Moving Service Beginner Part 2
A Beginner Guide to Moving Services: What You Need to Know
To many people, moving to a new place seems to be some kind of adventure filled with possibilities and new experiences. However, the process in itself is overwhelming and might prove to be quite daunting to many a beginner. Knowing the various aspects involved in moving helps to take away some of that anxiety and stress from the transition. This guide deals mainly with relocation services, including on-site and video surveys to solutions like storage-in-transit, so as to amply prepare you for your next move.
The Onsite Survey: An Essential First Step
Before a firm quote can be given for your move, a moving company must measure the volume of goods being moved. This is typically done through an in-home survey where a consultant visits the residence to survey the goods being moved.
Why is an Onsite Survey Important?
Perhaps the most important purpose of a house survey is to form an accurate volume estimate for a move. Based on this estimate, the moving company will decide upon the truck size, the number of people to be hired, and what the total cost for the move will be. In addition, the survey will allow the consultant to foresee any special services you may require, like packing delicate items, disassembling furniture, or moving bulky items like pianos.
On the on-site survey, he will walk room by room with you and note down what is to be moved. He will raise questions regarding certain pieces, such as whether some furniture has to be taken apart or if there are fragile items requiring special packing material. All of this helps in being prepared for the move and avoids any surprises on moving day.
The Role of Technology: Video Surveys
When COVID-19 swept the world, more people were understandably wary of allowing visitors into their homes. To assuage such concerns, moving companies have moved toward video or Zoom surveys rather than conducting the traditional onsite survey.
What is a Video Survey?
Essentially, a video survey is the same as an onsite survey, but it is done remotely. Instead of a consultant coming out to your home in person, they survey your belongings via video call. You’ll walk around your home, showing the consultant each room and what needs to go. They can ask questions and give feedback in real time, just like they would if they were there in person.
Advantages of a Video Interview
- Safety and Convenience: Video surveys provide a safe option for people considering health risks such as COVID-19 or other related risks. You can have a professional quotation without having to allow any person into your home.
- Flexibility: Most of the time, video surveys can be accommodated at a time that suits you more conveniently. There’s a reduction in travel from the consultant’s end. This can be downright critical if someone leads an exceptionally busy life.
- Accuracy: Much like an on-site survey, a video survey allows the consultant to accurately assess your moving needs so that your quote reflects those as precisely as possible.
Storage-In-Transit (SIT): What to Do When Your New Home Isn’t Ready
One of the stresses of moving is trying to coordinate when you vacate your old home with when you can occupy your new one. Sometimes, your new home isn’t ready for you to move right in, whether it’s because renovations aren’t complete or because construction ran a little behind schedule. In those situations, you would want a Storage-In-Transit, or SIT.
What is Storage-In-Transit?
SIT refers to Storage-In-Transit. This is temporary storage accommodation in a warehouse, many times offered by almost all moving companies. Your goods are stored in a safe warehouse until your new home gets ready, after which they are shipped to the final destination.
When Might You Need SIT?
- Lapse in Move-In Dates: If there is a gap in the date by which you need to vacate your current home and when you will be able to move into the new home, then SIT provides the temporary solution.
- Renovations or Repairs: If your new home is in need of renovations or repairs before moving in, temporarily storing your belongings can prevent them from being destroyed or interfering with the work.
- Temporary Relocation: Sometimes, this may involve relocating temporarily before getting permanent residence. SIT enables you to move your stuff out of your old house as you find a more permanent living situation.
Costs and Considerations
Keep in mind that the additional costs associated with the majority of SIT services may include storage and handling charges, along with potentially a little extra for the transportation to your new home from storage. Make sure you inquire about the SIT options and the fees they attract while talking to a moving company, so that you can budget appropriately.
How to Get the Most Out of a Move
Whether you are relocating locally or internationally, it is indeed a time of change, and such a time needs better planning and coordination. Knowing your services and service providers will help smooth things out with ease.
Why Professional Movers?
This is made much simpler by taking up on a professional moving company such as Asian Tigers. Professional movers come with their expertise, equipment, and required manpower; therefore, they will ensure all your belongings are handled with care and the movement runs smoothly.
Benefits of Hiring Professional Movers
- Experience: Professional movers have the experience of making all manners of moves from small apartments to large houses and even complex international relocation jobs.
- Safety: You are susceptible to risks when moving heavy or fragile items if you do it yourself, not having enough equipment or the techniques to use in handling such. Professional movers are trained in the handling of such items and thereby minimize potential injury and damage.
- Efficiency: Professional moving companies are designed to complete your move as quickly and efficiently as possible. By doing this, they save your time while moving and reduce the overall stress of moving.
Preparation for Moving
Organizing Belongings
Pack your things before the actual day. The first step is to clean house: purging what is no longer useful can further cut the size of the move and, in turn, pare down the price. The next step is to sort and plan how to pack your belongings. A moving company will pack stuff for a price. However, if you pack by yourself, make sure to choose the best packing material, ensuring also that all boxes are properly labeled.
Be sure to communicate clearly with your moving company at every single stage of the move process—when you book an onsite survey, set up a video survey, or sign on for SIT services, nail down all the details in writing, some of which are the moving date, services to be performed, and any special instructions that you may have.
The key to a successful move is in planning. Initiate the whole process in good time, especially in case you are moving during peak season or need to set up SIT. Early planning gives you maximum opportunities for your chosen date of the move and ensures that everything goes without problems on the moving day.
Conclusion
Moving to a new location, whether it’s across town or international moving, is very exciting but still very challenging. Knowing about onsite and video surveys, and services like Storage-In-Transit will help you make intelligent choices that reduce a significant amount of the stress involved in moving. By taking you through every step of the meticulous moving services, it will be a smooth moving process with such professional moving companies as Asian Tigers. To first-timers or people who have moved before, these insights help one know the basics of relocation and dive into their new adventure on the right foot.
