An upcoming move to a different part of the country is exciting since you will soon be living in a new environment, meeting new people and possibly joining a new office. These are some of the things you look forward to.
Of course, you should also consider the amount of work you must first do to make sure that your move goes smoothly.
The biggest mistake you can make is to fail to hire the right interstate removalist service. But when you do get in touch with the best people for the job, you’ll discover that there is simply no other way to move.
Why Hire Professional Removalists?
1. They are industry experts
Professional removalists perform removal jobs almost every day of the year, relocating families to new homes locally, interstate, and internationally. They wrap items in quilted pads, bubble wrap and other suitable materials and pack the goods into boxes. These professionals know how to properly load and organise your possessions so you can easily find them when you get to your new home or office.
Also, they handle breakables and fragile items correctly so everything arrives at the destination damage-free.
The best thing about hiring removalists is that they have plenty of experience in loading and transporting large items like refrigerators, loungers and furniture. Piano removalists can manoeuvre the bulky instrument through doorways and small rooms – situations that could damage your precious piano if done incorrectly.
2. They are organised
Removalists with plenty of years of experience in the industry have developed a process allowing them to move your belongings in the most efficient and organised manner.
The great advantage that can be observed from hiring removal professionals is the overall organisation of the move. They know the way they must pack your things and the order in which to load and unload the goods into and from their truck.
Keeping this in mind, it’s easy to see why a a DIY removal can be possible, but is not advisable. A person without specialised knowledge in the business of removals would miss key details and considerations, potentially causing do-overs that could delay the entire task and even cause damages.
3. They protect your goods from damage at every stage
If you choose to move your things yourself, your possessions can get damaged and broken during the process due to any number of things: insufficient packing, improper loading, careless driving, etc.
Expert removalists, on the other hand, are able to offer you insurance on your goods. This means that should any of your belongings happen to sustain damage while in transit, their insurance will cover the cost of replacing or repairing the damaged item. Rest assured, though, that expert removalists are trained to provide exceptional service for every client, which includes making sure that all goods arrive at the destination intact.
4. They provide a stress-free service
In any relocation, stress is inevitably present. But this can significantly be reduced if you choose to let professional removalists deal with all the involved tasks.
Remember that there is so much more involved in a move than merely packing plus loading and unloading your belongings from your current residence to your new home. Also included are:
- Cleaning and sorting items before packing
- Organising goods to be donated, recycled, sold or disposed of
- Cleaning up the house to be left behind
- Dealing with all the paperwork and legalities of buying or leasing a new premise
- Making arrangements for disconnecting and connecting utilities in the previous home and the new home, respectively
- Coordinating the different stages of the move with people already at the destination, if any
With the removal itself being taken care of by the experts, this gives you peace of mind that your belongings will arrive in your new home damage-free, as you handle other relevant matters.
Hiring professional removalists will eliminate all the headaches!
But with several removal service providers vying for your business, how exactly will you be able to determine if you’ve found the best removal company?
5 Tips for Selecting the Right Removalist
1. Get referrals and perform an initial screening
You can ask your friends, relatives or co-workers, or local real estate agents for their recommendations. Also, you can check out the removal companies based in your neighbourhood or surrounding areas. Also look at reviews online using independent sites such as Product Review.
Once you have a shortlist of possible removalists to hire, do a quick background check online. Find out if they are accredited by the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA). Those accredited by AFRA have been trained to meet only the highest standards. As such, they are sure to know how to pack items properly, to use the appropriate tools and equipment, and to be aware of the latest industrial and legal regulations.
Removalists are not required by law to have any type of insurance to cover the cost of replacing or repairing your things if they get damaged. However, AFRA requires its members to have public liability insurance and third-party motor vehicle and property insurance.
2. Compare their services
Before deciding on one removalist to work with, you must investigate all the options you listed down. Make sure to compare the services they offer. 3. Calculate the total removal cost
- Ask how they charge their services.
- Also, ask how long it will take for them to move your things.
- From there, figure out if there are additional costs if there is storage needed or delays.
- Make sure to ask about everything that is included in the cost — or better yet, get a written quote, or ask for a list of everything that is covered by the fee they specified.
- Ask when payment is required and the types of payments accepted.
When getting a quote, ask for a fixed price. Bear in mind that verbal agreements matter little in this age – they may promise you an attractive price but charge a different one once they are done. With a fixed price written quote, you are certain that you won’t be overcharged because the removal company will stick to the price they provided.
4. Read the contract carefully
Before signing the contract, make sure that it contains the following:
- The dates and times of removal
- The right pickup and delivery addresses
- A household inventory of everything that should be moved, if required
- The details of insurance for any damage or loss
The key here is to read the contract’s terms and conditions and look for any hidden costs.
5. Get insurance
Finally, check if the items moving are covered by your contents and home insurance policy. Although removalists accredited by AFRA must have the insurance noted in point 1 above, this won’t protect your belongings should they become damaged while in transit, or in store.
Consider getting transit and storage insurance to protect your possessions while being transported. Your AFRA accredited removalist can arrange this for you.
Treat your decision to hire removalists as an investment instead of an expense. They will help make your move a smooth, convenient and pleasant one. Just be sure to choose the right removalist!
AUTHOR BIO
John Pfeiffer has been the proud owner of Ashtons Removals for over 40 years. His attention to detail, a product of his accountancy background, and his emphasis on training and empowering his team members, has ensured the vast number of Gold Coast families who have been moved by Ashtons Removals, have had their furniture and effects moved undamaged and with minimum fuss.
