THE MOVING PROCESS
This guide will help you in the planning process. To ensure a smooth move, from starting the moving procedure till the completion.
Prepare a moving plan 6 weeks prior to the moving day. See Moving Planner guide.
- Prepare an inventory or have a plan of what is going to be moved.
- Before you call decide what you are taking and what you are leaving.
- Decide and act upon the best way to dispose of the items you no longer need anymore. It is better to discard these items before the move than after – this way you don’t pay for moving something you are only going to throw out.
- Items you wish to sell but may not have the time can be picked up prior and sold on your behalf and the proceeds sent to you.
- Alternatively plan a garage sale of unwanted goods.
- If you are planning to purchase new furniture for your new home, have them delivered direct to your new home.
- Ask yourself if you have items that will not fit into your new home. Will you need storage?
- Are there any alterations planned for your new home prior to moving in? If yes finalise them before moving day.
- Confirm settlement time with your solicitor or conveyancer.
- Prepare a floor plan of your new home to help plan where you need things placed and ensure everything will fit.
WHEN TO MOVE
Try to arrange your move during the least busy period of the month and season. A high percentage of removals occur during the last week of the month or during summer and in holiday period, so book your removal early.
DECIDE WEATHER TO MOVE YOURSELF, OR HAVE THE PROFESSIONAL REMOVALIST MOVE YOU.
Answer the following questions to help you decide.
- Do you have adequate physical strength and endurance to lift heavy items and not cause yourself any injuries?
- Do you have reliable helpers with the stamina and strength?
- Can you be sure to have adequate time off to be able to complete the move in the scheduled time frame?
- Will your household contents insurance policy cover for potential loss and damage in case of an accident on route?
- Can you carry heavy and adequate thing through doorways and up stairs without damaging the items or property?
- Do you have a suitable enclosed vehicle to move your furniture and effects? · Have you carefully considered all the costs involved i.e. truck rental, equipment, insurance and time?
- Will the rental truck be equipped with trolleys, packing materials, moving pads, ties, tools, plastic covers, walk board and is the vehicle fully maintained for the journey.
If the answer is NO to any of these questions, it may be wiser to engage a professional moving service.
TWO WAYS TO OBTAIN A QUOTE
1. Phone/ Email Quote – Contact our friendly team for an estimation on an hourly rate.
2. Phone/ Email to arrange an in-house survey inspection, which includes a written quote when a
representative visits your home to accurately assess your needs.
A written quote will detail all of the charges associated with your pending removal based on the information provided by you at the time of consultation.
WHAT TO CHECK WHEN SELECTING A REMOVAL COMPANY
- Check if the company is a member of the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA). Membership of this association is comprehensive and aims to accept only quality endorsed removalist who agree to abide by the AFRA Code of Conduct. Once an AFRA member, they are subjected to regular auditing by the association ensuring their quality of service is maintained.
- Be wary of quotations far below others, the cheapest price is not an assurance of quality and service. Ask yourself weather you are prepared to risk your precious possessions simply to save a few dollars by using a non accredited removalist.
- Remember – “It’s not wise to pay too much but its worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, but that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing or service you bought was incapable of doing the thing or service it was bought to do. If you deal with the lowest bidder it would be as well to add something for the risk you run and if you can do that then you can afford to pay for something better.” (John Ruskin, 1819-1900)
- Be cautious if the company has no actual place of business, or there is a place of business but it appears unclean, disorganized and without staff.
- Be wary if the removalist is unknown to you and you cannot obtain recommendations or provide testimonials.
- Make sure the quotes you obtain are obligation free.
- Does the removal company offer insurance and are the authorised and registered with ASSIC
- Check what Warranties and Guarantees the removalist will provide and are they written in the terms and conditions.
- For more useful information visit our blog.
