June and July are looking to be two of the busiest months for property completions at David Phillip
Estate Agents. Once your completion date has been set (that is the day you get the keys of your new home), you must choose a reputable removal company to move you into your new home.
So here are some guidelines on what you need to do when looking for a removal company.
It pays dividends to know what to look for and what questions to ask. After all, you are trusting
people you don’t know with your most precious possessions at what could be one of the most
stressful times of your life. You must do your research so that you hire the best company for your needs. Start your research early, read reviews and if you know someone who has used the company, ask!
Scrutinise the website of the removal company
Scrutinise their websites and read everything you can on the site. How good the website looks is an
indication of how seriously the company takes their business. Check there is a land line and mobile
number, physical address, and e-mail contact address – this is important as it means that the
company is not afraid to be contacted by their customers, which is a good sign.
Are they part of an accredited professional moving association, such as the British Association of
Removers (BAR) or the National Guild of Storers and Removers (NGRS)? If they say they are, then go
to BAR or NGRS to check their membership is still current.
Check that the removal company has an accredited training or safety certificate.
Check if there is an insurance scheme
Ask about the removal company insurance scheme - what does it cover, and will you still be covered if you have packed the items yourself?
Does the removal company have specialised moving equipment? If moving pieces of furniture such as a piano or larger items this is a must ask.
If an eco-home move is important to you, ask if the company is carbon-neutral or what their environmental policy is?
Take a look at the condition of the removal vans and where they are based. Cleanliness is a good
sign!
Once you have compiled your shortlist then get at least three quotes, preferably from firms
that will visit your property rather than just estimating the cost over the phone (unless you want to
use a company that has a low carbon footprint!). This is particularly important if there are factors
such as difficult access or tight areas of space or narrow staircases.
Find out what is included
You need to find out what is included. Do you have to pack everything yourself or will your movers
take care of it for you? Will they provide boxes, blankets and other moving supplies? Is fuel included
in the price, or will it be an extra charge at the end of the move? If you ask the right questions, then
you will have fewer unexpected costs on moving day.
Do the staff wear uniforms? Are their vans liveried? This isn’t essential but does give some idea on the professionalism of the company?
Are storage facilities included?
Sometimes there may be a gap between your moving-out day from your current home and the day you are moving into your next property. If so, it is important to find out if the company has storage facilities
available.
Are there any payment options? Moving home can be a costly time, but beware of any removal company that only accepts cash!
It will often be the balance between quality and price – remember, cheap movers aren’t good and
good movers aren’t cheap. If the removal company fail to ask questions, then you need to ask yourself why.
So once you have undertaken your research, if two companies seem to offer much the same service, then gut feeling could be a deciding factor.
Whichever company you choose, we wish you good luck with your house move, and if you need a recommendation for a good removal company, then we can assist you with this having recommended local companies for people moving in North Leeds.
If you are looking to sell your home and would like a free market appraisal call David Phillip Estate
Agents on 0113 4676 400
w: davidphillip.co.uk
a: 86, Leeds Road, Harrogate, Leeds
