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Moving Broadband, Phone And Tv

The country so it’s possible that when you move you won’t be able to get the same level of service.

Moving Broadband, Phone And Tv

  • Check the availability of services

Broadband access varies across the country so it’s possible that when you move you won’t be able to get the same level of service. This applies to cable internet and fibre optic broadband access in particular, if you move to an area without one of these you’ll lose that high speed connection. Of course, it can also go the other way.

You can contact your current ISP and ask them to check the address to confirm coverage. Alternatively, use the broadband checker tool at BroadbandGenie.co.uk to view the availability of services at a specific address or general area; the latter is useful if you’re still house hunting.

When it comes to TV, this can again depend on broadband connectivity. If there’s no cable broadband you won’t get cable TV, and if you use something like YouView or Netflix to stream video the quality may be impacted by a slower connection. Satellite TV is only dependent on whether you can attach a dish to the property, and standard broadcast Freeview just needs you to be within range (most of the country) and have a suitable aerial.

For the phone the biggest problem you’ll face is that a line either needs installing (perhaps if the property only had cable before) or has been deactivated. There will be an engineer visit and some costs involved, but it’s usually an easy fix.

  • Want to switch providers whem moving broadband, phone and TV?

If you discover that you can’t get the same service at a new property, or simply want to drop the current provider, there is often a price attached. Unless the provider cannot offer anything they will most likely require you to pay a fee to break the contract.

This is less of an issue with ADSL and fibre optic broadband and satellite TV, but with cable you may be forced to downgrade to a slower ADSL line and lose your cable TV – Virgin Media does have an ADSL product using BT lines which is offered to homes lacking cable so if you don’t cancel you might have to use this instead.

  • Contact the providers

Every company will have a minimum time in which it needs to be notified of a transfer of service. This could be two weeks, it could be a month, so find out in advance. If you leave it until the last moment, it will delay the setup at your new home.

  • Liaise with the current occupier

A very important step is to confirm with the current occupier of the property that they will be properly cancelling their phone, broadband and TV services for the moving date. The phone is especially important; if this is not done the line will be blocked and your internet access delayed by weeks. If this happens, the ISP will attempt to activate it again a few days later, and if still denied, will follow a set procedure for gaining access.

WHEN YOU’RE READY TO MOVE

First step: contact the providers within their minimum notification period to supply the new address and your moving date.

For broadband and phone from the same provider, just give them the details and follow their instructions, assuming there’s no other problems they should handle the process and cancel, then enable your services on the correct dates.

For broadband and phone from separate providers, you must first contact the phone company and ask for a Link Order Reference Number (LORN), which is sometimes called a Simultaneous Provide Number (SIM). Then get in touch with the broadband ISP and supply the reference. This will allow the two companies to work together to enable both services on the same day. If this isn’t done, it can take several weeks to sort out.

For cable, satellite and Freeview television, including BT or TalkTalk YouView, the steps will vary. Cable and satellite will require an engineer visit to set up the necessary hardware, but for Freevie, you can handle this yourself as it’s simply a case of plugging in the aerial to your TV or set-top box, and ensuring the broadband is correctly activated.

MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR MOVING BROADBAND, PHONE AND TV WHEN MOVING HOUSE

Getting a new home is a good time to take stock of your outgoings and consider ways to cut back on expenditure.

  • Bundle up

Signing up for a broadband, phone and TV bundle from a single provider can simplify bills and equal big savings compared to using separate companies, particularly if you take advantage of the frequent special offers that include free shopping vouchers and months or years of free broadband. You can use Broadband Genie’s broadband, phone and TV bundles comparison table to find the best deals currently available.

  • Cut back on extras

Paying for extra TV channels you don’t watch, or inclusive phone minutes that aren’t being used? Such extras can usually be removed for no charge to reduce monthly bills.

  • Compare broadband deals

When checking the availability of broadband at a new home you might find that there’s a different provider you could sign up for that may be better value. This might not necessarily be cheaper, but if you can make the move from a relatively slow ADSL broadband line to a speedy fibre optic or cable broadband service for not too much more it could prove to be better for you and family by allowing you to do more online. For instance, you could stop paying for premium TV and instead take advantage of the many great catch-up TV and streaming movie services

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Avoiding Delays When Moving House

HAVE YOUR MONEY AT THE READY

From the moment you decide to put your house up for sale, you need to be clear about your finances. Whether you’re a first time buyer or moving for the fifth time around (in which case, you’ll already know all about this) sorting your finances first is guaranteed to speed up any house move. Whether it be getting your mortgage in principal agreed in order to start making serious offers or simply ensuring you have your full deposit and any fees ready (especially if these are not coming from existing savings) and staying on top of your finances every step of the way is vital.

BE PROACTIVE AND COMMUNICATE

You’ll deal with a lot of people whilst moving house – from estate agents and conveyancing solicitors to removal companies and everything in between.

Completing and paperwork swiftly, responding quickly to enquiries, having your documents ready (for example copies of wage slips, bank statements and your ID for a mortgage application or planning permissions/guarantees for the property you’re selling) and having all your affairs in order can really speed up the process of making and having an offer accepted and starting off the contracts process.

Staying in touch with them and updating them with any changes that occur along the way means that everyone (including you) can plan accordingly, with as much notice as possible to take action avoid any last minute problems. If you want an update on something don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or drop a quick email – these companies are working for you so should be happy to provide you with any information you need.

COMBINE YOUR PROPERTY SURVEYS

If you want to have a home buyers or full survey done on the property you are buying then consider using your mortgage lender to provide this at the same time as conducting their valuation report rather than doing them independently. This will speed up the process and could save you money.

BOOK YOUR REMOVAL COMPANY EARLY

Although you might not have a date yet you should try to start arranging a removals company around 4 weeks before when you think moving day might be.

Contact around 3 companies in your area (our guide on how to find a recommended removal company explains this in more detail) and book an in-home move consultation with each. This is always a free, no obligation service which enables the removal company to quickly and accurately calculate the cost of moving your items. The surveyor who comes to see your home will also highlight little things you might not have thought about yet – like whether or not you need to make parking provisions for the removals truck or whether you require extra services such as a handyman or housemaid to help at each end. Once you have your quotes, narrow them down to one (see more about comparing removals quotations on our blog) and provisionally book the dates you’re aiming for.

Once you’ve exchanged contracts and have set a completion date for your move let the removal company know ASAP so they can finalise the dates for you and confirm your booking. Remember that during peak times (summer, school holidays, bank holidays and Christmas) removal companies will be busier and book up faster than usual so starting this process early is vital. Fridays (particularly the last of every month) are also extremely busy times, so if you can move on any other weekday, do it!

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PACK

IF you’re doing your own packing to move house then as soon as your removal company is booked, start packing. This is arguably everyone’s least favourite part of the moving process, probably because it always takes longer than you think – so the sooner you get going with it, the sooner it’s done. This way, you can order extra boxes if needed, sort everything carefully and make sure it’s packed properly (see our how-to videos here for more advice on packing your own items). The last thing you want is to still be packing the night before – or even worse – the morning of your move. Not only is this stressful, but it might also delay your move and cost you more money.

Packing early also frees you up the week before your move to do all those last minute jobs you might have forgotten about until now like reading meters, redirecting your post and making arrangements for children and pets on the day of the move.

THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU WANT TO EXCHANGE AND COMPLETE

No matter how tempting it might seem to roll two things into one (and in principal, it does sound like a good idea) always try not to exchange and complete on the same day if you’re part of a chain. Completion dates are usually set at the time a contract is exchanged, meaning everyone connected in the chain can organise for their funds to be released on the same day. It only takes complications from one vendor who can’t complete on the given day to break the chain for all involved. If you can, try and leave about a week or so between each exchanging and completing, which should be enough time to resolve any problems that might arise. That’s not to say that they can’t be done on the same day at all – there are, of course, circumstances in which it works for many people – but you must be certain of the strength of your chain and confident that everyone will have their finances in place by completion day.

Although often not possible when you’re involved in a chain, If you can avoid moving in on completion day this is great as it gives you a bit more breathing space without having a deadline to be out of your old home and reduces the risk of waiting around for keys to get into the new one.

ARRANGE CHILD/PET CARE ON MOVING DAY

Moving day can be hectic, if your children and pets can be elsewhere for the day this is a good idea as it means you can focus on the move and not get distracted by having to think about keeping an eye on them or keeping them entertained.

CONSIDER ADDITIONAL MOVING SERVICES

Do you need to dismantle anything to move? Are you taking any of the fixtures and fittings? Does anything need disconnecting? Do you need to have the house cleaned before you hand over the keys or can you come back and do this another day?

Many removal companies offer additional services to help you with the above so that everything is taken care of in advance so that you’re ready on move day.

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The Best Packing Materials For Fragile Items

Best Packing Materials

The Best Packing Materials For Fragile Items

Lots of homeowners worry about expensive and sentimental items getting broken when they’re moving home, and unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for accidents to happen on moving day. One of the best ways to ensure your fragile items make it to your new home in one piece is to pack them correctly. Using the right packing materials and taking your time when packing can make a big difference, and even if your move is last-minute, you shouldn’t rush your packing.

You may want to consider booking a packing service if you have lots of delicate and breakable items, and an expert team will ensure that everything is professionally packed for you. They know the best ways to pack fragile items and they will use the high-quality packing materials required to keep your belongings safe. If you’re wondering which packing materials you should use for fragile items, below we have listed some that we consider essential.

Bubble Wrap 

Whenever you’re packing belongings for a house move, bubble wrap is a must-have. This protective material is ideal to wrap around your fragile items and the air pockets in bubble wrap will act as a cushion whilst your items are in transit. Bubble wrap can help to absorb shock and prevent your fragile items from getting damaged when the removal van goes over speed bumps or potholes, too. Don’t be afraid to use generous amounts of bubble wrap to keep expensive and sentimental items safe during your move.

Packing Paper 

Similar to bubble wrap, packing paper is great to wrap your fragile items in when you’re moving home, and it will help to ensure they get from A to B in one piece. Lots of homeowners will also use packing paper to fill empty spaces in their boxes to prevent items from moving around in transit. Packing paper is usually a cost-effective option, and it’s relatively cheap to buy. Of course, packing paper is fully recyclable too, so if you have a lot of fragile items, this is a more environmentally friendly protective material.

Strong Cardboard Boxes 

Lots of homeowners will use old cardboard boxes from local shops when they’re packing for a house move in an attempt to save money. Whilst these boxes are okay for general day-to-day items, you shouldn’t put your fragile items in them. There’s a high chance that these flimsy cardboard boxes will break at some point during your move, and this can result in everything inside them getting broken too. It’s worthwhile purchasing a few high-quality, strong cardboard boxes for your expensive and sentimental items.

Fragile Packing Tape 

Even if you plan to label all of your boxes, which is recommended by packing experts, you should still use fragile packing tape for boxes containing easily breakable items. It will be much easier for your removal team to see which boxes they need to handle with extra care when you use traditional fragile tape, and this tape can help to prevent any accidents. It’s a common misconception that fragile packing tape is expensive, but it won’t cost much more than standard packing tape, so it’s worth getting a roll or two.

Are You Looking For Removal Companies?

If you’re worried about delicate items getting damaged during your house move, using these packing materials can help to prevent any accidents. It’s fair to say that it’s always beneficial to invest in high-quality packing materials.

When searching for a removal company to provide you with the range of removal services you need, get in touch with our team. We have many years of experience, and you can rely on us to ensure your move is as easy and stress-free as possible. When you enlist our help with removal and packing services, you can have peace of mind knowing that the safe handling and delivery of your belongings is paramount to us. We are committed to ensuring all of your belongings arrive in the exact condition we found them in.

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Negotiating With Removal Companies

Negotiating With Removal Companies

Negotiating With Removal Companies

Negotiating on services has become increasingly popular and is a topic often discussed by removal companies. If you’re thinking about negotiating with removal companies prior to your move, it’s therefore important to know all the facts beforehand in order to make sure you’re negotiating safely to guarantee your move runs smoothly and no vital corners are cut…

First things first: decent, ethical Removal Companies membership gives a good indication of professional practices. will NOT be trying to “rip you off”. They do not set their first price high to allow lots of room to come down when you negotiate. The likelihood is they have given you a fair price to cover the costs of your move plus their profit (remember, they are not a non-profit organisation – they are a business). Those that ARE trying to rip you off are not likely to be able to do this through overpricing a good service because in a competitive market, it’d be very rare anyone would pay it, and they’d soon have to adjust to book any work at all. More likely is they will rip you off by under servicing your move for what you are paying (e.g. hiring inexperienced or unqualified staff, less thorough packing, not leaving enough time) or worse, hiding additional charges that will crop up on the day.

When to negotiate with removal companies:

If you feel that you have been given a better price from a company that would not be your first choice (if price weren’t involved) and it is for the same service, then you should ask your first-choice mover if they are willing to review their price. This is a great example of when negotiating with removal companies can work for you, if the circumstances are right.

How to negotiate with removal companies:

If you are going to do this, then you have to be prepared to be completely open with the information you have. Tell your first-choice mover you want to move with them, but you believe you are being offered the same service for cheaper elsewhere. Be prepared to tell them which company is beating their price and also be prepared to send them a copy of your quote – they will want to help you assess if it is a like-for-like quotation and to point out any reasons why they might be more expensive before they determine if they can offer you any discount.

What are your bargaining chips when negotiating with removal companies?

If the first price you are given is too high, then don’t be afraid to go back to your removal company to discuss. It may be that you’ve asked for a quote that includes services you weren’t sure if you wanted because you didn’t know the cost yet. It’s fine to go back and say that based on these costs, I’d like to not have my packing done for me, or can you re-adjust for me to remove some of my items from the list, as I will get rid of some before I move.

Can you change your method of moving? If you have a smaller consignment then asking for a part load or Groupage service can cut your costs as you will share some transport costs with other customers – just be aware you may have to be flexible on moving dates, but if this is less important to you than the cost then this is a great place to try to reduce your costs when negotiating with removal companies.

What to do before negotiating with removal companies – things to check:

Whilst the ‘move cost’ is the biggest chunk of the quotation, make sure to add in any extra costs to the comparison. Insurance, for example, is something you need to add to the overall price. Insurance will usually be a % of your move cost or as a % of the value of your goods. Work out what this additional cost is and then compare the total against other companies’ quotes. Ensure you are comparing the same type of insurance products – i.e. in the UK it is extended liability or goods in transit, and for overseas moves, what is covered and what’s not (eventualities and items). What does this charge do to the gap?

If any part of your move involves storing items, what is the company offering? Many international moves, for example, include a period of free storage. Have you factored this into your comparison against another removal company?

EXAMPLE: Recently, we helped a customer of ours compare his options when he came back to negotiate, as he was planning on instantly dismissing us for being 30% higher than two other local companies. On closer inspection neither were BAR members, both had heavily under staffed the move having ignored the fact it was a 2nd floor flat, and both had mis-represented the insurance they were offering (Extended Liability rather than the Goods in Transit policy we were offering) – and even more worryingly neither had confirmed in writing their price or what it covered, so no physical contract was drawn up.

We’re not saying this happens all the time, but in this instance, it was no surprise that we were more expensive – the customer would’ve found themselves likely stung with additional charges or extra stress on moving day. So, in conclusion, if you are comfortable negotiating to get the removal company you prefer for the price you prefer, then don’t be afraid to do so – but make sure you consider the tips provided before you do.

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