There are many decisions and choices to make when you’re moving to a new location – what to bring and what to leave behind, how to transport everything, not to mention all of the decisions involved in actually finding a place. However, one of the key decisions to make is whether or not to use a removal service.

Now, while hiring a remover can be costly and it is always nerve-racking to have to deal with unfamiliar people and even moreso when you have to trust them with transporting your belongings. However, if you have a large volume of things to transport, the funds to pay for it all, if you manage to find a trusted and experienced remover, the experience of using a removal service can actually be a very positive one, saving you time, effort and even expenses in some cases. So, when should you opt to use a company and what are some pros and cons to doing so?

Pro: You will be able to entrust a lot of the work to someone else, leaving you free to focus on other things. This, of course, depends on the company you choose and the type of service they offer. Some companies will actually do the packing and uninstalling of electronics for you, as well as all of the heavy lifting and transportation. Others will only deal with transportation, leaving you to handle all of the packing and preparation. It all depends on how much you’re willing to pay and what you’re willing to do yourself.

Con: You will have to entrust all of your belongings to strangers. This is always a stressful thing to do, even if you are working with experienced removers. However, if you do your research carefully and work with a reputable company there should be no need to be nervous. Additionally, do try to give clear and concise instructions about how you want your things to be handled. Remember that if you have specialized equipment, art, musical instruments, etc., it is always better to pay the extra money and hire an expert to transport them, instead of risking it.

Pro: Using a removal service, you will be able to transport a much larger volume of things than if you handle the removals yourself. No matter what kind of transportation you use and how many people are helping you, without the help of a remover, you will be forced to leave a lot of the bulkier pieces of furniture behind. If you want to take everything with you, the only viable option is a remover.

Con: The higher cost is, of course, to be considered. The rates for removal services are currently fairly high and on the increase. This is, of course, due to many economic factors, such as the rising prices of petrol and it isn’t always a negotiable factor. However, if you do your research well and compare and contrast removal companies, you could actually find a fairly cheap service. Additionally, if you want several services, like moving and storage, you may be able to get a discount. Negotiating the price is also always an option – do not accept a first offer and try to negotiate a better price. In general, if you’re an informed and economically savvy consumer, you can secure an extremely affordable price for your removals.