An international move is a big deal. Therefore, you need to make sure you hire the right company. This comprehensive list of questions will help you research your move thoroughly and hire the right team for your specific relocation and personal budget.
How Long Have You Been In Business?
No one wants to hire a moving company with an unproven track record. A company with years in the business provides peace of mind that they’ve been able to successfully move people over the years and adapt with the times to offer tested services that continue to work.
Some companies will work with other companies to help them with different legs of certain journeys. Ask in advance if the company you’re hiring will be handling each leg of the journey, or if some of it will be outsourced, and to who?
Can You Share Some Testimonials?
There’s a reason why people like referrals so much; it’s an authentic person who is willing to share their experience. Ask and look for genuine reviews from people who have hired for the same move you require. Look at all the reviews. If there was a problem, see how it was resolved, as this is just as important as a seamless move.
What Shipping Services Are Available?
Get all the information and costing for the various types of moving before deciding. Depending on the move, items will be moved by land, air, or ship. More complex moves could involve a combination of these modes of transportation. Make sure that you have all the information at hand so you can make an informed decision on accurate pricing and services offered. Find out about item tracking and whether you can monitor your items during the journey to your new home.
What Are Your Specialties?
Different moves require different expertise. If you’re someone moving a large volume of breakable items, you want to know that the company you’re working with has successfully moved such items without incident.
All companies should be experienced in moving common items like furniture, clothes, books, and appliances, but if you need your car moved, be sure to ask if the company has experience in this type of move. The same goes for moving art, antiques, or the family pet.
What Kind Of Insurance Do You Have?
Insurance is important should something on the move break, get damaged, or lost. No one wants to think about these possibilities, but reputable movers will have comprehensive insurance that will replace anything necessary should the worst happen. Verify the maximum insurance amount and that it will cover the value of what you’re moving. Make sure the insurance covers your items from door to door. This way if anything is damaged while it’s being loaded or unloaded, you’re still reimbursed in case of an accident.
Are You Licensed?
To avoid fraud, investigate the licensing credentials of your movers. Most reputable movers will belong to an international moving association, with the most respected being The International Association of Movers (IAM), with over 2,000 company members around the globe. Most of these groups will remove companies who do not meet their minimum standards.
What Is Your Pricing, Payment & Deposit System?
To better plan your moving budget get a detailed quote in addition to a timeline for your fee payment schedule. This will help you avoid any unexpected delays or costs when you’re in the middle of your move.
What Paperwork & Other Items Need To Be Considered?
A good company will know exactly what paperwork is needed to move your goods and will be able to assist you in getting everything in order. This includes a contract for your move. Don’t move forward with a company who isn’t willing to put your move in writing.
Companies that offer packing services are well prepared to pack both efficiently and with minimal breakage. Another benefit of having the company pack for you is the ease of obtaining a manifest/declaration of household goods, required by many governments to prevent illegal goods entering the country.
Are There Any Restrictions Or Items That Cannot Be Moved?
Experts will help you with everything from determining what can and cannot be moved and your packing of such items. Many moving companies offer reusable packing material that is lower cost, and environmentally sustainable. Some companies will even pick up packing materials and boxes from you at no cost so they can use them again for other clients.
What Happens On The Other Side Of The Pond? Do You Offer Door To Door Service?
Find out what the moving quote covers. Are items moved door to door, or simply dropped off at a storage facility? Who is responsible for moving items from say the shipping yard to your new home? Iron out all these details in advance to avoid an unpleasant surprise and manage your time, resources, and budget accordingly.
Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd.: Your International Moving Expert
We have over a decade of experience moving customers around the world. Some of our customers like us so much, they’ve used us more than once. Why did they come back to Orbit? Our customer service is what sets us apart – customer service representatives answer every question, no matter how small, and our moving crew shows up on time with all the materials they need to get the job done correctly the first time. To learn more about Orbit, call us at 416-661-4228.
