Kenyan towns and neighborhoods have a lot to offer for different individuals, from expats and diplomats looking for security and proximity to work in highrise estates to middle-income families looking to raise children in safe neighborhoods. However, moving to a different city or town can be a tedious and stressful process, whether you’re downsizing or expanding your home.
While you could always do it yourself, there are many reasons why hiring a professional mover in Kenya will always be the best choice.
In this guide, we share key factors to consider when choosing the best house movers in Kenya.
1.How Credible is the House Moving Company?
You can tell a lot about a company’s credibility and conduct by checking online reviews to see what people say about them. Simply search the business name on Google and click the reviews tab on the Google Business Profile. Clicking on the lowest ratings will give some insight into specific issues the company has dealt with, especially those that expose their faults and weaknesses.
It’s important to note that mistakes happen; therefore, look out for how the company responds or replies to legitimate concerns and whether they express regret and take responsibility. That would be the right mover to work with. However, beware of home movers in Kenya with too many bad reviews!
You can also find reviews on Facebook and local business directories such as businesslists.co.ke. Beware of fake reviews, which could be ratings with no comments, irrelevant comments, or those from suspicious user names.
2. Request Recommendations from Former Clients
To determine whether a house moving service in Kenya will suit your needs, you can request recommendations from other individuals and families that they have served before. Some company websites feature testimonials where you can find contacts to former clients who can speak to the quality of service they received.
You can guide your contact on what you would like the recommendation to focus on, be it professionalism, efficiency, overall satisfaction, or additional services like furniture installation or temporary storage.
3. Ensure the House Moving Company Has a Physical Office
Always deal with a home mover in Kenya that has a brick-and-mortar office in an accessible location. This way, you can walk in to follow up and sort out any unattended issues.
Avoid the ‘Ask for Transport’ guys who park pickups on the road, as you cannot guarantee their integrity and the safety of your property. Some companies may claim a location but without a physical address. Here’s how you can tell;
- The location could be just “Kisumu Kenya” or “Kisumu CBD,” but not precisely where in Kisumu or the CBD.
- Vague location or building room number. The location should be specific. For example, Nellions Moving and Relocations, Muringa Road, Kilimani, 28355-00100.
4. Work with a Registered House Mover in Kenya
There are hundreds of home movers in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Mombasa. Not all of them are registered. In fact, some individuals even position themselves as companies for bigger opportunities.
A professional house mover will have all the licenses required to operate. They must also be adequately insured for statutory insurance on employees, vehicles, and other equipment.
Nellions is licensed to operate in Kenya and other Eastern African countries, including Uganda. We also have different kinds of insurance coverage, including all risks, public liability, and fidelity, to mention a few.
5. Membership Associations
The moving industry in Kenya is virtually unregulated by any written laws. Considering this, you are more at peace if you contract a company with reputable and internationally recognized industry affiliations. Membership associations usually mean the home moving company has met essential – and sometimes grueling – criteria for admission into such organizations.
As a member of the International Association of Movers (IAM), the British Association of Removers (BAR), and the Pan-African International Movers Association (PAIMA), Nellions is vetted by international peers using specific set criteria, contributes crucial insights, and pays annual membership fees.
6. Experience and Job Knowledge
While years in service may not necessarily guarantee quality service delivery, a long-serving house mover in Kenya will easily navigate almost any challenges, having encountered and dealt with them before. With over 12 years in the industry, Nellions has amassed a great wealth of experience and knowledge from moving over 15000 families both locally and internationally.
Professional movers in Kenya are known for specializing in various types of moves. Some are known for residential moving, corporate relocations, pet relocations, and international moving. Choose a reputable company that provides tailored solutions for the move you need. For instance, if you’re relocating cats or dogs, you might want your mover to have custom crates, comfort items, and temperature-regulated transport for safe handling and relocation.
At Nellions, we are best known for residential moving within Kenya, corporate relocations, and international moving to other parts of the world.
7. Resources and Staff
Home relocation in Kenya can be quite tedious. The process needs hands on deck for expert wrapping, packing, and lifting of bulky furniture and home appliances onto waiting trucks, then offloading later. The right moving company has adequate staff, resources, and equipment such as vehicles, forklifts, ropes, and packing materials.
Reliable home movers in Kenya also provide a point person to liaise with and document the move for accountability.
8. House Moving Costs
Beware of extremely cheap movers in Nairobi as they might not have sufficient resources for a full-service home relocation and their customer service is wanting. A costly one does not guarantee quality service either. To avoid overstretching yourself financially, choose an affordable mover that prioritizes the safety and security of your belongings.
To get a clear picture of your moving costs, ask;
- Does the company assemble and disassemble furniture?
- Does the company provide packing materials?
- Does the company help with packing and unpacking?
- Are emergencies or unforeseen weather issues factored in the final moving costs?
- Are there any additional or hidden costs?
This will inform you of the extent of service and total costs. You should not only look at the price but also consider issues such as damaged equipment and downtime.
9. Adaptability to Situations at Hand
You will want to select a home mover in Kenya that is flexible and still delivers in the face of changing events and unforeseen circumstances. Drivers can sometimes encounter unexpected situations en route, from traffic jams, truck repairs, or weather-related delays. A reliable house mover with solid problem-solving is essential for successful relocations under such situations.
Choose a business with a track record of effectively and professionally managing unforeseen circumstances while considering client needs.
10. Inquire About Storage and Integrated Services
While optional, a reliable home mover in Kenya would have some storage space even if storage is not their core business. Home moving clients in Kenya are sometimes downsizing from bigger houses or moving to already furnished homes, necessitating the need for storage space to keep some of their household goods and items.
Some professional house movers in Kenya also offer furniture installation, home insurance, fine art moving, and moisture control solutions for homes and offices.
Partnering with such companies offers seamless protection of your belongings from collection to delivery, and a single point of accountability so you don’t have to deal with multiple companies for a single move.
Best House Movers in Kenya: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
With over 12 years’ industry experience and 15000 families served, Nellions has established a reputation as a trusted home moving partner for individuals and families in Kenya. Whether you’re moving within Kenya or across borders, we stand ready to do the heavy lifting, from expert packing, safe transport and on-time delivery to your new home.
Kickstarting your moving journey with Nellions is the first step towards a stress-free move.
Book a free survey today. Call +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke to speak to an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check online reviews via Google Business Profiles and local directories like businesslists.co.ke. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative feedback; a professional mover takes responsibility and addresses client concerns directly.
Yes. Always choose a mover with a brick-and-mortar office and a specific address. This ensures you have a physical location to visit for follow-ups and prevents dealing with “unregistered” transport individuals who lack accountability.
A registered mover must possess all standard operating licenses. They should also carry insurance coverage such as Public Liability, All Risks, and Fidelity to protect your belongings and their employees during the move.
Since the industry is largely unregulated by local law, affiliations with international bodies like the International Association of Movers (IAM) or the British Association of Removers (BAR) ensure the company meets rigorous global service standards.
It depends on your needs. Some companies specialize in niche areas like pet relocation or fine art moving. If you have specific requirements, ensure the company has the tailored equipment, such as temperature-regulated transport or custom crates.
A well-equipped mover provides a full team for packing and lifting, along with necessary materials (boxes, wraps), specialized equipment like forklifts or ropes, and a dedicated point person to manage accountability.
Before signing a contract, ask if the quote includes furniture assembly, packing materials, and unpacking services. Inquire specifically about how the company handles unforeseen costs related to weather delays or emergencies.
8. Is the cheapest moving quote always the best option?
Not necessarily. Extremely low prices often indicate a lack of resources or poor customer service. Balance affordability with the company’s ability to guarantee the safety and security of your household items.
Choose a mover with a proven track record of adaptability. Reliable companies have problem-solving protocols for traffic jams, mechanical repairs, or weather-related issues to ensure your move stays on track despite obstacles.
Many professional movers, including Nellions, offer integrated services such as temporary storage for those downsizing or moving into furnished homes. They may also provide furniture installation and moisture control solutions for added convenience.
