Essential Moving Guide

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Planning:

When moving it is essential to plan in advance, you don’t have to wait for a move date to start receiving quotes. Chess Moves specialise in domestic/commercial removals and will provide a written quotation meaning you will see exactly what we are quoting to do, as a set price. Try to avoid a “man with a van” type outfit where possible as working on an hourly basis could soon leave you exposed to an unknown bill (depending on how long the move takes).

Unless you know whom you want to move with, you’re more than likely going to shop around. Have any of your friends or family used a company and how was their experience? Would they recommend them to you? At Chess Moves we pride ourselves on our high recommendation rate.

IMPORTANT: Remember any removals undertaken requires a high level of training and experience.

Where possible, try to avoid removal quotes over the phone; you’ll be putting yourself at risk for extra charges if you forget about some items or furniture. It’s always good to meet the company with whom you will be trusting to handle your goods. When meeting the representatives from each company, don’t be afraid to ask questions and when they are being answered, do you feel re-assured? Point out any items which require particular attention such as fine art, antiques and gilt framed mirrors/pictures – the surveyor should have a good knowledge of how these items are moved safely. By the time a surveyor leaves, you should have a good idea of how your removal will be carried out (logistically). Ensure you receive a written quotation.

IMPORTANT: Alarm bells should be ringing if a company sends a quotation without any T&C’s. These will explain everything you need to know like insurance policies and any additional charges. Go through these carefully as T&C’s vary between companies.

TIP: Beware of any hidden charges such as “key waiting” charges: It is presumed you will receive your keys (if not already owned) at approximately 14:00hrs on the day of completion, however any longer then that may result in a charge of around £30.00 per hour per porter while you wait.

Of course with anything in life, it is important not to be charged over the odds. But do however be wary of any quotes which seem too low, as those quotes could not possibly account for overheads such as insurance policies, public liability, regular vehicle maintenance, moving equipment and staff training procedures.

TIP: When choosing a removal company, it’s not about who is the cheapest! Removals is a service not a product, so your thinking should be based on whether the removal company can carry out your removal within the time frame and in a professional and safe manner.

IMPORTANT: Established removal companies will be V.A.T registered (required by law). If you are being charged V.A.T please check there is a valid V.A.T registration number.

Once you have selected the removal company you wish to use, keep them informed of the provisional dates that you or your solicitor are aiming for. Two weeks notice is normally sufficient for a removal company; however last minute moves may be possible depending on availability.

TIP: If you are fortunate enough to have some input into the completion date of your new property, try to avoid Fridays. These are the busiest days for moving, so knowing that, some companies may charge more for a Friday or weekend move. (Again, check your T&C’s for charges like this).

Packing & Preparing

If you decided to do the packing yourself, your removal company should be able to provide all the materials needed. However please bear in mind that most reputable companies will not be liable for any items damaged if packed poorly. This is not to say that the Porters will be heavy handed, but you wouldn’t expect plates, glasses or fine china to survive transit if they were just placed in a box with no protection. We strongly recommend that you opt for a “Full Packing” service where possible.

TIP: If your new property has poor access due to parking restrictions and/or busy streets, then liaise with the removal company or local council to reserve parking. The space required depends on the size of the vehicle(s) selected for your move.

So now you are only weeks away from your move, time to venture into that loft, or delve into the shed and sort out what comes with you – and what doesn’t. Daunting thought, but it is important not to leave this task until the last minute. If you’re packing yourself, then now is the time to start. Here are some tips for packing:

– Use the right size box for the contents, i.e. don’t use larger boxes and fill with books.
– Everything that can go in a box, should do. Loose items are more likely to be damaged and take longer to move
– Boxes should be sealed with tape, not folded shut
– Boxes should be full and packed tightly to avoid collapsing in transit

It is a good idea to bubble wrap things like hanging pictures and mirrors, however, professional removal companies will also supply thick transit blankets on the move day.

TIP: Normally you do not have to empty the contents of a Chest of Drawers (unless it contains anything breakable or loose), this could save a bit of time.

IMPORTANT: Complete most of, if not all the packing before the removal company arrive. Try to leave just one or two boxes of last minute items to pack. You’ll be surprised at how efficiently some companies can “load” your contents so it could considerably prolong the day if you still have packing to finish – this could lead to extra charges.

TIP: Mark the destination for each box in large clear writing i.e. bedroom 1, or bedroom 3 perhaps with a brief description of the contents. This will save you being asked every two seconds where each box is going when the vehicle(s) are being unloaded. If you write on the tape as opposed to the box, you can reuse the box!

If your quote doesn’t include the dismantling and/or re-assembling of necessary items such as dining table or beds etc then try to have these dismantled before the removal company arrive. If any dismantling/re-assembling is going to be carried out by the removers, then it should be indicated on your written quote.

TIP: You could dismantle things like double beds the night before – that’s if you don’t mind sleeping on just a mattress for one night. One less thing to do on move day!

Moving Day

Hopefully you remembered not to pack the kettle or the tea bags! So pour yourself a cuppa (and perhaps the removal crew – trust me they’ll appreciate it) and finish off packing that last box.

TIP: Remember not to pack anything you may require on move day such as keys or medicines. Also most removal companies will not be insured to carry jewellery (refer to your T&C’s) so we advise you make your own arrangements for such items.

Try to relax as much as possible, providing you’ve chosen a respectable company then you’re in the hands of the experts. Remember these guys move houses for a living, so they know what they’re doing. Once all your contents have been loaded, normally a crew member or foreman will ask you to take one last sweep of the property room by room to ensure nothing has been left behind.

I know it may seem stressful, but the transfer of monies and receiving of your new keys are out of your hands. Let your solicitors take care of that for you. By law, once the completion has gone through, the property belongs to the new owner, so all your contents should be vacated from the property (normally this is around 12:30 – 13:00hrs). If you haven’t received your new keys yet it’s not a problem (unless you are paying a “key waiting” charge), take the time for some lunch – the porters will more than likely do the same. As soon as you get the call saying you can pick up your new keys, inform the porters and you’re nearly there.

Once the unloading begins the crew will place your boxes and furniture into the corresponding rooms. You should not be left with all the boxes in one room, like the lounge for example, unless that’s what you’ve requested. If a piece of furniture is in the wrong room do not be afraid to ask for it to be moved to the correct one, this is after all what you’re paying for. However, try to have a good idea of what goes where from the start.

Depending on the company you’ve used, damage to any items is unlikely. However please try to remember that porters are only human and accidents can happen. Fingers crossed your move has been completed successfully without any hiccups.

Now all that’s left to do is sign off your removal and settle into your property.

We hope you found this guide helpful.