864 Views Top tips on how to choose a quality removal company!
Choosing a removal company is a big deal. Aware of all the horror stories out there, here are our top tips to help you choose a company you can rely on.
The business you opt for will be responsible for everything you own. Your valuable items, your delicate items and those items that are of such great sentimental value you’d be heartbroken if they were to be lost or damaged. Anyone with a van can set up a glossy advert in the local newspaper, or advertise on social media, but a nice-looking advertisement certainly doesn’t mean that you’ll be getting great service.
Indeed, there are many horror stories out there of people purporting to be professional removal companies delivering very poor service. From not turning up at all, having taken the money in advance, to breakages, and even the theft of entire loads, there are some terrible tales out there and it’s well worth taking note of them, so you don’t fall foul of rogue removal companies. But how do you do this?
Here are our top tips for choosing a removal company you can rely on, that will get the job done well. Here’s to making the best choice!
- Check out their online presence thoroughly
It’s easy to set up a quick ad on Facebook, so delve deeper into the online presence of your potential removal company. How long has the business had their social media pages? If they’ve only been going for a short while, this could be a red flag for a scam. Do they have their own website apart from social media? Is it professional? Does it offer you an insight into the business and are the contact details clearly available?
- Look for customer testimonials and reviews
See if you can find some comments from previous clients. Are there many complaints on their social media? Do the bad reviews outweigh the good? When someone leaves a complaint, are they quick to rectify the problem, or do they seem to sweep it under the carpet, perhaps deleting unwanted comments? A reputable company will deal with issues quickly, efficiently, and openly. Only rogue businesses have something to hide.
- Are their prices transparent?
Is it easy to get a price, or are they vague about the total cost? Is there a wealth of potential extras so you’re left not quite knowing what the final cost will be? If a company can’t give you an outright total quote for your move, and you’ve given them all the information they need, then you should move on or you might find yourself with an unexpectedly huge bill at the end of the job.
- Are they fully licensed and insured?
A good removal firm should be fully licensed and insured. Ask them about the level of insurance of your belongings and they should be able to provide you with this information without hesitation. If you’re required to take out extra cover for your items, then this should be explained to you clearly.
- Is there evidence of accreditations and memberships?
The very best, most conscientious removal firms will be members of related industry bodies and have accreditation and certification within the industry. Do your research, find out what this accreditation actually means. Some is very hard to achieve and is only awarded to the very best of the best, such as FIDI-FAIM accreditation, so do bear that in mind.
The more you research, the more peace of mind you’ll have
Doing your research before choosing a removal company will give you the peace of mind that your precious belongings are in safe hands, and your move will go smoothly. Moving can be stressful enough without having to deal with dodgy movers so follow our tips to be sure of a great experience with a professional and reliable company.
Choose a company such as Columbia Movers, with many years of experience, a great, long-standing reputation, and the highly regarded FIDI-FAIM certification, as well as an IAMX – validated status. We understand that every move is unique, and we can cater to any requirements. To find out more about the personalised moving services we can offer, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to give you more information and provide you with a quote for your move.