How to shift to a new home easily in Dubai

Settling into a new home in Dubai comes with challenges, but knowing what to expect is half the battle. Here we discuss how to shift to a new home easily in Dubai.

1. Permit

First and foremost, before you can get yourself moved into a property, you will need to check if you require a moving-in permit. Most communities and building owners in Dubai require you to fill out a move-in/ move-out form and provide the details of your moving company. The process and documents you will need to provide can vary, but as it can take up to 5 working days to receive your permit, you should check the process in advance.

2. Choose wisely 

There’s a long list of moving companies in Dubai, so do your homework. Check online for recommendations, get the lowdown from those who’ve been through the process and examine reviews before getting in touch for a home survey.

3. Credentials check

A valid trade licence and insurance are non-negotiables. It’s also essential that the staff aren’t outsourced, as building security will usually ask to see Emirates IDs before allowing access.

4. Cost it out

Great movers aren’t cheap, and cheap movers (generally speaking) aren’t great. Most companies in Dubai offer online quotes, therefore compare prices. That said, for moves larger than a one-bedroom apartment, it’s always best to get your home surveyed to get an accurate price.

5. Hands-on or hands-off

How much or how little involvement you have in the physical move is up to you. Many people choose to pack only their valuables and leave the rest up to the moving team, who can dismantle furniture, put your freezer goodies in an icebox, and even pack your socks.

6. Specialist services 

From a trusted pair of hands to reconnect your washing machine to an on-call handyman to sort out pesky light fittings, or short-term accommodation providers for a mid-move stay, opting for added extras can make all the difference.

7. Tracking

Are you relocating from overseas? It’s always good to move with a company with offices in your destination country, so they are in control throughout the process. Thanks to state-of-the-art IT systems, you can easily track your consignment as it crosses borders.

8. In and out

Professional movers usually work in three to 15-person teams (depending on the scale of the move and package). The general rule of thumb is one crew member for every five cubic metres. A one or two-bedroom apartment can be packed, relocated and unpacked in a single day, and an entire four-bedroom villa can be turned around within 48 hours. Therefore depending on your property, clarify the timeline for the move.

9. End result

Now that you are moved in, you need to get yourself unpacked. Some people enjoy the unpacking process so they can assign a new space for their items in a way that makes sense to them. However, if that isn’t your cup of tea, a door-to-drawer service can take the pressure off and free you up to do the finishing touches.