Schedule FREE Pre-Move Survey

International Moving Made Easy

Schedule Overseas Household Pre-Move Survey

If you’re contemplating an international move, International Sea & Air Shipping would be perfect for you. We admit that relocating to a new country can be a daunting undertaking, which is why we extend our comprehensive pre-move survey to assist you in planning and preparing for your impending transition. Our adept team is committed to ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience for you, whether through an in-person or virtual overseas moving survey. Allow us to guide you through the process and provide personalised assistance with your pre-move home survey needs.

A home survey is recommended for all household moves of more than a studio apartment. When shipping household goods internationally costs are based on the total volume (measured in cubic feet) or weight of your personal belongings. We offer a varied selection of shipping methods. The most common are LCL (Less than Container Load), where your goods will be shipped in our consolidated containers. The other option is FCL (Full Container Load), for the exclusive use of a 20ft. or 40ft container for your shipment.

What is a Pre-Move Survey

The pre-move survey is an indispensable step in the international relocation process. Every move is unique, but the factors of every move are the same: what needs to be moved, what are the specifications of the locations of the move, and what do you need from your mover. These are the basics that the moving company needs to plan the move and provide you with an accurate cost of services. Without this information, the company has no idea how many crew members and trucks or the size of the shipping container to send, what equipment to bring, what type of packing material, access information and how long the move will take, and which services you need.

Our proficient moving experts conduct a comprehensive survey to evaluate the items you intend to move and determine the optimal shipping method for them. The survey is an opportune time for us to discuss your moving requirements, expected timeline, and any special requests you may have, ensuring a personalised and satisfactory moving experience. Whether you opt for an in-person or virtual survey, we guarantee meticulous attention to detail and unmatched service quality.

How to Schedule Your Pre-Move Survey

At International Sea & Air Shipping, we make scheduling your pre-move survey a hassle-free process. You can schedule your survey either in-person or virtually, depending on your preference. Our moving experts will work with you to determine the best time and date for your survey, based on your schedule.

In-Person Pre-Move Survey

An in-person pre-move survey involves a moving expert visiting your home to assess your belongings. During the moving survey, we will take an inventory of your items, including their size and weight, to determine the best shipping method. We will also discuss any concerns you may have and provide you with a detailed quote for the move.

After the survey, you and our representative will discuss which services are required, the move plan, pricing, and will answer any of your questions. The in-home survey usually takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your property and how many questions you have. Ones the survey is completed, we will provide you with our proposal shortly thereafter.

If a survey is not possible due to your location, limitations of time, or you simply your desire for a price without a visit, you can fill out our Online Estimate form

Virtual Pre-Move Survey

Virtual surveys are becoming as popular as in-home surveys very quickly.

This Virtual survey is a mobile app that allows you to connect with one of our sales representatives via video call and do a walking tour of your home. During the survey, you will be guided by one of our moving experts, who will ask you questions about your items and provide you with an estimate of the cost of your move. It is design for small moves or big moves and take approximately 15-20 minutes.

We will send you an email confirming the appointment along with a unique access code.

During the virtual moving survey, your sales rep can snapshot the various spaces while you do the walk through and log them in your customer portal with notes so that, on moving day, our crew is prepared to meet your specific needs.

When does a Pre-Move Survey usually happen?

In order to get a pre-move survey, you need to contact a moving company and discuss your move (you can contact International Sea & Air Shipping to get started!)

A moving company will not send a surveyor to your home unless you have seriously discussed details of the move and seem committed to using the company for their services. That being said, under most circumstances, you don’t need to pay a moving company anything at the time of the pre-move survey.

The first step in getting a survey from a moving company is to fill out a quote form. Good moving companies will let you fill out free quote form online. The form allows you to tell the moving company some general information about your move, including:

Desired date of the move
Destination country
Current address
Services required (if you need packing services)
Shipping required (to port or to door?)
Estimated size of the shipment
Your contact information

This gives the moving company a good idea of what to expect, but since you are not a professional, it is likely that you will not know the exact answers to all of these details at first. None of the information you provide in your initial estimation is considered completely accurate. Although it would be helpful for your answers to stay the same, you aren’t bound to them. That is why a pre-move survey is necessary to confirm these details.

The international moving company will then send you an e-mail or give you a call to confirm that you indeed want to use them for your international move. They will confirm some of the information that you provided, and discuss their policies, including what items they can’t move. By the end of the call, they should have set up an appointment with you for your pre-move survey. You may get an additional written confirmation of the details of your survey appointment.

How to prepare for the Pre-Move Survey?

In order to make the pre-move survey process more efficient, you should be prepared for the surveyor.

Review the list of prohibited items that the moving company sent you. Make sure you don’t have them in your shipment.
If you plan to pack your own items, you should wait to pack until after the survey.
Be prepared to meet the surveyor at the scheduled time.
Try to have all of your items in one easy to access space, but don’t have them tightly stacked. The surveyor will need to measure them individually.
Make sure you select everything that you are going to move before the surveyor arrives. Late additions that aren’t surveyed may cause problems for the moving company.

The Survey Process

The surveyor is there to document the actual cost and necessary services required for the move. Here are the things he or she will document:

The weight and volume of the shipment
Any items that require special handling
Any problems the movers may have accessing your property, including parking issues
The complete inventory of the shipment
Any other logistics that are necessary to complete the move
If packing services are required
Final dates for packing, collection, and delivery

The surveyor will give you a copy of all the information that she takes down for the moving company.

What you should do during the pre-move survey

The pre-move survey is the time to ask any questions and convey any concerns you have about the moving process. The representative from the moving company is trained to talk to you about all of it and relay the information to the company. Here are some things you should do:

Express any concerns about the handling of certain items
Ask about what you will be required to do in regards to customs
Confirm the timeline of the move
Ask if there are any charges you can avoid by making your home more accessible
Finalize all of your choices for the services you want
Ask about insurance options
Answer any additional questions about your shipment and desires

Whether you opt for a virtual overseas moving survey or a pre-move home survey, it is important to be prepared and ask questions. By following these guidelines, you will be better equipped to plan and execute a successful international move.

Why Choose International Sea & Air Shipping for Your Pre-Move Survey?

At International Sea & Air Shipping, we are committed to providing you with a stress-free moving experience. Our moving experts are highly trained and experienced, and we use state-of-the-art technology to ensure that your belongings are transported safely and securely. We offer a range of services to meet your needs, including packing, loading, and unloading. We also provide you with a dedicated moving coordinator who will guide you through the entire process and answer any questions you may have.

Book Your Pre-Move Survey Today

Ensure a smooth and worry-free overseas move by scheduling your pre-move survey with International Sea & Air Shipping today! Don’t take chances with your precious belongings, let our expert moving team assess your needs and provide you with a customised plan for your relocation.