There are many house clearance companies, and finding the right one can be a tall order. But it doesn’t have to be if you know the right questions to ask. Thus, we’ve put together nine questions to help you determine the legitimacy of a house clearance company. That said, here are the right questions to ask to help you find the right company to deliver the best services.
Any reputable house clearance company should be licensed. Having a valid waste carrier license by the Environmental Agency is a legal requirement. Thus, ask the company for a waste carrier registration number to confirm their legitimacy. It will be better if you get a photocopy of the waste carrier license and see the original license on the moving day.
Apart from the license, insurance is equally important, although it’s not a legal requirement. A competent company will have insurance coverage just in case of any incident. A fully insured company gives you peace of mind. In case of any accidents during the house clearance process, you won’t go into your pockets to pay for repairs or pay hospital bills for injured workers.
A reputable house clearance company should be able to clear the content of all types of property, from private houses to lock-up garages to flats to commercial premises. The size of a property is usually not an issue. A good company will clear whatever house size, whether you want to move several pieces of furniture or a few boxes.
Honestly speaking, the time it takes depends on the size of the house. Big houses with a lot of content will take longer compared to small ones. Ideally, clearing a standard-size house takes a few hours to half a day. Most house clearance companies complete the job in a day. It can only spill over the following day if the content to be cleared is a lot. A well-trained, professional and experienced crew will finish a house clearance in a timely fashion.
Different house clearance companies have different van sizes. However, the standard house clearance van size is 3.5 tonnes. Your chosen house clearance company should have a fleet of these. It’s the most appropriate van size for house clearance.
In the same breath, ask about the weight the vans can carry. Small vans will require several trips, leading to an increase in cost. Further, are the vans environmentally friendly? Do the vans have the right equipment? This will help you make an informed choice before you settle for the right house clearance company.
The standard practice is three men for standard house clearance. For smaller house clearance, two crew members are enough. Bigger house clearance will take more than three men.
You should also inquire whether the crew members are uniformed. Uniform makes it easy to identify the crew members. It's also a sign of professionalism. Further, inquire whether the men are fully trained and experienced in house clearance work. Have they been checked by CRB? Apart from the crew's professionalism, inquire if they'll come with all the tools needed for the job.
This will solely depend on you. Although, it's best that you stay during the process. Most house clearance companies send two crew members to do the work. That means they'll take a few hours, depending on the quantity of the work. So, it's a brilliant idea to stick around and see the whole process to the end.
However, if you have other pressing commitments, you can leave and let them call you once they are done. Some professional house clearance companies can collect the key, do the job and return the key once done. You don't have to be there at all.
There are strict regulations that govern the disposal of waste. Disposing of any type of waste illegally can lead to imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000. So, this is one of the most important questions you must ask the house clearance company.
Many companies recycle most of the waste content. They donate the products to charity, resell the items or dispose of them at a licensed recycling centre. Go further and ask the name of the recycling centre they use to dispose of waste and whether the centre is licensed.
This will help you in the long run. You'll avoid prosecution and ensure the wastes are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. Be wary of waste removal companies that claim to use the landfill. Landfills pollute the environment.
Reputable house clearance company accepts a wide range of payment methods. Most companies accept bank transfers, cheques, and cash. There are only a few companies that would accept cash only. In such instances, you must be very careful and get a receipt just in case the person you paid to doesn't declare the amount to the company.
A quote gives you an overview of the total cost of the house clearance. The rule of thumb is not to commit until you have a quote. When you know how much the process will cost early on, you can plan your finances in time. You'll also avoid any surprises once the work is done. Again, a quote breaks down everything involved in the house clearance process.