It’s often said that moving home is one of the most stressful events people will go through in their life. Of course a lot of this comes down to the hoops and horse trading of the housing market, but with a bit of planning and a good removal company the big day itself really needn’t be. Having a moving home checklist is just one way to avoid those ‘last minute’ stresses. Perhaps number one on this list has got to be finding and securing a good removal company.
In this short guide we’re going to look at five essential tips for finding and booking a good removal company.
- Plan Ahead
An all too common pitfall of booking a removal company is leaving it all to the last minute. This could mean many of the best companies are booked up on the day you want to move, limiting your choice. It also means you don’t have the time to ring around and compare quotes and get a general feel for the company you like the best. Moving your worldly possessions from one place to another isn’t something you do every day so it pays to give yourself plenty of time so you can ring around a few companies, meet them and make an informed decision.
- Insurance
Removal companies should provide dedicated moving insurance meaning you are covered for any breakages that might occur during the move. You should always check the level of cover that is offered though. Since you’ll be changing the address with your home insurance provider, it’s also a good idea to ask them what they cover in case of any superficial or structural damage to the property.
- Recommendations and Reviews
If you’ve given yourself plenty of time then you have the opportunity to do a bit of research on removal companies. This could involve asking friends or family that may have moved in the last few years for a recommendation. Another excellent way of ascertaining the quality of a removal company is to look for online reviews and testimonials, both on their own website and any other relevant platforms like Google My Business and Yell.com. You should also spend a bit of time on their website looking at their ‘about us’ page to get an idea of how long they’ve been trading.
- Asking Questions
You should never be afraid to ask a removal company as many questions as you need to get an idea of whether they’re right for you. It is probably worth writing these down so you can put them to every removal company you approach and compare responses. Savvy questions involve confirming the price given is inclusive of insurance cover and what the thresholds are for loss (this should be at least £10,000 for individual items and £50,000 total loss). Many companies tend to get booked up on weekends and also charge more for Saturday or Sunday removals, so make sure you ask about this as well. The more questions you ask, the more of a feel you’ll get for the company. If you can, try to get someone from the company to come round and see your home so they can get an idea of the size of the job. This will also go a long way in helping you form an opinion of how professional they come across.
- Packing and Boxes
Packing may be one of the last things on your moving home list, but it’s also one of the most time consuming and arduous. Many removal companies offer a packing service which can take the stress out of this. If this isn’t something you’re interested in then it really is important to make sure your removal company can supply you with plenty of flat packed boxes you can use. You’ll be amazed at how many you’ll need and getting them delivered to your door the week before you move is one less thing to worry about. Most removal companies will also come round a couple of weeks after you’ve moved to pick them up as well.
About the Author: Josh Smith is the co-founder and creative director at On The Dot Removals, an environmentally friendly house removals company based in Bristol, England, which he set up in 2011. Josh is a keen artist and short film maker and loves the great outdoors. You can follow them @OnTheDotBristol on Twitter or connect on Facebook or Google Plus.