How do you pack your belongings and choose a moving company?
From box dimensions to checking a carrier's licence, a step-by-step route to a move with no damage and no surprises.
Short answer
First build a room-by-room inventory and count your boxes, put heavy items in small boxes, and label every box with the room name. Then get written quotes from at least three companies after an on-site survey, verify the firm's K1 or N2 transport licence and its tax registration, and never sign a contract without transit insurance that states your declared value of goods.
What you need
Step by step
Build a room-by-room inventory
Film each room on your phone and write furniture, appliances and box counts into a single list. A rough three-bedroom flat runs 55-70 boxes and 25-35 m³ of volume. That list is your only reference both when requesting quotes and when checking for missing items on delivery.
Buy all supplies in one go
Start with 20 percent more boxes than your count and never fewer than four rolls of tape; running out mid-pack wastes the most time. Use 30x30x30 cm boxes for books and tins, 50x35x35 cm for pillows and textiles. A full three-bedroom kit from a packaging shop or online store averages 1,500-3,000 TL.
Pack by weight and label the sides
Keep each box under 15 kg: heavy things in small boxes, light and bulky things in large ones. Stand plates on edge with corrugated paper between them and leave 3-4 cm of padding at the bottom and top. Write the room name, contents and "FRAGILE" on two side faces with a marker, not the top, because stacked boxes hide the top face.
Verify the company's documents
For intercity moves ask for the firm's K1 licence number, or N2 if it only organises the job through subcontractors, and check it on the "Yetki Belgesi Sorgulama" screen at u-net.uab.gov.tr. Then match the trade name using "Vergi Levhası Doğrulama" under "Sorgulamalar" at dijital.gib.gov.tr. Do not hire a crew that gives only a mobile number and issues no invoice.
Get three written quotes after an on-site survey
Work with the firm that comes and measures, not the one that prices over the phone. You can use the "Teklif Al" flow under the "Evden Eve Nakliyat" category on Armut.com, or call companies directly. Insist the quote lists volume in m³, hoist or external lift fees, number of porters, stair charges, packing, and assembly and disassembly as separate lines.
Sign the contract and the transit policy
The contract must state the move date and time window, pickup and delivery addresses, total price and payment method. Declare the real value of your goods and take out a household transit insurance policy, then ask about the deductible rate and what is excluded. Pay the deposit by bank transfer rather than cash and keep the receipt.
Sort permissions and pack a first-day box
Get a time slot approved by the building management at least three days ahead, and if an external furniture lift is needed, ask the district municipality about a pavement or road occupancy permit. Unplug the fridge 6-12 hours early and drain the water. Pack one box marked "OPEN FIRST" with chargers, medication, towels, toilet paper, cleaning cloths and a basic tool set.
Inspect for damage and file a report
Pay the final portion only after everything is unloaded and checked. Count boxes and furniture against your inventory, then plug in the appliances and television to test them. Photograph any scratch, break or missing item, have the supervisor sign a damage report, and notify the insurer inside the policy window, usually 24-48 hours.
Tips
Watch out
The most common and most expensive mistake is trusting a verbal phone price and skipping the written contract and insurance. A low quote given without a survey multiplies on moving day under labels like lift, floor, porter or volume differences, and your belongings can be held on the truck. Without a contract, getting compensation for damage is close to impossible.
Frequently asked questions
+Which transport licence should a household mover hold?
A firm hauling commercial goods between cities needs a K1 licence, while a broker that organises the move without doing the haulage itself needs an N2 licence. Verify the number on the licence lookup screen at U-NET.
+Is transit insurance mandatory, and what does it cost?
It is not a legal requirement but it is the only real protection. The premium usually runs between 0.2 percent and 1 percent of the value you declare; always ask about the deductible in the policy.
+How many boxes do I need, and how do I prepare the fridge?
A good starting point is 20-30 boxes for a studio, 35-50 for a two-bedroom and 55-70 for a three-bedroom. Unplug the fridge 6-12 hours before the move, drain the meltwater and tape the door shut.
+When and how should I pay?
Send the deposit by bank transfer and pay the balance after everything is unloaded and inspected. Ask for an invoice or receipt for each payment; cash in hand leaves you defenceless in a dispute.
+Can I wrap breakables in newspaper?
Printed newspaper ink can mark porcelain and white appliances. Use unprinted newsprint or corrugated paper, then finish the outer layer with bubble wrap.
Sources and verification
Last verified: 13 Eylül 2026. tell us. Prices, licence types (K1, N2) and the verification portals cited are specific to Türkiye; check the equivalent regulator and cost levels for other countries.
This content is for information only; for official procedures the relevant institution’s current announcements take precedence. Details: disclaimer.