House removals can be a stressful time for all involved. To minimize this stress we’ve highlighted what can go wrong with house removals and ways to avoid these common pitfalls.
1) Damaged items
This is most common when goods are improperly packaged or handled. Fragile goods need to be clearly identified, especially if they’re packed away in boxes. Furniture can be easily scratched and marked so ensure that it is either well covered or handled correctly. A pre-move survey of the new and old property can allow movers to highlight any narrow corridors, doorways or difficult stairwells.
2) Damaged property
While damaging an item of furniture can be irritating, it’s often livable and not overly costly. Any damage this item may do to the property however, can have a much bigger bill. Scraped walls, doorframes etc. can all require redecorating, which can cost not only significant money but time. Have photographs taken of any existing faults in the new house to prevent being charged for someone else’s carelessness in the moving process, but also ensure your removal men are careful not to leave damage on your old property.
3) Packing material
The realization that you don’t have sufficient packing materials can cause delay and also cause damages as you either over pack boxes or don’t protect fragile items. Always buy more materials than you think you need, or negotiate with the moving company to provide more boxes that you can return to them without being charged. Also, check to make sure you’ve accounted for every item to take with you – cupboards and crevices can hide many objects!
4) Items are lost
Finding out items have been lost is one of the most unpleasant things to go wrong with a move, whether it’s a single box or an entire cargo. Ensure that you keep a record and inventory of all boxes and their contents and don’t leave any unattended on the street, in the back of the lorry or in your garden.
5) Cost
Often removals deals, especially when seen online, can look very appealing. Yet, then you realize you don’t have enough packing materials, or enough vehicles, or the move takes longer than planned, or you need more removal men. The cost quickly racks up. Ensure that surveys of the property and contents are taken before the move and before a price has been agreed. Then once the price has been agreed, carefully read the contract for small print and any clauses for over-runs.
All of these problems can be solved with one of two things: planning in advance and ensuring that your removal company is well trained. Organization is key, and cutting corners to save budget will invariably only increase costs.