How to find a reputable moving company
Obtain removal company recommendations
Finding a trustworthy moving company is paramount to ensuring a smooth transition to your new home. It's advisable to ask friends, neighbours, and acquaintances for recommendations, as personal experiences offer invaluable insights into the reliability and efficiency of moving services.
Estate agents are another excellent resource, often having established relationships with credible moving companies. Utilising these connections can lead you to a moving company you can trust, making it easier to start the next chapter of your life with peace of mind.
Research and select moving companies
Once you've gathered a list of potential removal companies through referrals and estate agent suggestions, conduct thorough research. Start with customer reviews on local review platforms such as Google My Business (GMB) and TrustPilot, paying close attention to both positive and negative feedback.
Understanding insurance and service options
What to look for in moving insurance cannot be overstated. Ensure you understand the levels of insurance coverage offered by the moving company. Additionally, review the specific packing and moving services they offer, from DIY moving tips to full-service packages that might include packing, packaging, specialist fine art and antiques moving, electronics, and oversized items transportation.
Essential questions to ask
Before making your selection, contact each prospective moving company to arrange an in-home or office walk-through. This step is critical for obtaining an accurate quotation tailored to your specific moving needs.
Review quotes and make your decision
After receiving quotations, carefully review and compare them to select the most appropriate offer. Read the fine print to fully understand what you're agreeing to, ensuring that there are no hidden costs or unwelcome surprises on moving day.
Free no-obligation home moving estimate
During an in-home/office walk-through, you’ll explain exactly the type of removal services you require for moving home: packing, packaging supplies, specialist fine art removals, over-sized items, transportation, insurance, and storage – if required. The layout at the relocation address, steps, floors, etc., Only by providing full details of the services you require will you be provided with an accurate quotation.
Read the fine print
The tedious yet essential part of the process, as you must be sure to read all the fine print and not only the best price quoted. Ensure that you know whether your move is insured and if additional fees apply, also check for any ‘hidden’ additional charges.
Confirmation of home removal services
Only when you are happy with the quotation do you put pen to paper and sign on the dotted line. If you have any questions, now is the time to address them, before returning your signed removals estimate to the chosen provider.
Packaging and removal of packaging supplies
If budget allows then definitely go for the ‘stress-free’ entire removal services package offered by your selected moving company – this will include packing, packaging and labelling of all items, packaging supplies, and if you’ve some specialist antiques and fine art that require extra TLC then this too will be taken care of (for an additional already agreed-upon fee), usually in a separate ‘special’ van.
Stress-free home moving day
The big day arrives, and it’s all hands on deck – except yours if you are lucky! Your removal company will have a project coordinator who will manage his/her moving team with the following:
- estimated loading/unloading times
- travel time
- dismantling furniture
- loading planning – ensuring the best possible packing and correct distribution for transportation
- unpacking and reassembling furniture
- safe delivery of storage items
And that’s it, the relocation and the moving process from start to finish!
Trust and experience
Yes, it’s a lot to think and worry about, so put your trust in a well-established, respected moving company. When we spoke to Steve Christopher, the owner at C.Wraight & Partners, who specialises in in domestic and home removals in Kent told us: “When searching for a trustworthy removals company, your most important consideration to look for an experienced removal company with a fully trained, skilled and dedicated team that is committed to the job from start to finish, with a variety of vehicles and equipment that are fit for purpose to carry out the work safely and effectively and that meets your specific removal needs and also has an excellent and long-standing reputation in the removals sector”.
Final Thoughts on Moving Home
There is a whole host of small and large removal and moving companies on the web, so make sure you do your research, ask all the right questions, and feel 100% comfortable with your decision before signing on the dotted line. We’re talking about the transportation of all your worldly goods; your entire business; or your most treasured fine art pieces – don’t take shortcuts. It may take a few minutes longer to do your homework but you’ll feel assured that you are getting the best service out there, for the best possible price!