Guidelines to hiring movers in Singapore

by Needs SGHome House Cleaning Singapore

When it comes to home moving, most homeowners want to engage reliable movers which can be contacted through online or through word of mouth. A good example of a site with good ratings and reviews of movers is SGHomeNeeds.

However, when it comes to hiring a good mover, many details must be confirmed to ensure a smooth experience.

There are generally 4 kinds of moving:

· Local movers

· Interstate movers

· Long distance movers

· Commercial movers

Below are a few details you must confirm with the professional movers when it comes to home moving, given the regulations and strict rules in Singapore:

Is it illegal to dispose unwanted furniture and items after home moving in Singapore?

In Singapore, the rules are clear - it is illegal to dispose unwanted furniture outside your home or below the HDB. You can engage a furniture disposal specialist to help you dispose leftover furniture.

You can easily find recycling and collection points around Singapore on NEA’s website: https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/3r-programmes-and-resources/recycling-collection-points

Is the moving company properly licensed?

Hiring a moving company without investigating about the license may get you into trouble as many rogue movers in Singapore can make you a victim of moving scams.

Ask these professional interstate movers for their registration number and license, or any other certificates that is applicable.

Ensuring that you deal with a legitimate company puts you higher up in safety and ensure you have a lower chance of being a scam victim.

Do I have to apply the permit for home moving if I stay in a condominium?

Some condominiums in Singapore do require a permit for home moving. Most movers can help you apply and may even place moving deposits on your behalf. If not, do check and apply the permits to ensure a smooth delivery process for the day.

Is the moving company insured and bonded?

To ensure the job is completed to your satisfaction, it is important to clarify with the companies if they provide full value protection that makes the mover liable for the replacement value of any damaged or missing item.

Qualifying questions to ask house movers

When it comes to hiring a house movers, it is important to clarify with them the following questions:

Is their team made up of full-timers or subcontractors/part-timers?

It is important to know the background of the moving company. In general, companies with full time professional movers are more reliable.

Figuring out whether they are subcontracting their work in advance can save you lots of trouble. If needed (for extra protection), feel free to ask for the subcontractor’s name and a complete list.

Does the moving company provide cartons and packing materials?

Different companies have different ways of moving. Some do provide the necessary packing materials, while others charge extra costs for it.

Yet, others simply require you to buy your own carton boxes and packing materials.

Most movers will provide cartons and other packing materials like bubble pack, newsprint and tapes. However, they are usually sold at cost.

What happens if my items are damaged/lost in transit?

This will vary between different movers. Some movers may be able to provide money back guarantee, whilst others don’t. This is an important area to clarify with your movers before engaging them to prevent any misunderstanding of responsibilities that may arise when this happens.

Do I need an estimate or a quotation for home moving?

Most good movers prefer making an appointment with you and assess your home to determine the volume of items to be transported. It is commonly known as a “site-survey”.

These site surveys help movers determine various factors (highlighted above) affecting the price, such as ease of parking, handymen needed etc.

For international relocation services, it is best you contact the relocation services to confirm the details and charges of the service.

Is it chargeable for having a site survey?

It depends on individual movers. Most movers in Singapore do not charge for a site survey.

Engaging reliable movers in Singapore

In Singapore, you can check out SGHomeNeeds for a list of good, reliable moving companies to engage with. The platform provides transparent ratings and reviews for you to read before selecting on one for your home improvement projects.

Check out cost of moving home in Singapore in SGHomeNeeds blog.