When you move house, it’s important that you choose a removals company suited to your needs. Think carefully about who you decide to choose. You should ask key questions to ensure you know which company is the right fit. Read on for our 11 essential questions to ask your removals company.
1. Can you send a surveyor round to get an accurate moving quote?
2. Can I see your insurance documents?
You should ensure your belongings are insured throughout the moving process. Read the removals company’s insurance documents and if you feel that the cover isn’t adequate, ask your own home insurance company if you are covered for any breakages or mishaps. Often home insurance policies exclude goods in transit. The removals company should be a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) which sets the industry standards.
3. What size lorry will I be allocated?
4. Do you offer a packing service?
Removals companies can pack for you, but expect to pay in the region of £20 an hour per packer. Plus, you may have to pay for packing materials on top of this. Make sure you get a quote in writing so that there are no surprises later on.
5. Are your employees trained?
6. Will I have to pay extra for boxes?
Some removals companies include boxes for no additional charge. If you need to buy boxes from your removals company, buy a set, rather than individual boxes, as it works out cheaper. On average, to pack up a 3-4 bedroom house you will need:
- 12 small boxes
- 16 medium boxes
- 10 large boxes
- 20 metres of bubble wrap
- One roll of tape
You might also want to get some speciality boxes from your removals company. Wardrobe boxes can be ideal as they have a rail inside so your clothes don’t get creased, plus you can use them as temporary wardrobes. Mirror boxes can help prevent breakages, while reinforced book boxes can transport items up to a combined weight of 40kg.