A ‘Moving Story’: Hints & Tips For Choosing A Removal Firm
Moving house can be stressful, but choosing the right removal firm can make a world of difference. Timms Conveyancer, Julie Stewart discusses ‘Hints & Tips For Choosing A Removal Firm’ in her latest blog…
Acting as a conveyancer in sales and purchases brings with it many tasks to fulfil on behalf of a buyer or seller and I seldom have chance to think about what the client is having to organise from the home front and mainly the more practical issues involved in a move. The actual transportation of furniture and belongings is of prime importance.
Why Should I Use A Removal Firm?
Not everyone has a removal firm to assist them with their move, some people hire a van and rely on family to assist. This is fine but the preparations still need to be made. If you are unsure whether to book a removal firm or not, just take into consideration that they are familiar with the packing, handling, stowing, securing, transporting and unpacking and will do it in a fraction of the time.
If you opt for a removal company, there are things to consider such as price, recommendation and availability.
The cost will depend on the amount of goods for transportation, the distance, the size of crew required and whether or not they will be packing everything for you.
Normally the company representative will visit your house to see what needs doing and discuss your requirements and advise on the options open to you. It would be difficult to give this sort of advice or guidance over the phone so probably best to avoid a quote of that type.
Equally by visiting your home the company can assess any tight or restricted access and consider how this can be best dealt with. Advance planning in this way increases the likelihood of everything working smoothly on completion day. Preparations can also be made for high value/antique items which likely need special care.
Removal companies carry insurance but do make sure you check that the level of cover is adequate for your possessions and whether it covers high-value items.
You should be ready to inform your removal company of any likely issues at the new house and make sure parking arrangements are clear.
Costs may be reduced if your remover lets you source your own packing materials and doing some if not all of the packing yourself.
If you have opted to undertake some of the packing yourself to lower the cost, be aware that often a removal company’s insurance will not cover items packed by you. This may mean that at the very least you let the removals pack your breakables.
Always obtain at least two quotes, and request a breakdown for comparison between items such as:
- Packing costs
- Insurance
- Mileage rate
- Storage costs.
Another issue to note is that some firms apply overtime rates so if you cannot access the new house due to a delay in the conveyancing process, at what time will the overtime rate actually start? If the overtime rate kicks in at 12 noon, you could well have a few hours to wait for the keys and the cost will be escalating during that wait.
Remember to also show the removal company the loft, garage shed, cellar and any other outbuildings as they will also need to be fully cleared.
I always advise clients not to firm up a booking with a removal firm until contracts have been exchanged. This in itself will create pressure from the removals firm to commit to the booking but by ordering removals before the contracts are legally exchanged can carry a financial risk. If a client still wishes to book and pay for the removals for peace of mind, that is fine as long as they don’t then blame us for their having a cost for removals but no house move on the day booked.
Provide a briefing sheet to the removal company before the moving day is very helpful and try to keep this in a simple format which is easy to follow and details :
- The items you are moving yourself
- Any awkward, delicate or difficult to move items
- Anything requiring special packing such as pictures, antiques or valuables
- Any furniture that will need to be dismantled
- Any curtains and carpets going with you. (You will need to refer to the Fittings and Contents form (TA10) provided to your solicitor if you are not sure what has been agreed with your buyer).
If possible give them a floor plan of the new home to show which room your items are to be taken to on arrival.
Should you not be sure whether to book removals to assist or not, do remember that:
- A reputable company will have the experience and capability to provide a stress-free move
- Many removal companies offer a packing service with specific expertise packing up fragile items to prevent them breaking during transit
- Professional removal people are able to pack, load and unload items quickly, saving you time on moving day
- Removal people are usually physically fit and work in pairs or groups so are able to move bulky items such as washing machines and pianos swiftly and safely
- There is no risk of you injuring yourself while trying to shift heavy items
- Removal companies are often able to provide strong, reliable packing materials
- Hiring movers saves you the stress of having to move bulky furniture through narrow spaces or up and down stairs
- Most removal companies have insurance which can cover lost or damaged items
- You will not be held responsible for any loss if the removal van is involved in an accident while transporting your belongings
- You won’t have the stress of trying to drive or park a large van
Obviously the choice is for you to make and depends on your own personal circumstances and planning in advance cannot be under estimated.
August 2024