Do you need moving insurance?

Removals can be very challenging, no matter whether you’re about to move house, an office or the whole company. In every case, there’s a risk of your possessions getting lost or damaged in the process. Hiring a good removal company minimises it. Nevertheless, accidents can happen. That’s why you may be wondering if you should buy moving insurance. Here’s all you need to know.

How does moving insurance work?

First of all, moving insurance is a very general term that can be interpreted in various ways. In most cases, it refers to the insurance that the removal company can provide to their customers.

Trustworthy removal companies have their own liability insurance. If the one you want to hire has it too, you can be sure that if anything happens to your possessions during the removal – provided it’s the movers’ fault – you will be reimbursed for the damage. That’s why it’s so important to verify the removal company’s credentials before hiring them.

On top of that, you may consider additional moving insurance – the one you buy on your own. In Poland, it may be included in standard household insurance, or you can buy it as a separate service. That kind of insurance may provide you with a broader range of protection – also in situations when it’s not the movers who are to be blamed for the damage. It all depends on General Insurance Conditions.

When should you buy extra moving insurance?

There’s no easy answer to the question above. The decision depends on many factors, such as:

• the removal’s scale and type – if you’re moving to a new flat and have only a few possessions of moderate value to transport, you may “survive” without the extra insurance. But if it’s an office relocation and you’re about to move valuable belongings at long distance, it would be reasonable to get the extra protection,
• the value of your possessions – antique furniture, very expensive electronics, a large set of your grandmother’s china, fine art… if there are any of those items on your ‘to move’ list, make sure you have the right insurance.

It’s also about how much you trust the removal company and how much risk you are ready to take. It’s a very similar case to the one in which you consider whether to buy travel insurance or not. Theoretically, it’s very unlikely that you will get hurt during a two-week holiday, which means buying insurance is a waste of money. But on the other hand, if something bad happens, without insurance, you’ll pay a lot more. So, are you willing to take the risk, or do you prefer to minimise it by paying a small sum of money? It’s really up to you!

A good removal company is the best insurance

As you already know, removal companies have their own liability insurances. That kind of insurance protects the movers and their customers as well. It means that if, for example, a member of the moving crew drops a box with a TV and the device gets damaged, the owner will be fully reimbursed.

Choosing a company that has taken those safety measures, can make you feel secure. Nevertheless, you need to remember that the movers’ insurance won’t cover the damage unconditionally. Their liability has its limits. There are circumstances in which you won’t be reimbursed, such as:

• packing hazardous, dangerous or fragile materials for the movers without informing them about it – the reason is simple. If the team doesn’t know they’re dealing with perishable items, they may not be as gentle with it as they should,
• packing things on your own, ignoring the removal company’s requirements – for instance, when your movers tell you to wrap the TV in a lot of bubble wrap, but you decide not to, they can’t be blamed for scratching the screen or the case;
• failing to inform the crew about any items of high value.

As you can see, it’s very easy to avoid those situations by talking to the movers and listing all the belongings that need to be transported to the new place. It’s also important to properly label the boxes that contain any fragile or valuable items – it may save them from being damaged.

Apart from that, you can also be refused a reimbursement from the mover’s insurance when the damage or loss of your possessions was an effect of a natural disaster. They happen very rarely but it’s still a risk that you have to take when you don’t pay for the extra insurance.

How much does moving insurance cost?

The price of moving insurance depends mostly on the value of the insured items and the type of protection that the insurance provides. Apart from that, each insurance company has its own rates and service packages. Be sure, though, that your removal company can help you to find the best insurance option for you. If you need more information on that topic, feel free to contact us. Our experts will give you the details and help you to choose the type of insurance.

Are you about to move house? If so, make sure you plan the whole process in advance. Apart from picking the moving date and hiring a removal company, you need to make sure your belongings are packed safe enough for the journey. Packing clothes or books may be easy but when it comes to electronics, things may get trickier. Find out how to pack electronics for moving to keep them safe.

Electronics transport – why is it so challenging?

If you look around your house, you’ll quickly realise how much electronic equipment you actually have. It starts with a TV or two, but that’s just the beginning. A laptop, a PC, a video game console, an audio system… the list goes on. But the number of devices is not what makes moving electronics so difficult. As innovative and multifunctional as they are, they’re also quite fragile and susceptible to damage. Sometimes all you need to break a laptop is to drop it on the floor or spill some water on it!

When it’s removal time, all those devices have to be moved quite fast to a new location. That means they have to be:

• put into boxes,
• brought to the moving van,
• transported to the new place,
• moved inside to be unpacked.

On each of those stages, they can be damaged, no matter how hard you try not to drop or scratch them in the process. That’s why you need to ensure their safety on the way to your new home.

What is the biggest risk for your electronics during the removal?

During the removal, you need to make sure that your electronics are well secured from:

• mechanical damage – which can be a result of dropping the package while carrying to the van or hitting some bumps on the road,
• water – even a small amount spilt on the back of your TV or a DVD player can cause irreversible damage,
• extreme heat or cold – just imagine what could happen to your laptop’s battery if you left it for long enough in the scorching heat outside!

These factors are responsible for most damage that can happen in the process.

How to secure electronics for moving – ground rules

If you want to make sure that neither your TV nor the laptop is damaged when you move houses, follow the basic rules that are listed below.

Use original boxes if possible

If you’re one of those people who save electronics’ original packaging, you may consider yourself lucky! Using the boxes and packing materials that were provided with a device by its producer is the safest thing to do. Why so? The answer is simple: your TV or video game console has been shipped in it from the factory and went through many warehouses until you got it without being damaged. So make sure to use the original materials every time you can!

If you don’t have the original box, don’t worry! You can easily gather essentials, such as sturdy carton boxes, a lot of bubble wrap and a roll or two of Scotch tape. They’ll be enough to pack any electronics you own.

Make sure the device is turned off

That rule applies mostly to laptops since they can be put into sleep mode instead. Not only does it drain the battery, but also makes the notebook more susceptible to a short circuit.

Unplug any accessories and cords

It may seem that it’s easier to leave them plugged in but they may cause trouble during the removal and make the packing more challenging. If you don’t want to mix up the cables and accessories or lose them, make sure you:

• unplug the cords one by one and label them (you can use post-it notes or some sticky paper tape for it!),
• roll the cords and zip-tie them – that way they won’t get tangled,
• either pack them together with the devices they go with or put them into one box, but in separate, labelled zip lock bags. That way they won’t get lost!

Remember about wrapping your electronics

No matter if you need to pack the TV securely, or move a gaming console, you need to wrap them in bubble wrap or, alternatively, newsprint. Those materials will prevent scratching the device’s case or screen in the process. They’ll also provide additional shock absorption.

Pack every device separately

Don’t put a laptop and a computer monitor in one box. Use two separate boxes instead. If you don’t your devices will damage each other, especially when you hit the road.

Use extra protection

Make sure you secure the space between the boxes with electronics. To do that, you can use special moving pads, sheets, towels or blankets.

Secure the TV and other electronics inside the moving track

Remember that the TVs, monitors and similar devices should be put in an upright position and, if possible, elevated. You also need to make sure the moving van is equipped with special straps that prevent the boxes from moving inside the vehicle.

Get help with packing TV and other electronics for moving

As you can see from the description above, packing electronics can be tricky. If you’re not sure you can do it properly – have it done by professionals from a good removal company. Their team can not only provide you with the right packing materials but make sure all your belongings are well-protected at every stage of the removal.

Moving houses can be really tricky, no matter whether you move to a new flat in the same neighbourhood or you plan to start a new life in another country. In most cases, you can’t go through it on your own. But the real question is when hiring a removal company is a must. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Hiring a moving company – is it always necessary?

The short answer to the question above is no. In some cases, you can successfully deal with the process on your own or with some help from your friends. But to be honest, those cases are quite rare.

Generally, when you live in a rented, fully furnished flat and are about to move to another one, it’s safe to assume that you can manage on your own. Moving a few cardboard boxes of clothes, electronics and other typical belongings is quite easy, especially if you or your friends have a car and some free time. But when you’re about to face even a slightly bigger operation, think hard before you reject the idea of hiring the movers. It might save you a lot of time and money!

When to hire the movers?

In which cases you should use removal services? Here are a few situations in which it’s more than advisable.

You’re moving flats or houses and take most of the equipment with you

The more furniture and other belongings you’re about to move, the more necessary hiring professionals become. Why so? First of all, you need to hire a moving van. Your car isn’t big enough for the sofa, wardrobe, or an armchair to fit in! On top of that, you’ll have to shift endless boxes of stuff, and that’s a lot of work.

You have heavy and bulky furniture

May it be a wooden bedframe, sturdy desk, or your favourite couch, it’s difficult to move heavy furniture on your own. You may think that you can do it with your friends. In theory, yes. But in practice – if none of you has experience with heavy lifting, it might end up badly. It’s not only about the risk of damaging your belongings. It’s about your own safety!

You own antiques or other fragile objects

Those things require special treatment. In many cases, it’s necessary to use special equipment to move a 100-years-old sofa or luxurious crockery. The experts know what they are doing. They will make sure all your items are safe during the process.

Your furniture needs to be dismantled and set up in the new place

Dismantling a chest of drawers may seem to be easy. But in reality, even if you were the one who assembled it, the reversed process can be very tricky. If you want to avoid the damage, leave it to the professionals. Removal companies offer their services in this case too!

You want to save a lot of time

Moving flats with some help from your friends may sound fun. But will it be efficient? In most cases, it’s more likely that the removal will turn into one big party. And even if it doesn’t and the whole team will be focused on the removal itself, remember that you don’t have enough experience to have it done quickly. Expect many obstacles and surprises on your way to the new flat or… just hire the professionals! A good removal company team will make the process significantly faster.

Another important thing is that the movers are more flexible, and they can adjust their schedules to your needs. It means that if you need to move during the week or on Sunday, it won’t be a problem.

You don’t know how to pack your things properly

Putting random items into cardboard boxes and throwing them into the moving van can be fast but, well, let’s face it. The majority of your belongings will likely end up damaged to some extent.

And even if you know that you should secure your crockery, glassware, and electronics for the shipping, you might wonder, how to do that. Will some old newspapers and a bit of bubble wrap be enough? Sometimes even a small mistake can lead to a lot of damage. So, instead of taking this risk, call the movers and ask them to pack your belongings for you.

The advantages of hiring a removal company

As you can see, hiring a removal company has many advantages. Asking the professionals for help makes the process:

• faster – in most cases, it can be done in one day, or even in a few hours, depending on the scale of the operation,
• safer – the experts always make sure that your belongings are properly packed, and they secure them in the moving van using special equipment,
• less time-consuming – you don’t even have to be in the flat when they work,
• less stressful – you can be sure that the removal goes smoothly, and you don’t have to solve any problems on the way,
• cheaper – even though you have to pay for the service, you save a lot of money because you don’t take the risk of damaging your valuables.

That’s why even if you’re moving from a small flat, consider hiring a removal company. That way, you can focus on other important aspects of moving to a new place. If you need some help in the process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help you to organise your removal step by step and make it as painless as possible.

Are you about to move houses? If so, packing your belongings is one of the most important steps that are ahead of you. As easy as it seems, it’s good to be meticulous about it. That way you’re minimising the risk of damaging your property. It gets even trickier if you have to move antiques too. How to do it safely? Here are some tips and tricks.

Moving antiques – why is it more challenging?

All your possessions need to be secured for removal. Bear in mind that they can be damaged in the process, even if the movers are careful enough and know what they are doing. But there is a group of belongings that you should focus your attention on in the moving process – the most valuable items: antiques.

Moving antiques can be a lot more challenging than transporting electronics or “normal” furniture. Why so?

They are really expensive.

No matter if it’s about old books, a 100-year-old sofa, or some fine art, antiques are very valuable. That means, if they are damaged during the removal, it will be a significant financial loss.

They are unique

If you damage a coffee table from a popular furniture shop it can be easily replaced. But when it’s an antique chair that you damage, you can’t just go and buy another one. That is what makes antiques so precious.

They are more susceptible to damage

No matter how sturdy your antique furniture is, it has been used for decades. That’s why the materials they are made of can get damaged easier – mechanically, by humidity and so on. That’s why they need to be packed properly.

Sometimes it’s the size that causes problems with antique shipping. Imagine a large piano or a huge wardrobe. Those can’t be easily moved by a standard-size van.

Antique shipping – how to do it properly

First of all, if you need to move antiques, don’t do it on your own. Hire professionals. They will take care of your belongings and make sure they get to the new place in one piece. But before they take over, there are a few things that you have to remember.

1. Get an appraisal and insurance

If you’re about to move items that are of extraordinary value, an appraisal is a must. You have to know the exact value of your possessions in order to buy insurance. Remember: good removal companies have their own insurance. Nevertheless, in this case, it’s better to follow the good, old rule: better safe than sorry.

2. Prepare the antiques for packing

Before they can be wrapped, some antiques may require some extra preparation. For instance, you may want to have them cleaned, oiled, or waxed – to protect them from water and humidity in general. If you’re not sure whether you should do something or not, contact an antique dealer or another expert in this area.

3. Make an inventory of the antiques that are to be shipped

A detailed list of all the items of extraordinary value will make the shipment more secure. It will lower the chance of losing something in the process. And if something gets lost; with a proper inventory, you will be able to make a successful insurance claim.

4. Photograph all items

Taking photos of your antiques is also advisable and might come in handy if something gets damaged during the removal. If so, you will have clear evidence of the fact and you will be able to demand reimbursement. Make sure you photograph every detail so that even a small scratch can’t be unnoticed.

5. Make sure your antiques are properly packed

To begin with, you need to remember NOT TO:

• use synthetic wraps directly onto natural materials, such as wood – they can get stuck to it,
• use newspapers to pack antiques – the ink can stain them,
• put packing tape directly on the antique’s surface.

Instead, we advise you to use sturdy cardboard boxes, acid-free paper, large quantities of bubble wrap and elastic bands.

Apart from that, remember to:

• pack fragile items separately and wrap each of them individually;
• mind the temperature – be aware that, for instance, porcelain items can crack due to a rapid temperature change. That’s why you should wait for an hour or so after having it transported to the new place, before opening the boxes – especially if you move houses in winter;
• label all the boxes with the “fragile” sign – to make sure the movers are extremely careful while transporting them,
• protect the antiques from humidity – it’s good to wrap them in foil.

6. Check whether the antiques are undamaged after they’re delivered to the new place

Start with checking the inventory of your household goods and make sure everything has been delivered and nothing is missing. Then open the boxes and check if there’s no damage. If you notice anything disturbing, don’t hesitate and inform the moving team immediately.

If you want to be sure that your valuables are looked after during the removal, hire a team that has vast experience with moving antiques. In this case, it’s more important than ever.

If you need help with shipping antiques, feel free to contact us. We’ll move them to your new home as safely as possible.

Moving to a new city, in most cases, is a really big step. Especially when it’s a long-distance removal. It’s not only about all the technical intricacies of the process, but mostly about making the new place a home. You need to get ready to make some new friends, get comfortable in the new workplace etc. But before it comes to that, you need to actually move. That we can help with. Here are some tips that will make the process easier.

Make sure that moving to another city is a good decision

Moving to another city is not a step that should be taken lightly, especially if all your life has been revolving around the place you currently live in. So before you go, think about the pros and cons. Go through them thoroughly and make sure that going to another city, especially if it’s far from home, is going to be beneficial for you. If it will advance your career or help you to get peace of mind in your private life, go for it. Just make sure that you:

• have some plan for your life in the new place, for example, that you’ll get a job there or have someone that will support you at the beginning,
• can afford to live in the place you picked – be aware that the big cities, such as Madrid, Paris or London can be much more expensive than Cracow or Prague,
• have saved enough money to go through the first few months – bear in mind that, for example, if you’re about to rent a flat, you’ll be expected to provide a deposit.

If you’re sure that’s what you should do, it’s high time to get to the logistics.

Moving to another city: how to start?

First of all, start planning in advance. Moving to another city is a big step, so you need to organise it thoroughly. Our advice is to get started at least 6-8 weeks before the big day. What to begin with?

Formalities

The first thing you need to do is figure out what formalities you need to go through before you move. That may involve things like:

• informing your landlord (if you have one) that you’re about to leave the flat or organising the process of selling/renting your old place once you’ve moved out,
• terminating your contract with ISP, cable TV provider etc.,
• giving your notice letter at work – remember that you may have to stay at work for a few weeks after you inform your employee about your resignation,
• informing your friends and family about your decisions.

Packing

Packing is the biggest deal of all of them when you’re about to move to another city. When you do that, you need to take all you need with you, in one go preferably. It’s important, especially if you’ve decided to move to a city that is located a few hundred (or thousand) kilometres away.

To make it as painless as possible:

• start packing early – don’t leave it until the last week before the removal. It’s more complicated than you think!
• begin packing in the room that you use the least often,
• decide which things you really want to take with you, and which you should get rid of – as difficult as that may be, throwing out the stuff you don’t need will save you time and money. You can sell or donate the belongings that can still be useful to someone,
• organise and label everything – it’s important to categorise your belongings by the room they’re about to be used in the new place and their type. By doing that, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and be able to find all the necessities instantly,
• secure your belongings – use proper packaging accessories, such as carton boxes, bubble wrap foil, scotch tape etc. If you don’t know where to get them, ask your removal company for help. They’ll give you some advice or even provide the boxes etc. themselves.

Remember to mark all the boxes containing glassware, tableware or electronics with the “FRAGILE” label, so that the movers know to be extra careful with them.

Moving company

While you’re packing, you should pick a moving company that will help you get your things moved to the new city. Remember: not all of the removal companies provide long-distance moving services. That’s why you need to make sure that the one you’re interested in hiring can help you.

While choosing the movers, check:

• the cost of moving to another city with them – normally, the rates depend on the number of things that are about to be hauled, the distance between your old and new home and the range of services you require. For instance, the price will be lower if you pack your belongings on your own and won’t need the movers to set up your furniture in the new place,
• the range of services you can be provided with – make sure the movers offer not only the moving van itself but support with the whole process. Carrying heavy furniture requires strength, experience and special equipment too!
• whether you’ll be given the comfort of a single point of contact with the company – being able to keep in touch with one person that keeps you updated about your removal’s progress makes it so much easier!

Schedule

Once you’ve gone through the formalities, make sure the new place is ready for you and pick the removal company, the only thing you need to do is pick the removal date. In most cases, the whole process can be done in one day. Nevertheless, it’s reasonable to schedule the move at least a few days in advance. That will give you some extra time for dealing with any unexpected obstacles.

If you need help with a long-distance removal, feel free to contact Master Moving. We’ll provide you with high-quality services and make sure that moving homes goes smoothly and fast.

Are you planning to move to another town or country? As much as it may seem to be easy, the process itself can get very tricky. That’s why it’s so important to prepare well. Where to start? What to do at the beginning? When should you start your preparation? Here are some tips and tricks that will help you to get through the removal process step by step, without obstacles.

When should you start planning the removal?

The question above seems to be the most important of all we’re going to ask today. Why so? Because you need to have enough time to get all the things done before the moving van comes to pick up your things.

When to start, then? The short answer is: as fast as possible. It’s good to go through moving house step by step, without any time pressure. From our point of view, it all depends on how big the removal is going to be. For example, if you’re a bachelor who used to live in a rented bedsit and doesn’t have much furniture to move, you can get ready in about a week, packing-wise. But, on the other hand, if you have a large house and your family is big, the process is going to require more work.

But it’s not only about the packing! In most cases, you also need to:

• go through all your things and sort out, whether you want to take them with you, or get rid of them,
• sell, donate or throw away the items that you don’t need anymore,
• pick a removal company that will help you out in the process,
• go through some formalities, such as informing your landlord about moving out (if you have one), giving notice to your employer or terminating the contracts with ISP or other services providers.

How to pack to move house?

The packing process can take a lot of time, especially if you want to save some, once you’ve got to the new place. Furthermore, it’s not about time only. It’s about securing your belongings good enough for them not to break. You wouldn’t want to lose your valuable electronics or glassware while moving houses, would you?

How to get the moving started, then? Let’s go through the process step by step.

1. Go through the rooms in your flat/house one by one

That will allow you to avoid chaos and help you to unpack faster. Which room should you start with? It depends on your preferences. We advise you to go either for the space you use the least first, or… quite the contrary. You can also start from your bedroom or living room – it’ll allow you to make quick progress. Nevertheless, the latter approach might be tricky – especially if you start off a few weeks before the moving itself. Remember to keep all the items you need at hand unpacked until the very day of the removal. It’ll make you comfortable and prevent you from rooting through the already packed boxes.

2. Create an inventory and decide, which items you want to move, and which are to be got rid of

Do it for each room separately. Try to be honest with yourself and don’t take things you don’t really need to your new house. The minimalistic approach is the best you can go for!

Make some time to get rid of the possessions you don’t need anymore – you can sell or donate them if they might be useful to someone else. If they need to be thrown out, figure out whether you’ll be doing it on your own, or having it done by the professionals.

3. Get high-quality packing materials

Basically: you need boxes, and a lot of them. The more you have, the more precise you can be with organizing and labelling your stuff. Furthermore, you’ll need some bubble wrap foil and scotch tape. Old newspapers will be good too – for securing the glassware and such.

If you don’t know where to get those items, you can contact your removal company and ask them for help. For example, in Master Moving, we provide you with a personal advisor – it’s an expert who will guide you through the moving step by step. They’ll help you to pack things properly.

4. Start packing things and label them properly

Start off with the things you don’t use very often and then, gradually, get to those you need on a daily basis. Make sure you categorise each and every box precisely. How to do it? For example, you can write the room where the stuff belongs and its type on the box. It can be something like: “KITCHEN, GLASSWARE”. That way, you’ll find the things you need, when you’re already in your new home.

5. Figure out whether you need to store your things or not

Sometimes you need to leave your old place a few days before you get to the new one. In those cases, you might need storage space for your belongings. In many cases, you can arrange to rent it with your removal company, provided they run a warehouse too.

6. Schedule your removal with the professionals

A piece of advice: don’t plan the removal at the last moment you can do it. If possible, get to your new place a few days in advance. That way, if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to solve the problem before the moving deadline.

As you can see, it’s good to be well prepared for moving house. Make sure you think it through and contact the professionals – that’s the trick that will make the removal as painless and smooth as it can be.

Are you in the process of moving flats or houses? If so, you’re facing quite a challenge. It may seem that the removal is going to be quick and easy but in reality, you need to be prepared for some obstacles on your way. If you want to avoid most of them and make the relocation painless, here are some tips and tricks you can follow. Find out how the professionals do it!

Moving flats: appearances can be deceiving

If it’s the first time in your life that you’re about to move to a new place, you may think it’s going to be really easy. How hard can packing a few boxes be? As experienced professionals, we can say without a doubt that without proper equipment and meticulous planning, even a small removal can turn into chaos. That’s why you can’t play it by ear and dry to organise everything at the last minute. Don’t underestimate it!

Tips & tricks that will make the removal significantly easier

What to do to pack all the things fast and get things done without frustration, anxiety, and overpaying? Here’s what you can do to prevent the chaos.

1. Plan in advance

In most cases, you know about the removal at least a month or two before it happens. It’s only logical: there might be a notice period you have to go through if you’ve been renting a flat or, if you’re about to relocate to a new town or country, you need to make some changes in your life before you go. But even though you might be growing impatient, waiting to move to your new flat or a dream house, there’s a silver lining: you can plan the removal with no pressure.

Start planning the move at least a few weeks in advance. That includes making arrangements with the removal company if you’re hiring one. Make sure everything is scheduled and the dates are fixed.

Pro tip: don’t wait with the removal until the very day you have to leave your old place. It’s better to schedule it 1-2 days in advance. That way, if you face some obstacles, you won’t be working under time pressure.

2. Organise your belongings before you pack them up

Before you even start boxing your clothes, electronics, and furniture, look them over and figure out:

• what you should keep and what you should get rid of,
• how much stuff are you about to relocate – if you’re moving houses and you plan to take all the furniture with you, you may need a big lorry to have it transported in one go,
• which of your possessions are the most fragile and valuable.

It’s advisable to make a list of everything you take with you. That way the risk of losing something in the process becomes significantly lower.

3. Donate or sell all the unwanted items

Once you go through all your clothes and other belongings, it’s almost certain that you’ll find at least a few things you can (and should) get rid of. But that doesn’t mean they have to be thrown out. Those things that are in a quite good state, should be sold or donated. It can be done easily! Just use the power of the internet! You can place an ad on a marketplace such as OLX or use your social media. You’ll be surprised how fast your things will find their new owners!

4. Start packing in advance

Depending on the amount of stuff you’re about to move, you should start packing at least a week before the big day. Let’s face it: it will take you a lot of time to organise and secure your belongings the right way. Of course, you can ignore this rule and just pack things at random, but that won’t end up well.

5. Organise your belongings while packing them up

If you’re wondering how to pack quickly, there’s an easy answer: do it meticulously. Remember that it’s not only about how much it takes to put things into the boxes. It’s more important how time-consuming the unpacking becomes.

To avoid chaos:

• organise your belongings: divide them into groups, such as clothes (you may want to separate winter clothes from the ones for summer etc.), shoes, kitchen appliances, books, cutlery and tableware, cosmetics, electronics etc.
• put things that belong to different rooms separately – it’ll help you to unpack quicker.

6. Secure your valuables with the right packaging

Packing and shifting clothes or home textiles is easy – they aren’t very likely to get damaged. But when it comes to electronics, furniture or items made of glass, it gets a lot trickier. Don’t worry though. With the right packaging equipment, you’ll secure them in no time. You just need to remember to:

• wrap each piece of the glassware and tableware in old newspapers/bubble wrap/towels or other home textiles. Make sure everything stays in place by using scotch tape,
• use special moving boxes that prevent your valuables from moving around while in transport,
• mark the boxes with fragile items as such – you can use some special stickers or just white the note with a marker pen.

7. Pack an “essentials” bag

If you plan to unpack on your own, be aware that it might take a while. So you won’t get access to all of your belongings instantly. Some of them will be hidden at the bottom of the pile of boxes. To avoid frustration, pack a bag with all the essential items, such as toiletries, a phone charger, a blanket, or a toilet roll. That way you won’t get angry and you won’t need to go through all the boxes in a rush.

And to wrap things up here’s number 8: hire a moving company. They know how to transport big furniture and how to shift household appliances intact. And on top of that: it’s cheaper and faster when you have the removal done by the professionals.

If you need any help in moving, feel free to contact us. We’ll make the process go smoothly and as quickly as possible.

Are you about to relocate your office? That might be the case if you’ve expanded your company and need a bigger or more prestigious place to run the business. But no matter what the reason is, here’s the most important question: what’s the office removal cost? Here’s what you need to know about the rates and the process itself.

Cheap office removals – how to approach it

Office relocation always involves expenses, no matter whether you do it on your own, or hire professionals. So the first question you have to ask yourself is, whether to go through the moving without a removal company or to have it done by the movers. That depends on:

• how big your office is,
• how much stuff you need to relocate,
• what kind of appliances you need to move – meaning: whether there’s something fragile, valuable, or over-dimensional to transport,
• how much time you can spare to relocate,
• how many members of your team you can involve in the process,
• what the distance between your old and new office is.

Long story short: if you run a small office and you’re about to move a few desks, one or two computers and a few boxes of documents, it might be cheaper to do it on your own. But if time is scarce and the office is big – you won’t save money by not hiring professionals. It will be quite the opposite.

Fast and efficient office relocation requires:

• a good plan – it’s crucial to think it through and always know what the next step is going to be. That way you can avoid unnecessary chaos and losses,
• an even better team of movers – you need to work with people who know what to do, for example how to pack fragile objects or how to organise them in the moving van, not to damage anything,
• professional equipment – like cargo control tracks or hand pallet trucks.

Those three things can guarantee a successful and cheap office removal.

Office relocations’ price

How much does it cost to move your office with professional movers? It’s not so easy to pinpoint the exact rate. As you can expect, removal of a small office, that lasts a few hours and requires the involvement of a few workers, is much cheaper than a relocation on a much bigger scale. That’s why it’s important to ask for an estimate of costs before you make a deal. Sometimes it’s good to compare the offers of a few of the moving services providers to choose the right company.

Nevertheless, the factors that have an impact on the final price are:

• the number of materials moved – the more there are, the longer it will take the movers to pack them up, carry and transport to the new place,
• the type of the equipment – it’s much easier (and cheaper) to relocate laptops and small furniture than giant photocopiers and oversized furniture,
• the logistics of the removal – if it’s necessary to use a lifting platform or any other special equipment, the costs increase,
• the time needed to get things done – the longer the process takes, the more expensive the relocation becomes,
• the range of services – you’ll pay less if you only need the movers to pick up prepacked boxes and transport them to the new place, and more if you want the professionals to take care of everything that is involved in the removal, like packing the documents, electronics and furniture, storing them for a whole and unpacking and installing everything in your new office.

That’s why it’s difficult to tell the price in general. Furthermore, the cost will grow if the distance between your old and new office is long. In most cases, you’ll pay a fixed rate per kilometre, to cover the cost of the fuel and the movers’ time. You may also expect that office relocations in Cracow are going to be less expensive than in Paris or London.

How to prepare for office removal?

If you want to save some time and money before an office relocation, prepare for the process. What can you do to make it easier and more affordable?

• Pack the documents by yourself

Or ask the employees who deal with the files on a daily basis to do it. Why is it so important? For two reasons. The first one is: it’s safer that way. Some documents are confidential, and you may want them to stay that way. Even if the movers are very discreet and professional, certain files should be protected even from them. The second reason is very practical: it’s your team who will be dealing with the files in the new office. So it’ll be easier for them to reorganise them if they’ve been put in the right order beforehand.

How to prepare the documents for the removal? Put them into special carton boxes and label each of them. You can use a marker pen to write what each box contains. And just to make sure the files are protected, wrap the boxes in foil – it’ll prevent them from getting wet.

• Unplug all the devices

That includes the printers, photocopiers, servers, routers etc. If you can, take transport light and “mobile” electronics by yourself. It’s easily done with laptops, tablets etc.

• Label the equipment

You can put post-it notes on the chairs, desks, and other appliances so that they’re put in the right places after the removal.

For more information, contact the removal company of your choice. They’ll help you to make the office relocation easier.

Are you about to move houses? If so, you may want to hire a good removal firm to help you to deal with the process. There are many professionals on the market so it should be easy to pick one, right? In reality, it’s not so easy. Sad but true, not all the companies are reliable enough. How to find one? Here are some features that imply that their services will meet your expectations.

Is it necessary to hire a moving company?

Before we move to the list of the most important features of a reliable removal company, let’s stop for a moment and consider whether you really need their help. In most cases – yes, you do. When you’re moving houses, time is scarce and you don’t have the right equipment to move your possessions to the new place in one piece, it’s better to use professional services. Always. And if you’re apprehensive about the costs of the operation, just think how much you will spend if you ask your friends for help and how frustrating will the removal become.

By hiring a good removal company, you’ll save:

• time – the professionals will have it done in no time. And on top of that, the company will work on your schedule. They’re flexible!
• money – you can be almost certain that none of your belongings will be damaged during the moving process, and that saves you money, the removal will be finished on time and you’ll pay for the full service just once,
• your good mood – with the experts on the job, you won’t have to worry about anything. It’s their responsibility to make the removal happen, and fast.

Nevertheless, you have to remember that you will benefit from hiring a removal company only if the quality of their services is high. That’s why you have to choose your partner wisely. Don’t rush into anything. Take your time and compare the offers. Here’s what you should be looking for.

What a reliable removal company should be like

Here are the 5 crucial features you should expect from a trusted removal company.

Experience

Whether it’s about moving houses or commercial relocations, experience is everything. Why so? The reason is quite simple: removals aren’t as easy as they seem to be. The process has to be:

• swift – especially when you need to leave the old place quickly to avoid the extra costs,
• safe – in the process, you need to shift many items that are susceptible to damage. That’s why it’s so important to secure all the possessions properly by packing them thoroughly and using cars with special equipment, like security straps etc.,
• painless for the customer – the moving team should be unobtrusive and trustworthy.

That’s why you can’t rely on a random crew that has no experience. Work with the professionals who know what they are doing. Companies like ours, who have provided their services to thousands of customers, have seen it all during the removals. And that means they can deal with almost everything you throw at them – breakable objects included! 

Equipment

Professional movers have all that’s necessary to make the removal as safe as possible. They make sure not only that all your belongings survive the process intact, but also that no one gets hurt in the process. They should be able to use:

• professional packing appliances, such as bubble wrap, special tapes, foils etc. – that way you’ll be able to rely on the professionals with preparing your belongings to be shifted as well,
• hoisting straps – they might come in handy when a piece of equipment is too large to fit through the door. These straps will allow it to be moved through the window,
• ramps and pallet jacks – they’re crucial to move larger items, such as refrigerators, washing machines etc.

A good moving company crew should also have some basic tool kit on them, to be able to take apart furniture for the removal.

Last but not least, the most important part of the equipment are cars that are used in the process. They should have some special equipment, too!

Flexibility

Do you have to finish the removal in a few days? Or maybe it has to be done at the weekend or after hours? Sometimes that’s the only way out and the removal company has to be ready to meet your expectations. For the best ones, an inconvenient schedule or a short deadline won’t be a problem. Be prepared to pay extra, though!

An insurance

In most cases, if you pick a reliable moving company, you can expect that everything will go smoothly. But we’re only humans after all and accidents happen. But what is going to happen when the moving crew breaks your antique mirror or damages the TV? If you pick the right partner, you can be sure, you’ll be reimbursed for the loss, and fast. That’s how it works with the removal companies that have good insurance. Make sure the one you’re about to work with has it too!

Reviews

Before hiring a removal company, look them up on the internet. The reviews are what you’re looking for. You can easily find them on Google or in other places. If there’s none… that should make you suspicious. On the other hand, if there are hundreds of reviews and all of them are VERY positive, it also may be a bit fishy. Nevertheless, if you can find a lot of information that seems to be real, you probably may trust it. And if you can reach out to a few of the authors of the reviews to verify whether they’re true or fake.

And one more thing: once you’ve found a reliable moving company, share the news with your friends and make sure to leave them a good review. That way, you’ll make the lives of other people looking for trusted movers easier.

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down. It’s made an impact on almost every branch of the industry, removals included. But does that mean that moving houses during the current situation is not possible? Not at all! You can still organise it, provided that you take a few security measures. Read on and find out how to move houses safely.

A removal vs COVID-19 – is it safe to organise it right now?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our normal routines and forced people to cancel or delay many plans. But as much as you can cancel your holidays abroad, you can’t do the same when it comes to a pre-planned removal. Most of them are unavoidable, due to the schedule you have to follow.

The good news is that it’s very likely that the pandemic is about to be thwarted. We’ve got the vaccine and we are on the road to reach the state of herd immunity. That’s why nowadays you don’t have to postpone your removal plans. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take extra precautions. Safety first!

How to safely organise the removal during the pandemic?

First of all, organising the removal on your own during the COVID-19 pandemics may not be the best option, especially if you have to engage many friends in the process. Why so? The answer is simple: the rules of social distancing still apply. And the more people you interact with during the removal, the higher is the risk of somebody getting infected. COVID-19 is a very unpredictable disease that may lead to developing a serious illness, even amongst younger people. Keep in mind that it can be spread by people who don’t show any symptoms of the infection. That’s why it’s better not to ask your friends for help in the process. Just wait a bit more and invite them into your new flat once the situation is more stable.

Rely on a trusted removal company

Hiring professionals who will organise the whole process might be the best solution, especially during the pandemic. There are many reasons to go for that option. 

• By hiring a removal company, you’ll minimise the exposure to the potential risk of getting infected

A removal company can get all the things done without you being present. The only things they require from you, are some directions about what is supposed to be moved and where to. While the professionals work, you can be at your own work or just relax with your friends. That way you’ll avoid the risk of infection.

• Trusted removal companies take their own security measures against COVID-19

You may expect the workers to wear the masks and use the disinfectant according to the rules. The social distance rule is also respected.

• It’ll take less time to move homes with professional’s help

The removal company has all that’s necessary to make the process as quick and painless as possible. And, on top of that, they’ll make sure all your possessions are well protected and won’t be damaged while it is moved to the new place.

As you can see, you can benefit a lot by hiring a trusted company to have your removal done. 

What are the rules of a safe removal during the pandemic?

If you decide to use the movers’ services, and you’re taking an active part in the process, here are some tips that will make the process riskless. 

Keep the social distance

It is required to keep the social distance whenever it’s possible. So don’t approach the movers and, if possible, stay 2 meters away from other people.

Don’t forget about the mask

Wear a mask while inside, when the movers are around. Make sure they wear them too! It might be a bit uncomfortable but, as they say, better safe than sorry.

Remember to wash your hands

After touching the boxes with your possessions or any other objects that may have been contaminated, wash your hands or, if you’re not able to do that, use the disinfectant.

Inform the moving company if someone in your household is infected with COVID-19

If so, you’re probably all quarantined, so the removal has to be postponed to another date, once you all recover from the illness. In these times, health always comes first!

Clean and disinfect your belongings while packing them before moving

You’ll benefit from it twice. First of all, you’ll lower the risk of transmitting the virus. And secondly, you’ll make your lamps, books and other items cleaner than they were – that way you’ll unpack and set your new place up quicker.

If you have to cancel or postpone the removal, do it as soon as possible

The quicker you act, the easier it will be to reschedule the process, if it’s necessary. 

Make sure the company you hire for the removal during the pandemic has a proper COVID-19 policy

Responsible moving companies introduced special COVID-19 policies, which is good proof of the professionals taking the pandemic seriously. You can expect them to:

• keep their trucks stocked with disinfectants,
• sanitise their equipment and trucks after every job,
• be available online – you should be able to hire them without meeting an employee of the company personally

Removals during the pandemic can be safe and easy. If you need some help with that, feel free to contact us. Our COVID-19 policy will make the process painless and risk-free!