Hidden charges is one of the most common form of customer complaints, experienced by many businesses in Singapore and, the rest of the world. When planning to relocate to a new house or business property, hidden moving charges can have significant impacts on your budget. Although hidden moving charges can result from negligence on the part of the mover, it could also be a legitimate claim due to the extras that were not included in the initial moving quotation.
In almost all the cases, hidden charges are only realized during relocation or whenever the mover is seeking compensation for the job done. Generally, hidden charges are caused by additional services offered to a client but, were not previously indicated on the quote. Such inconveniences usually occur as a result of lack of adequate information on the relocation needs of a client. Online moving quotes that are issued without on-site inspection are likely to come with a lot of hidden charges.
Key Tricks on how to avoid or minimize the risks of hidden moving charges
Hire moving services from a company that does on-site inspection
Relocation needs usually vary from one customer to another. To an average homeowner or business operator, you cannot easily determine all your relocation needs. A moving company with experience on the job always performs a thorough on-site inspection to ascertain the specific relocation requirements of every customer in prior. By conducting the assessment, the mover is able to clearly outline all the activities that will be performed during relocation so you know exactly what to expect.
As the mover conducts on-site inspection, they will also be able to engage you in order to have a better understanding of all your needs. With that, the mover will allocate sufficient resources to ensure that the relocation goes smoothly, without any surprises. An ideal moving company will prepare and submit an accurate moving quotation that highlights all the provisions and related costs before the job is done.
Prepare a Check list for hiring moving services
Relocation comes with its fair share of confusion and, it is easy to forget some details when filling a moving quotation form. Whenever this happens, there is a likelihood of additional unexpected charges. The easiest way to making sure that you do not forget a thing when hiring moving services is preparing a check list, detailing specifics of your property, items to be moved, special requirements as well as distance to be covered.
Some of the key points to include in the check list are;
- Staircases – Most movers argue that the amount of effort required for moving items along staircases is usually larger than flat paths or using lifts. Hence, you should always tell the mover in advance, if your property has staircases. Even when filling an online quotation, it is advisable to include this so the mover can know how to serve and charge you.
- Location – When seeking moving services, you should also provide specific information about the location where the items will be picked and delivered. In case the mover will need to cover some distance without using trucks, it is important to include that for convenience. With a better understanding of the environment, the mover will be able to make the best plans for successful relocation.
- Items with unusual weights and shapes – Moving items that are unusually heavy and, designed with complex or bulky shapes can also have additional costs because they require extra effort in handling and transportation. In most occasions, movers allocate special equipment and resources for moving such items. If these details are omitted when hiring relocation services, you may be asked to pay more.
- Express services or hourly – When hiring moving services, it is also advisable that you indicate exactly how and when you intend to relocate. In case you may need to relocate at a specific time outside the normal operating hours of the mover, they could charge more. Besides, emergency relocation can also come with hidden charges. Thus, you should also clearly indicate when the relocation should be conducted.
- Credit card costs – Some movers impose additional charges for customers when using credit cards to pay for services. To avoid such costs, you can check if the mover has an alternative payment method.
There are several other details that you can also include in the check-list to ensure that the mover truly understands your relocation needs. Besides using the check list when filling a quotation form, it should also act as your guide when talking to a moving service provider. By discussing all the details highlighted above with your mover before obtaining the services, you will be able to get an accurate estimate of all the related costs. In fact, a good mover will not only advise you on how to prevent hidden charges but, also save money when relocating.
Always engage your mover
Engaging the moving company is always the best way to avoid hidden charges. Professional moving companies are usually very flexible when it comes to pricing. By engaging the one that you intend to use, you are able to negotiate fair rates before the final quote is prepared. With the right mover, you can even have the quotation tailored to your budget. In this way, you will not be subjected to any additional charges.
Although using a check list to independently fill out a quotation form could help with giving a clear representation of customer needs, there are other important things that you can easy leave out in the process. This means failure to involve your mover before hiring the services could still impact hidden costs. A licensed and trusted moving company upholds higher standards of transparency and, do not impose hidden charges on customers.
The Best Moving Company Singapore
The best moving company that can properly cushion you against the risks of hidden moving charges is Mover Singapore. We always conduct proper on-site inspection and provide accurate moving quotes customized to the needs and budgets of every customer. With our house mover, office mover, international mover or storage services, there is always a guarantee of no hidden charges.