Moving house is an exciting time for most, but it’s also a stressful one. There are multiple factors to consider, including surveys, lawyer fees, estate agent fees, worrying about deals falling through. And all this is before you’ve even got to the actual job of moving. Anyone who’s ever tried to move house without additional help will tell you that it’s hard, physical work, even if you don’t feel you own that much stuff. A good removal firm will take a great deal of stress out of the big day, and can even reduce your input to virtually zilch. But it’s all down to how much you’re prepared to do and pay.
Choosing a good firm
Word of mouth might be the most reliable way of determining who the best removal companies are. You’ll want to pick people who are reliable, flexible (as you never know what delays may occur), and comfortable at moving heavy and expensive items. Firms that are members of the British Association of Removers are generally a good bet, as they have to work to a high standard. However, some opt for a simpler ‘man with a van’ service. This can be more flexible, cheaper and best suited to smaller moves that don’t require shifting every piece of furniture.
Whoever you choose, it’s important to read through the main terms and conditions as you don’t want unexpected costs arising, and make sure they have insurance for any damage that might occur.
Questions
Don’t be put off by a company that asks you lots of questions. This is actually a good sign, as it means they are taking the job seriously by ensuring they have the resources and time available to do it properly and efficiently. You should feel free to pepper them with questions too.
Pre-move survey
Some companies will send a move consultant to your home to assess how much stuff there is to move, how heavy and bulky the biggest items are, and which objects are the most fragile. It also gives you a chance to ask questions, check any doubts you might have about particular things you need moving, and determine whether the firm seems like one you’d be comfortable moving your most precious belongings.
Cost and payment
You might find extracting estimated costs a frustratingly slow process, but it’s quite normal because so many factors will determine how much you pay. These include the number and size of items you want moving, how far they’ll need to travel, how easy it is to access each property and whether you’ll want additional services, such as packing, dismantling and reassembling.
Packing
Most removal companies offer this, though there’ll be an extra cost involved, and it’ll probably require them visiting your house beforehand. You might decide to do the packing yourself, though if there are expensive and fragile items involved, you may prefer to leave it to the professionals.
On the day
Even if everything is being done for you, you’ll need to be present to give any instructions to the removal company. You’ll also have to conduct a final check that everything’s been taken, and sign at the end to say you’re happy with the work done.
Nothing can remove all of the stress from moving house, but a good removal firm will ease your burden significantly. They might make you feel far more in the mood for cracking open a bottle of something bubbly to toast your new home.