December Removal 2021

December 2021
A successful removal, but not without a few obstacles due to late key release. It was a local removal between properties in West Bridgford, beginning at 8 am in the morning.
I had previously been round to see the customer to offer a quote for the removal and gauge the size of truck needed as well as the number of portable wardrobe boxes, mattress bags and sofa covers needed. Albany Removals offer a packing service if required; the customer chose to do there own packing. This can have the advantage of saving money, so if you are working to a budget, it can be a way to reduce the overall costs. It is important to ensure it is done properly though – no supermarket boxes, carrier bags etc. as they are difficult to stack in the lorry without collapsing and risk damaging the contents and adding extra time to the job because of the inappropriate size and difficulty to transport. Removal boxes can easily be sourced through us or other companies.
Using the packing service is a good option as Albany Removals use experienced packers who will ensure everything is packed and labelled correctly. Unfortunately, when we arrived on moving day about a quarter of the items for removal, had not been packed appropriately, they were in bin liners, loose crates and carrier bags. Packages and furniture hadn’t been labelled either, so we knew unloading at the other end would be more difficult and take longer. Customers often do their best, but moving house is a busy, stressful time; something they don’t do often, so it is easy to underestimate how much work it entails.
We arrived at 8 am for the move. The customer had saved us space for the lorry, which is really helpful as it avoids blocking roads and knocking on neighbours’ doors. We began by dismantling, then loading two beds. We then needed to disconnect a washing machine, but we really should not do this as we are not insured if leaks occur; we alerted the customer to the fact that we could not take responsibility if there was a problem. Fortunately, everything was fine and the move continued.
Moving heavy boxes and furniture is tiring work, so we were very grateful when the customer offered us a cup of tea. The magic of a nice cuppa revives the muscles and spirits, so by 12pm we had managed to load everything. We managed to secure the inappropriately packed items more securely to reduce the risk of damage.
We checked with the customer and made one last sweep around the property to check that all goods were on the truck. Everyone happy with stage one – time for a break.
Lunch time – a quick sandwich and another cuppa to set us up for the afternoons work.
At 1.30pm we arrived at the new property, but the keys had not yet been released by the solicitors. This is becoming an increasing problem, so I have started warning customers. Although the majority arrive not long after lunch, a growing number arrive later and this was one of those occasions. We had to wait until 5.30pm for keys to arrive. Unfortunately, we need to charge a waiting time fee when keys are delayed as staff have to work beyond the end of the working day. Advice to the customers is to keep checking and prompting the solicitors to get the paperwork in order, so time and money is not wasted, not that, that guarantees speed, but it helps.
Everyone, especially the poor customers, were relieved when the keys arrived. The Albany team jumped into action after the frustrating wait, placing carpet protectors on the carpets and stairs. Albany Removals will always try to get furniture located first then boxes can fit around it, however, the furniture wasn’t labelled by the customers. This was especially unfortunate, after the long delay with the keys, when everyone wants to be finished and the customers need time to sit and relax in their new home. Instead, they are having to spend time directing where everything is going, rather than getting on with sorting out what they need for a first comfy night in their new home.
Finally completed the removal at 7:30. We checked with the customer that everything was located in the right rooms; it was, and they were very happy everything was finally complete.
Fortunately, the move was reasonably close to our HQ the hardworking Albany team were able to head home by 8pm – a long day.
If you are moving, look at the hints and tips on the website. Although we can’t do much about the delay in keys becoming available, we can make things smoother and quicker for both the Albany team and the customer if everything is planned in advance. This includes using appropriate boxes, correctly labelled and packed to avoid damage and too much weight. Don’t skimp on the boxes as it can lead to breakages, delays and confusion, not only on moving day, but also as you try to settle in over the next few days. The hints and tips section provides advice, or you could ask us to quote for a packing service for efficiency and peace of mind.

If you would like a quote: call Albany Removals Ltd. on 07970383207 or look at our website: www.albanyremovals.co.uk