Moving your things from one place to another can be a nightmare. Fragile things may get broken, small items can get lost. While you may think you have everything under control, the fact is that you lack experience in packing, storing, and transporting things. Hiring professionals is the most logical solution that comes to mind, and here are things to consider when choosing a removalist best suited for the job.
1. Ask for recommendations
It’s always good to start looking for removalists through recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors. This way you can trust their opinion and freely ask as many questions as you need to find out everything about a potential hire. If that is not an option or they can’t recommend anyone, you can visit message boards and read online reviews for companies you found via a search engine.
No matter how you got recommendations, it’s best to have several options. Ask them all for quotes to ensure you get the lowest price for the desired quality of service.
2. Go for local hire
The key to a successful move is choosing a company that knows the area well, especially traffic density and parking availability. For example, hiring furniture removalists from the Sydney neighborhood you live in or are moving to will save you time and money because they know the area. Moreover, it’s more likely you will find reliable recommendations about a local company than one that doesn’t operate in your neighborhood or city.
The same rule applies if you are moving from one city to another, or even across state lines and continents. A local company means easier communication and better transparency when it comes to your valuables, bulkier belongings, and fragile items.
3. Assess your belongings
Approach moving as a project, and start it off by assessing all your belongings. Make a list of your things, dividing it into categories so your removalist company will give you a more accurate quote and practical moving solutions.
If you are doing your packing, it’s useful to label the boxes so the removalists know how to handle them during loading and unloading. It will also give you an insight into what kind of packaging material you need or what to add to the list of tasks for your removalist company.
4. Estimate your budget
Money can be an obstacle to having a successful move, especially if you have to relocate the whole house. See how much you can leave aside for moving, including packing materials and renting a vehicle for transport. Also, consider who will help you carry bulky stuff, like a piano or a couch.
Now, calculate how much it will all cost you, but also ask removalist companies to send their offers. Chances are you will be better off financially by hiring professionals than doing it all by yourself, considering you will probably have to take days off work, too.
5. See if they can handle special requests
Do you have valuables? Expensive or priceless items you want secured and safely transported? If that’s the case, you need to see whether a removalist company has the equipment and expertise to handle such items.
List all the things you want dealt with under special requests, and even ask for proof from potential removalists of such jobs done successfully or to explain the process. In case you have valuables that are part of a private collection you don’t want to be publicized, you can see if the removalist company is willing to sign an NDA.
6. Check their insurance policies
You want a removalist company that comes with insurance policies. Since accidents can happen even with the best professionals, you need to ensure your things are covered with insurance. If removalists don’t offer insurance coverage or they offer an unsatisfactory one, choose another company.
Having insurance in place means you are entitled to appropriate compensation from the company if your things get damaged, destroyed, or lost. While you can’t replace certain items no matter the compensation, at least you will know that the removalists respect your belongings and understand their value.
The bottom line
Although there are more things to consider when choosing a removalist, these 6 are a good starting point to find a perfect company. You need to be prepared as well so the professionals you hire can provide the best possible service. Besides labeling fragile items and listing special handling requests, you can sign NDAs or other confidentiality agreements to protect your privacy. Just remember that you have a choice and it gives you the means to choose the best removalist company available.
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