How do you choose a moving company?

When people move their house, it’s well-known to be one of the most stressful things you can do. With all the furniture and belongings you need to sort through and pack up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and need help knowing where to begin.

Many people try to save money by hiring a van, but this can backfire. Things might get lost or broken, and you could make many trips back and forth, which adds to the cost.

This is where a good removal company comes in. They can take care of everything and make your move much less stressful.

• Do your research online
• Check online review
• Book early to avoid disappointment
• Get quotes from a few companie
• Check for a trade body membership
• Understand the insurance
• Find out what happens if there’s a delay
• Extra services
• Storage
• The right size van

Don’t use price comparison sites as they might not guarantee your booking date. It’s better to contact removal companies directly.

Look for local companies. They’ll be familiar with your area’s traffic, parking, and access, which means they can bring the right size van for your move.

Before contacting them, make a shortlist. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do they offer all necessary services (packing, unpacking, etc.)?
• Are they a national company or a local one that covers your area?
• What do other people say about them in online reviews?

Don’t trust reviews you find on the removal company’s website because they might only show the good ones. Look for reviews on independent websites, like Trustpilot and Google My Business.

No company is perfect, so if one claims to have all positive reviews, it’s probably a fake. Getting recommendations from friends and family is also a good idea. If someone had a great experience with a company that arrived on time and did a good job, that’s a good starting point for your search!

Moving takes planning! If you leave it too late, especially in summer when everyone’s moving, no removal companies are available on your chosen date. Contact them well in advance to secure your spot.

You can also save money by choosing a less busy time to move, like a weekday or outside of peak hours.

Don’t just go with the first price you hear. Get written quotes from a couple of different removal companies. This way, you can compare prices and services offered.

Make sure the quote includes everything you need, like packing and unpacking if you want it. Be sure to give the companies as much detail as possible about your move so they can give you an accurate quote.

Remember, the cheapest option is only sometimes the best. If the quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Check what’s included in the price to avoid nasty surprises on a moving day.

Look for removal companies that are members of a reputable trade association. The British Association of Removers (BAR) is a good choice in the UK.

Companies registered with the BAR must meet certain quality and safety standards. They also have to guarantee your booking and offer a way to settle disputes if things go wrong.

Removal companies usually offer basic insurance for your belongings while they move them. This might only cover them up to a certain amount of money. Check what’s covered and when the cover applies.

It’s also worth checking your home insurance policy to see if your belongings are covered during a move. This could save you some money.

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, like not getting access to your new home on the moving day. Ask the removal company what their policy is for delays. Can they store your belongings or help you find another company to take over?

Read also: How To Store Clothes For Long Term?

Think about any other services you might need the removal company to do, like packing or unpacking your belongings in your new home. These services usually cost extra, but you can sometimes use them to negotiate a better overall price for the move.

Here are some examples of extra services removal companies might offer:

• Packing and unpacking your boxes in your new home
• Helping you put together or take apart furniture
• Special boxes or wrapping for fragile items

Check also: How to Declutter Your House in One Day?

Moving can sometimes take longer than expected. If you need somewhere to keep your belongings for a while, ask the removal company if they offer storage. Many companies have storage units and might even give you a discount if you use them for your house removal. This can be handy if you’re moving into your new place at a different time than your belongings are ready or if you’re moving overseas.

Removal companies might have different-sized vans depending on their size and location.

Ask them what size van they’ll use for your move, especially if you’re moving somewhere that’s tricky to get to or if you think there might be limited parking at your old place.