

Below are some common mistakes people make when relocating abroad.

1. Not hiring a trustworthy international removal company

Relocating overseas is expensive but making a decision based on price when it comes to shipping your belongings is a big mistake. You are trusting complete strangers with your precious possessions, the least you could do is to make sure they are reliable with experience in international relocations. Get quotes from at least five international moving companies in your area, get in touch with their previous clients and make sure you hire one with plenty experience in the industry as well as with your destination country.

2. Packing everything in your home

Any time you move, you have the opportunity to declutter and get rid of items you don’t need. Don’t just start packing – go through cupboards and drawers and throw away what you don’t need. Take a look around you and be realistic about what you want to take with you. The more stuff you ship, the more expensive it will be.

3. Not having enough time

Scheduling your flight on the same day they load your shipment is a bad idea. Problems can arise at any time due to bad weather, traffic or plain old human error. This can have a serious impact on tight schedules, so it’s wise to have enough extra time in case something unplanned happens.

4. Not being familiar with the rules and regulations of your new country

Every country has different rules when it comes to importing goods. There are some items that can’t be included in your shipment like firearms and agricultural goods. Make sure you are aware of the rules of your destination country before you start packing. Make sure you know exactly what documents you need to proceed with customs clearance.

Avoid making costly mistakes when moving abroad by hiring reliable international furniture removal companies in Johannesburg. BusyBee Removals has been successfully relocating families abroad for many years. They are familiar with the rules and regulations of various countries and can help you make the moving process run smoothly. They will assist you from the planning stage right through to the delivery on your doorstep.

Don’t try to do it all yourself, get help from the professionals and let them reduce the chances of making unnecessary mistakes. For an obligation free quote, speak to one of the consultants at BusyBee Removals today.

Many people from all over South Africa are moving to Cape Town each year. But not all of them stay forever. There are many reasons why people choose to move back inland such as missing their family and friends, not finding a lucrative job, or perhaps just not adjusting to their new environment. And while every “mistake” is a lesson learned, sometimes these lessons can be costly.

If you really want your move to Cape Town to be permanent, there are some things you can do to up your chances for a successful move.

1. Plan in advance

Long distance moves are serious business and the best way to ensure your move to Cape Town runs smoothly is to plan in advance. At least three months prior to your move, get in touch with a few moving companies in your area. Let them survey your home to give you a quote. Try to avoid moving in peak times as this will not only increase the cost but leave you with less flexibility from your moving company.

2. Sell what you don’t need

With a long distance move, the cost of your move is based on the amount of space your belongings will take up in the truck. Sell the things you aren’t using or might not have space for in your new home to cut expenses. You’ll be surprised how freeing it is to unclutter.

3. Clearly label boxes

During the packing process, make sure you label your boxes clearly to avoid chaos on the other side. Write down the room as well as a list of the items inside to make it easier for yourself and the movers. If the thought of packing everything yourself overwhelms you, ask your moving company to do it for you. This will eliminate some of the stress and lessen the risk of damage to your possessions.

4. Hire a moving company

While it is completely possible to successfully move to Cape Town by yourself, hiring a moving company will make the process so much easier. Do proper research before hiring a moving company as there are many unreliable one-man-bands that might do more harm than good. Using a trustworthy removal company will give you the peace of mind you need. A company rep will come to your home and do a survey of everything you need to relocate. This will enable them to give you an accurate estimate for your move.

5. Get familiar with your new area

When moving to Cape Town, you might not know many people, and you probably haven’t figured out where the good restaurants are. Take the time to explore and get familiar with your new town so you can experience everything it has to offer.

By following these five tips, you can ensure your long distance move to Cape Town will be a success. For a quote from a reliable removal company, get in touch with BusyBee Removals today.

More and more people are moving abroad every year whether it’s for political reasons, better job opportunities or to explore a different culture. Moving abroad, however, isn’t only for the young and single. Families with pets relocate overseas all the time.

While some people opt to leave their pets behind, most people can’t imagine their lives without them since they are part of the family. Pet relocation isn’t as challenging as you might think, especially if you get help from a professional. Before you make the decision to rehome your beloved four-legged friend because you think the process is too complex, read the facts below to educate yourself on what it takes to relocate your pet.

Planning is crucial

Every country has a different set of rules when it comes to importing pets. Some countries have a quarantine period while others don’t. The process can take anything from a few weeks to a few months to get your pet ready for export. Hiring a professional pet relocation company will benefit you greatly when it comes to moving your pet abroad. They will know exactly how far in advance to start getting your pet ready so everything will go smoothly.

Your pet will need a health certificate from a registered vet

You’ll require a health certificate for nearly all destinations and this shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is important to make sure your pet really is in good health and up for travel. Travel can be stressful for animals and intensify specific symptoms. Ensuring that your pet is healthy enough to travel should be high on your priority list. In some instances, postponing pet travel might give them enough time to regain their health and lower the risk of something bad happening in transit.

Rabies vaccinations are standard procedure for cats and dogs

Chances are, anywhere you go, your pet will need to be vaccinated against rabies unless they are very young. Depending on your location, this vaccination will need to be timed accurately or even repeated to adhere to the country’s regulations. If you aren’t sure about your destination country’s regulations, your pet relocation company will be able to enlighten you.

Crate training is crucial to your pet’s wellbeing

Anytime your pet is transported, whether by plane or ship, they will need a crate. Not only will this keep them safe and secure but comfortable as well. You can’t, however, wait until the last minute and expect them to be fine with the confined space of a crate. Crate training needs to be done early on to introduce them slowly. This will become their safe space when they are surrounded by the unfamiliar.

Pet relocation doesn’t have to be a foreign concept. There are many pet relocation companies that can assist you with transporting your pet to your new destination. Get in touch with BusyBee Removals to get a quote for pet relocation today.

Hiring movers may come at a price, especially if they are doing the packing for you. But is it really worth the risk and the few rands you might save to do it yourself?

Let’s look at the advantages of letting furniture removal companies in South Africa pack your belongings for you.

It will save you time

If you pack your belongings yourself, you have to start packing well in advance to be ready for moving day. When you let the moving company do the packing, they come to your home with a team of packers the day before the move. No need to spend your evenings and weekends packing weeks before the big day.

It will save you money

While it will cost you extra to have packing added to your quote, in the long run, it will save you money. By letting your furniture removal company do the packing, they also provide the packing materials. And being a moving company, they will get much better prices on packing materials than you could ever dream.

They know how to pack your stuff

Another way it will save you money is by reducing the risk of breakage. If you don’t pack your belongings right, some items might break and then you would need to replace them. They know exactly how to prepare big and fragile items like couches, beds and fridges to avoid damage. They are trained professionals with the needed skill and knowledge to protect your belongings better than yourself.

They are organised

Your furniture removal company understand that you can’t just through items in a box and hope for the best. They realise that organisation is key to a stress-free move. Boxes will be sealed, marked clearly and checked on an inventory list. This will ensure that everything reaches your destination.

Are there any disadvantages to letting furniture removal companies in South Africa pack your belongings?

Sure, you might have less control over the moving process but you will also have less stress. Another cons is that you have to trust complete strangers with your possessions but if you hire a reliable furniture removal company in South Africa, you have no need to worry about the safety of your stuff.

Why you should hire BusyBee Removals for your next move

It’s crucial to hire a trustworthy furniture removal company with many years experience since you don’t want to risk damage to belongings or being scammed. BusyBee Removals is considered one of the top furniture removal companies in South Africa. For a free quote, get in touch with one of their helpful and friendly team members today.

As you start packing up your home for your international relocation, you might be wondering whether there are some items international removal companies can’t or won’t move. While some items are common knowledge, others can be a little confusing. Every country’s customs rules and regulations are different and while some countries might allow some items, there are some things that should never be packed in your shipping container.

Rather be safe than sorry! Take time to familiarise yourself with these typically restricted items since it will save you time and give you more peace of mind.

1 Firearms

While some countries do allow some types of firearms to be imported if you follow the proper customs procedures, most don’t for security reasons. Explosives, however, is a no-go no matter where you go.

2 Alcohol

Certain countries might allow you to bring in alcohol with your household shipment. Ask your international removal company for guidance before assuming your destination country is one of them.

3 Drugs

Narcotics are illegal everywhere in the world and should NEVER be included in your shipment.

4 Agricultural goods such as houseplants and seeds

Horticultural products can’t be included in your household shipment. Even household plants can’t be imported either. While your destination country might make an exception, you’ll have to give them a valid explanation.

5 Pornographic magazines and materials

It depends on the country you move to but it is never a good idea to include pornographic materials in your shipment.

6 Chemicals

Any household chemicals or toxic substances should be left in your home country to avoid explosions inside your container.

7 Spray cans

Spray cans are pressurised and since the temperatures fluctuate a lot during shipment, these cans can burst. Not only will this damage your possessions, but it can cause a fire if there is a hazardous substance inside the can.

8 Money

While it isn’t forbidden to bring money from your home country with you, you will have to declare it when it’s more than a certain amount.

9 Pirated materials

Distributing pirated materials are illegal since people tend to smuggle it in and sell them for next to nothing. You can be sure that customs will be on the lookout for these type of items.

For a less stressful moving experience, make sure you know exactly what is allowed in your container. When you hire a knowledgeable and reliable international removal company, they will be able to guide you when packing your possessions. Make sure they are familiar with your destination country. Contact BusyBee Removals for a free quote for your international move today.

It’s true, reliable furniture removal services are high in demand in South Africa. But they do cost money, money you can save by doing it yourself. While nothing beats having professional help from reliable moving companies, home movers have no idea what they are getting themselves into.

Who needs peace of mind and years of relocation experience and efficiency when you can save a few bucks? You surely don’t, right? Below are five reasons you should NEVER hire furniture removal companies in South Africa.

1. You have plenty of time on hands

Working 40 – 50 hours per week barely keeps you busy and you don’t have anything better to do over the weekend anyway. Besides, what could be better than spending your free time packing or unpacking boxes?

2. You are an expert at packing items

Packing “smacking”. All you need are a few boxes and some newspaper and you’re set. If your stuff breaks, you replace it, simple as that! You don’t have a lot of stuff anyway.

3. You have tons of friends more than willing to help you

Why hire help when your friends are basically begging to help you move? You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by turning them away but you only have so many stuff you need to move.

4. You own a moving van

You never liked the idea of driving a car. Vans are just better and everyone should own one. Especially if they plan to relocate at some stage of their life. And all this talk about reliability – you did check your water an oil at least six months ago. Vehicles don’t break down that easy, do they?

5. You like to live on the edge

Stress is your middle name! There’s nothing you can’t handle. Moving house is easy peasy and winging it is the only way. Who needs a well thought out plan when you can just improvise and go with the flow?

Why spend unnecessary money on furniture removal companies in South Africa when you can take it all on your own shoulders, right? Wrong! While saving money is a priority, orchestrating your own move can cost you more money when you try to do it yourself. By packing your own belongings, you risk damage to your belongings because you aren’t trained in the best ways to securely pack items. The same goes for not using a reliable mode of transportation. You might have lots of friends but just the mention of moving guarantees them all having plans on the day you plan to move.

Let’s face it, life can be busy and stressful and the last thing you need is added responsibility. Why not let a professional furniture removal company take the burden off your shoulders by handling your next move. For an obligation-free quote, get in touch with BusyBee Removals today.

Moving companies can take such a burden off your shoulders when relocating from Johannesburg to Cape Town. And yet, many people aren’t sure if it’s worth spending the money or rather opting for the DIY route. Taking a look at removal companies from the perspective of their pros and cons is advantageous because it will help you make a decision whether hiring a removal company is right for you.

Pros of using moving companies

1. Less responsibility

By using a moving company, you avoid getting caught up in the planning and execution of the move. You have one point of contact, making the whole moving process less challenging and stressful.

2. They are experienced

It’s true that moving isn’t rocket science but there are some skills needed for a successful relocation. From planning to packing and loading and unloading the truck, if done wrong, you risk your belongings being damaged or even destroyed.

3. They do the packing and heavy lifting

While it’s completely optional, moving companies can do the packing for you. This means that you don’t have to start weeks in advance since they can pack up a medium sized house in one day. What’s even better is that they have special tools and gadgets to help with loading the heavy furniture into the truck.

4. You’ll have more time to focus on other things

Like finding a school for your children or a job (in case you don’t have one yet). Getting your pets ready for the 1400 km drive is a tall order and will also need some of your attention. With so many loose ends, having time to focus on preparing your family for the big move is more important than arranging the move yourself.

Cons of using moving companies

1. It can be expensive

Doing anything yourself will cost you less than hiring help. But if you take your time into consideration, are you really saving money? And what if you damage that beloved item because you didn’t have the necessary experience or know how when packing it?

2. You have to trust them with your personal belongings

There are a lot of scams and fly-by-nights ready to steal your money. One way to avoid being scammed is to do your homework and speak to the happy clients of your potential moving company.

3. You’ll have less control

But also less stress. Need I say more?

The decision to hire professionals or to move yourself is completely up to your personality, unique needs and the specifics of said move. If you are moving from Johannesburg to Cape Town, or you have a huge home, a “do it yourself” move will be much more challenging. Equally so if you have children and other responsibilities. Hiring a moving company like BusyBee Removals will make the moving process a much easier.

For a free quote, contact them today.