Making an international move is a carefully planned and meticulously executed process that takes time and requires great attention to detail. Whether you’re moving house, shifting an office, or transporting valuable goods from one country to another, you need to hire a company that will effectively handle the entire relocation process without any hassles. But, with so many international movers in Dubai, whom do you trust and how do you select them to do the best job for you? Here are some key tips to keep in mind to make the decision-making process easier for you.
Do your research
Make a list of the top relocation companies in your city. Check out what kinds of international relocation services they offer, how many years they’ve been in business, and whether they’re a legitimate company with an active trade license – ask for it if you’re not sure. Check their reviews as well: not just good ones but bad ones too. Sometimes, how a company replies to a complaint or bad review tells you so much more than what they say to a positive comment.
Look for accreditations
Good accreditations and certificates are a sign of quality. For example, an ISO or IAM certificate, or, optionally, a FIDI ( FIDI Accredited International Mover) certification, are globally recognised accreditations for companies in the international moving industry. A move company having such certifications is almost guaranteed to be a high-quality, professional outfit that has the right experience and expertise to make your international move a smooth one.
Understand prices well
The exact cost for a house shifting service or office moving service is usually determined once the relocation company has understood the full scope of work. The number and size of the items, the distance and complexity of the move will all influence the final cost even if an estimate is given beforehand. However, it could be a danger signal if the final price varies too much from the estimate given.
Compare multiple quotes
It’s a good idea to always ask for and compare quotes from multiple companies. In each quote, analyse what services are included and excluded – for example, packing, shipping, storage, moving insurance, delivering and unpacking services. Do remember that the cheapest quote may not necessarily the best option.
Gauge their level of communication
Using a house moving service locally is very different from making an international move. The latter, in particular, requires clear, constant and trustworthy communication over an extended period of time (it could take days to weeks for all your items to get shipped, particularly if you’re moving quite far way – Dubai to Toronto, for example). You need to ensure your relocation service provider answers all your queries and concerns, and commits to various details in writing. If you’re not comfortable or feel that the move company is not sharing all the information despite asking, that’s not a good sign.
Check for insurance policies
For an international relocation, it’s important to be prepared for things to go wrong. No one wants that to happen – but it’d be foolish to not be prepared. This is where relocation companies’ insurance policies come into the picture. Cargo insurance and liability insurance are the two primary insurances that all good international movers and packers should offer. Cargo insurance covers your belongings while they are in transit. If something happens on the way, you can claim reimbursement for repairs or replacements. Liability insurance, on the other hand, offers protection from damage to your belongings while they are in the care of the moving company during the relocation process. If there is any loss or damage here, you can claim reimbursement under liability insurance.
Ask about deposits, refunds and cancellations
Another very important factor to consider is your chosen international moving company’s deposit (or advance payment), cancellation and refund policies. You should know and understand these terms and conditions clearly before signing the contract with your service provider.
Read the contract carefully
Now that you’ve understood what all you need to be aware of, remember to never embark on your relocation process without reading every page of the moving contract (needless to say, if no contract is provided, that itself is a big red flag). Ideally, it should list everything we have mentioned above. If something is missing, make sure to ask after it.
The final word on international relocation
Whether it’s for home or office relocation, make sure to hire the right international relocation company after checking and being satisfied with every single detail – even if that means stretching your budget a little. Have questions? Drop us a line and our expert team will be in touch to clarify all your doubts! And make sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for more such updates.
