Moving to a new home can be very stressful, especially when you're relocating to a new city or state. Aside from the paperwork and preparations to get your things in order, you also have to prepare for the possible changes in your routine and lifestyle. To avoid or lessen the stress, a lot of people often opt to hire movers to help them to prepare their belongings and move from one location to another.
Moving to Darwin?
If you're moving from a city where everything seems to happen at a fast pace, it might take some time to adjust to your new environment when you move to Darwin where it is more relaxed compared to other state capitals.
It is difficult to entrust your belongings to strangers, especially when this involves moving family heirlooms and other important items that you can't move on your own. Before hiring a mover, here are some of the questions that you need to ask to make sure you will be working with professionals who can provide you with reliable moving services.
1. Do they have the proper licenses?
A very important question to ask before hiring a mover is to ask if they have the proper licenses to operate. Asking for their license will help you avoid scams or hiring movers who might steal your belongings.
Aside from checking for their license, it might also help to do a little background check on the company before paying for their services. Look for reviews or ask about the quality of their work from people you know who may have used their services before. It will help set your expectations on what kind of people you will be working with during the move.
2. Can they provide transparent rates/quotes?
Moving companies use different ways in charging for their services. Hence, it is best to know beforehand how they will come up with the quote for your move.
As you look for moving companies who can help you with your move, you may encounter moving companies who offer moving services at extremely low rates. It is best to be cautious when booking with these companies as many of them tend to add additional charges for the services they provide which are not included in the initial quote.
Always get a quote and ask for a breakdown of the things that you will be paying for. This way, you can choose a moving company that offers reliable moves for a better price instead of hiring a company that can't be transparent with its rates.
3. Do they have the right equipment?
Moving does not only involve lifting and loading packed boxes into moving vans, especially if you wish to take your furniture when you move. To make sure that all your belongings will be moved and delivered safely, you need to hire a moving company that has the right equipment to move pieces of furniture and other belongings that won't fit into moving boxes.
Whilst it is often overlooked, using the appropriate equipment and materials for certain items is very helpful in keeping the goods in their best conditions and minimises the risks of accidents that may lead to damaging your belongings.
If you're moving to Darwin from another state or vice versa, the movers may have to pass through rough terrain or extreme weather conditions while belongings are in transit. Hence, it is crucial to hire a removalist who has the right moving equipment to transport your belongings safely.
4. What is included in their liability coverage?
No matter how cautious the movers are, accidents may still occur during the move. Because of this, you need to know what kind of liability coverage they offer.
Whether you're moving across the street or to another state, it is highly recommended that you get an insurance package to cover the value of the items you are taking with you. If an accident or any unfortunate event occurs which may lead to damage or loss of property, you can rest assured that you will have the money to replace your belongings.
5. How long will it take to move your belongings?
Depending on when you want the move to happen, it might take a few days or weeks to get your belongings moved from your old home to the new one. Knowing how long the move will take can help set your expectations about when your belongings arrive at your new location, giving you more time to plan what to include in your overnight bag or what you need to do before your goods arrive.
If you think that it will take longer to get the new house ready to accommodate your belongings, you can opt to have your belongings stored to give yourself more time to figure out where everything will go.