Unless you’re leaving a small property, the chances are it’s worth your while hiring a removal company to help you shift your stuff to your new home. But how do you go about choosing one of these firms? They might be handling many of your most valuable and treasured possessions, so you want to know you can trust them. At the same time, if you’re running on a tight budget, you can’t afford to spend a fortune on this service.
To help you make the right decision, here are five essential tips you should know before you hire a removal team.
- Get a few quotes
If you’re in a rush or you simply think you’ve found a good deal, you might be tempted to go for the first quote you get. This could be a mistake though. You may unwittingly end up paying over the odds if you don’t take the time to search the market. It’s always worth getting at least three quotes. This will give you a clearer idea of what represents good value for money.
Bear in mind that it’s best to get quotes from businesses that will visit your property, rather than ones that simply estimate the cost based on information you provide over the phone. If you’re moving to a different part of the country, it’s useful to contact firms there to see if they’re any cheaper than the companies in your current area.
Make sure that any quotes are provided in writing, whether this is by hand or via email.
- Check that they’re licensed
Once you’ve narrowed your options down based on price, it’s time to dig into the detail of the companies you’re considering. One of the first things you should check is whether they’re properly licensed. All interstate moving companies should be licensed by the US Department of Transportation, while local movers are regulated by the relevant state and should hold a state license. Make sure you see evidence of the appropriate licensing before you agree to sign anything.
- Pay attention to their insurance
You should also ask for evidence that removal companies have all of the necessary insurance. Of course, you expect these specialists to take the utmost care with your belongings, but accidents do sometimes happen and if your possessions are damaged in transit, it’s essential that you’re able to recover your money.
If you’re moving any high-value items, check if they’ll be covered too. Sometimes insurance policies set a per-item limit.
- Read reviews
Rather than taking a removal company’s word for how good they are, it’s wise to check reviews and ratings left by customers online. This should give you an honest assessment of the standard of their services.
You might also want to go by recommendations provided by friends, colleagues, relatives or neighbors. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to find good removal specialists.
- Ask them plenty of questions
To avoid any unwelcome surprises further down the line, make sure you ask the company plenty of questions before you agree to use them.
For example,
- how long will the moving process take?
- Will third parties be used at any point?
- Is there a cancellation policy?
- Are there any restrictions on what can be transported?
- How will you be able to contact the company during the move itself?
- Will there be any charges in addition to those set out in the quote?
- What forms of payment will the firm accept?
Finding the right removal company could be key to a successful move and it could save you a whole lot of hassle and stress, so it’s well worth paying attention to these tips.
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