Moving Day: Tips on Choosing A Moving Company

Moving home is not something most of us go through on a regular basis.  Leaving your home can be a stressful, emotional and exhausting experience and the last thing you need is to be worried about is your moving company.

Choosing a good moving company is critical.  We have all heard the horrific stories of precious items lost and broken; unsavoury characters going through your belongings; unnecessary delays and problems with insurance claims.  Choosing the wrong moving company can cost you heartache, time and money.

Here are some tips to assist you in finding a moving company you trust:

• As a guide you want to have decided on a moving company 4-8 weeks prior to your moving day.  This will ensure that the company you decide to use can fit you into their schedule.  You do not want to choose from a limited list if the better companies are already booked up.

• Compile a quick checklist before you start contacting moving companies for a quote.  Decide which services you are going to require.  Include information such as:

- Preferred moving dates
- Local, long distance or international move

- Will you be packing yourself or would you prefer this to be done by the moving company

- Will you use your own packing materials or purchase from the moving company

- Do you require storage facilities

- How much insurance will you need

• Always obtain 2-3 quotes.

•  How will you search for a moving company?  Look at the following options:

- Internet search

- Industry Body or Association (Australian Furniture Movers Assn.)

- Recommendation or Referral

- Yellow Pages

- Your Real Estate Agent or Property Manager

• Ask the moving company to provide referrals when they quote.  It is up to you whether you follow up on these, but if the company is slow or unwilling to offer referrals alarm bells should start to ring.

• Once you have your quotes, compare the following:

- How does the company charge (hourly rate, weight, estimated volume).  Ensure that you will not get any nasty surprises at invoice time.  Many companies will send an estimator to your home before quoted.  If charging on an hourly rate, ask how many movers they will assign to your move.

- Terms and Conditions.  This is one fine print document that you need to read carefully.  For example, are you covered for damage if you pack the goods yourself? It is critical that you are aware of what you are (and more importantly, are not) covered for under the moving company’s insurance.  NEVER chose a moving company who does not have adequate insurance. 

When you do finally chose, don’t necessarily pick the cheapest. Look at the complete service offered and factor in your instinct (who did you feel the most comfortable with).  Be wary of completing the entire process online, old fashioned personal contact is still an unbeatable way to form a strong impression of who you will be dealing with.

And have a safe and relaxing moving day!