How to Choose Reliable Furniture Removalists in Melbourne
It’s essential that you pick the right furniture removal company for your move. After all, you’re putting your furniture and belongings in the hands of strangers, so those hands need to be experts in navigating your home’s contents from one property to another.
Many people often get overwhelmed when it comes to the choices available and what to look for when it comes to a reliable removalist in Melbourne. There’s also the cost, and making sure you get a good deal, without scrimping on quality.
With that being said, this article will help you determine what questions you need to ask and the red flags to look out for to avoid the cowboys out there.
Why Choosing the Right Removalist Matters
Choosing the right removalist matters, especially when they’re handling your furniture and most likely belongings that you treasure very deeply.
Some risks come with choosing the wrong provider. Delays may occur during your moving day, which could impact when you get into the new property and out of the old one. Damage is a problem, especially if they’re not taking care of your items or packing them up properly.
Some companies may also present hidden fees upon providing the invoice, which are a nasty surprise when you’ve budgeted for a certain amount.
The benefits of hiring a reputable, local company are that you’ve got trusted movers who know what they’re doing and who are likely fully insured and licensed. With great reviews and testimonials, that’s often a great sign that you’ve picked the right company for the big move.
Top Questions to Ask a Furniture Removalist
It’s beneficial to ask all the right questions so that you have as much information as necessary to pick the right removalist. Here are some of the top questions to ask a removalist and the answers you should be looking for.
- Are you insured and licensed?
Insurances and licenses are essential to help protect you as the customer. They should have the right insurance coverage and license to keep your belongings covered financially, just in case something were to happen during the transportation.
If they don’t have either or there’s not a lot of coverage, you might want to look elsewhere.
- Do you offer fixed quotes or hourly rates?
Reliable furniture removalists in Melbourne can vary depending on the company’s preference for offering fixed quotes or hourly rates.
A fixed quote is likely to be the more attractive answer because the hourly rate will depend on how fast the removalists work and how much furniture you have that needs moving. Not to mention the travel from one property to another will also be included in the hourly rates charged.
So if you’re moving from one place to another that takes hours, that could make it a costly move.
- Do you charge extra for stairs or weekends?
While some companies might charge extra for stairs or working on weekends, most shouldn’t charge additional costs just because they’re having to climb a flight or two of stairs to get to your property. The same goes for working on weekends, which is likely when a lot of households are available to move.
- Can I see customer reviews or references?
Customer reviews and references should be widely available, and for the most part, you shouldn’t need to ask. A reliable and trustworthy removalist will feature some of their customers’ experiences proudly on their site.
If they’re not showing reviews or they don’t have many, if any, then you might want to look for someone more reputable.
- What is your cancellation policy?
A cancellation policy is often put in place when it comes to unforeseen circumstances and many businesses have the ability for customers to cancel their booking without charge depending on how long it has been since booking or when the booking is coming up.
It’s good to check what the cancellation policy is and to be mindful of this, especially if you need a degree of flexibility with your move.
- Do you offer packing/unpacking services?
When it comes to choosing reliable furniture removalists, you want professionals that can offer pretty much anything and everything. A lot of furniture removalists in Melbourne, should offer the ability to pack and unpack your belongings.
It’s a good idea to check that this is the case for any removal services that you’re exploring as an option for your move.
- Will you disassemble and reassemble furniture?
Another additional service to check is available is that the furniture removalists will disassemble and reassemble furniture that you might need putting together. Some companies will offer it, some won’t.
If you’re looking for a company that ensures you don’t lift a finger, then you should be looking for a company that ensures this is part of the package you pay for.
- Do you have storage facilities?
Storage facilities are worth asking about, especially when it comes to keeping furniture and belongings secure. Not every removal company will offer this, as they may not have the storage units available. Therefore, it’s good to double check if this is an option, especially if it’s a service you’ll need.
Red Flags to Watch For
It’s always good to trust your gut when it comes to warning signs that might hint of a potential problem with the removalists you choose. To avoid getting into a situation where you’re regretting picking the company, there are some red flags to watch out for. That way, you can prevent choosing the wrong company and potentially putting your belongings at risk.
Vague or no quoting process
Red flags removalists will likely offer a vague or no quoting process. That’s an indicator that you’re going to be charged more than you’d planned, so walk away before it’s too late.
No written contract or terms
A lack of written contract or terms can be a problem because there’s no legally binding agreement. That means the company could do anything they want, which can be a big red flag as a customer.
Very low pricing compared to the average
If the pricing is extremely lower compared to the average, then it’s best to avoid the company for the most part. Unless that is, they have great reviews.
Poor or fake online reviews
Talking of reviews, it’s always good to check out the reviews the business has. If they’re lacking or they’re negative in general, it’s probably not the best one to go for.
Lack of local address or ABN
A lack of local address or ABN is concerning and may be a risky company to go to for your removal services, especially if they’re not running the organization legitimately.
Pushy sales tactics
With pushy sales tactics, this is always an indicator that something isn’t quite right.
Tips for Comparing Multiple Removalists
When you’re looking at how to choose a removalist, it’s important to get multiple quotes. Try to get as many as possible, so you have a clear idea of what price you should be looking to pay.
You should also look beyond just the pricing, focusing on the reviews, the experience that the company has and the flexibility that they can provide for you.
It’s also worthwhile to ask for a walk-through or a detailed inventory quote so the fee you receive is close to the final balance that will be due.
Why Trust Get n Go Removals?
Get n Go Removals are a top-rated removal service and prides itself on being a family run business that cares about its customers. They’ve been in the industry for ten years and are fully insured.
As experienced movers, these reliable removalists in Melbourne are certainly ones to trust when it comes to trust companies in the area.
Due diligence is important when you’re looking at trusted removalists, in Melbourne. Make sure you’re looking at every removal company in detail, doing your research and working with some of the best in the industry, like us. Get in touch with us today for a quote on your move, however big or small it may be.