Moving house? You might need a company to help move your belongings. But how do you make sure you have found a good and reputable company? Here are some things to look for.
People who used the company before can say if they liked the service they received, this is always a fantastic way to check whether the company is worth calling. Look online at either Google, Trust Pilot, Which? Trusted Traders or Facebook.
It is always good to look at the quality of the review, are there any specifics, have people taken the time to say exactly what they liked about the services. If a company goes above and beyond for a customer, you can usually tell based on the quality, detail and length of the review a customer leaves. Happy customers want to tell everyone about the service they received and why it was so good.
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. A good company listens. They understand you might feel worried about moving. They are always happy to answer any questions you may have and explain how they can help.
Companies such as Which? Trusted Traders check with customers as to whether the reviews left are in fact from customers, requesting an invoice number and move date information etc from the customer to confirm the review is real. This can be a great way to make sure the reviews are real and true and can therefore be trusted.
Companies offer different levels of service and different types of service, so it is always good to check the company you have called offers what you need. For example:
*Remember if you are doing the packing yourself, ask the removals company whether they sell or provide boxes, as this can save time and energy as they can usually estimate how many boxes you will need for packing at the survey (when they visit your home to check how much needs to be moved).
All good removals companies will complete a full survey of your home to ensure they have everything they need for move day. An online survey is acceptable when an in-person survey can’t be done, however, an in-person survey will always be more accurate and will ensure everything has been considered.
This is especially important when you are moving homes on sale day, as all of your belongings must be out of the property by lunchtime and therefore the company must ensure they have enough vans and team members to make sure this happens on time.
Good companies tell you how much it will cost. There will be no hidden extra charges. They explain all the costs so you can understand.
Sometimes, things can break or be damaged when moving. Insurance means the company can fix or replace broken items. Ask if the company has insurance and find out how much the limit is (e.g. £50,000 per move).
Also always check with the company whether you need to declare the value of your belongings before move day, as this can affect how much your belongings are covered for, if anything should happen. If you do not declare the value of your belongings, and depending on the policy the company has, there may be a limit of £40 on every item.
After the visit, they tell you how much the move will cost and explain how the move will take place.
When moving home and especially when selling or buying a property, the date is very important. However, if you have not yet exchanged contracts on your new home, then the date may change. Companies should not try to pressure you into booking a date, if you are not ready as your date may change and you then may have a cancellation or date change fee to pay. We recommend you decide who you would like to work with and then stay in close communication with the company as you go through the process of selling/buying your home. Only make payment once you have a move date and are ready to book.
The people in the company should be nice, friendly and kind. Moving is stressful enough so they should prioritise helping you feel calm about moving and not add to the stress of move day.
You should be able to call or email them whenever you need to. They should answer quickly. This is especially important when you are selling/purchasing a property as communication around dates is very important.
Letting people into your home and around your belongings can be a worrying event for some people, so a good company will have a core team that they work with, whom they know. You should always ask whether the company outsources work and whether they know all of their team members.
Remember, moving is a big step. Considering these points and finding the right company makes it easier.
Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have, even if you are not planning to move just yet. Be sure to give us a ring at 0117 259 1010.
