FINANCE
Things to consider : Your driver will have some level of “goods in transit” insurance, but check the small print to make sure it covers the full value of your possessions Check what is included – some firms charge extra for fuel, mileage or carrying things up or down staircases You will need to arrange any parking permits, Congestion Charge payments etc yourself You can usually assist the driver yourself, or book an additional person to help carry items If you overrun, additional hours are usually charged at a higher rate; you might get a better deal booking for a half-day or full-day MOVING BY CAR If you don’t have very large items like double beds or sofas to move, then you might be able to manage with multiple car loads. If you buy roof bars and fixings for your vehicle (from around £115) you can strap larger items on top, but check your vehicle handbook to ensure you don’t overload – 75kg maximum is common. Buy ratchet straps and ensure that everything is secure, as driving with an unsecure load is a serious offence. If you have a tow bar (from £300 fitted), hiring a small box trailer can cost from just £25 a day and vastly increase what you can carry. Things to consider: Don’t overload your vehicle, carry items insecurely or restrict your vision or you could get a big fine! Factor in the cost of fuel for making multiple journeys
Check your car insurance for “personal possessions cover” to see if items carried on board are insured, and to what amount. If you aren’t covered, you may want to add this on. PACKING MATERIALS If you use a removal company, robust packing boxes, bubble wrap and tissue paper are either included in the price, or can be bought as part of the service. If you are moving yourself, you will need to buy boxes – be warned, they are more expensive than you might expect and quality varies enormously! In general, don’t economise here, look for double wall boxes designed for moving house, as these are much tougher. If you are on a tight budget, Facebook free sites are a great way to source used-once moving boxes, and supermarket banana boxes can be good for books. Don’t economise on tape either – you need heavy duty, wide, high-quality packing tape to seal your boxes (not masking tape, duct tape etc). Amazon sells large rolls of bubble wrap, but you could also ask local businesses or previous homemovers for cast-offs. Newspaper, or packing paper on rolls, is useful, too. Like many things in life, removals are a balance of cost and convenience. If you have to move in a single day, or are on your own, then a full professional service is probably worth ever penny. If you have your keys a week or two ahead of having to move out, you have a vehicle and friends to help, and you’ve sourced secondhand packing materials, then you can move house for almost nothing. Just don’t forget which box you put the kettle in!
EXPERT COMMENT
Whether you decide to move yourself or employ a professional rm, you’ll need to contact your home contents insurer in advance of your moving date. They will be able to let you know what cover, if any, is provided for your possessions while they are in transit and highlight any limits or restrictions which may apply. Fragile items such as glassware and china are usually only insured if they have been professionally packed. Common exclusions include cover for valuables such as personal money, jewellery, stamps, coins, deeds and other documents. Policies also vary on whether and for how long, they cover possessions left in storage – some policies specifying a certain number of days, while other exclude cover completely. Changing address can also be a good time to review your home insurance arrangements. Premiums are based on the property’s postcode, type, number of bedrooms and the value of your belongings. While your existing insurer may have offered the best deal on your old property, they might not be as competitive for your new home. However, before committing to switch insurer, you should check your existing insurer’s cancellation charges to make sure that these don’t wipe out any potential savings.
Lee Grif n , Founder, GoCompare
First Time Buyer August/September 2024 119
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