kitchen removals

Removals services: What you need to know

Moving into a new home or office can be quite challenging. You will have little time to think and make important decisions, such as the removal service company to work with. To help you simplify the process, this piece takes a look at some of the things you should expect from a good removals service company.

Service based arrangements

“A good removals company takes into consideration the distance between your current location and your new location as well as your packing needs. This will help them arrange the right type and number of vehicles, packing materials and the right number of personnel.  During this time, the company will take into consideration any special items that require dedicated care such as wine collections, antiques, fine art, plants, pianos etc.” states Thea Groenewald from Active Moving Services.

You need to inform the company if you are moving to a flat, apartment or multi-storey building. This will aid in the planning process. In many cases, you will be required to make arrangements for priority use of the lift during the day of the move.  Similarly, you will be expected to notify the company about parking restrictions, possible accessibility challenges etc.

Proper packing

Packing is one of the most important aspects of the removals process. It is also the most time consuming. A good removals service company can take care of the entire packing process, do half of the packing or simply provide you with materials needed for packing. The option you choose to go with should be determined by your specific packing needs.

Insurance

The best removals companies take adequate care during the entire removal process. However, regardless of how careful they are, there is no guarantee that your belongings won’t get damaged in transit. This is why you should make sure the company you choose to work with has sufficient insurance cover.

Date

A good removals company should be able to honour bookings at any time of the year. However, month ends and Fridays are usually very busy. If you intend to move during these periods it is in your best interests to try and book as early as possible.

Utilities

Utilities like gas and electricity will not be touched by any removals company. This should therefore not be part of your decision making process. Even light fittings should be removed before the moving day. If you intend to keep your internet or telephone numbers, discuss with your provider for possible solutions.

Carpets and Curtains

The best removals companies can lift carpets and take down curtains if they are informed ahead of time. However, the carpets should be un-tacked around the edges before the day of the move.

Freezers

A good removals company will move your deep freezers to your new destination but handling of items in the freezers is dependent on distance. For short distances, contents can be packed in boxes and reloaded on arrival at the new destination. For long distances, the freezer should be defrosted and emptied. It is important to keep in mind that insurance for the removal service will not cover any damage to content in the freezers. This is why it is vital to run down stock before moving.

With these tips in mind it should be easy for you to pick a good removal company for your move.