How to Choose an International Moving Company
1. Due Diligence is Key
Take enough time to learn about the prospective moving company before engaging them. Seek recommendations from your friends, family, and co-workers and find out if they can recommend the company for the moving process. If you cannot get recommendations from family and friends, you can seek reviews online. Also, do not hesitate to ask the movers for references from previous clients. These references should be from local clients who relocated at least three months ago for the most accurate information. Contact the referrals and find out about their experience working with the company, how they handled their items and whether they would recommend working with them.
2. Have Options
Do not settle for the first company and estimate you get. Instead, reach out to at least three international moving companies and get an in-person estimate. Note that no mover can provide you with an ultimate estimate until they see your stuff and get the specifics of the moving process.
3. Your Mover Should be licensed and Insured
You can have your friend or relative help with the move down the road or across the street, but keep in mind you are responsible for the safety of your items and the people helping you with the move. Working with a licensed and insured company guarantees you a safe, reliable, and hassle-free relocation. Damage will then be the least of your worries when packaging, loading and transporting your items. While any moving process can have its fair share of unexpected complications, partnering with a licensed company gives you the confidence your items are in great hands.
4. Do Not Overlook the Red Flags
Do not ignore any red flags you might notice during the estimate. For instance, the most reputable companies will not demand a deposit before the relocation. If the movers push you to make upfront payments, you might want to double-check and confirm it is a legit business. You might also want to pay attention to how professional or unprofessional the moving company seems during negotiations and estimates. Unprofessional movers might be late for your meetings or use a rented van or moving equipment. On the other hand, professional movers are always on time, equipped with their moving equipment.
How Much Does an International Move Cost?
Most people moving abroad are shocked about how costly the process can be. While every moving company might have its cost policies, the entire process may cost you anywhere from $800 to $10,000. Several factors will impact your final billing, including the distance to be covered, the quantity, nature, and dimensions of your items, the need for specialized services, etc. Calculating the total costs must be done carefully and accurately to ensure everything is done according to the specified budget.
What Factors Impact Quotes
1. The Volume of the Stuff You Need to Transport
The weight and volume of your items are two of the most significant factors affecting the total cost of your international move. Expert movers will conduct a pre-move study, collect necessary data, and calculate the total volume of your items in cubic meters. They will then record the total volume of your stuff in your quotation. If you are moving many or oversized items, expect that your movers might quote a higher estimate than a client with fewer or smaller-sized items. Ideally, your goods’ volume, weight, and dimensions determine the resources needed to execute the moving process effectively. Likewise, the size directly determines the workforce required for the job, the moving equipment, and the packaging materials required.
2. The Need For Storage Space
For two reasons, a client might need to hire a storage facility during the international move. First, they might want to fly out one or two days before the shipment. Secondly, they might need to leave a few items they can’t carry yet can’t dispose of. If they do not have people to take the weight off their shoulders, storage space is one of the most reliable options. The cost for storage space will depend on the size of the area you are hiring and how long the item will be in the facility. Fortunately, the best international moving companies will offer discounts when you use the storage space for an extended period.
3. The Relocation Distance
The greater the stretch between the pick-up and delivery points, the higher the movement costs. Moving your items over a long distance will require more time and extra fuel. Besides, the moving team will need accommodation and food during the long-distance travel.
4. Packaging Material, Equipment, and Other Necessities
For safe transportation, your items will require packaging materials such as bubble wrap, moving boxes, and corrugated cardboard. Most companies will leave these materials with the clients once they get to their destination country. Sometimes, you might be shipping delicate items that require specialized packaging materials. Similarly, heavy loads will require special machinery such as cranes for the easy and safe loading, transportation, and offloading.
5. Ease of Access
Suppose you live on the 7th floor in a building with no elevator. Moving your items will require much more effort than a client living on the ground floor. Similarly, a rigger will be needed to hoist the items through the window if your house has tiny doors and hallways. In this case, a client will need to include a hoisting fee to their total cost of transportation. Other times, the road to your residence might be too thin for large tracks to pass through. Therefore, the moving company will need to deploy a smaller van to shuttle your items, adding to your total transportation cost.
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