Choosing the right removals company will ensure that your move is smooth rather than stressful! But what do you need to consider when doing your research?
Moving home can be a time of unease, with so many things to do before, during, and after the move. To make the process easier, many opt for the assistance of a moving professional. To help you make the right choice, we’ve put together these great tips on what you should consider when choosing a removals company.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Removals Company
There are a variety of things to think about before you decide which company is right for you. These considerations will help to make sure you can be confident that the moving company you choose will be reliable, trustworthy, and able to meet your needs.
1. Recommendations
Nothing beats a recommendation from friends and/or family members who have recently moved. Word of mouth is a great way to get honest opinions of first-hand experiences from people you trust and find a reliable removals company.
2. Customer Review
Much like recommendations from family, customer reviews are a great way of checking to see whether or not previous customers positively endorse the removals company you are considering. Each review will provide you with an insight into the quality, value and reliability of the service you can expect to receive. Often, removal companies will collate their reviews on their website or via a third party such as Trustpilot.
3. Budget
There are always cost implications when choosing a removals company, but if you account for these costs within your overall moving budget, it can help you to avoid the Cowboys. When comparing quotes from removals companies, make sure you are comparing like-for-like services, as a good removals company will tailor their services to ensure that you are getting the right services for the right price.
4. Methods of Contact
Avoid choosing a removals company with only a mobile number as its contact. An established removals company will have various easy-to-use methods to get in touch, as well as give you a dedicated account handler, reassuring you that they have the resources to handle your enquiry professionally. Our free home moving survey is your first point of contact with Bishop’s Move, assessing your moving requirements to plan the services you’ll need.
5. Insurance
The handling and transportation of goods is never completely without risk and unfortunately, the unexpected can happen from time to time. Different removals companies will offer insurance in many guises, with some selling ‘liability only’ insurance instead of full cover for your personal possessions. And with many household insurance policies not covering your contents whilst you are moving home, it is wise to check these details out carefully before selecting your removals company.
6. Specialist Care of Valuable and Fragile Items
When moving home, you will likely have items with particular sentimental value, as well as monetary value, that will require extra care and protection. Check how your removals company will pack and protect these items, as most professional relocation companies will use specialist packing materials and bespoke crating to ensure these items are protected during transit to your new home.
7. Removal Vehicles and Crew Presentation
Whilst this might seem superficial to begin with, the fact that the crew are happy to embrace and wear the removals company brand shows that they are proud of their work. The state of the removal vans is also a big indicator of how successful the removals company is, with a professional company having a fleet of modern, purpose-built vehicles that will ensure the safe transportation of your furniture and personal effects.
8. Accreditations and Affiliations
There are no laws preventing anyone from setting up a removals company, so it is good to check to see whether your preferred option is accredited in any shape or form. As well as ISO accreditation, choosing a house mover that is a member of the British Association of Removers will ensure that you are using a removals company that operates to the highest of standards in the UK. FIDI accreditation is the highest standard for international relocation companies.
9. Additional Services
Well-established removals companies will know that each move is as individual as their customers, some will want cleaners and handymen to dismantle furniture, whilst others will be looking for secure storage or unpacking services. These additional services can also include concierge, decluttering and junk removal. Check to see that your preferred removals company can provide the services you require to make your move easier.
10. Environmental Policies
Choosing a removals company that has green credentials should not cost you any more. Packing boxes and wrapping materials should be environmentally friendly and vehicles should be operating with low emissions. Some companies may also offer a scheme whereby you can offset the carbon footprint of your move.
At Bishop’s Move, we have 170+ years of experience in creating stress-free home removals for our customers. Ready to discuss how we can help? Get in touch and speak to one of our Moving Consultants today.
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