Avoid the headache: Your guide to a successful move

Moving home can be a daunting prospect. Moving home consists of packing and transporting often thousands of different objects, each of different value, shape and size, from one location to another. Given the stress of selling, buying and renting homes, it’s no wonder that people often give little time to thinking exactly what will or will not be moved to their new home. That’s why the British Association of Removers has produced this leaflet to help you prepare and plan for a smooth and efficient move to your new home.

 

Planning your move

  • The Schedule of Service: In most cases an estimator or surveyor will visit you in your
    home to discuss the details of your planned move. He or she will explain the services they provide and agree with you exactly what’s to be included in the quotation, together with a detailed Service Specification of what will and won’t be included in the final move.
  • Service Specification: When you arrange for a removal company to help you move, they need to understand how much requires moving, if packing is required, the time it will take them and how far they need to travel. They will then arrange the appropriate vehicles, number of men required and packing materials to meet your requirements. The Service Specification document is designed with you
    in mind. It is there to confirm the specific requirements of your move and help avoid those last minute niggles prior
    to moving into your new home.

    Packing

    Packing can be the most time consuming and frustrating
    part of any move. If you can afford to have it done
    professionally, do so. BAR Members use a range of
    appropriate packing materials and employ fully trained
    staff who will pack your things professionally and safely.
    Alternatively, your remover can supply you with all the
    packing materials you need at reasonable cost. Simply
    ask!
    If you had intended to do all the packing but, for
    whatever reason, you haven’t had the time then you
    will often find that your mover will still be able to assist.
    However, firstly you should give them reasonable warning
    (at least a phone call the day before) so that when the
    lorry arrives at your home, it will have the necessary
    crew and packing materials needed for the extra work.
    Secondly, they will have to make an additional charge
    for the extra work.

    Insurance

    Even with the greatest care taken, no mover can
    guarantee that your personal and cherished belongings
    won’t get damaged in transit. This is why all member
    companies must have insurance which meets BAR
    standards and we strongly advice you to discuss it with
    them.

    What to Take

    Decide what you want to take early on and make sure
    your mover knows this before the quotation is provided.
    Do not put everything together in one room or area; this
    makes it very difficult for the crew to work and it will slow
    them down.
    If you can, try to remove anything that is not going to
    your new home before the moving day. If you can’t,
    then just identify the items clearly, usually by using labels
    provided by your mover.