Before you hire a house moving company in Singapore for your next move, ensure that you ask them the right questions. Knowing the right queries and terms of billing makes you a smart customer and helps dodge the hidden costs.
You can be assured that you do not end up hiring any of the cheapest movers in Singapore that may cheat you out of your money. Read this blog for more insight into how you can put forth your enquiry more easily while negotiating the move cost.
So, before you book with any moving service, dive in!
Is the Quotation Binding or Non-Binding?
Why it matters:
Any moving service that does not offer a finalised price in a binding quote is a huge red flag and must be avoided. If you book with any service based on verbal conversations only, there are chances that the billing might be way more than initially agreed upon.
What to ask:
First, give all the details about the size of your household and the total volume of goods to be moved. Also, the distance you are moving, whether short-distance or to another town altogether.
With these details as a basis, ask the movers for a lump-sum binding quote with a proper price breakdown. This way, the prices won’t fluctuate during or after the move. Reliable services conduct a home survey to determine the move price before providing the quote.
Are There Any Hidden Surcharges?
Why it matters:
Often, the move prices are higher on the weekend and at the end of the month. So, whether you are booking on weekdays or weekends, if the move day falls in either of the two, the prices fluctuate accordingly.
Also, long-carry or stair-carry charges are implied if the unloading bay is far from the building.
What to ask:
Ask the mover blatantly about:
- Stair carry charges are applicable if there’s no direct lift or if it is under maintenance.
- Long-carry charges for carrying the furniture or bulky items from the loading bay to the unit door.
- Disassembly/assembly charges for the furniture.
What Does The Risk Coverage Include?
Why it matters:
Having risk coverage is extremely important for moving homes. It protects your financial interests as the movers are bound to pay a certain amount in case of damage or loss of goods. So, risk coverage acts as a safety net for your goods.
What to ask:
Verify with the movers if the “basic liability” or the Basic Goods in Transit liability is included in the risk coverage they offer. Whether it covers total loss or minor damages during transit. This is important to figure out how much damage you can claim.
Also, you can decide if you need the basic risk coverage that the house moving company in Singapore provides or if you need to purchase top-up “All-Risk” coverage for high-value items.
Do You Supply The Packing Material?
Why it matters:
The moving company must provide the packing material. Also, they must use high-quality packing material for wrapping your goods. The boxes, wrapping material, and tape affect your overall move budget and time.
What to ask:
Confirm with the movers if the packing material is part of the move package you bought or will be charged separately. Also, you can ask for a packing bundle, the packing material you will use to pack your personalised items.
Are Your Movers Direct Employees or Subcontractors?
Why it matters:
The top moving services have their own employees, storage and move trucks, so you are charged accordingly. But you don’t have to worry about arranging any of that separately, and the move is streamlined accordingly.
What to ask:
Enquire if the company uses its own full-time crew or outsources the job to third-party freelancers. Knowing this is useful to clarify who’s responsible in case anything goes missing or gets damaged during the move. Also, it greatly affects the service quality.
What Is Your Peak Period Surcharge?
Why it matters:
Even if you are moving with some of the cheapest movers in Singapore, you might have to pay premium prices if you move on weekends, the end of the month or on the eve of a public holiday. When moving on a budget, you might not want to pay such additional costs.
What to ask:
Ask the movers about the available slots and the surcharges for a weekend move or an end-of-month move before booking. If you have a specific day in mind, ask about the move costs and surcharges and schedule accordingly.
Some FAQs Answered Before Moving
What are common moving mistakes?
One of the most common mistakes that people make is not focusing on the move details. The delays and issues must be taken into consideration when planning.
What’s better to put clothes in: bags or boxes when moving?
Boxes are great for packing your everyday clothes, as you are going to unpack them sooner, and you can pack the off-season coats in the suitcase to store them as is after the move.
What to do last before leaving the house?
The last thing to do before leaving your old unit is to check the hidden corners, like the home shelter, storage room, and garage.
How can I identify fake reviews for a moving company?
Seek the emotional reviews with no specific details about the move, and sudden surges of five-star reviews are generally fake.
Conclusion
Therefore, when booking a house moving company in Singapore for your next move, ensure that you ask the aforementioned questions. You are now aware of the impact these factors have on the move as well as on the overall price.
Because without enough details, you can end up paying way more and getting underwhelming services. Also, you can understand more about the reliability and industry experience of the moving services to ensure that your goods are delivered undamaged.
