How to Select a Reliable Moving Company

Here’s how to select a reliable moving company!

On the list of critical tasks that may trigger as much stress and anxiety, relocation is just one that tests the patience even of the most composed. Among the best decisions that could make this complex process easier is hiring professional movers. Professional movers—just like Asian Tigers Group—are expert workers on packing, shipping, and delivery with sophistication in all intricacies involved in customs clearance, insurance, and other equally knotty paperwork involved in international relocations. Here are four key factors that help in choosing the right international moving service for you.

Experience

Importance of Experience

Experience is important when choosing an international moving company. How long a mover has been in business and the movers’ familiarity with the local market impact the level of quality service you receive.

1. Experience: Moving companies that have been in for long in the business of moving must have gone through a good number of challenges and learned to get over them, hence being better at handling your move with efficiency.
2. Familiarity with the Locality: People who have been movers in your area for a long time know local regulation, routes, and customs—a fact that might just smooth things out.
3. Specialization: Make sure that moving is not just one of the many businesses they have, but actually, the primary business of the company. Specialized movers would be more inclined to have the necessary expertise needed for a successful relocation.

Understanding Experience 

While knowing about the moving company’s experience, consider these points:

1. Years in Business: Check how long they have been operating in the moving business.
2. Client Testimonials: Check for reviews, testimonials from previous clients to understand how satisfied they were with the services rendered by the company.
3. Case Studies: Request case studies or examples of similar moves they have managed to handle—especially in cases where you may have some unique requirements or challenges.

Accreditations

Why Accreditations are Important

Accreditations and certifications simply serve as proof of a moving company’s commitment toward quality and professionalism. It suggests that the moving company follows the industry standards and best practices.

1. ISO Certification: The ISO certification would mean that the moving company adheres to internationally recognized quality management standards.
2. FIDI FAIM Certification: FIDI is the most reputed international moving association. Inside it, there is a quality program called FAIM. A FAIM-certified mover is the real deal regarding quality and professionalism in the moving industry.
3. Other Certifications: Watch out for more certifications and professional association memberships that can be an added validation of the credibility of the company.

Checking Accreditations

While checking the accreditations of a moving company, consider the following:

1. Certification Validity: Check if the certifications of the company are up-to-date and valid.
2. Scope of Certifications: Know what each certification covers and how it can benefit your move.
3. Reputation of the Accrediting Bodies: Check the accrediting bodies to ensure that they are reputable, recognized within the industry, or at least affiliated with a recognized organization in the moving business.

Reputation

Why Is Reputation Important?

The reputation of a moving company is driven by customer perception. Word of mouth, friend and neighbor referrals, and general goodwill within the community are often considered to be the most reliable means of information.

1. Customer Reviews: Positive testimonials from previous customers would obviously reflect on the reliability and quality of a company.
2. Community Standing: A company with good community standing would indicate a company with good reputation in the community and likely to offer consistent and dependable services.
3. Word of Mouth: This is more credible than searching through online reviews as this one comes as personal recommendations from trusted sources.

Checking on Reputation

 Following are the ways to check on a moving company’s reputation:

1. Online Reviews: Check for reviews and ratings at sites like Google, Yelp, and social media.
2. References: Ask them about their references, who could be past clients that have moved similarly or have experienced similar moving needs.
3. Local Feedback: Get feedback from local community groups or forums of people’s experiences with moving companies.

Chemistry

Why Chemistry Matters

The personal interaction you have with a moving company can make all the difference in your experience. The in-home survey is a great opportunity to gauge the professionalism of the company and whether you feel comfortable working with them.

1. First Impressions: The nature and professionalism of the surveyor may give you an idea about the service quality of the company.
2. Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital in the moving process. Ensure the company is listening to your concerns and all of them are well addressed.
3. Comfort Level: Trust your instincts. If you are comfortable and confident enough in the company’s ability to undertake your move, then it’s a good sign.

Checking Chemistry 

Feel the chemistry with a moving company by keeping the following in mind:

1. In-Home Survey: See how well you get along with the company representative during an in-home survey and how professional he is.
2. Customer Service: Observe how responsive and helpful their customer service team is to your needs.
3. Personal Comfort: This involves how you feel about the company, and if you believe they really care about your move.

Additional Considerations

While these four factors are important, there are a number of other considerations that could make a difference in your decision when choosing an international moving company.

Pricing

Price is important, but it should not be the major determinant. A better price may mean cutting corners on quality of service or additional hidden charges.

1. Transparent Pricing: The company should provide clear, detailed quotes with no hidden charges.
2. Value for Money: Value the services offered face to face with its cost.
3. Comparison: Get quotes from multiple companies to get a fair idea of market rates and services.

Insurance 

Insurance is needed to protect your goods in transit. Ensure that the company gives you adequate insurance coverage and read the fine print.

1. Insurance Options: See the kind of insurance schemes provided and opt for insurance that better covers your goods against loss or damage.
2. Claim Process: Be sure about the procedure to claim in case of any loss or damage.
3. Additional Insurance: In case the coverage provided by the company is not satisfactory, you may opt for additional insurance in case of higher valued items.

Flexibility 

Flexibility in schedule and services may prove quite useful in case you have any specific needs or unexpected changes in your moving plans.

1. Rescheduling Policy: Know the company’s policy regarding rescheduling and the costs associated with it.
2. Customizable Services: Check if companies can cater to special requirements.
3. Emergency Services: Find out if the moving company provides emergency services if any last-minute change pops up.

Tips for a Smooth Move

 Even after you choose a reliable moving company, there are lots of steps to make things smoother.

Plan Ahead

Plan early so that you don’t get stressed during the last days.

1. Timeline: Develop a moving timeline with key target dates and what is to be done.
2. Checklist: It comes very handy to use a moving checklist in order to get everything packed, nothing missing, and organized.
3. Backup Plan: In case there are any unexpected delays or other issues, you need to have some backup plan.

Decluttering 

Decluttering before the move will not only save time but also decrease the moving cost.

1. Categorize Items: Group all your stuff according to what you want to keep, donate, sell, and throw away.
2. Sell/Donate: Sell all items not needed or donate them for a noble cause.
3. Dispose of Items Not Needed: Sell, donate, or otherwise appropriately dispose of things that cannot be sold or donated.

Packing

This is the proper way of protecting your stuff while moving.

1. Packing Materials: Good-quality packing materials must be used, such as strong boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper.
2. Labeling: Clearly label all the boxes with regard to their contents and the rooms they need to go into.
3. Fragile Items: Fragile items, antiques, and artwork must be treated with extra care by padding them more and marking the boxes as “fragile.”

Communication

Maintain open lines of communication throughout with your moving company.

1. Regular Updates: There should be regular updates from the customer to the moving company regarding the change.
2. Contact Information: Customers are supposed to ensure that the company has all their contact information for reaching them.
3. Any Questions and Concerns: One is at liberty to ask a question or give one’s concerns at any point during the move.

Conclusion to select a reliable moving company

A good international moving company holds the key to a successful and hassle-free relocation. With these parameters of experience, accreditations, reputation, and chemistry, you would be able to make an informed decision to ensure a smooth moving process. Asian Tigers Group, having decades of experience and a quality-focused approach, is indeed a partner you can trust for your international moving requirements.

The Asian Tigers Group provides full-service solutions and consultation, any field thereof, with top customer support to help clients steer their way through the complexities of international moving. Trust in them to handle every single thing so that you can focus on the excitement and the opportunities that await you in your new destination.