How to Choose a Removals Company in Dublin | 7 Things to Check

Wondering how to choose a removals company in Dublin? With so many moving companies offering different prices, services and levels of experience, it can be difficult to know what to compare.

The cheapest quotation is not always the best option. A professional mover should be able to explain how your move will be planned, what is included in the quotation, how your furniture will be protected and what happens if you require additional services such as packing, storage or international shipping.

Whether you are moving to another part of Dublin, elsewhere in Ireland or overseas, here are seven important things to check before choosing your removals company.

1. Choose a Removals Company With the Right Experience

Not every move is the same.

A small apartment move across Dublin requires different planning from a large family home, an office relocation or an international household shipment.

Before choosing your mover, ask whether they regularly handle the type of move you are planning.

A professional removals company may deal with:

• House removals
• Apartment removals
• Office and commercial relocations
• Furniture collections and deliveries
• Professional packing
• Storage
• Moves throughout Ireland
• UK and European relocations
• International household removals

Get Cracking Relocations & Storage provides residential and commercial removal services in Dublin, throughout Ireland and internationally.

For local moving information, visit our Dublin Removals page.

2. Ask for a Clear Moving Quotation

A good quotation should be based on enough information to understand the work involved.

When requesting a quote, provide details including:

• Your collection address
• Your destination address
• Your preferred moving date
• The approximate amount of furniture and belongings
• Whether there are stairs or lifts
• Parking and vehicle access
• Large or unusually heavy items
• Furniture requiring dismantling
• Whether packing is required
• Whether storage is required

For larger moves, a survey can help establish the approximate volume of the shipment and identify access or packing requirements before moving day.

3. Check What Is Included in the Price

When comparing removal companies, do not compare only the final figure at the bottom of the quotation.

Check what each quotation actually includes.

Depending on the move, questions may include:

• Is loading included?
• Is unloading included?
• Is furniture protection included?
• Are packing materials included?
• Is dismantling and reassembly included?
• Are stairs or difficult-access charges applicable?
• Is storage required?
• Are there potential waiting-time charges?
• Are destination services included for an international move?

If something is unclear, ask before accepting the quotation.

A clear understanding of the agreed service helps avoid misunderstandings on moving day.

4. Look at Professional Packing Options

Packing can take much longer than many customers expect.

A removals company that provides professional packing can be useful if you are short on time, moving fragile belongings or preparing for an international relocation.

Depending on the service required, professional packing can include:

• Removal cartons
• Kitchen and glassware packing
• Furniture protection
• Wardrobe cartons
• Pictures and mirrors
• Books
• Fragile household items
• Inventory preparation
• Specialist crating

You do not necessarily need to have everything professionally packed.

Some customers choose a partial packing service and pack straightforward belongings themselves while the movers handle fragile or complicated items.

Learn more about professional packing services in Dublin.

Can I Pack My Own Moving Boxes?

Yes. Many customers prefer to pack some or all of their belongings themselves.

If you are self-packing, use strong moving cartons rather than weak or damaged boxes and avoid making cartons excessively heavy.

Clearly label the boxes so your moving crew can identify the correct destination room.

If you arrange insurance separately for the move, check the applicable policy terms relating to goods packed by the owner.

Get Cracking Limited does not insure shipments or removals. Customers should arrange any insurance cover they require separately in advance and review the applicable policy terms and conditions.

5. Check Whether Storage Is Available

Even if you do not expect to need storage, moving dates can change.

Storage may be useful if:

• Your new property is not ready
• Your house sale and purchase dates do not match
• You are moving abroad before permanent accommodation is available
• You are renovating your new property
• You want to move in stages
• You are downsizing

Using a removals company that can coordinate collection, storage and later delivery can simplify the process.

Learn more about Get Cracking storage services.

6. Check the Company’s Professional Moving Credentials

Professional memberships and industry affiliations can be particularly useful when comparing companies for European or international removals.

International moving involves more than simply driving a vehicle from one address to another. It can involve export packing, shipping, customs documentation, storage and coordination with destination moving companies.

Get Cracking Relocations & Storage is connected with recognised professional moving organisations.

FIDI Global Alliance and FAIM Accreditation

Get Cracking Relocations is a FIDI affiliate and holds FAIM accreditation.

FIDI is a global alliance of professional international moving and relocation companies. FAIM is a specialist quality programme for international moving operations.

View Get Cracking Relocations on the FIDI website.

International Association of Movers – IAM

Get Cracking is a member of the International Association of Movers (IAM), an international organisation representing companies involved in moving, forwarding and relocation services.

Visit the International Association of Movers.

FEDEMAC

Get Cracking is a FEDEMAC Commercial Member.

FEDEMAC represents the professional moving industry across Europe and connects moving and relocation businesses operating throughout European and international markets.

View Get Cracking Removals on the FEDEMAC website.

British Association of Removers – BAR

Get Cracking is also a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR), an established organisation representing professional removal and storage companies.

Visit the British Association of Removers.

7. Read Customer Reviews – But Read More Than the Star Rating

Reviews can provide useful information about a removals company, but do not look only at the average star rating.

Read individual reviews and look for comments about:

• Punctuality
• Communication
• Care with furniture
• Packing
• Professionalism of the moving crew
• Problem solving
• Office communication
• International move coordination

A company that has completed many different types of moves will naturally have reviews covering a range of customer experiences.

Ask Who Will Actually Carry Out the Move

It is useful to understand who will be carrying out your removal.

Ask whether the company uses its own moving crews for the local portion of the move and how overseas destination services are coordinated for international relocations.

For an international move, destination services may be provided through an established moving partner in the destination country.

A clear chain of communication is particularly important when several companies or transport providers are involved.

Check Experience With Dublin Access

Local knowledge matters when moving in Dublin.

Moving crews regularly encounter:

• Narrow residential streets
• Apartment blocks
• Underground car parks
• Loading restrictions
• Limited parking
• City-centre properties
• Stairs and small lifts
• Long carrying distances

Tell your mover about these issues when requesting your quotation rather than waiting until moving day.

Photographs of access can also be helpful where parking or entrances are unusual.

Moving From a Dublin Apartment

Apartment moves deserve particular attention because building rules and vehicle access can have a major effect on moving day.

Before your move, check with the building management or concierge about:

• Lift reservations
• Moving hours
• Loading-bay access
• Underground parking height restrictions
• Protection requirements for common areas

Read our guide to Apartment Movers Dublin for more information.

House Removals in Dublin

A house move may require different planning depending on the size of the property, volume of belongings and access.

Large family homes may require several movers, larger vehicles or more than one moving day where packing is included.

Tell your mover about:

• Sheds and garages
• Garden furniture
• Attic contents
• Large wardrobes
• Pianos or unusually heavy items
• Long driveways
• Restricted vehicle access

The more information available before the move, the easier it is to allocate suitable resources.

Office and Commercial Removals

If you are moving a business rather than a home, choose a company with commercial relocation experience.

An office move may involve:

• Desks and chairs
• Office crates
• Filing systems
• IT equipment
• Furniture dismantling
• Department labelling
• Weekend or phased moving
• Storage

Business continuity is often one of the main priorities, so the relocation should be planned around the company’s operational requirements.

Learn more about Get Cracking office relocations.

Choosing a Company for International Removals

If you are moving overseas, there are additional questions to ask.

Find out whether the company can coordinate:

• Export packing
• Inventory preparation
• Sea freight
• Air freight where appropriate
• European road transport
• Customs documentation support
• Storage
• Destination services

International removals may also involve different customs requirements depending on your destination.

Learn more about Get Cracking worldwide relocations.

Do Not Choose a Mover on Price Alone

Everyone wants a competitive moving price, but an unusually cheap quotation deserves closer examination.

Make sure you are comparing the same services.

One quote may include professional packing, furniture protection, additional movers or destination services while another quotation may include only basic transport.

Ask questions until you understand what you are paying for.

What Should I Ask a Removals Company Before Booking?

Before confirming your move, consider asking:

• What exactly is included in my quotation?
• How many movers are planned for the job?
• What vehicle will be used?
• Do you provide professional packing?
• Can you dismantle suitable furniture?
• Can you provide storage if my dates change?
• Are there additional charges I should be aware of?
• How should I prepare for moving day?
• Who should I contact if my circumstances change?
• What information do you need about property access?

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Removals Company in Dublin

How Early Should I Book a Removals Company?

Book as early as practical, particularly if you are moving at a busy time, require professional packing or have a fixed completion date.

Should a Removals Company Survey My Home?

A survey can be useful for larger or more complicated moves because it helps establish volume, access, packing requirements and any unusual items before the quotation is finalised.

Can a Removals Company Pack Everything?

A professional packing service can be arranged depending on the requirements of the move. Customers can also choose partial packing or pack suitable belongings themselves.

Can Movers Dismantle Furniture?

Suitable standard furniture may be dismantled and reassembled where this forms part of the agreed service. Specialist or complicated furniture should be identified in advance.

What Happens if I Cannot Get the Keys on Time?

Key delays can happen. Contact the removals office as soon as you know there may be a delay. If the crew and vehicle need to wait beyond the planned schedule, additional waiting-time charges may apply depending on the circumstances.

Can a Removals Company Store My Furniture?

Yes. Storage can be useful where moving dates do not match or where you need temporary space between collection and delivery.

Can the Same Company Handle an International Move?

Get Cracking provides international relocation services in addition to Dublin and Irish removals. International moves may include packing, transport, storage, customs documentation support and destination coordination depending on the move.

Get a Quote From a Removals Company in Dublin

Knowing how to choose a removals company in Dublin comes down to more than finding the lowest price.

Look for experience, clear quotations, suitable packing and storage options, professional industry connections and a company that asks enough questions to properly understand your move.

If you are planning a house move, apartment removal, office relocation or international move, Get Cracking Relocations & Storage can discuss your requirements and prepare a quotation based on your move.

Get Cracking Relocations & Storage
Dublin, Ireland
Telephone: 01 866 5999
Email: info@getcracking.ie

Request a Moving Quote