The one question on everyone’s mind when organizing an international move is “what is this going to cost me?” In the end, the only way to know is to request quotes from international moving companies. However, although this gives you a price, how can you really know that it is the best price for your move? To assist you with this problem, we have created a simple guide to help you understand moving quotes and how to you select the best quote for you.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to accept the first moving quote they receive. A little-known fact is that international moving quotes can vary by up to 40%! By accepting the first quote you receive, you greatly decrease your chances of obtaining the best deal for your move. Therefore, we highly recommend that you request multiple quotes so you can get a range of options.
We understand that it can be tiresome to request more than one quote. Many people do not have the time or energy to enter the same information over and over on different websites. So, why not let us do it for you? Simply, enter your details in once and we can put you in contact with up to five reputable international moving companies. All you have to do is sit back and wait for the companies to contact you with their moving quotes.
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The main contributors to a moving quote price are the volume and distance you intend to move. If you are at the stage of requesting international moving quotes, the current volume and distance of your move are probably fixed. Therefore, international moving quotes will mostly differ in terms of the additional services they offer and the reputation of the company.
Many people when they receive a moving quote will look immediately to the bottom line: “what is the price?” However, there is other important information within your quote that you should not hastily scan over.
For instance, you should identify exactly what services are included in your quote and what services are not. Some companies may offer a full service where they pack up your house and unpack it again at your destination for you. However, some companies may simply arrive at your front door, open the moving truck and expect your house to be packed and ready to go! You should understand the services you are paying for so that there are no surprises later down the road.
Secondly, you should read over the terms and agreement of the service. Pay close attention to the liability section of the document. This determines who, under what circumstances, is responsible for any damages. Make sure you understand the legal implications of your agreement and more importantly, make sure it is fair.
Thirdly, is there an insurance service included in your moving quote? At the end of the day, it is your life packed on board that truck, so you want to be covered if something were to happen! Not all moving company quotes include insurance services, so be sure to watch out for that!
Now that you requested multiple quotes from different companies, how are you supposed to choose the moving quote that is best for you? Keep reading to discover the most important factors you should consider when making your decision.
Of course, price is very important. Moving to a new house can be very expensive, especially when it’s an international move. You are wise to try and stick to a budget. However, be sure to keep in mind that timeless quote “you get what you pay for”. In other words, if you get a cheap quote, you may miss out on the quality of service you desire. Our advice is to not always take the cheapest quote you find but to find the right balance between price and quality of service.
The first question may be “how much does it cost?” But the follow-up question should always be: “what do I get for my money?”
You need to determine what services you require for your move. Then you can audit all the services a removal quote includes and decide which company suits your needs best. You may find it useful to ask yourself the following question to understand what services you require:
When you wave goodbye to that moving truck containing all your belongings, you want it to be in the hands of a company you can trust. A great way to get a sense of a moving company’s reputation is to read their customer reviews. This will tell you how other people found their services and guide you in your own decision making. On Sirelo we have review profiles for 1000+ moving companies, be sure to look up any company who gives you quotes so you can read any customer reviews.
In addition to reading customer reviews, you may also want to check out the company’s website. This can give you an instant impression of how professional they seem and if they are reputable. Especially if you require a complex or international move, you would like to see evidence that the company has experience in dealing with your needs.
One expert tip for selecting a moving company quote is to check whether the company belongs to a moving association. International moving associations like FIDI ensure that its members follow a high level of service quality. Therefore, when selecting a moving quote, you should enquire into whether they are a member of a moving association.