At F Smith and Sons removal services, we always strive to ensure that we offer our clients the best as relocating can be quite hectic.
We have done the job for a while now so we know how to go about it. Here are some of the things you should expect on the moving day.
First, we schedule the moving vehicles to arrive at 8.30 to 9.00 in the morning. However, should you feel that you need us to arrive earlier, you can put a request with the office before the day of the removal.
Most of our clients usually ask whether they should defrost the items in the freezer before the move. This is what we recommend, although if it is not possible transport can still be arranged with the food in the frozen state. The reason we recommend defrosting is that the food might get damaged during the transport. In addition to that, we do not handle any disconnection of appliances. You should arrange with the local HVAC team to do that for you before the moving day. Our staff do not have the qualification to handle the disconnection and are also not insured for that.
There are some of our customers who have pets. The moving process can be quite hectic for pets, so we advise that you get the pets into a cattery or kennel. This will ensure that they are not lost while the boxes and furniture are being removed from the house and into the moving vehicle.
Our policy does not cover the loss of valuables such as jewellery, money or any important documents. Please ensure that you keep these items safe. You can opt to put them in a carry-on so that you can have them with you during the moving process.
We have an acceptance form that we give to clients during booking. This should be returned to the office. There is also a 30% deposit charge. We recommend that you give us a notice as early as you can once you have received confirmation of the removal day. This gives us a chance to communicate to our staff and ensure that the moving date is okay. We accept payment through cash, BACs, cheques and card.The money should be paid to the office and final payments are required before moving day.
If you have plants, we can offer transport but they will need to be potted. Keep in mind that these may take up space which means that there is a chance that the overall price will be affected. In addition to that, you should be aware that we do not have insurance for plants that may get damaged during the moving process.
Once the items arrive at the new place, our staff can put it inside and place it in the rooms you desire. We advise that you find out before the moving day if the furniture can fit in the new place.
For answers to common questions, visit our contact page or call a member of our team on 020 8688 7063. We are happy to help with any questions about your move.
frequently asked questions Or call a member of our team who will be more than happy to help with any questions you may have on 020 8688 7063
When You Arrive at Your New Home
While the crew is unloading, a few things are worth doing straight away:
- Take meter readings: Note gas, electricity, and water readings as soon as you arrive. This protects you from inheriting any outstanding balance and gives your new supplier an accurate start reading.
- Direct the crew: Walk through the property before unloading begins and indicate which rooms items go to. Moving heavy furniture twice is time-consuming and adds to the cost.
- Locate the stopcock and fuse box: Know where to turn off water and isolate electricity in case you need to in the first few days. Your solicitor or estate agent should have this information before the keys are handed over.
- Check for damage in transit: Before the crew leaves, confirm that everything has arrived and note any damage on the paperwork. Report any concerns to us the same day.
- Test utilities: Check that heating, hot water, and electricity are working before the end of the day. If you have a gas supply, it may need to be turned on at the meter. Identifying issues while the crew is still present is easier than discovering them the following morning.
If Completion Is Delayed
In a chain, completion can sometimes slip on the day. If you become aware of a delay — for example, because you are waiting on solicitors — let us know as early as possible. We can often adjust the schedule with advance warning; last-minute changes on the day are harder to manage, but we will do our best to accommodate the situation.
F Smith & Son are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and Which? Trusted Traders. For more moving advice, visit the F Smith & Son Advice Hub.