What should you do the evening before the move?
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Step 1: Check that the moving company's notice is in the stairwell, and tell the neighbors that the elevator will be occupied.
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Step 2: Pack the last things that fit in boxes and label the short side with room and contents.
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Step 3: Empty bureaus, cabinets and bookshelves. Larger cabinets must be empty, as even locked doors can open.
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Step 4: Defrost the freezer and empty the coffee maker, iron and steam vacuum cleaner of water.
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Step 5: Unplug and empty the washing machine and dishwasher that are moving. Firmly installed machines may not be unplugged by the company.
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Step 6: Put screws and fittings from dismantled furniture in a bag and tie it to the furniture.
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Step 7: Collect what should not be included in a room or corner and mark it clearly.
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Step 8: Pack a bag with medicines, keys, chargers and important papers that you carry yourself.
Source: West Swedish Removal Company: Our packing tips, Guldheden's Removal: Packing tips for moving, Guldheden's Removal: How to move with Guldheden?, Removal Dax: Questions and answers. The steps come from the companies' packing tips and questions and answers.
What should you do in the morning before the removal company arrives?
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Step 1: Have gate keys and access codes ready for both addresses, and open gates and barriers.
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Step 2: Keep the parking space free near the entrance. The moving truck takes two to three spaces.
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Step 3: Take care of refrigerated and frozen foods, potted plants and other items that are sensitive to cold or heat yourself.
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Step 4: Take photos or videos of the items before they are moved out.
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Step 5: Go through with the removal team what to take, what is fragile and where everything should be placed in the new home.
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Step 6: Stay during the move, or make sure someone who can answer questions is available at both addresses.
Source: West Swedish Moving Office: Our packing tips, Guldheden's Move: How to move with Guldheden?, Guldheden's Move: Packing tips for moving, Move Dax: Questions and answers, Konsumentverket (the Swedish Consumer Agency): Hire a removal company, tips on what to think about.
The companies handle refrigerated goods differently. Flyttdax does not take refrigerated and frozen goods at all. Västsvenska Flyttbyrån wants them packed last, so they can be unpacked first. Guldheden recommends that you move food, plants and other temperature-sensitive items yourself. Ask your company.
Source: Flyttdax: Questions and answers, Västsvenska Flyttbyrån: Our packing tips, Guldhedens Flytt: Packing tips for moving.
How much should you pack for the removal company?
Everything that fits in a box. Västsvenska Flyttbyrån writes that loose items such as sofa cushions, disassembled vacuum cleaners and computer screens should also be in boxes, and that it can decide whether the move takes one or two trips. The boxes should weigh no more than 15 to 20 kilos, stand stacked three to four high and be labelled on the short side. Guldheden wants the boxes to weigh no more than 25 kilos and have handles.
If you did not manage to pack, tell the company in advance. Västsvenska can bring extra boxes and pack during the move, and Flyttdax can book additional packing of, for example, the kitchen or living room two days before the moving date. When you should start packing is in step 3, pack.
Source: West Swedish Moving Company: Our packing tips, Guldheden's Move: Packing tips for moving, Flyttdax: Packing.
Does packing qualify for the RUT tax deduction?
Yes, when the removal company does it. Skatteverket counts unpacking and packing, loading and unloading as RUT work when moving between your homes or to and from storage. Moving boxes, moving truck, fuel and storage rent do not give any deduction, nor do the company's trips between their premises and your home. If you pack yourself, there is no work to deduct. More about the deduction on the page about RUT tax deduction for moving.
Source: Skatteverket: List of RUT services.
What does the removal company not take?
Flammable and pressurized goods. Flyttdax does not handle paint, oils, fuels or gas cylinders, nor for example items made of precious metals and precious stones, antiques, works of art, genuine carpets, furs, tobacco, wine and spirits, mobile phones or computers. Västsvenska Flyttbyrån does not take paint cans or gas cylinders, and petrol-driven tools such as lawn mowers must be emptied. Neither Flyttdax nor Västsvenska has insurance that covers plants. Take care of it yourself before the moving day.
Source: Flytdax: Questions and Answers, Western Swedish Moving Agency: Our Package Tips, Western Swedish Moving Agency: Questions and Answers.
How do you want it in your new home?
Decide before the car arrives. Västsvenska Flyttbyrån describes two common setups. In the fastest, the team puts the large furniture in the right place and all boxes in one room or corner, and you unpack from there. In the other, each box is placed in the right room and the furniture where you want it, but then someone must be present to show where everything should be. Mark the box with what you want first, extra clearly, so that the team puts it where you find it.
Please measure the large furniture against doors and stairs in the new home. Västsvenska writes that wardrobes and cabinets need about 10 centimeters extra to be erected, and that furniture sometimes needs to be disassembled even if it could be moved whole.
Source: West Swedish Moving Company: Our packing tips.
Template: instructions to removal company
Fill in the template, download it as Word or PDF and send it to the removal company the day before, so the team has addresses, codes and parking when they drive. Our advice is also to have it printed on moving day.
Email: Instructions to the relocation company before the relocation date To: The relocation companyour advice
The template is in Swedish because it goes to a Swedish recipient.
- Send the email the day before or earlier, and have it printed on moving day (our advice).
- Västsvenska Flyttbyrån writes that a boom key can make the difference between a 5 and 150 meter walking distance, and that their moving truck takes up two large or three small parking spaces.
- Flyttdax and Västsvenska Flyttbyrån do not move paint or gas, and petrol-driven tools must be empty. Ask your company what else applies and take care of it yourself.
Source: Västsvenska Flyttbyrån: Our packing tips, Guldhedens Flytt: How to move with Guldheden?. The template is our advice. What it asks for comes from the companies' packing tips.
What the removal company does on the day is stated in step 5, moving day, and all you need to do before is in Your moving plan.
Common questions
Do I have to be at home when the removal company arrives?
Flyttdax answers yes, as questions always arise, and prefers that someone is present at both the loading and unloading addresses. Västsvenska Flyttbyrån wants at least one person at the new address to be able to show where everything should be placed.
Do I need to protect the furniture myself?
No, according to Flyttdax and Västsvenska Flyttbyrån. Both have moving blankets and protective materials with them. Västsvenska plasticises furniture on request, but it takes time and costs material.
Is the transfer company’s insurance applicable to boxes I packed myself?
Västsvenska Flyttbyrån states that removal companies' insurance does not cover boxes that the customer has packed themselves. If you are unsure about something fragile, ask the company to pack it on the moving day.