5 SAFETY TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING A MOVING COMPANY

Moving homes can be a physically draining task. Deciding to make use of a professional moving service can eliminate a lot of the hassle and make the process much smoother. If you do decide to enlist professional help, below are 5 safety tips to consider when using a moving company:

Use a trusted and reputable moving company

It’s always best to use a mover that’s been referred to you by a trusted friend or family member. However, if there’s no-one who can suggest a reputable moving service, online reviews can help to determine the reliability of a company. Be cautious of companies that don’t provide their physical address or information about licensing and insurance on their website.

Choose a moving company that is open about costs

Be wary of con artists and stay away from a mover that wants a deposit paid before they’re willing to provide a quote – the quote should be free. To make sure there are no hidden costs, ask the mover about their hourly rate and if there are any additional costs such as fuel or packing materials.

Never accept a verbal quote from a moving company

The moving company will need to have a clear understanding of the volume of boxes and furniture that will be transported to give you an accurate quote. It’s very difficult for a mover to provide a precise quote over the phone – they should do an onsite inspection or require you to complete a full inventory list before they can provide a written quotation – never accept just a verbal quotation.

Consider all the risks and check with your insurance

There’s always an element of risk when goods are transported, especially if the move is over a far distance. While the moving company won’t cover everything in its entirety, they should be able to give you a certain level of insurance or guarantee in case of breakage or missing items. The mover should provide an inventory list of all the household contents that they’ll be transporting, along with the pickup address and the final destination of the goods. Take photos of all pieces of furniture to help prove liability on the part of the mover if any items are damaged in transit. Don’t forget to contact your insurance company before the move to check what they’ll cover and what is required in case of loss, as they may need receipts, appraisals, or photos of valuable items.

Ensure the moving company has COVID-19 safety protocols

Ask the company about the safety measures they have in place during COVID-19. Having multiple people in and out your home presents some risk of infection. All movers should be wearing a face mask and should be sanitizing regularly. The company needs to have a strict screening policy in place to ensure that none of their staff has symptoms or has been in contact with somebody who has symptoms within the last fourteen days.

Seek moving advice from industry experts
Although moving can be a stressful exercise, especially during these unique circumstances, selecting the right moving company will ensure that the move goes smoothly. If you’re looking for a reputable moving company, reach out to your nearest RE/MAX agent who’ll most likely know of a good company to use. As area experts, real estate agents are a great source of information about a suburb and should be able to provide you with a host of free advice around reputable businesses in the area.