Moving house can be one of the most stressful events of your life but the stress can be reduced significantly by making sure that everything runs smoothly.
One aspect of the move that you will have to give considerable thought to that can make a big difference to the whole process is hiring a moving company.
Here are some tips for finding a reputable removal company in Richmond, VA, what you should expect, things you need to think about and how to make the moving process run smoothly.
One aspect of the move that you will have to give considerable thought to that can make a big difference to the whole process is hiring a moving company.
Here are some tips for finding a reputable removal company in Richmond, VA, what you should expect, things you need to think about and how to make the moving process run smoothly.
How to Find a Reliable Moving Company?
One of the first things you should do if you want to find a reliable moving company in Richmond, VA, is to speak to friends and family who have moved and used a removals company in the area.
They can tell you about their personal experiences, good or bad, and this will give you some guidance of the companies to consider hiring and those to avoid. Another way to find moving companies is to use the Internet by searching for company history on websites like BBB or FMCSA. This will give you general information about removals companies in the area, such as their contact details. to look for online reviews. The Internet is also a good way to find out about the experiences of others as online reviews are very revealing. |
Things to Consider Before Hiring a Professional Moving Company
- You shouldn’t necessarily go with the first company you find; you should try to do a comparison of several companies to find which is the best option for you.
- When you investigate each of the companies or meet with one of their representatives, there are several things you should consider when you are making your decision.
- Budget is an important factor of the decision-making process for many people, so you should find out about the costs, exactly what is included in the price and if there are any discounts applied or additional costs to expect. Remember, that cheapest is not always the best option.
- The availability of a company is also a serious consideration. It is vital that they are available on the day you need them. If this is a big move, you may need the company to work longer hours or for an additional day and you will need to find out if they will be available to do this and if there will be extra charges.
- It is also important to find out about any limitations of the company and if they will be able to complete the job fully. For example, are their vehicles large enough to contain all of your furniture and possessions? Are there any weight restrictions on what they will move?
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Moving Company?
Each moving company in Richmond, VA, will have their own pricing structure. Some work on a price per day basis, some per vehicle used and others will give a set price for the job depending on your individual requirements. The distance between your current home and your new home and the weight of your belongings are other factors that may impact on the cost of hiring a removal firm.
It is vital that you get a quote from a removal company before hiring their services, especially if you have a limited budget for your house move. When you are asking for a quote, you will need to have all your information ready for the removal company so that they can give their quote as accurately as possible.
This will include your current address, the address of your new property or any storage facilities you are using, the date or dates of the move, if you have any high-value items you need moving or unusually large pieces of furniture and the number of boxes you estimate will be included in the move.
This will give the moving company a clearer idea of the distance of the move, how many removals vehicles are needed to complete the job, the length of time the move will take and any extra costs that need to be included in the quote.
A reliable moving company in Richmond, VA, may also want to visit your property to view what needs moving rather than simply relying on details provided over the telephone. This will give them a better idea of the scale of the job and allow them to give an accurate quote for the work. This is also an opportunity for you to clarify details with them and ask them questions about anything you need to know.
It is vital that you get a quote from a removal company before hiring their services, especially if you have a limited budget for your house move. When you are asking for a quote, you will need to have all your information ready for the removal company so that they can give their quote as accurately as possible.
This will include your current address, the address of your new property or any storage facilities you are using, the date or dates of the move, if you have any high-value items you need moving or unusually large pieces of furniture and the number of boxes you estimate will be included in the move.
This will give the moving company a clearer idea of the distance of the move, how many removals vehicles are needed to complete the job, the length of time the move will take and any extra costs that need to be included in the quote.
A reliable moving company in Richmond, VA, may also want to visit your property to view what needs moving rather than simply relying on details provided over the telephone. This will give them a better idea of the scale of the job and allow them to give an accurate quote for the work. This is also an opportunity for you to clarify details with them and ask them questions about anything you need to know.
Why Hire a Professional Moving Company Rather than Completing the Job Yourself?
It can be tempting to consider completing the job yourself rather than having the additional expenditure of hiring the professionals. This is often the case when people have a really tight budget. They decide they will save the money by moving the possessions themselves. However, this is often a false economy. It will take you longer to complete the job yourself as your vehicle is unlikely to have the same capacity of those of a removal company and you will need to make more trips. To do this, you will need to spend more on gas and may potentially need to take extra time off work to get everything moved.
There are further benefits to hiring the professionals to help you move home. The first is that they have the experience to know how to move things properly so that they do not do themselves physical harm or damage items of furniture or personal possessions. When trying to do this yourself, you risk straining muscles and damaging your own belongings.
Secondly, they know how to fill the vehicle best to make the most of the space available and this reduces the number of trips necessary or the number of vehicles needed for the move. This can save a lot of time and effort on your part.
Finally, your vehicle insurance may not cover the cost of replacing or fixing any damage or breakages to your possessions that happen during transit. In most cases, a professional moving company will have insurance in place that covers this. However, it is best to check with the individual company in advance if you have items of high-value.
There are further benefits to hiring the professionals to help you move home. The first is that they have the experience to know how to move things properly so that they do not do themselves physical harm or damage items of furniture or personal possessions. When trying to do this yourself, you risk straining muscles and damaging your own belongings.
Secondly, they know how to fill the vehicle best to make the most of the space available and this reduces the number of trips necessary or the number of vehicles needed for the move. This can save a lot of time and effort on your part.
Finally, your vehicle insurance may not cover the cost of replacing or fixing any damage or breakages to your possessions that happen during transit. In most cases, a professional moving company will have insurance in place that covers this. However, it is best to check with the individual company in advance if you have items of high-value.
How Much Should You Tip a Moving Company?
How much you choose to tip a mover is at your discretion. However, the industry standard is usually five percent.
You may prefer to tip the company with this percentage tip or to tip each of the movers individually. If you feel that the move has run really smoothly and are happy with the job, it is your choice whether you wish to tip the company or the workers at a higher rate to thank them for the good standard of their work. |
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Tips to Make Moving Easier
- The first thing to remember is that you shouldn’t assume that packing up your belongings will be a quick and easy job. Start your packing well in advance of the move rather than leaving it until the last minute. Start with the things that you rarely use first, then pack things that you can manage without for a while. Leave the things you use on a regular basis until the later stages of the packing process.
- Next, make sure you pack any delicate or breakable items carefully. Wrap them individually in protective materials to reduce the likelihood of breakages or damage occurring during the move. Also, make sure that everything is packed in boxes of a suitable strength for the weight of their contents and that each box is securely sealed. It is possible to buy boxes that are intended for house removals rather than relying on using second-hand boxes from your local shop as these are often too weak for moving household items.
- Moving house is often a difficult and time-consuming task. Spread the load by calling in favors from friends and family who have the time to help you with the packing as this will make things much easier for you. Likewise, children can hinder your progress, get in the way and become bored due to lack of attention. If you have friends or family who can care for them for the day, then this is beneficial for everyone.
- Another tip is to pack similar items together, such as those that belong in the same room. For example, bedding should be packed together and kitchen utensils should go into the same boxes. This will help you when you are unpacking in your new home as the things that belong in the same room will all be together and it will save you time searching for things unnecessarily.
- Labelling all your boxes is another useful tip. If possible, attach a list that itemises everything inside each box as this is helpful during unpacking or if you need to find a particular item quickly. If itemising each item is too time-consuming, then make sure you label the box with the name of the room it is intended for in your new home at the very least. These boxes can then be taken straight to the correct room on your arrival without the necessity ofopening each box to find out what is inside.
- Planning the day properly will also make a big difference to how smoothly things run on moving day. Ensure that everything is packed ready to go for the time you have arranged for the moving company to arrive. Make sure each person involved in the house move knows exactly what they are doing and when they should be doing it. Think of any potential problems that may occur during the day and plan for these in advance.
- Finally, pack a box to take into your own transport of things you will need immediately when you arrive in your new home. The first things you are likely to want to do are to use the toilet and have a hot drink. Therefore, you should pack your box with toilet roll, cups, the kettle, coffee and tea, sugar, a small carton of milk and some biscuits.
These are just some of the things that you need you think about when planning a house move and searching for a moving company in Richmond, VA. By using these tips and taking each of these points into consideration, you should find a reputable and reliable moving company that can help your house move run smoothly and efficiently. This will reduce the stress of moving to a new property and help you to quickly settle into your new home.