Climate change

On May 1st this year I started using a formula I have developed to calculate the carbon footprint of each of our customer's moves. I then started to include in my quoted price the cost to have this carbon footprint offset through an organisation called The Carbon Neutral Company.

The cost is not great - £8 per tonne of co2. There's been a lot of bad publicity about the offsetting industry, because after some investigation it seems that some of the offsetting schemes don't meet up to the claims being made.

I'm confident that the Carbon Neutral Company is employing best practice. They offset the co2 I report to them by contributing to a scheme to replant the Caledonian forests, and then they send out a certificate to confirm this has been done.

After carrying out some research I realised that the transport industry is one of the major contributors to co2 and other greenhouse gas levels. We have, therefore, a responsibility to make an effort to identify ways that we can reduce the co2 our trucks produce. Meeting E.U. standards is one of ways, and so is offsetting.

Some critics argue that carbon offsetting is just a marketing gimmick, others point out to the claims that offsetting is dodgy science. For me, well I'm reminded of something Mahatma Ghandi said:

"Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it"

Capital Worldwide Limited
Web site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430

Etat de lieux

In the 19 years I've been living and working in Brussels with the expatriate community, one issue has dominated the relocation procedure - the etat de lieux. The problem starts when you move to Brussels, because if no one has told you what to expect then how can you know what is the best procedure to follow. Most landlords and their agents will kindly suggest that you share the cost of the Expert-Géometres, and on face value it looks to be a good offer. What you are not told is: 1. The Expert's fees before you agree so that you know what your share will be. 2. That you are entitled to have your own Expert present. 3. That the Expert chosen by the landlord might be the same Expert who handles all the landlord's properties and who might be forgiven for having the landlord's best interest before yours.

Many customer's that I've moved have not been aware of their rights to appoint their own Expert, and some have paid sums equal to the Expert's full fees and not just 50% as was agreed. But most of all, people are frightened about the inspection because they have heard that landlords are looking to keep some of the deposit. When you have your own Expert the first thing you gain is peace of mind. Your Expert will represent you on the day of the inspection and will have to negotiate any costs for repairs etc. with the landlord's Expert, thus avoiding a worrying face to face stand off with the landlord also gain because there's no way the landlord can rip you off with outrageous charges.

The Union Belge des Géometres-Experts is the official organisation representing the profession. Their web page allows you to enter the commune in which you live and then provides a list of local Experts. Remember that your Expert should be fluent in the language the etat de lieux was written in. If you are leaving Belgium, you must have notified the landlord, by registered mail, of your intention to appoint your own Expert no later than 15 working days before the rental contract expires.



Capital Worldwide Limited
Web site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430

Belgium's British Removal Company

Road-Trains (see picture) are ideal for moving large volumes around Europe. This one has a capacity of 96 cubic metres.

However, there's another reason these combination vehicles are ideal for European moves: the front end can detach from the trailer thereby permitting access to narrow streets and getting around traffic intensive cities.

The Road-Train in the picture can also demount the body on the trailer and fit another one on, which is ideal for storing consignments over the weekend without having to manhandle everything off the vehicle.

Finally, storage containers can be loaded direct onto the vehicle by opening the doors on the side of the body.

Capital Worldwide Limited
Web site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430

Moving from Belgium to UK

If you are planning to move to Belgium and would like advice from established expatriates on life in Brussels, I strongly recommend you visit the questions and answers page at xpats.com. Here you can post questions about all sorts of issues, and read the questions and answers of others in the same situation. Issues such as the best communes to live in, to how the police handle traffic disputes - it's all there.

Of course, if you are moving to Belgium don't forget to ask Capital for a quote. We can pack and collect your personal effects from wherever they are in the UK. Small loads can be grouped with other loads to help reduce the cost.


Capital Worldwide Limited
Web site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430

Moving Belgium to UK

No changes to the vehicle schedules, but here's some advice if you are planning to move to or from Belgium. In the 19 years I've been living and working in Brussels with the expatriate community, one issue has dominated the relocation procedure - the etat de lieux.

The problem starts when you move to Brussels, because if no one has told you what to expect then how can you know what is the best procedure to follow. Most landlords and their agents will kindly suggest that you share the cost of the Expert-Géometres, and on face value it looks to be a good offer. What you are not told is:1. The Expert's fees before you agree so that you know what your share will be. 2. That you are entitled to have your own Expert present. 3. That the Expert chosen by the landlord might be the same Expert who handles all the landlord's properties and who might be forgiven for having the landlord's best interest before yours.

Many customer's that I've moved have not been aware of their rights to appoint their own Expert, and some have paid sums equal to the Expert's full fees and not just 50% as was agreed. But most of all, people are frightened about the inspection because they have heard that landlords are looking to keep some of the deposit. When you have your own Expert the first thing you gain is peace of mind. Your Expert will represent you on the day of the inspection and will have to negotiate any costs for repairs etc. with the landlord's Expert, thus avoiding a worrying face to face stand off with the landlord also gain because there's no way the landlord can rip you off with outrageous charges. The Union Belge des Géometres-Experts is the official organisation representing the profession. Their web page allows you to enter the commune in which you live and then provides a list of local Experts. Remember that your Expert should be fluent in the language the etat de lieux was written in. If you are leaving Belgium, you must have notified the landlord, by registered mail, of your intention to appoint your own Expert no later than 15 working days before the rental contract expires.


Capital Worldwide Limited
Web site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430

Moving from Belgium to England

I very often meet clients who have a story to tell about when they first moved to Brussels, and the most common issue is the removal firm failed to take into account the need for an outside lift or a reserved parking space. Result, damage caused to the stairs or walls by trying to fit furniture into spaces not designed for that purpose or frantic calls to a lift company, or a truck that can't park anywhere near the building.

When flat hunting, unless someone specifically points out to you that your mover will have to supply a lift, how would you know about such things? After all, in the UK outside lifts are deemed by the Health & Safety Executive to be too dangerous, so most British people will have never seen one before. But that's where your mover comes in.

Most removal firms are professional in what they do, the problem is that all movers claim to do European work and most fail to take in account the access at the destination address. Most apartment buildings in Brussels do NOT permit furniture to be moved up or down the stairs. Older buildings have narrow stairs making it physically impossible to move furniture. However, most apartments have large windows that open into the apartment, and if there's a balcony the job of positioning a lift is made that much easier.

Parking the removal van and lift truck can be made easier by reserving space with the police. Your mover can and should arrange this for you, and if he doesn't know a firm in Brussels give him Capital's details and we'll do it. Check your quote to ensure the mover has allowed for a lift and/or parking permit, unless you are moving into the suburbs where generally these issue are not a problem.

Capital Worldwide Limited
Web site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430

Moving from Belgium to England

There are some important things to remember when packing your own personal effects:

1. Packing yourself saves money and it also gives you a chance to have a good clear out of unwanted things.

2. When finding boxes try to avoid banana looking type boxes or thin boxes. Sturdy, modular boxes will reduce the risk of your effects getting damaged. So either try and find someone who has just moved in to Belgium and has loads of movers boxes to get rid of, or buy them from SHURGARD. or free phone 0800-91 100. If you book your move with Capital Worldwide you will receive a 15% discount on packing materials you buy from the Jezus-Eik (Overijse) branch.

3. You may not know this this, but most Belgian movers offer NO insurance cover on owner packed boxes. This means that if anything gets lost or damaged you have no protection. Moving with Capital means that we, the mover, are liable for any boxes that fail to be delivered or if the any box is totally damaged. Our liability is based on a list that we ask you to complete.

Capital Worldwide LimitedWeb site: http://www.capital-worldwide.com
Email: moving@capital-worldwide.com
Phone: 02 535 7430