On The Move Removals

Let’s face it, moving house is a stressful situation yet one in which we happily put ourselves through several times throughout the course of our lives. However in many cases this stress can often be compounded by making rash or wrong decisions which may affect the outcome of the move. So if you don’t want to be telling your very own moving horror-story in years to come, then here are 5 top moving mistakes that you can and should avoid.

Finding a removalist at the last minute
Quality removalist companies by their very nature are popular and as such are often booked up weeks (if not months) in advance. If you leave it to the last minute to arrange removals then there’s a good chance that you won’t get the company you really want.

Hire the first company you come across
Unless you’re acting from word-of-mouth it’s always advisable to speak to several removalist companies before you make a choice. This way you can ask all the right questions and get a real feel for how the company operate and work. Often people will hire a company based on price alone and sometimes this is the only way that less-than-experienced companies can compete. Conversely if you do speak to several representatives and you opt for the cheapest, at least you’ll have a ‘gut feeling’ about them so that you can make an informed choice rather than a price-led one.

Failing to tell the company about the access to your new home
Understandably removalist companies will charge more if they have difficult access to a property So if your new home is two floors up or your property is accessed via a steep slope and you’ve failed to mention it, then chances are that the company will take this into account when presenting you with the final bill. So if you want to avoid any unnecessary shocks, then be up-front and honest in your assessment of the job in hand.

Not getting a written contract
If you don’t ask for a written contract then you’re simply asking for trouble. A contract normally outlines the agreed price as well as what the company are responsible for. You’ll need to know if they’re covered for any breakages, whether the agreed price is in fact the final price, and what the company are contracted to do. It should also detail time scales for your move. By getting all this information in writing it may save any problems later on down the line.

Being a less than stellar customer
Yes moving can be stressful, but try not to take it out on your removalists. After all they’re the ones who hold the key to your move. There may well be delays and glitches that are beyond anyone’s control but ranting and raving could cause more issues than you might have bargained for. So if you feel yourself getting a little hot under the collar, then it’s always best to step away for a few minutes and assess the situation.

At On The Move Removals we’ve been helping the people of Brisbane and the surrounding areas too for many years. As such we have experience and the staff that you can rely on. Contact us today on 044 993 2603 for a seriously competitive quote.

As a competitively priced and trusted local removalist we are kept very busy with all types of removal work with trucks to suit every budget. However although we provide logistical and physical help to those wanting to move home on a daily basis, it’s fair to say that some items are definitely easier to move from A-B than others. Here are some of the items that either need that little bit more planning or indeed the use of specialist removal teams.

Piano
The classic black and white image of the grand piano falling through the air as a team of ‘make-shift’ removal men unsuccessfully attempt to winch it up to a high window, has gone down in comic cinematic history. Although it’s laughable, the reality is that moving any piano big or small is a very tricky operation. Grand pianos for example are well over 2 metres in length and can weigh in excess of 360kgs. Not only that, they’re extremely valuable objects (especially if it’s a Steinway). As a result it isn’t something you can just pick up and manoeuvre up or down stairs. Instead it might involve contacting the police, utilising a large crane and cordoning off streets.

Safes
There’s a growing trend these days to turn old banks into pubs or private dwellings and for many this means removing the safe. However as you can imagine moving a safe is no mean feat. Aside from the fact that they are the heaviest things on the planet (so say the people that move them for a living anyway!) they’re usually cemented into place and therefore have to be extracted too. Again professional heavy load movers may use specialist equipment as a large safe can weigh in excess of 3100kgs. If being moved up or down a flight of stairs you might have to remember that stairs (especially if they’re wooden) might not be able to support the weight naturally. As such ramps and supports are normally constructed.

Art
Art work has a tendency to be extremely fragile and can lose a tremendous amount of value if damaged. They shouldn’t be placed into normal packing boxes because even the slightest temperature fluctuations can damage the painting, especially if it’s an ‘old master’. Instead specialised crates have to be constructed to support the paintings and keep them safe.

Serving the people of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, On The Move Removals are your trusted local choice for moving home. With many years of experience we can move you and your belongings both safely and securely. Call us on 044 993 2603 for a competitive quote today!

Every year in Australia thousands of families pack up their belongings and move home, some just around the corner and others across states. Reasons for moving are plentiful and range from new job offers, seeking better prospects, retirement, marriage and even death; however one thing remains the same: do you opt to Do-It Yourself or do you hire a removal company? Let’s take a closer look at the options.

Do-It Yourself
Many people often opt to move themselves primarily to save money. That said the property owner may still have to rent a van ( if they don’t already have one ) or at the very least beg, steal, or borrow one from a friend or relative. They might also have to buy packing materials and will have to pay petrol costs. If you add to this the fact that having to pack up a life-time’s worth of goods can be time consuming and stressful it’s understandable why many would rather pay for the services of a professional moving company.

Self service removals
If you don’t fancy taking on the whole move yourself you can opt for self-service removal. It’s generally a hybrid service offered by many removal companies and some specialists to make moving more cost-effective. Some companies will drop off a 20 – 40ft removals container which you can then fill at your leisure. Once filled the container is then moved to your new location where it’s dropped off leaving you to unpack, again at your leisure. This kind of removal is popular simply because you don’t have to worry about finding a van to hire and all the hassle and cost that goes with it, but you do still have total control over your move with regards to doing your own packing and unpacking.

Full-service removals
If you really do want a hassle free and indeed stress-free move then you may want to consider opting for a full service removalist. They will take care of every aspect of your relocation from packing and loading to transportation and unpacking. It is going to be more expensive than the other options but as long as you choose the right company, you won’t have the hassle that you might normally associate with the other options. After everything has been agreed the removal company will send round a team of packers (this depends on how much ‘stuff’ you have) and from there will pack and label all your household goods. Once you’ve given the driver your final destination they’ll meet you at the other end and will unpack the truck and put the goods into the correct locations. The unpacking team (this may be the same people) will then make sure everything is unpacked and in its rightful place.

As you can see, each option has its pros and cons and it really is down to individual choice and/or budget. At On The Move Removals we’ve been in the removalist industry for many years and as such have gained a reputation for being reliable, fast and above all professional. Why not call us today on 044 993 2603 and get a quote from Brisbane’s most trusted local movers.