Let’s play a quick game of imagination.
It’s moving day. You’re standing outside your Dublin home, clutching a box labelled “fragile – Mum’s wedding china.”
The mover you hired just hurled it into the van like he’s reenacting the All-Ireland final. You want to cry. You also want to throttle someone.
This is not a fantasy worth living.
Yet it happens. Every. Single. Week. Because people hire the wrong moving company in Dublin. They don’t ask the right questions. They assume “all movers are the same.” (They’re not. That’s like saying all takeaway curries taste the same. Tell that to your stomach at 2am.)
So let’s fix this. Here are the Top 10 Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before Hiring Them – questions that separate the pros from the cowboys. Think of them as your moving-day lie detector test.
1. Are you fully licensed and insured?
Imagine discovering your movers are only insured for car stereos, not your €3,000 sofa. That’s the nightmare many unlucky customers face.
According to the Irish Road Haulage Association, more than 30% of “budget movers” operate without proper insurance coverage. If they drop your antique dresser, you’ll be left with splinters and sadness.
A reputable removal company in Dublin carries:
- Goods-in-transit insurance (your belongings are covered).
- Public liability insurance (if they drop your fridge on someone’s foot).
- Proof in writing (not just a shrug and a wink).
Expert Removals ticks all three.
2. What’s included in the quote?
Quotes can be like Ryanair tickets: the price looks good until you add bags, oxygen, and the right to breathe.
In moving, the extras can be:
- Parking permits.
- Stairs and long carries.
- VAT.
- “We forgot to mention fuel charges.”
A 2024 Moving Feedback survey found 42% of customers paid more than their initial quote due to hidden extras.
That’s why you should demand a transparent quote from any house moving service in Dublin. With us, what you see is what you pay. No “mystery fees” added at the bottom like a dodgy restaurant bill.
3. Do you offer packing and unpacking services?
Yes. Packing is the cruelest part of moving. It’s where you discover:
- You own 27 mugs (all gifted by Secret Santas).
- Your wardrobe has clothes you last wore during the Celtic Tiger.
A professional mover should offer:
- Full packing service (boxes, tape, bubble wrap, patience).
- Partial packing (you do the socks, they do the glassware).
- Unpacking at the other end (yes, some movers even put your kitchen back together).
If a mover only offers “lift and shift,” you’re still doing half the job.
4. How do you handle fragile or bulky items?
Ask this question and wait. If they say, “We’ll figure it out on the day,” you should run. Fast.
Nearly 22% of all moving damage claims involve pianos, wardrobes, and glass tables (Insurance Europe, 2022). These items are like toddlers: heavy, awkward, and prone to disaster if not handled carefully.
Proper furniture removals in Dublin involve:
- Custom wrapping for antiques.
- Piano skids or stair-climbing trolleys.
- Enough crew to safely handle the load.
We once moved a 7ft marble statue down a Georgian staircase. Not a scratch. Though our backs still write angry letters about it.
5. Can you provide recent references or reviews?
This isn’t Tinder. You don’t swipe right on blind faith.
You check:
- Google Reviews.
- Trustpilot.
- Local Facebook community groups.
BrightLocal research shows 87% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. If a mover says “we don’t really do reviews,” that’s code for “our reviews would make you cry.”
Always vet your chosen moving company like you’d vet a babysitter.
6. What’s your policy on delays and cancellations?
Here’s a cruel truth: moving day rarely goes to plan. Solicitors drag their heels, keys vanish, or Uncle Pat forgets to show with the deposit.
Ask movers:
- Do they charge waiting fees if you’re stuck outside for two hours?
- What happens if you need to reschedule?
- Is there a cancellation penalty?
A flexible office relocation service in Dublin or house mover won’t sting you for life’s curveballs. A cowboy mover will.
7. Do you provide storage options?
Not every move is a straight line. Sometimes you sell before you buy. Sometimes your renovation overruns. Sometimes the in-laws “invite” you to stay for two weeks (which feels like twelve years).
This is where storage in Dublin saves the day.
Good movers offer:
- Short-term storage (days/weeks).
- Long-term storage (months).
- CCTV-monitored secure facilities.
Fun fact: 18% of Dublin moves involve temporary storage. Don’t get stuck shoving half your life into your mate’s shed.
8. How do you calculate costs – hourly rate or flat fee?
Here’s where wallets weep.
- Hourly rate: good for small local moves, risky if movers take their sweet time.
- Flat fee: predictable for bigger moves, better peace of mind.
In Dublin, the average house move costs €700–€1,400, depending on crew size and cubic feet (our bread and butter data).
When asking about price, phrase it like this:
👉 “What’s the cost of a Dublin house move with three movers and a large van?”
If they mumble, they’re hiding something.
9. Do you disassemble and reassemble furniture?
This is code for: “Will you deal with my IKEA bed that caused tears, curses, and missing screws?”
The right movers carry tools, label screws, and reassemble without making your bed look like a Picasso.
Customer research shows furniture disassembly ranks among the top 5 most requested add-ons when hiring movers.
So don’t settle. Hire movers who offer furniture disassembly and reassembly in Dublin as standard.
10. What makes you different from other moving companies?
This is the mic-drop.
A cowboy will say: “We’re cheap.”
A pro will say:
- We’ve got 20+ years of experience.
- We specialise in house, office, piano, and hotel moves.
- We carry insurance and guarantee our work.
At Expert Removals Dublin, we don’t just move boxes. We move lives. Whether you’re looking for house movers Dublin or full-scale office relocation services, we bring the muscle, brains, and (occasionally) tea-making skills to get it done.
Data Snapshot: What Customers Care About Most
| Factor | % of Customers Who Care (2024 Survey) |
|---|---|
| Clear pricing & no hidden fees | 91% |
| Insurance coverage | 87% |
| Positive reviews & reputation | 82% |
| Professional packing services | 76% |
| Storage options | 64% |
| Furniture disassembly/reassembly | 59% |
👉 Translation: People don’t just want cheap. They want trustworthy, insured, transparent movers who turn up, do the job right, and don’t vanish afterwards.
Final Word: Don’t Hire Blind
Moving ranks in the top 5 life stressors. Right up there with divorce and job loss. Which means choosing the wrong mover isn’t just inconvenient – it’s emotional chaos.
But when you ask the right questions, you hire the right people. And the right people don’t just carry your boxes. They carry your sanity.
So next time you’re tempted to go with “the cheapest guy on Facebook Marketplace,” ask yourself: do you want a bargain… or your belongings intact?
👉 Choose movers who can answer all ten questions without breaking a sweat. Choose Expert Removals.
We don’t just move furniture. We move people, families, and businesses – safely, professionally, and (sometimes) with better banter than your mates.