The time has come for the move you have been putting off for so long because of all the work and hassle involved in moving furniture, clothes and belongings… Not to mention if, on top of the usual things, you need to move a piano, a safe or large models that took so much effort to build. But there is no turning back now.
Besides the main obstacle to moving house, which as we said is all the upheaval involved, there is the cost of the removal company. It can vary a great deal depending on the type of move, the distance between the old and new property (a move in Santander is not the same as one in Torrelavega or Castro Urdiales), and extra services such as a furniture lift or packing.
How much does a removal cost?
As we mentioned above, there is no fixed price for removals: every move is different and you should always check with the company doing the job. Moving belongings that are already packed and protected at street level is not the same as lowering furniture from a seventh-floor balcony. So let’s take it step by step:
Price of transporting furniture
Transport is the basic service in any move. Ask for a transport price giving the collection and delivery addresses and you will find out what your move will cost, or at least get a cost-per-kilometre reference.
Do all removal companies charge the same?
No. Some companies will be cheaper than others, but think about things like the vehicle your belongings will travel in. A purpose-built removal lorry with proper protection is not the same as a van where everything is piled up without much care. When looking at the transport price, consider how much your furniture means to you.
Price of packing furniture and belongings
Not everyone has the time, the inclination or the skill to pack the furniture and items being moved. That is why many removal companies, like Mudanzas Sito, offer this extra service, which will undoubtedly make your move easier and more comfortable: all you will have to do is open the door to the removal team.
Not all packing is the same, either, so ask the company what kind of packing they will use, especially for the most delicate items. You don’t want the glass in that expensive display cabinet to shatter the first time the lorry brakes at a traffic light, do you? Exactly, and this kind of thing is also reflected in the cost of a move.
Protecting floors and walls during collection and delivery
This is one of the services people think about least when asking for a removal quote, but it is one you will notice most once the removers have gone if they did not take proper care of floors, corners or stairs. The damage will still be there.
The best removal companies offer this extra service to protect every area exposed to knocks, scratches or other damage during the move: that tight turn in the stairs on the second floor, the parquet in the living room or the corner of the hallway where the sofa barely fits.
It may be a service you had not thought of, but if you are leaving a rented flat and hope to get your full deposit back, it is well worth asking about the extra cost, which may end up saving you money.
Disconnecting appliances and lights
Most of the furniture is now packed and loaded, but there are still a few things you had not thought about, such as the light fittings or the hob.
Plenty of people are happy to roll up their sleeves and do it themselves, but far fewer are willing to start disconnecting cables without really knowing what they are doing. Of course, any self-respecting removal company will also take care of this job, which may look simple but sometimes is not. Imagine having to take down a light in a five-metre stairwell, or remove an oven or hob built into fitted units with barely any room to work… This also adds to the final price of your move, but it is one of the best decisions you can make to avoid damage and save yourself a few headaches.
Furniture lifts
Do you live on the fifth floor with a narrow staircase? Then there is not much more to explain.
Some moves have special features that require extra equipment, such as an external furniture lift to make it easier to bring furniture, boxes and so on down or up.
As well as the lift, you will need council permits, parking suspensions and so on. Yes, this also has to be added to the price of the move, because otherwise it simply cannot be done.
Ask the company handling your move whether it offers this service. You will save money by avoiding damage to your belongings and to the common areas of the building, and by spending fewer hours on the move. As you can see, what looks like extra expense at first may turn out to be cheaper in the end.
Qualified staff
Think anyone can do a removal? If you have moved before and did not hire a reliable enough company, you will already know the answer is no. A removal is not just a matter of having a lorry and three or four people strong enough to lift a sofa. It means moving your belongings, furniture and possessions, however fragile, as safely as if they were our own, taking the utmost care and knowing that cutting corners is not an option. The removal company you hire should have experienced staff who know how to arrange and secure every item inside the vehicle and who follow the safety rules required for this kind of service.
Having professionals like these on the team makes a trustworthy removal company a little more expensive. But, going back to what we said earlier, what does it cost to find your furniture damaged, have it restored or simply buy new? You get what you pay for, so bear it in mind.
Removal insurance
What if the removal lorry has an accident and my belongings are damaged? We are sometimes tempted to go for the cheapest products and services, but knowing you are covered whatever happens will help you sleep better. We are not talking about a jumper or a few plates: it is about knowing that, whatever happens, the removal company will take responsibility for any damage. It’s that simple.
Ask for insurance to be included in your removal quote and don’t hesitate to take it out, even if the price goes up slightly.
Budget removals
If you have read this far, you will know there are plenty of budget removal companies that can move your flat or business. But at what cost? You know what they say: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
You might find a removal for 100 euros or less, and that may well be fine if you are moving sacks of sand. But would you trust someone to move your entire home with no insurance, no packing, no protection and, in many cases, without being fully above board?
If the answer is no, you are in the right place. At Mudanzas Sito we take care of everything: we bring you all the experience we have built up over more than 30 years, the best service and the most competitive price possible. See for yourself and ask us for a free, no-obligation quote.