Moving house is known to be one of the most stressful events you can go through in life. The good news is that there are certain services you can use to make it that little bit easier, including those offered by moving companies. The right removalist company can give you a smooth transition to your new place, but the wrong company can give you nothing but nightmares. To ensure you end up with the former and not the latter, here are five essential tips to help you make an informed choice:
1. Gather All of the Quotes
Start your journey by researching local moving companies based on locale, recommendations from friends and family, online reviews, and online searches. Pick a few you like and get some initial removalist quotes. This will give you a good sense of prices and who you can choose from based on your budget. It’s a great start, but it’s only the beginning of your evaluation.
2. Check Their Legitimacy
A reputable moving company should be registered with the appropriate authorities and possess adequate insurance to protect your things during transit. They should also have trained staff, processes in place to ensure the safety of all involved and a clear awareness of the laws and regulations relating to removals in the local area.
Most importantly, a reputable removalist company should be open about their proof of legitimacy and be happy to show you their certifications. They should also be forthcoming with reviews, testimonials, and other evidence they are a good choice.
3. Consider Their Customer Care
Pay attention to how your questions are handled and how the employees treat your inquiries. A reputable moving company should prioritize excellent customer care, making you feel comfortable with all your questions.
Around 96% of customers will leave a company because of bad customer service. If a removalist company hasn’t learned from statistics like that by now, you should move on.
Exceptional service from start to finish can significantly reduce stress, so it is well worth prioritizing from the get-go.
4. Get a Personalized Quote
Reputable moving companies will usually offer an in-person inspection of your items before they provide a final quote. This step ensures they have a clear understanding of the scope of the job and can accurately estimate the cost. Be cautious of companies that only offer estimates over the phone or online. They can deliver a basic quote with basic information, but they should also tell you they need to come out for an inspection to be able to give you accurate pricing.
5. Remember That Transparency Is Key
Before you employ a moving company, you have the right to receive a written estimate that is signed and dated. Your estimate should include detailed information about the financials involved in the service. You should also receive an Order Of Service which goes into detail about dates, liability, and contact information.
A Bill Of Lading is documentation of the contract terms you are agreeing to. It should come with a Shipment Inventory, which records each item being moved (this can be individual boxes and a rough idea of their contents) and its condition. The moving company should be happy to be transparent about all of the above, as well as any other details and costs. In other words, there should be no nasty surprises.
A trustworthy moving company can be your best friend during this time of upheaval, turning a potentially stressful experience into a smooth transition. With their expertise, you will be all set to start your exciting new adventure with a smile on your face and a lot less worry in your heart.
