Ever heard the phrase “cheap is expensive”? When hiring a removalist, this saying couldn’t be more true. While it can be tempting to choose a cheap removalist to save money, the additional cost and stress of a low-quality moving experience can far outweigh any potential savings.
Cheap Removalist Companies Cause more Headaches than they Solve.
Cheap removal companies can result in unprofessionalism, property damage, and loss of belongings. It’s essential to prioritise the quality and reputation of a removalist. This will ensure a smooth and stress-free moving experience.
In this article, we cover why you shouldn’t hire a cheap removalist and how to find a reputable removalist that will ensure a stress-free move.
1. Have You Checked Their Google Reviews?
It’s important to do your due diligence and check their Google reviews. While a cheap removalist may seem like a tempting option, it’s important to consider the quality of their service. Checking their reviews can give you a good idea of the level of professionalism and care they provide. Be sure to read through both the highest and lowest reviews. Pay close attention to any patterns or recurring issues. By taking the time to research and select a reputable removalist, you can avoid the potential risks and complications that come with a low-quality moving experience.
2. The Costly Surprises of Hidden Extras
If you receive a quote that seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Some movers will give customers a low verbal estimate only to increase the price upon completion of the move. Without a written quote, you won’t have proof to dispute the price increase.
Moving companies can add hidden fees to increase their revenue. Be transparent with your moving company about your requirements for the move, and request a written quote. Paying a significant amount over the verbal estimate due to unquoted additional fees like bulky items or stair carry can be frustrating.
3. Are They Experienced Movers?
Consider the saying “You get what you pay for” when selecting removalists. If you’re only willing to pay for a cheap removalist, you may only receive a cheap moving service.
Are the house movers professional and experienced? The initial savings may not be worth the potential damage to your furniture and property in the long run.
4. Insurance and Accountability
Ensure that whoever you choose to move your valuables provides insurance coverage. You need to be sure that the company is liable and will take responsibility if something goes wrong. It’s important to know that they will handle damage complaints seriously. You don’t want to be caught off guard by damages to your belongings without proper coverage from your removalist.
5. Carrying the Proper Equipment
Moving furniture involves a lot of heavy lifting and quick thinking. Without the proper moving equipment, the cost of a move can quickly escalate beyond your expectations.
Cheaper removalists may provide only the bare minimum. They can often neglect to include essential items such as blankets, tools, and sometimes even ramps.
6. Being Able to Have a Plan-B
Even if everything has been planned well, unexpected situations can arise during a move that are beyond your control. Things like a delay in settlement or previous tenants not vacating on time.
In these situations, having a backup plan or knowing that your removalist can be flexible and assist you can provide peace of mind. A cheap removalist may not have the resources to offer overnight storage as an option. It may be worthwhile to pay a little more for a removalist who can provide this service.
7. The Level of Professionalism
The professionalism of your movers can make a significant difference in your moving experience, and it’s worth paying for. There are important points of professionalism that should happen with every move. These are;
- Movers who keep you informed,
- load your belongings properly,
- drive safely,
- have proper insurance,
- and ensure that your belongings are treated with care.
8. Top-Quality Customer Service
Investing more in a reputable and trusted removalist company ensures that you won’t be relying on a single person with a truck. Always make sure that you’re hiring a team who can handle the size of your move.
A professional team should not only move your items but also manage administrative tasks such as;
- communication,
- payments,
- provide assistance in case of any issues.
Opting for a slightly more expensive service guarantees access to reliable support when required.
9. Paying Cash For The Service
While paying with cash is acceptable, it’s important to consider where that money is going. Many businesses prefer cash payments to avoid paying GST, which could be problematic.
Additionally, it’s crucial to consider if your removalists are being paid fairly by their employer.
10. Having Peace of Mind
Hiring a mover can be stressful, and you don’t want to worry about whether they will take good care of your belongings. This is why avoiding cheap removal companies can be the right move.
You want to feel comfortable in the removal company. It’s important to know they treat your valuables with the same care that you do. From antiques, artwork, homewares, electronics, and bulky furniture.
Making the Move?
Get in touch with Fox Removals for a quote or check out our customer reviews on Google.
What Questions to Ask a Moving Company to Ensure They Will Deliver a Quality Service?
Researching a company’s background can prevent falling for a rogue mover’s cheap quotes. Beware of unusually low estimates as they may signify poor service or scams. Verify that you are hiring affordable, yet quality movers by asking these relevant questions.
1. How long have you been in the moving business?
If a company has only been in business for a short period of time, it’s important to conduct further research into their credentials and reputation. Rogue movers or those with poor practices are unlikely to stay in business for long.
2. Can you provide me with references from satisfied customers?
Google reviews and other legitimate customer testimonials is a fantastic way to gauge the quality of a moving company. Try to identify any consistent issues people have had with the company, as well as look at the quantity and quality of their reviews.
3. How do you estimate and quote your services?
It’s common for unreliable movers to only give you a verbal cost estimate. Remember point 2? To avoid any misunderstandings, request a written quote from the company, whether it’s binding or non-binding.
4. What’s included in your quote and are there any extras or incidentals you could add on?
Having an understanding of the policies and fees for additional services provided by the moving company is important. It can be common for a standard quote to not include these if they’re unforeseen situations. This is why it’s important to ask.
Some fraudulent movers offer a deceptively low estimate and then charge a significant amount for added services.
5. Is your team covered by liability insurance or workers’ compensation?
Always ensure that the company you’ve hired for your move has public liability insurance. This protects both you and the company in case of any accidents or incidents that may occur during the move. If the company you’ve hired doesn’t have this type of insurance, we recommend requesting a quote elsewhere.
Ensure that the company you’re hiring looks after its staff. This means that they should have workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees in case of any injuries that occur while they are on the job. As a customer, you want to make sure that the company you’ve hired is taking care of their workers so that everyone involved in the move is protected and taken care of.
6. If something goes wrong, how are my belongings covered?
It’s important to ensure that your goods are covered in case of damage or loss during the move. Ask the company what type of liability coverage is provided for your goods and the amount of coverage included in the standard service.
If you have high-value or fragile items, you may want to consider additional insurance. Make sure to ask about the cost of additional coverage and the coverage it offers.
It’s important to have a clear understanding of the coverage available for your belongings before the move to avoid any surprises or frustrations later.
7. If my valuables are lost or damaged, what is your claims process?
Be prepared for the worst-case scenario during a move. Make sure to ask about the procedure for filing a claim if the situation arises such as the timeline for reporting the damage and the necessary documentation. Ask if they have a specific claims department and how to contact them.
Knowing the steps to take in case of damage or loss can give you peace of mind and help ensure that any issues are handled in a timely and efficient manner.
Fox Removals Can Help You with our Premium Removal Services
Choosing a reputable and professional removalist to ensure a successful, stress-free move is crucial. Avoid the risks associated with hiring a cheap removalist by conducting thorough research and comparisons. Trust in the experience and insurance of a quality removalist for the safe transportation of your items.
Contact Fox Removals for a free quote or view our pricing.