Moving home presents many, many problems. Formalities, contracts, verifications, methods of financing… However, there is still one more that quite often does not receive that attention it should: furniture removal.
This task may seem complicated, however, if due precaution is taken, it is less complex than it first seems. This problem is cropping up more and more frequently in families for different reasons. A lack of stability in the work place, the tendency of companies towards expansion, an improved financial situation or a new member to the family are all reasons to move home and the subsequent relocation of people and their belongings to the new place of residence.
Bad experiences and advice
People generally have a very poor view of this process, due to the unpleasant experiences they have personally had, or those suffered by acquaintances, after not using true professionals. There are some times when you may find yourself in a situation that borders on criminal.
It is not at all unusual to hear of cases where removal staff have refused to bring the furniture up to an apartment, if they were not paid extra, have modified the agreed price in light of the volume of property to be moved, or have damaged, and not necessarily involuntarily, pieces of furniture or other objects.
Don’t skimp on expenses
The best idea is to put yourself in the hands of real professionals. There is no point trying to save money or time by trying to take care of the whole move yourself. Quite often, it ends up more costly to transport your belongings, as calculations rarely take into account the cost of replacing crystal glasses or porcelain figures.
Prices vary depending on the conditions of the move. Even still, an apartment measuring 90 square feet with two or three bedrooms can cost anywhere between 120,000 and 140.000 pesetas. The factors that determine the final price of the move will be size of the apartment, how easily the furniture can be dismantled, whether the client wishes to pack their belongings themselves, whether or not there is an elevator, how easily the property can be accessed... Clearly, the price will also be higher if relocating outside the city where the original apartment is located.
A question of size
Many problems arise when planning a move. Firstly, volume. According to experts in the field, although the size of apartments has been decreasing, the volume of belongings to be relocated has, contrarily, been on the increase. For example, what could be transported in a van with a capacity of 40 cubic meters a few years ago, now requires a capacity of 60 cubic meters.
Furniture can now be better adapted to the dimensions of the room, thus, more can fit in. What’s more, thanks to increased purchasing power and a higher standard of living, people own more belongings, many of which are not inconsiderable in size.
How to recognize true professionals
In Spain, there are many different organizations for professional removal companies, such as, for example, the Organización Castellana de Empresas de Mudanzas (OCEM) as well as others that exist in different regions of the country.
Companies that belong to this type of professional organization comply with the requirements established for this activity and, naturally, also have the most appropriate resources for carrying it out. The generally advertise in the yellow pages of telephone directories and their advert will state that they are members of the said organizations.
Their specialist technicians should go to the client’s home and make an assessment of the furniture and other objects to be relocated, the difficulties posed by the old home and those posed by the new one, depending on distance, which floor the apartment is on, the location and shape of staircases, elevators, etc. Based on these conditions, they will draw up an estimate or a contract to be signed by both parties. |
