As the numbers and figures slowly sink in, you may be tempted to start looking at other options. 

After all, you have a budget to stick to. 

What about bakkie rental? How much would it cost to hire a furniture removal truck? 

Can I save some money by doing things myself?

Is a self-move removal service an option? 

Companies that offer furniture removal moving trucks (or bakkies) have positioned themselves in the competitive removals industry as cost savers. 

Their selling point is that furniture removal companies are expensive as they have to cover the costs of a vehicle, insurances, packing materials, staff wages. 

Not to mention their profit.

A company such as this would only provide a vehicle and a driver. 

And perhaps the option of a few truck assistants to load the removals van. 

They will transport your furniture to and from any major centre in South Africa. 

Moving to Johannesburg from Durban? Or from Pretoria to Cape Town? No problem. 

They also may claim that managing the move yourself will give you the peace of mind that everything is under control. 

However, there are many things a “non-traditional” moving company would not do. 

For example, they would not: 

• do any packing at your home or office
• provide any moving and packing supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap, couch covers, mattress sleeves, packaging tape or white newsprint paper
• offer a safe storage solution
• offer a shared load to reduce costs    

So, once you have packed and (maybe) loaded your own boxes into the hired removals truck, the rest is up to you. 

To some, this might seem like a lot of extra work and the source of much unnecessary stress. 

You have to worry about:

• packing
• ensuring your goods are transported safely
• ensuring your goods arrive on time 
• unloading

So have you really saved on the cost of furniture removal?

Make no mistake. Any home removal, whether it be local or international, is hard work. 

There are many elements that need to be coordinated to ensure the relocation is successful.

Sure, the actual removal fee may be a fraction of the price charged. But there are some hidden costs to consider.

According to a recent survey, moving homes is one of the most stressful things that anyone can do.

As British removals industry leader Steve Jordan says in themover.co.uk: “it is true that by the time the mover arrives the customer is climbing the walls and chewing Valium like Smarties.” 

However, Jordan sets the record straight by saying that the vast majority of the 1307 British home movers that were surveyed were concerned mainly with other parts of the moving process – not moving.

As Jordan says, the moving company is generally not the cause of any stress. It’s the moving crew that need to be the experts in handling people “living on the edge”.

Benefits of hiring a home and furniture removals company 

For household moves, partnering with a traditional home removals company is your best bet. Why? Well, you’ll be in safe hands. 

The larger, more experienced companies have trained staff that will give their undivided attention to your job. From wrapping your items and packing them in boxes correctly to loading them safely in the removals truck.

From the initial site visit to providing a customised quotation, the company will ensure your relocation is handled professionally.

Moreover, a traditional moving company typically offers competitively priced storage solutions for all your furniture, appliances and other household goods.

 They will also provide advice, checklists and guides to ensure your move is trouble-free. 

They supply specialist packing materials such as double-walled cartons and greaseproof painting shields to keep your valuables safe in transit and storage. 

In addition, they provide relocation services for pets, as well as specialised items such as wine collections.

Conclusion

Whether you are moving for the first time or relocating to a new town or city in South Africa, it is recommended to select a removals company that offers a comprehensive service.

Not only with this put your mind at ease, but it will also free you up to focus on your fresh start. 

• If you’re considering hiring a traditional, professional, experienced moving company, contact us for a FREE MOVING QUOTE.

While family dynamics certainly plays a part, the tough economic times in which we live also play a role in the current downsizing trend. 

Retirement, security and lifestyle are other reasons that downsizing looks set to stay.

Whatever your reason for packing up your things and moving to a smaller space, downsizing is not a simple as it may first appear.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when downsizing your stuff ahead of your home removal, whether it’s a domestic or international move. 

Get sorted early for your home removal

Long before you sign a contract with the home removals company, its advisable to start going through your stuff to work out what you’d like to get rid of. 

Failing to do this will undoubtedly lead to you either throwing stuff out that you wanted to keep in the first place or keeping stuff that you won’t need when you move into your new home.  

Once you’ve decided that you’re going to move, set aside some time to start working through your belongings. 

Start in the rooms you spend the least amount of time in as this is likely where most of your items will be stored. Your garage, the outside storeroom or a spare bedroom are the best places to start.

Then work your way to the bedrooms, lounge and family rooms and the kitchen. Buy and make up separate boxes to pack items you’d like to sell, donate to charity or give to family and friends.

• TRY OUR 4-STEP QUOTING SYSTEM MAKES IT EASY FOR YOU TO RECEIVE A FREE MOVING QUOTE

Rope in your family members

You don’t need to be the one to make the executive decisions about what gets kept and what doesn’t. Call on your family members to help you out. 

You’ll never be forgiven if you donate that special toy your son loved as a child and he happens to find out later! 

If anyone is unsure about whether to keep something, check when last it was used, what condition it is in and what purpose will it serve in your new, smaller house.

There’s no need to be totally ruthless here.

If you treasure an item, rather keep it and find a suitable place in your new home to store it.

Create a vision

Look at your furniture pieces and items such as curtains and decide what will work in the new place. 

It’s likely that your bespoke upholstered lounge suit won’t fit into your new pad, so you can either store it, sell it or donate it. Perhaps a seamstress can measure up the old curtains and alter them to fit your new home. 

Creating a vision will help you decide what to put on the home removals van once moving day arrives.

Calculate the cost of downsizing

It’s worth bearing in mind that every item you add to the removal company’s inventory list will add to the cost of the move. 

Rather sell an item that you are not likely to use than pay for it to be transported.

If you’re moving from Cape Town to Durban, for example, you may want to sell that old tumble dryer that came in handy in the cold months but will hardly be used in your new location.

Conclusion

While the reasons for downsizing are many and varied, one thing remains unchanged. With downsizing comes a home removal. And perhaps the need for storage or buying packaging materials.

• If you’re downsizing, contact Selection Cartage. They are here to assist you with packing, moving and storage. 

But what do you do on moving in day? 

With the farewells to your old house having been made, it’s now it’s time to start settling in at your new address. Here’s what you can do to make your move easier and run a little smoother:

• Protect the floors
• Work with the removals team
• Sign on the dotted line
• Do a quick clean up
• Start sorting out the furniture
• Head out for a restaurant dinner

Watch the floors

Whether you have carpet, tiles, wood or laminate flooring in your new house, set down some sort of protection before the movers start bringing the boxes from the removals truck. 

Rolls of plastic, plastic drop sheets or pieces of cardboard boxes will prevent any dirt being ingrained in the carpets or scuff marks appearing on laminate floors, especially.

You will have more than enough cleaning to do once you have moved in. No need to make it harder on yourself.

Teamwork makes moving easier  

As soon as the moving company truck pulls up to the gate, introduce yourself to the team leader. You will be working with him or her during the course of the day, so best to get off on a good footing. 

Walk them through the new house, showing them where the rooms are. Invite them to ask questions if they are not sure. Be open and proactive. 

This will benefit you in the long run as you don’t want to be moving heavy boxes to the correct room once the movers have left.

Sort out the paperwork

It’s important to ensure that the movers present you with the inventory before they leave. Go over it thoroughly, checking for any discrepancies before you sign. 

Make sure that the moving company team leader signs the document as well, and keep a copy for your records.

Get cleaning

Before you start unpacking the boxes, take out your detergents, scrubbing brushes and cleaning rags and start cleaning. 

Sweep, vacuum and mop the floors before moving the furniture in place. 

Give the bathrooms a thorough clean, giving extra attention to the bathtub, shower and toilet.

In the kitchen focus your energy on getting the oven clean, the cupboards wiped down inside and out and the countertops free of dirt and grime.

Sort out the furniture

With the floors and surfaces clean, the next step is to start organising the furniture. Re-assemble any furniture that was disassembled and move it to the correct place in the room. 

Children’s bunk beds, reattaching bedside tables to headboards need to be sorted out during this stage.

Now for the moving boxes . . . 

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Moving in is a process and it’s better in the long run to take your time.

Go through your new house room by room and inspect the boxes. Put the damaged boxes to one side, making notes about any defects you pick as you go along. 

Remember to call your moving company to come through and inspect the damage.

Make a point of starting to unpack your children’s stuff first. Getting reacquainted with their special toys will help them settle into their new surroundings sooner.

Go out for dinner!

Celebrate a successful moving day by taking your family out to a local restaurant in your new neighbourhood.

It’ll give you a much-needed break and give you an opportunity to explore a local eating place.

• If you’re considering hiring a professional, experienced moving company, contact us for a FREE MOVING QUOTE.