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Do you want help with packing, want to hire/buy packing materials or simply want to pack up yourself?

It also means that somebody is with your possessions most of the time for added security.You must make sure that they not only explain your quote to you but that you get a full copy that includes any relevant terms and conditions, bills of lading etc.DO ask them about their insurance cover and claims protection and how far it extends (and doesn't!You should NEVER choose a moving company that doesn't have adequate insurance.You can even ask them for referrals from previous satisfied customers.The easiest way to do this is to mentally go through every room in your house, list the big items and then work out how many boxes it'll take to remove the rest of the stuff in the room.This is one of the times in your life when it really does pay to read the small print.If someone you know has had a good experience then copy it!If in doubt ask a couple of the moving companies for advice on how to estimate.How much stuff do you have?It's also important to get a quote in writing and to make sure that you completely understand how the quotation works.Don't just look at price but look at what they'll offer you for the cost.Examples include: * Your preferred moving dates * Are you looking to move locally, long-distance or, even internationally?For example, some moving companies won't cover you for damage if you pack goods yourself unless they play an obvious role in damaging them.You'll be surprised at how helpful they'll be - many will happily send estimators to your home to put together a quotation, especially if they price by weight.Many of us will simply pick a moving company from a Yellow Pages type directory or from an Internet search.Talk to your realtors or estate agents - they should be able to give experienced and knowledgeable recommendations.When you've drawn up a shortlist of potential moving companies you need to start the negotiation process.It's also good to ask how many people will be assigned to your move - the more there are, the quicker it'll go.But you should still beware - if you are at all suspicious, check out their membership.Some of us will simply choose a known name - i.

It's wise to draw up a quick list before you start talking to people, as you don't really want to be thinking on your feet here.You'll see the vehicles of certain movers time and time again and you can take some comfort from the fact that they are busy.How much insurance will you need?Don't worry about it being exactly right - the moving companies don't expect it.Talk to them about how long it will take to move you.You don't have to follow up on this but, if the company seem less than keen to let you talk to people they've dealt with in the past, then you need to start thinking hard about whether they're right for you.But it won't suit either of you if you get it completely wrong and they send a mini-sized vehicle for a juggernaut-sized job!Write down how many rooms you have, list big items of furniture and try to estimate how many boxes you'll be packing.Do you just want to hire a vehicle to move yourself?Don't forget to think about garden furniture and the contents of your garage!Do you need storage facilities?If a local moving company successfully moved your mother-in-law across town, they won't necessarily have the skills, resources and experience to move you internationally, for example.You can assume from this that they take themselves seriously and you can probably do the same too.You'll find a wide variety of costs and services out there and various types of pricing.Will you need the moving company to transport valuable or fragile items?Most people generally find that 3 is an ideal number - this gives you 2 people to do most of the loading/unloading and 1 to sort out the vehicle.It may be more cost effective to pay a little more to get more services.Some companies will charge you on an hourly rate, some by estimated volume based on the rooms of your current property, some by estimating what types of furniture and goods you need to move and others by the estimated weight of your load.In all cases, it's especially wise to choose companies that have taken the time and trouble to become accredited members of a moving association or trade body.If you're looking to move relatively close to home then a quick and easy way to spot local companies is to keep your eyes peeled on the street as soon as you start thinking about moving.Don't be afraid to ask them about how long they've been in business, their experience or for customer referrals.You do still need to be careful, however.The best way to find a reliable moving company is by recommendation or reputation.This list will help you get the best quotes, as you'll be able to be very exact about your needs.They will probably have to adhere to certain standards and you'll have recourse to action if you do have problems.When it comes to costs, you should be looking to get at least 2-3 quotes before you make a decision.