Are you planning to move house in the near future? If so, you likely feel a mixture of excitement and stress.
Indeed moving house can be a wonderful time in life, a new chapter, new beginnings, and many prospects ahead. Yet getting from A to B can feel more than a little overwhelming. Of course, many factors can make the move less stressful; however, one of the major ones lies in choosing the right moving company. If you make a good choice, you can alleviate lots of worries and concerns, and if you choose the wrong one, you will only add to those already high-stress levels. So, how do you make a wise choice? Read on, and we will be happy to advise you!
Know Your Needs
The first step in making a good choice is knowing your needs. Do not be tempted to rush this step. Instead, sit down with a pen and paper and write down the rooms in your home and what you need to move. This will highlight any items that are going to need specialized equipment or skills. Things like an acoustic piano, large or awkward pieces of furniture, wall art, and the list go on; all of these need to be highlighted to a moving company, and you, as the homeowner, need to feel that the company you choose can suitably care for your belongings.
Decide Whether You Are Happy To Do The Packing Yourself
This is going to be a significant factor in helping you choose the right company. Some companies offer a full packing and moving service, while others only provide moving service. You may be happy to pack up your home yourself and have a company arrive on the day to move your things from A to B. Of course, this will be a cheaper option; however, you do need to consider whether you have the skills and materials to pack everything securely. Sometimes the extra cost is a good investment in ensuring that everything makes it to your new home safely.
Get Recommendations
Next up, it's time to get a few good recommendations within your local area. Since moving house is a common occurrence, this step should not be a difficult one. Once your friends, work colleagues, and neighbors know of your plans, you are sure to get recommendations, even if you don't ask for them! Please take note of names that seem to come up a few times, and don't forget to ask the people recommending the company why they liked them and whether there was anything they felt disappointed in.
Get Quotes Of Different Moving Companies
By now, you should have narrowed your search down to cheap moving companies nearby that have been recommended and that cover your needs (such as skilled in handling specific items or companies that offer a packing and moving service). Now, it is time to get a few quotes. Ensure that you provide a full brief of your needs to each company; this will help you accurately compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
It's Not Always A Case Of Cheap And Cheerful!
Of course, when you are moving house, there seem to be ongoing expenses that keep rolling in. This can make it very tempting to opt for the cheapest choice for the moving company; however, this could be a decision that you live to regret. While you do not want to pay an excessive amount for a moving company, you also should expect to pay a reasonable fee for a good service. If a company seems to be offering a rate that looks too good to be true, there is every chance that you will end up with the result that was exactly that; not what you expected and for all the wrong reasons!
Check The Insurance
It is easy to presume that all moving companies have the best insurance, but unfortunately, this may not always be the case. Please do not be embarrassed to ask a moving company about the insurance that they have. If a company seems a little hesitant to provide you with full details on their insurance, you should swiftly move on. Remember, you are entrusting all of your belongings into the hands of a moving company, so making sure that they have the best insurance is an absolute must.
The Bottom Line On Choosing A Great Moving Company
There is no doubt that moving house can be a stressful time in life; however, making a good choice for the moving company can make a huge difference. Granted, it does take a little time and effort to make a good choice; however, it does not need to be a mission impossible.
Firstly, take the time to sit down, understand your needs, outline these with pen and paper. Next, decide if you are happy to pack up your house yourself or want a company that can care for this. Then move on to getting recommendations and once you have a shortlist, go ahead and contact the companies to get accurate quotes based on a full brief. Once you have decided on your top picks, make sure that they have the right insurance. After that, all that's left to be done is enjoy getting settled into your new home and the next chapter in your life.