In fact double stop, it's not worth the risk!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER:

book a removal service that only provides a mobile number.

Collect estimates from at least 3 reputable moving companies that you have either heard of or that have been recommended to you.

Consider the cost of the whole removals service, any waiting time charges, insurance or additional charges hidden in the small print. Don't feel pushed into handing over any money for deposits.

 10 VITAL Things to ask any removals company:

• Where are you based?
• Are you fully insured as a removals service?.
• Does your insurance cover any loss or damage during the whole removal?
• Are you a registered removals company?
• Can they provide independent references from previous customers?
• Can they provide details of other well known companies who will vouch for them?
• Are they members of any recognised trade organisation?
• Does their trade organisation offer a FREE and impartial conciliation service?
• Are all their staff fully trained removals professionals?
• Do they guarantee the price they quote is the price you pay?

We cut costs NOT corners!

If possible secure an area of road outside your house for the removal truck to park. Use your own car, traffic cones or dustbins. Try and do the same at your new home. Our vehicles are 3.5 Luton vans, enabling us easy access on to most driveways or loading areas without blocking your neighbours access. Our vans will normally require the space of at least two cars in which to park and load or unload.

We would normally only recommend using just one van for very small moves.

You would be surprised by the amount of our customers who only list a few items for us to move and on moving day decide to increase the load, requiring a second trip.

We are more than pleased to allocate extra vehicles for a job at short notice, but it helps us all when allocating the crews if we are supplied with a comprehensive and true list of items at the initial booking stage.

Give yourself plenty of time to pack, it takes longer than you expect.Don't use old boxes, they become weak and may end up at the bottom of a stack. Boxes should weigh about 20-30lbs each. Our guys are strong but not exactly the Governor of California!

Everything you will need to pack is available HERE

Pack your goods in new, double walled, cardboard removal boxes and mark them clearly as to which room they are to be delivered to.

Tape them closed using the "H" method, one all the way along the seam and up half way, two up the sides, half way.

Order plenty of boxes, you will amaze yourself by how many you will actually use!

Pack your heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter items at the top. Try to keep the weights of your boxes as uniformed as possible.

Mark your boxes with a complete description of the items inside. When it comes to finding that item you need urgently you will be pleased you did.

Pack plates to stand vertically, NOT laid flat, wrap them individually.

Ensure you don't overload your boxes so they don't close.

Fill any voids or gaps in boxes with soft items like towels or soft toys.

Stack your packed boxes against walls or in corners leaving our team room to work.

Mirrors and pictures too large to be boxed will be wrapped by our crew.

Bundle items like brooms and brushes and tape them together.

Remember to remove the glass shelf from the bottom of your fridge and the glass dish from inside your microwave.

Transit Bolts for washing machines are recommended but NOT essential. Remove the hoses from the back of the machine and place inside the drum. Check the washers are still in place before reconnecting.

Any good removal company will protect your goods using packing blankets and Coversafe © sofa and armchair protectors.

A GREAT idea for protecting your mattress is to put it inside an old duvet cover, you can easily pop the cover in the washing machine later.

For pressed garments take up to six items on hangers, strap the hangers together with a cable tie, then cover with a clean bin bag. We will then transport your clothes hanging inside your own wardrobes on the vans.

Removal men don't like glass (unless its full of lager!) If possible transport fish tanks, glass shelves and very delicate items yourself in the car, or pack them in plastic removal crates using acid free packing materials and bubble wrap.

Mark any delicate fragile items clearly and ensure your removal team are aware.

Please leave fridges and freezers to "stand" for a while before turning them on again in your new home as the gas may need to settle in the motor.

Moving day is one of the most stressful days in your life. Packing the kids and pets off to a favourite auntie or grandparents for the day is a great idea. Alternatively a day at the children's nursery or kennels works wonders.

While moving home ensure your keys are kept safe on the draining board at all times, because nobody really moves the kitchen sink!

Why not book yourself into a local hotel while you sort your stuff out.Imagine your in the middle of sorting your stuff out, beds upside down, duvet's still in the bags no curtains on the windows.Lock up, go to the hotel and get a nice hot bath, have room service deliver a nice meal and relax.

Don't forget to have the locks in your new home changed, we have arranged for Lock'n'Roll to offer our customers a special price for cylinder locks, patio door locks, insurance approved 5-lever mortice locks or garage door locks.

Once you have moved into your new home, why not have the carpets cleaned and the kitchen and bathroom sanatised? We recommend Scratchmasters. Carpet cleaning and carpet cleaning machine hire, leather repaired and protected.

Buying or selling a property? we have found that the smart guys will offer the property they are living in with immediate vacancy, thus not getting involved with a chain. What they do is store there goods and stay with friends, relatives or rent. When it comes to buying once again they are in a strong position with no chain behind them.

You may be expecting a call at any time giving you a date to move, hang fire, in most cases we find it takes weeks and weeks or in most cases months and months before you will get a confirmed moving date.

What is going on? Solicitors are now giving their clients only DAYS notice on completion of their new home purchase. All the chains are left not knowing till the very last minute.

When it comes down to it we see more house moves than the average estate agent or solicitor. We have learnt that solicitors don't have a call feature on their phones, when they say they will call you as soon as your sale/purchase has gone through don't hold your breath.

House sales appear to go through at 12.15 1.15 or 2.15pm, so on the day of your move call your solicitor at 12.20 1.20 or 2.20pm and ask for an update (if he's back from his pub lunch!)

Ask YOUR solicitor about this, you wait months for a completion date then get 3 days notice. In that time you have to pack and organise your entire house to be moved. In one case a Maldon solicitor gave a customer only 16 Hours notice! Not good enough.

Please call us on:

01206 865007 

 One Worldwide is operated from:

118 Communications House, 9 St John Street, Colchester Essex. CO2 7NN

All material contained on this site is copyright protected UK 2005

 www.oneworldwide.co.uk  www.colchester-removals.co.uk