NO CREDIT CRUNCH IN PEAK MOVING SEASON

Even bearing in mind the effects of the credit crunch, removals firms are still experiencing a busy August this year. Despite the current slump in the UK property market the summer remains the most popular season in which to move.

From July until September, year in, year out, removal firms experience a rush of people hoping to make the most of the school holidays in which to move. Most quality removal firms are booked up weeks in advance and some even have to disappoint potential customers due to the workload.

At Abels Moving Services demand this year has again far overtaken the available number of crews and vehicles. Group managing director, Philip Pertoldi, said: "The summer holiday season is always busy, especially the end of August. The combined factors of the Bank Holiday and the end of the school holidays approaching mean the period is always busy for the industry.

"Throughout this credit crunch we have been witnessing increasing incidences of people leaving the selection and booking of a removals firm until the last minute, thinking that there would be no problem. Choice is very limited at this time of year, with all the good removal companies booked up well in advance. Although never keen to turn people away, some are bound to be disappointed.

"Even where people decide to move themselves, either through choice or necessity, I have even been told of cases where hire vans are in short supply!"

Abels, holder of a Royal Warrant to HM the Queen, advises clients to avoid peak periods for moving, including the summer holidays. As well as families throughout the UK trying to move while their children are off school, removals staff with children also like to take their own vacations at this point in the year. Many companies are then left with staffing problems alongside their already heavy workload.

"For those people forced to move in the summer, the best advice is to confirm your booking as soon as possible," Philip Pertoldi continued. "Although you may be at the whim of a chain, note your removal company's attitude towards provisional bookings.
"The booking should not be binding until both parties have agreed to it and normally this is after a non-refundable deposit has been paid. Treat the removals process as you would the scheduling of a peak-season holiday."

Another tip is to take care when choosing your removals firm for that summer move. "Many removers are forced to take on part time staff during the summer to cover the busy time, and their own staff holidays," explained Philip Pertoldi. "Few of these casual employees will be well-trained or properly security vetted. Coupled with the potential of long warm days the risks are increased as the stress levels rise and the pressure on inexperienced staff causes greater risk of damage."