London is a bustling city of more than 9 million people. It has everything for everyone – from great infrastructure for businesses to quiet neighborhoods for residents. The English capital tops the real estate charts in the country every quarter. People want to live here and move here – this is why removals in London also make up a huge industry.
The demand is high all year round but it spikes during the warm summers. If you are looking to move around this time, ensure that you book packers and movers in advance.
What should be your priority when looking for removals in London?
The reason why most people go for professional help is the safety of their belongings. Professional packers and movers ensure that your house is relocated safely. They are also quicker than a regular amateur and they are well equipped. A simple ‘man with a van‘ service can swiftly help you pack and move. Apart from the money that you have to spend, there are only upsides to hiring professional movers.
But how can you be sure that the aforementioned benefits are guaranteed by your moving company? Well, it is better to do a little bit of research before you put your name on a contract. The most reliable removals in London, or any other city, have a few points in common.
Research well before you start searching
An educated consumer is an empowered consumer. You can empower yourself as well – with the help of the world wide web. Go online and look for the following before you start your search:
- How much does a move cost and what are the factors that affect the pricing?
- What kind of services are generally offered by the packers and movers?
- Are there any risks involved with moving with packers and movers?
- What kind of additional services are offered?
- What are some of the best removals brands in London or the UK?
These are just a few things that you can do prior to calling the phone and booking a move. These may differ according to your specific requirements. However, having a clear idea about how the industry functions will certainly help you. It will guide you in choosing a reliable company that can do the job quickly and efficiently.
Factors that affect pricing and how much good packers and movers charge
Pricing is one of the most important factors that influence your final decision. After you shortlist some of the best removals services in London, the next step is to compare their prices. Know that the costing is directly dependent on the current demand. This means that higher demands lead to higher costing.
Demands are, in turn, affected by certain factors such as the season, time of the week, etc. Real estate prices are also an indirect factor, especially in a city such as London. Anyway, prices go down during the weekdays and peak during the weekends. The same goes for the time of the month – the closing days are the priciest!
Summers also report high demand in London. If you have a flexible timeline, you can move during a cheaper time. If not, try to book your preferred packers and movers in advance.
Distance and the particular company also matter. Also, a good ‘man with a van’ removal service is moderately priced. The overly discounted ones should be avoided. They compromise with their quality of service or simply do not cover all the services you need.
Services you need to move a small to the medium-sized house removals in London
Although decent moving companies will help you move everything, there are some additional features that cost extra. You need to be aware of your exact requirements and make sure that they are covered. A basic ‘man with a van’ offering may not suffice. Heavy furniture removals in London, for example, may cost you extra. It requires equipment and a skilled hand to move your furniture safely. Also, you should communicate these requirements to the movers before you hire them. Alternatively, they will come for a site visit and take notes themselves.
Heavy articles such as safes and pool tables will require some additional services. Other than that, many furniture removals services in London offer special packages for moving with pets. You may want to move antiques or expensive and fragile items. Again, these will cost extra.
Speak with the movers about these specific requirements so that the quotations they prepare are accurate. Finally, compare these estimates and choose the one that suits your requirements.
Customer reviews can help you get reliable removals in London
The service-based sector is heavily dependent on good reviews by its customers. The removals industry is not an exception. You can use this to your advantage and read customer reviews on neutral forums online. Google reviews are another place where you can read about the moving companies in your area.
London based removals are especially affected by their customer reviews. The official websites do not present an unbiased picture, of course. It is important that you interact in online forums where people give honest opinions about their experience with the company.
Do not limit yourself to the online realm though. Speak with your family, friends, and your neighbors about good movers in London. Ask them if they know of a good company. If they have moved recently, get a reference and book the movers ahead of time.
Experienced movers are more likely to be reliable
One of the main things that you can find out through these online forums is how experienced and professional the movers are. You can also read about the particular company on their official website. Anyway, experience is directly proportional to the quality of service. Experienced movers understand the industry and know how to work their way around the pain points of the customers.
Experienced moving companies are also more likely to have better infrastructure. They also know how to deal with problems, unique to a specific situation. Fortunately for you, London has lots of experienced packers and movers. The pricing is also decent and you can book them easily.
Ask relevant questions about safety and security
At the end of the day, it is the safety of your prized belongings that matter the most. Accidents can happen at any time and there is no way that you can predict them. This is especially true for the removals industry. Even the online reviews are not helpful here. A very good company can face a challenging situation when moving your house.
Here, it is your responsibility to ask the company that you have hired, the right questions. Talk to them about how they prevent damage to items during packing and moving. Ask them about the kind of moving boxes they use and the equipment they employ. Moreover, ask them whether their staff is trained or not.
Many companies also provide temporary storage solutions and you might need them. These facilities have to be secure and well-maintained. They should be equipped with cameras as well. Finally, in the case of any unprecedented event, how the moving company deals with the situation is also important.
It is paramount that you ask these questions beforehand. It is better to be cautious beforehand than to cry over lost or broken items after the move.