Six Tips for Choosing the Right Removal Company

Moving house can be a stressful process, especially when it comes to transporting your most treasured possessions. It can be devastating getting to your new property and realising that something’s been left behind or that an item you loved has been broken in transit. This is why choosing the right Bristol removal company is essential to making sure everything goes smoothly on what is already going to be a very stressful day.

Here are six top tips on what to look out for when choosing the right removal company for your needs.

1.Give yourself Time

Although moving can feel like a whirlwind of excitement, and you may still be making arrangements until the last minute, it’s important to try and prepare your move beforehand. Give yourself plenty of time to find the right company for your needs. Think ahead about what exactly needs to be done on the day, and the priorities you have. Give yourself the time to ring a few companies to discuss your plans and meet with them. Quite often you’ll get a feel for the one you like the most. Remember that until arrangements are made, you’re always entitled to change your mind but you need to give a removal company a decent amount of notice. The last thing you want is to find your options limited because you’re calling companies at the last minute.

2.Ask Questions

This might seem like an obvious point but it really is important to ask prospective removal companies as many questions as you need to. Your peace of mind should be paramount to any removal firm and if they seem reluctant to go into any detail and just want to take your money then that should be a warning signs. Talk to a potential contractor about your priorities and also any concerns you might have. It’s also important you give the removal company all the information they need like the size of the property you’re moving to.

3.Research for Reliability

There are many removal companies with multiple specialities. Don’t get pressured into taking the first deal offered to you. Research is key to the process. As well as talking to friends who’ve moved in the last five years seek out online reviews of companies to establish what their customers think of them. Always go to trusted forums and sites to do this like Google+ and Yell. The aim is not only to find the most highly rated company however but the best company for you. Some smaller companies may have fewer reviews than the big removal firms but that’s to be expected if they are serving far fewer customers. Speak to each removal firm individually and don’t be swung by flashy marketing. The importance of experienced and knowledgeable staff can’t be underestimated when it comes to helping you make your dream move.

4.Costs

Money is always going to be an important part of the equation and your budget may be limited but it’s important not to try and cut corners by opting for the cheapest removal company. That being said you should never take the first offer made to you. By shopping around you might find a company you prefer who can do it for cheaper. Remember that prices can vary depending on when you move; holidays and weekends are higher as standard. Lastly, don’t be tempted only to look at online quotes. Speaking in person to a potential contractor is likely to get you a better deal, and give you a clearer picture of their character before you arrange to meet with them.

5.Check what Level of Insurance is Offered

Insurance is one of the most important parts of your move. A reputable removal company will offer contents insurance that protects your belongings from any potential damage or accidents and it will certainly be expected for this to be part of your quote. Of course you should never assume a removal company has insurance so this should be one of the first things you check. If you have some very expensive items then let the removal company know before hand as you or they might need to take out extra insurance. When phoning removal companies, you should ask about the types of insurance available, and whether the company offer multiple types. If your requirements are a little unusual, you may have to negotiate a price for this. The bottom line is that you should always make sure you’re possessions fully covered for every eventuality before you settle on a removal company.

6.Packing Boxes and Service

Good removal companies should be able to supply you with removal boxes, which they should be able to deliver to you in good time before your moving day. As well as this you might want to look into whether they supply a packing service or not. Many people prefer to do their own packing and this is often a personal choice, but any decent removal firm should offer a packing service if you require it.

Moving home can be one of the most stressful times in your life. Taking the worry out of moving from one set of bricks and mortar to another by engaging the services of a professional and competent removal company is just one less thing you and your loved ones have to worry about.