Moving house can be an exciting yet overwhelming time. With so much to consider and organise, sometimes the best solution is to simply hire a removal firm to take care of all your moving needs. But not all home removal firms are the same, so it’s crucial to ask the right questions before committing to a company.
Here at Saint Removals, honesty, integrity and professionalism make up some of our core values. That’s why we’re providing you with the tools you need to choose the right removal company. We're confident that once you’ve asked these questions and received your answers, you’ll find that it’s absolutely us.
So without further ado, here are all the questions you should be asking a home removal firm before you hire them.
7 Questions to ask a potential removal firm
1. What’s your experience with home removals?
Experience matters when it comes to furniture removals. It’s wise to hire a company that has handled similar moves in the past and has a good track record of success. Ask about their experience, and if possible, read online reviews or ask for references.
2. Are you licensed and insured?
It's important to check that the furniture removal company you're considering is licensed and insured. A licensed company is more likely to be reputable and professional, while insurance will protect you against any damage or loss that may occur during the move.
3. How do you handle fragile or valuable items?
If you have fragile and valuable items that need to be moved, it's important to make sure the company you're considering has experience handling them. Ask about their process for packing and transporting these types of items and if they have any additional insurance options to cover valuable items.
4. What services do you offer?
Some furniture removal companies offer a full range of services, including packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Others may only offer loading and unloading. Be clear about the services you need and make sure that the company you're considering offers them. Some furniture removal companies, such as ourselves, also offer storage facilities. This can be really useful to know as it means you don’t need to go looking for an additional storage provider.
5. What's your cancellation policy?
Life can be unpredictable and sometimes plans change. It's important to understand the company's cancellation policy and any fees or penalties that may apply if you do need to cancel.
6. Do you have all the necessary moving equipment?
A reputable removal company should have a fleet of well-maintained vehicles to ensure your items arrive at your new home safely and on time. Plus, if you’re making use of their packing services, they should come armed with an array of high-quality packing materials such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper.
7. Do you have any packing or preparation tips?
Ask the company if they have any packing or preparation tips that can help make the move smoother. A reputable removal company will have heaps of advice regarding how to pack fragile items or just how to pack for moving in general.
7 Factors to consider when hiring a removal company
As well as asking the right questions, there are certain things to watch out for when hiring a removal company. Being aware of these factors can help you avoid potential problems.
1. Unprofessionalism
One of the first things to watch out for is unprofessionalism. This can include things like unreturned phone calls, late arrivals or unprepared staff. If a company is not professional from the get-go, it may be an indication that they won't be reliable during the move.
2. Poor reviews or reputation
Before choosing a furniture removal company, it's important to do your research and read reviews from previous customers. If a company has consistently poor reviews or a negative reputation, it's wise to look elsewhere.
3. Lack of communication
Clear communication is essential during a move. If a company is difficult to reach or doesn't provide clear instructions or timelines, it can cause unnecessary stress and confusion. Make sure the company you choose is responsive and communicates with you regularly.
4. No pre-move assessment
A thorough pre-move survey or assessment is essential to ensure that the company understands the scope and requirements of your move. This can help them prepare adequately and avoid any potential issues on moving day. Be sure to ask if the company offers this and if it's included in the cost.
5. No address or company information
If a company doesn't have a physical address or easily accessible information about their company, it may be a red flag that they are not a legitimate business. Research the company and check that they are reputable and established before contacting them.
6. Unreasonable pricing
While we all love a good deal, extremely low pricing can be a warning sign. Generally, if something sounds too good to be true, it is. Prices that are significantly below the average could indicate that the removal firm lacks the necessary experience. Equally, excessively high pricing is unfair to customers. To get a good idea of the typical cost, it's a wise to compare the rate of several local firms.
7. Lack of insurance
We can't stress this one enough. Accidents can happen during a move and it's important to ensure that the company you choose has insurance to cover any damage or loss that may occur. Make sure you ask about their insurance coverage and what it includes.
How do Saint Removals fare?
Now we’ve outlined all those important questions you should be asking a potential removal company and highlighted the most common red flags, let’s take a look at how we fare! Of course, we’re going to tell you we tick all the right boxes, but let’s look at exactly how and why we do.
Here at Saint Removals, we’ve made it very clear that we have all the right all insurances, so you can have complete peace of mind knowing that your belongings are in safe hands.
Our team of professional movers are highly experienced and trained to handle even the most delicate and valuable items with care. We have a combined 25 years of experience between us and there's nothing we haven’t packed and moved
We use industry-standard protective materials to ensure that everything arrives at your new home in the same condition it left in
Our friendly and knowledgeable team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have and provide guidance throughout the moving process. Plus, we have heaps of helpful packing and moving tips in our advice hub
We also offer a range of packing and removal services to suit your specific needs, from a full packing service where we take care of everything, to a partial packing service where you can choose which items you'd like us to pack. And that’s not to mention our storage offering
At Saint Removals, we believe that moving house should be as stress-free as possible. Our team is not only highly skilled and experienced but we're friendly and approachable, too. We're always willing to go the extra mile to make your move plain sailing.
We understand that moving can be a daunting experience, and we want to be there to support you every step of the way. That's why we are committed to being completely transparent with you throughout the entire process and ensuring that all of our services are carried out with the utmost attention to detail. With Saint Removals, you can feel confident that you’re in safe hands!
Still need a little persuading? Check out glowing reviews here or on Checkatrade. Spoiler alert: we have a rating of 10/10. You’ll see for yourself that we’re everything we claim to be - and then some. And if that's not enough to persuade you, here are 11 reasons why we're the right fit for the job.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your removal journey with us today.