If you’re moving a whole household (or office-load) of furniture, with a large number of boxes, fragile items and equipment, valuables and large pieces of furniture, then you’d be wise to invest in hiring professional movers to do the job.
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BAR (British Association of Removers)
The best way to start seeking a removal firm to transport your precious worldly goods is to sift through the options to find a firm that is a member of BAR (the British Association of Removers).
Why? Well, BAR’s brief video explains ….
To be a member of BAR a removal company has to be willing to uphold minimum standards across all aspects of their service, from the legality and maintenance of vehicles to the right of redress, protection of a deposit, insurance cover, and the competency and training of staff.
**The Trading Standards Institute monitors the performance of all BAR members, to make sure that they are operating within the BAR Code of Practice and that the Code is working properly in the customers’ interests. You can help by completing the customer satisfaction survey your BAR remover will give you.**
Download the BAR Code of Practice
Before settling on a Removal Company check whether they:
- Provide a clear, signed agreement that sets out details of the service to be provided.
- What level and type of insurance cover is offered.
- Can supply references, and have been trading successfully for some time.
- Have a physical office or depot that you are free to visit.
To re-assure yourself you are entitled to ask/consult with the removers as to how long the move is likely to take, what time they will arrive, how many crew members there will be, how they will handle particularly fragile/large goods like, perhaps, your grand piano or old master painting, and so on and so forth.
Don’t hire them until you are fully satisfied that your goods will be in safe hands.
TIP: The cheapest quote is not always the best! Check for “hidden extras” in the small print, and make sure the crew and vehicle to be used are worthy of trusting your belongings to.
Before you accept a quotation, make sure that the removal company knows exactly what needs to be moved – ie. supply a detailed inventory, or preferably have a representative of the removal company visit your premises to assess the situation himself.
If access to either of the properties you are moving from or to is difficult, you should make the removal company aware of this before they compile their quotation.
Some removal companies offer discounts if you move mid-week or mid-month. Enquire about any special rates which may be worth taking advantage of.
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