There are only a few things more stressful or distressing than moving house and it’s crucial that you have the best possible removalists to help you with the task. Furniture removal is one of those jobs that can be done by anybody with access to a truck, but it takes far more than that to do it well. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice when deciding who to trust with all of your most valued possessions.
1. Take the time to look around
The market is flooded with a range of different removalist companies and it’s important that you give yourself time to properly examine the right candidates. A good place to start is the Australian Furniture Removals Association, which helps regulate the industry by recognising removalists who have the required skills and equipment to adequately carry out the job.
It also helps to ask your friends and family, as everybody has good and bad stories about their removal experiences. Ask if there are any companies they would recommend (or recommend you steer clear of).
2. Get a number of quotes
This is by far the most essential step and you need to keep in mind that the cheapest removalist does not always equate to the best removalist.
When seeking a quote it helps a lot if you speak to an actual person, as an online quote can give the company the chance to hide extra charges or exclude important services. If you speak to somebody you will be able to give them a detailed explanation of your needs and they will give you a far more accurate quote.
Ideally you will want somebody to come to your property for an inspection of your home and the type of goods that will be moved. This will guarantee there are no surprises for the removalists when they carry out the job and none for you when you receive the bill.
There are a range of questions you should ask when seeking the quote, including:
• Is there a charge for the onsite quote and is it obligation-free?
• Are they quoting for the entire removal or do they charge by the hour?
• Does the quote include driving time between the two properties?
• Will the removalist company provide boxes and is there a fee for this?
• What happens if any of your property is damaged during the move?
3. Make sure you have insurance for the move
When moving home you will almost certainly be speaking to your insurance company, if only to change the details of your policy so your new address is covered. While talking to them ask if your goods are covered while they are in transit from one location to the other. If not it would be a good idea to consider taking out removal insurance, as it would be a disaster to lose everything you own in a truck accident en route.
Be careful when taking out removal insurance and make sure there are no exclusions that could stop you from making a claim, such as packing your own boxes. If you do pack your belongings yourself, you should have a look at some tips for removal packing.
Those are our tips for finding a removalist. Do you have any to add? What have been your good and bad experiences when moving house? Tell us by adding a comment below.
