How to Choose the Right Moving Company?
Simply having a large ad or a website doesn’t make a company trustworthy or legitimate. That’s why you need to know what you should consider when looking for a moving company. After all, you are entrusting your precious possessions to people you’re not familiar with. You have to do your homework so that you can hire the right moving company that matches your needs and budget. Here’s how.
Read Reviews
Read reviews on Yelp and other trusted websites or ask your colleagues and friends for recommendations. Reviews offer a trustworthy, impartial look at the service of a moving company. If you have pool tables, gym equipment, pianos and other specialty items, make sure that the company has specialists who are knowledgeable in handling such items. Companies will usually include this info on their website, but you can also read reviews to check if they offer such services.
Get Quotes
Choose three moving companies and then ask for in-person quotes. If they refuse to give an on-site quote, don’t hire them. Compare their quotes and find out what is included in the cost. Will the movers pack your stuff or do you need to do it yourself? Will they offer moving supplies such as boxes, tape and blankets? If they do, how much will they charge for it? By asking the right questions, you can avoid unexpected fees on moving day.
Look Out for Red Flags
Always look out for red flags when choosing a moving company. Most reputable companies will not ask for a deposit before the move date. If the company is too eager to get the payment immediately, it’s possible that it’s not a legit business.
You should also note how unprofessional or professional the company seems. If they can’t answer questions or show up late, you should move on and find another company.
A professional moving company will also have its own van or moving equipment. So beware of those companies that show up in rented moving vans.
Insured and Licensed
Make sure that the company is insured and licensed. In case something happens during transit, you will be compensated for any damage to your items. You should also ask if they have any professional accreditation.
Confirm the Address
Visit the company’s website or get their business card and then search the address they have provided online. The address of the company should be registered and listed under their company name. Beware of companies listed under residential names because it suggests that they are either a new organization or someone you shouldn’t trust.
Start Early
Look for a moving company as soon as possible. That way, you will have a lot of time to ask for quotes. Don’t forget to get a written estimate of their bids. If all aspects of the move you have discussed are recognised in the proposal, it means the company has paid careful attention to your moving requirements. If they charge extra fees for certain services like moving furniture, it’s possible that they are confident in their capability to do so.
See our previous post here: How much do house removals cost?
How Much Do House Removals Cost?
The removal cost can vary depending on various factors such as the moving season, the distance between the new and old location and the volume of stuff you want to move.
Removal companies will also consider the stuff that requires special protection and care. Additional services like packing and handling of fragile and large items will also affect the removal cost.
Removal companies can place your furniture and boxes into the areas you request, but you have to pay an additional fee for this service. You will also pay extra if they need to use removing windows or other equipment to successfully move stuff that doesn’t fit through the door.
That’s why you should check the services that are included in their quote so that you can make the most of your removal company.
Factors That Affect the Removal Cost
Removal companies provide different unpacking and packing services at an extra cost to fit the needs of each customer. They can pack your stuff for you, but this service will come with an extra fee. You can also pack your items on your own and then buy packing materials from the company.
If you have electronic goods or fragile antique items, you should tell the company about it. These items are safer to move in wooden crates, but you will have to pay extra for this service. Here are other factors that can affect the cost of removal.
Access
Removal companies should be able to access the front door of your old and new home with their vehicle. Toll roads and ferries could result in extra removal costs. The cost of getting a parking permit is usually not included in the quote. So, if there are parking restrictions in your old and new home, you should discuss it with the company before the move date.
Third-party service
Third-party services such as disconnecting the dishwasher, removing carpets and curtain rails and disconnecting the washing machine could also result in extra removal costs.
Cancellation policies and late key charges
The company will charge you a late fee if you didn’t arrive on time to pick up your keys. So, for your peace of mind, ask the company if they offer late key waivers. If they offer this kind of waiver and you were late, they will wait up to three hours in your new home without charging extra fees.
Don’t forget to double-check the cancellation policies of the company. That way, you won’t be charged with extra fees if you cancelled your move date.
See our previous blog post here: Moving advice from a trusted removals company
What size van do I need?
Please use a ‘Volume Calculator’ and determine the space you need. Typically, a Transit size van is approximately 350 cubic feet. Our vans are 6.5 tonne gross (3.2 tonne payload) with a volume of 750 cubic feet max.
What does part load mean?
If you don’t have sufficient items for a full van and can ‘fit in’ with another small load to the same general area, you can benefit by sharing the cost.
How do I pack?
If you mean pack the van, do not worry as the driver will provide all the expertise to make best use of the space. To pack smaller items, use good strong cardboard boxes. They will need to be stacked and flimsy boxes will collapse. Wrap breakables well, especially mirrors and glass goods. There are ample blankets supplied for the protection of furniture in transit. Crockery and glassware need plenty of padding as van suspension is firmer than a private car and loosely packed items will rattle.
Can I specify collection and delivery dates?
Yes. As a small independent removals company, we hope to compete with the huge removers so we try and provide a service that they cannot always manage. Wherever possible, for dedicated loads, we can collect and deliver on the day and time of your choosing. An element of flexibility is inevitably required for part loads.
What is a Volume Calculator?
It is to help both you and us determine how much space you require. The list of normal household items has a built-in average volume and, if you insert a quantity in the appropriate space, automatically totals the goods and provides both cubic footage and cubic meterage at the top of the page. It is intended as a guide only, though, so we would advise always to use caution when booking a particular size of vehicle. Even if we find we cannot help you on this occasion, the information will be needed by your eventual carrier.
Are there weight limitations?
Yes in some circumstances. An over-weight vehicle can be a huge problem if it is stopped in a traffic check. A typical household move can easily exceed the legal carrying capacity of a 3.5 tonne van, as used by many small carriers (payload approx. 1.25 tonne). Our 6.5 tonne van will legally carry over 3 tonnes so you need have no fear that traffic authorities could impede delivery due to being over-weight. (A driver can actually be compelled to unload sufficient goods to bring the payload down to legal limits, at the kerbside if necessary)
See our previous post: Finding A Reliable Removals Company