Not all movers are created equal. We learned this the hard way through 4 different moves across continents. If you don’t know what relocation companies can do for you to help you move with ease, your expectation can be very low & you can be paying a lot for super basic or even below standard services.

I know this from talking to so many expats/diplomats & their spouses. But I want to share with you that by hiring high quality movers who are highly skilled professionals, they can DO SO MUCH TO MAKE YOUR MOVE & LIFE EASIER!

I was really impressed by CROWN RELOCATIONS‘ wide range of PRE-MOVE CUSTOMER SUPPORT! See what they can do for you below!

1. SURVEY & QUOTE

One of the first things we do, when we get our AO or Assignment Order to move to another country/post, is to get in touch with different movers to ask for quote.

Usually they will come to our home to do a survey of what we are bringing so they can tell us their estimate in cubic meters & give a realistic quote.

We approached A LOT OF MOVERS, from well-known to obscure, but most of them were very slow to respond or did not even bother responding. Some gave a quote without even coming to do a site visit.

The fastest one to respond was #crownrelocationsph! The next day Robin, our Residential Sales Consultant, was here & we walked through the whole condo to show what we were hoping to bring with us to Switzerland.

Soon after they told us

HOW MANY CUBIC METERS our stuff were
What items WE COULD LEAVE to lower the cubic meters of our stuff & fit our budget
How much a 20ft container would cost
What items would require special handling/packaging

Robin & the entire CROWN RELOCATIONS team were so responsive from day 1, even before we decided on getting them!

Their promptness & responsiveness let us know that, if we decide to get them, they would be very professional & easy to work with. Many of the smaller/unknown companies that we got in touch with DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO COME & SURVEY our place before sending us a quote. This was already a RED FLAG for us.

Their price was also reasonable to compared to some companies that we’ve NEVER HEARD OF before. I think that because of PANDEMIC PORT CONGESTION the prices of smaller companies have to be higher so that they can fulfill the move & get the items on a shipping container.

2. DEDICATED MOVE MANAGERS

Move managers are the heroes of every relocation. CROWN RELOCATIONS has a team of people who are themselves living abroad and their expertise can help at every stage.

Each relocation is coordinated by a dedicated CROWN RELOCATIONS “move manager” who advises, supports and updates each customer at every step – from PRE-MOVE PLANNING through SETTLING IN the new home.

I interviewed my BFF Tala Ocampo who herself was a thriving #TrailingSpouse & used CROWN RELOCATIONS when she moved:

From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Then again from KL to Manila Philippines

They had such a fabulous experience with her Ula, their Move Manager who handled their LOOK-SEE in KL (prior to their move from SG) who was herself an Polish expat married to a Malaysian. Tala felt like Ula’s unique expat perspective was super helpful because she gave very detailed recommendations/tips on the different areas, including viewing 10 potential homes, 3 schools & a pre-school. It was so comprehensive that they were able to decide on their home & schools within the LOOK-SEE weekend. Read more about this in #4 below!

It’s super convenient when someone does all the leg-work for you, instead of doing it DIY when you have to do all the research, then coordinate with all the different brokers, agents, school administrators, government agencies (for pet relocation) & airlines (for your UAB).

3. PRE-MOVE PLANNING

When professionals handle your pre-move planning, the stressful act of moving can be so much easier & more zen!

For example for our SEA SHIPPING logistics, CROWN RELOCATIONS took note of ITEMS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE & gave us the following recommendations:

They recommended crating for our Jinggoy Buensuceso Origami
But not for our artwork because none of them were framed in glass
If you don’t have your original TV box, they can also crate them
None of our fragile items got damaged during transport, which to me is a first. Usually there is always something that breaks.

They were also thorough in taking note of INSTRUCTIONS to inform the packing team for moving day. For example CROWN RELOCATIONS checked & coordinated with our building on which elevator they can use, the path for unloading the boxes & where their truck can load boxes.

Because the road for loading our boxes was small they brought a smaller truck – instead of a container truck – to pick up our boxes, then loaded the boxes to the container in their own facility. I would never have thought of this myself!

For those who avail of CROWN RELOCATIONS‘ other services, like numbers 4-6 below, it sure helps to have thorough & experienced MOVE MANAGERS to know all the requirements, plan out everything for you & all you need to do is show up, decide on things & fill up forms that are needed.

4. HOME & SCHOOL SEARCH

Finding the right home is a critical to the SUCCESS OF ANY RELOCATION. With CROWN’s home search service options, they will impartially explain the options available in the location you desire.

While changing schools can have a big impact on our children’s development. CROWN RELOCATIONS gives local advice on schooling for every age – including day care and pre-schools for very young children.

Sadly this service is not something that is included in our package with the DFA, but many expats enjoy this service. I interviewed my BFF Tala on her experience with CROWN RELOCATIONS.

To do this DIY in a foreign country can be very daunting – I know because it’s something that stresses us out with every move. My BFF Tala, used CROWN RELOCATIONS for their HOME & SCHOOL SEARCH in Kuala Lumpur. I interviewed her on her & just by the sound of her voice I could tell she was super happy & impressed with the experience!

They flew to KL for a weekend with their 3 kids to do a LOOK SEE with Ula their MOVING MANAGER. Ula arranged for 10 home visits & 4 school visits all within the 3 days they were in KL. She coordinated with all the brokers, agents & administrators prior to the trip.

Then conveniently took them to all the appointments all the while telling them about each area, giving tips on where to shop, where to look for Filipino products, and so much more information that only another expat would know to look out for.

The service was so comprehensive that she & her husband were able to decide on both the home & schools for their children during the LOOK SEE weekend! Imagine that! How fast & convenient!

5. IMMIGRATION SERVICES

For those who are moving on their own, not with a company or embassy/diplomatic mission, the process of immigrating can be a confusing black hole.

Each destination is complicated & there is so much knowledge that can only be gained by personal experience immigrating to each location. It can be done DIY, but you can waste a lot of time wading through online information that may no longer be accurate with things changing so rapidly during this time of COVID.

So if you want to simplify the process & make it faster, consult with professionals who have helped thousands of people do the same! CROWN RELOCATIONS offers personalised advice from their network of immigration specialists wherever you want to immigrate in the world – whether it’s individually or with a family.

6. INTERCULTURAL & LANGUAGE TRAINING

There’s a big difference between going to work in another country and making your life work there. Having INTERCULTURAL TRAINING helps families settle into their new location smoothly. I can’t highlight enough the importance & confidence that comes from learning how to communicate & integrate into the local culture.

One-to-one coaching tailored to individual needs i.e. initial cultural readiness check, identifying the requirements for your job & an action plan to be sure you are ready for the cultural change in your new environment
Speaking the LOCAL LANGUAGE makes a world of difference in whether you love or hate your new posting. For us this is not included in our package, but it’s a must especially for families & kids who will be going to school that’s in the local language. For the person who is working, it also improves their effectiveness in their new position. Everyone’s social possibilities improve when they are fluent in the local language.

CROWN RELOCATIONS offers a range of language courses, both in groups and one-to-one, specifically tailored to the ability and needs of you and your family. They can teach

speaking
listening
reading
writing skills
including technical terminology if needed.

It ensures a positive expat experience. CROWN RELOCATIONS‘ Intercultural Services also covers REPATRIATION — often more challenging — which helps families who decide to permanently return to their original location.

I wish we had these services for our own ministry because I know how important knowing the language & cultural nuances of each post! l can’t tell you how many negative/embarassing experience that could have been avoided, had we had a comprehensive intercultural & language training – for the expat & the entire family – before heading to a post.

7. PARTNERS SUPPORT PROGRAM

If you are moving internationally for work you’ll want to make sure your partner or trailing spouse gets the support to settle in. CROWN RELOCATIONS Consultants help partners navigate the complexities of maintaining current professional skills and building new ones

Where partner employment is not an option under the terms of your visa or the diplomatic bilateral agreement, Consultants will guide them toward new personal goals. Customised programs can include:

Guidance on the creation of personal and professional networks.
Access to employment networks.
Coaching on resume writing and interview performance within the host country culture and norms.
Support on non-employment based opportunities such as; starting a business, higher education, volunteering and maintaining personal interests.

Wouldn’t it be great to understanding the challenges that may be ahead for your partner? They can have a session with CROWN RELOCATIONS to help uncover the possibilities and challenges ahead that covers:

A preliminary investigation into their field of interest
An assessment of their career needs and expectations as compared to the local job market
Discussion of your partner’s ability to work in the host location
An overview of the local employment market

If you are moving with a company, I highly recommend you negotiate for this to part of your package!

7. PET MOVING SERVICES

CROWN RELOCATIONS has International and Domestic Pet Relocation services that make moving PETS simpler for you and your pet.

Whenever people ask me about moving pets, I always ask first where are you MOVING FROM & TO? Because each requirement is unique based on

The requirements of the country you are moving to
The local facilities that can help you complete said requirements

It can be very complicated especially in countries which do not speak your language or have complicated politics, where you need to have some connections with the different departments that handle pet moves.

DiploDog with us in Turkish Airlines cabin

TD has usually done it DIY because he has done it many times, but if you have no time or are not familiar with the complicated process, heres what to consider:

Having EXPERT PET MOVERS can reduce the stress drastically for us PET PARENTS. If you have to leave your pet first while looking for a new home, then PET MOVERS can look for the best PET HOTEL, update you on the WELL-BEING of your pet & ensure that your PET SAFELY GETS ON IT’S FLIGHT, with all the necessary things to keep your pet safe to survive the journey.

If you cannot go with your pet, I think they can even have staff fly with them! That’s above & beyond right?!?

With an international elite network of International Pet and Animal Association (IPATA) pet transfer specialists, CROWN RELOCATIONS help guide pet parents through all registrations, special travel requirements and medical regulations. The tasks of international pet relocation can seem pretty confusing. Whether you need ground or flight transportation for your furry (or not so furry friend), we will make sure they arrive at your destination safe and sound, anywhere in the world.
– CROWN RELOCATIONS PET MOVING SERVICES