Relocating to or from Cape Town isn’t always easy. Narrow parking spots in the CBD, hills leading up driveways in the Southern Suburbs. Each location has obstacles of its own.
Throw in variable weather conditions, complicated access to buildings and traffic routes, and you start to realise that finding the correct removal company is important.
Your chosen removal company should be honest, knowledgeable, and ready to explain to you exactly what they will be doing when moving your valuables. So how do you know that? Ask questions. Asking the right questions before committing to a moving company is easy when you know what to ask.
We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask, grouped by category so you can be sure to select the right company for your move.
Why Asking Questions Before You Book Matters
Moving companies offer more than just transportation. When you hire movers, you are placing your possessions and schedule, and oftentimes your sanity, in the hands of strangers. Little details can become big issues if they’re not ironed out ahead of time.
A lot of problems can occur on moving day that could have been prevented with clear communication from the beginning. Ambiguous pricing, unavailable services and inappropriate expectations can be avoided by simply asking questions.
By entering the process with a keen eye, you can learn to distinguish between price estimates and professional companies with plenty of experience.
Price Quotes – Are You Paying Too Much?
Price is what people see first…but that doesn’t mean it should be the deciding factor. One company may have a low-ball quote that leaves out important details.
Your moving company should provide you with a written quote detailing labour, transportation costs and other expenses that may occur. Make sure you know if your price is fixed or if it can go up depending on access, distance, or time of the move.
Find out what can affect your price. Ask them about poor access, long carry in’s or out’s and last-minute additions. A reliable moving company will explain how these factors affect your move and your price.
Price transparency is one of the best ways to gauge the professionalism of your mover. If it seems shady or confusing, there’s probably something fishy going on.
What services will they provide? Packing it in or… out? !
Have you ever looked at two moving companies and noticed that some list “basic moving” and others just “moving?” It should raise a red flag. There are moving companies out there that do nothing but pack a truck and drive it across town.
There are also moving companies that offer full-service moves. A full-service move includes packing, wrapping your items and even unpacking them for you.
When talking to moving companies be sure you know:
- Will your materials be provided for you to pack with?
- Will your furniture be wrapped?
- Is labor included to take things apart and put back together?
If these are services you want, be sure they are 100% confirmed before hiring. It doesn’t do you any good to show up to your move with boxes only to find out they don’t pack the boxes for you.
If you have a larger home or business to move we highly recommend working with full-service movers. It makes your part of the process a lot easier.
Local expertise: Are they familiar with Cape Town Moves?
Moving isn’t the same in every area of Cape Town. Some roads may be narrower. Some houses might have tricky driveways. You may find restricted parking, or even properties with estate rules.
An experienced mover in your area will already know this. They’ll know what to expect and how to prepare for different scenarios. Will your move be delayed by difficult access? Maybe they’ll know someone who can help with access. Do they have a boom truck for those tough driveways?
Ask your moving company how familiar they are with your area. If they’re local experts, they’ll be able to explain to you how they handle these situations.
Local knowledge can help things go more smoothly AND it minimises risk.
Insurance & Liability: In Case Something Goes Wrong
Hopefully nothing goes wrong when you move. But life isn’t perfect. Things happen. Stuff gets delayed or damaged even when working with professional movers.
That’s why it’s important to understand insurance and liability before booking your mover.
Ask the moving company to explain their insurance policy and where their liability begins and ends. Most reputable companies will offer some type of basic cover as part of their services. But some high-end companies will allow you to add additional coverage for valuables.
If you have any high ticket fragile items ask them how those will be handled and if they suggest additional coverage. You want a company that not only cares about your belongings but holds themselves accountable should an accident occur.
Equipment and Care: What about my possessions?
Customer care also demonstrates how professional a removals firm is by how they handle your possessions. Using the correct equipment and packing method can avoid damages.
Professional movers use blankets, wrapping paper and strapping to secure items during transport. Trolleys and lifting equipment are used to move bulky items.
A professional company won’t just protect your items, they’ll protect your property too. Damage to floors, walls and doors can happen if the movers are not careful.
Knowing that your mover cares about this aspect of the move can ease your mind.
What are Their Scheduling Policies? Are they Flexible?
When moving it’s often necessary to move by a certain date. Whether you’re bound by a lease, property transfer or business day, expediting your move or even going one day can become expensive and frustrating.
Inquire about their scheduling policies and what happens if your moving date needs to be changed. While some companies are flexible, others are not.
How do they work with you if there are delays, or you need to reschedule? What about the day of changes? A reputable team will have set procedures to handle these changes.
Proof of Work: Case Studies vs Real Experience
Customer reviews can tell you a lot about a moving company, but real examples of moves gone well (or poorly) can tell you more. A good case study will demonstrate how your movers tackle problems, how they communicate with you along the way, and how they perform under real-life conditions. It also shows that they can repeat that success time and time again. Consistency is what you’re looking for when hiring someone to move you and your family.
With real examples and complete transparency, you know they’ve got the experience to take care of you.
Questions to Ask a Removal Company: A Real-Life Example
Let’s paint you a picture of how asking questions (or not asking questions) can affect your move.
Picture this – there’s a client who selects a moving company based on price. They assume that packing materials and careful handling are included in the service.
The day of the move, they find out that packing materials and careful handling cost extra. Items aren’t wrapped safely, the truck’s late, and the bill comes back higher than they originally quoted.
Now let’s look at the client who asks all of the questions up front. The move is much smoother because they know what to expect. The team shows up on time with the right equipment and their move is on schedule.
Asking questions is often half the battle. Let’s look at some questions you should ask before you book your moving company in Cape Town.
Final Advice
Searching for moving companies Cape Town has to offer can be stressful, but if you remember to ask the right questions, you’ll automatically weed out the bad companies. And from there, you’re one step closer to finding a company that suits your needs.
Remember – your move shouldn’t just be about moving your items from point A to point B. Your move should be efficient, effective, and stress-free.
Moving FAQs
How far in advance should I hire a moving company?
We recommend you book two – four weeks in advance. Of course this will depend on when you want to move. If you’re moving at the end of the month or during holiday periods then it’s best to book even earlier as these times are usually busier.
What should be included in a moving quote?
Your quote should specify labour costs, transport fees and clearly indicate if there are any additional costs such as packing fees or storage costs. No hidden costs.
Will the moving company insure my belongings?
Most companies provide insurance but the level of cover differs from company to company. Make sure you know what’s included before you commit to using a company.
Will I have to pack everything myself?
No, many companies provide packing services. Ask your removalist about this option.
How can I ensure my move goes smoothly?
The more prepared you are for moving day the easier and quicker your move will go. Make sure you’re organised and label all of your boxes. Also, make sure your driveway and property is accessible for the moving truck.