Are you looking for an excellent and trustworthy mover in Nairobi or Kenya? Like most people, you begin your search online, but it quickly gets confusing: you’re bombarded by multiple ads from different movers, a few blogs listing some of the movers, but their service offerings all appear the same.
The Kenyan moving industry has witnessed a flood of new players in recent years. It doesn’t help that the sector is unregulated and has no trade association. Despite this, movers tend to get in close proximity with their clients and their property. It is an alarming fact, considering that some movers don’t have actual offices. How do you locate them to get recourse for things that go wrong during a move? Don’t be tricked by a fancy website, there’s plenty of rogue movers in Nairobi. In this article, we seek to address two issues: How do you identify legitimate moving companies and how do you select the best out of all the movers in Nairobi, Kenya, and East Africa.
What are the indicators of a legitimate mover?
The best ammunition against rogue movers is to recognize the hallmarks of professional movers and identify traits that may be off. It pays off to do your research before letting them into your house/office.
How do you identify a professional mover? The best movers in Kenya ascribe to the known best practices in any industry and some of them go ahead to adopt the best international moving practices employed in other countries. They share some basic characteristics, as outlined below:
1. Brand presence
This alludes to the degree to which a brand is perceived by potential clients and they associate it with a specific product/service. Would you be able to distinguish the movers of that organization in the event that they are placed in a line-up? Do they wear a uniform? Do their packing boxes and containers bear the organization logo? Branding is extensive, but a mover with a strong brand presence will have clear markers, at the least of which include branded vehicles, branded packing materials, proper uniform, a functional website, active social media pages, and a testable organization structure.
2. Reviews and testimonials
A company’s reviews and testimonials tell you lots about the experiences of their past clients. Another way of doing this is by asking your friends, colleagues and acquaintances of their moving experiences and the best movers they’d recommend – either in person or on online forums. You’ll find that the same few names usually crop up, and you can narrow your search to that list.
When it comes to reviews, you need to approach them with a bit of caution – fake reviews are a real thing. Check for authenticity and consistency. However good a moving company (or any company for that matter) may be, no one gets 100% 5-star reviews. Look out for sudden spikes in positive reviews too. Be especially keen to look at how the movers engage with their clients online: do they reply to reviews? How do they respond to the negative ones? These are the real indicators of authenticity.
You can find Nellions’ client reviews both on our Facebook and Google pages.
3. Payment terms
If your preferred mover is asking for full payment for the move upfront, there is a big chance you will have some trouble either before the move, during the move or even later.
In that case, RUN for the hills and don’t look back.
4. Documentation
Professional movers are formal and thus keen on documenting the most important aspects of their move, both for legal and accountability purposes. Part of this documentation will include signed quotations with full details of work scope, confirmation of work done, written disclaimers (if required), written invoices, receipts for money paid, etc. Always make a point to ask for these documents, and if a particular company makes light of them, strike them off your list and move to the next one (trust us – it’s worth the headache down the road).
5. Membership in professional organizations
Without a trade association for Kenya, the best moving companies join established professional moving organizations such as the International Association of Movers (IAM), British Association of Removers (BAR), FIDI, etc. These organizations have very high levels of quality that they require from their members, and as such membership alludes to the trust and authority granted to these entities from the respective bodies. Nellions is a member of both the International Association of Movers and the British Association of Movers.
6. Physical address and Storage Space
This one’s a no-brainer. Every serious business has a physical address where customers can pop in, meet employees, and ask questions. Besides, this is where the head of the business will work from to guide the company. On top of this, a good moving company MUST also appropriate accessible, secure clean, and adequate storage facilities. Moving usually involves the storage of some sort even for those who do not undertake international moving. If a moving company has a verifiable storage facility it has a good chance of being reliable.
7. Insurance Cover
It’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s the truth: every now and then, an accident will happen during a move that will result in the damage of a client’s goods or even cause injuries to the moving crew. We take great care to protect all items during a move, but to err is man. The question is, are your movers covered? What happens when goods get “lost” in transit?
If your goods are damaged during a move and it’s the fault of the movers, they should compensate you for your loss. Ensure to ask about your mover’s insurance policy before hiring them. Should you see a sign or get answers like, “goods are transported at owners’ risk,” then proceed with caution.
8. Customer Service
Professional movers understand the value of good customer service, and it reflects in their actual service delivery, and in pre- and post-move consultation. Before committing to a mover, call their official line and pay attention to how they answer your questions. Beware of any movers who sound sketchy. Check if they keep their word with small things like calling you back in time. Do they drop you a price even before they understand your needs? Do they ask you any customer-centric questions?
9. Proper Moving Tools
The best movers do not compromise on quality. As such, you have the right to examine the tools that will be used to handle your goods if you wish. During your pre-move survey, your move consultant/customer care agent should explain to you how your items will be handled and what tools will be employed.
10. Clear explanation of moving costs
All the best professional movers give a quotation with a breakdown of their costs. These costs are usually based on specific factors, such as the volume of your goods, distance and/or time required for your move, complexity (like if you have safes, pianos, or other logistically complex items), and others that are clearly detailed in their quotations. These quotations are usually generated after a survey of the clients’ premises or goods.
11. PRIVACY
Any mover worth their salt respects and prioritizes the safety and privacy of their clients. Movers tend to interact with a lot of client items and can in the process gain access to sensitive information about them – think about your medicine cabinet, your home bar, clothing, kids’ play areas, and rooms, and more. Always inquire from your mover of their privacy policy.
12. Value for Employees
Like any good company, the best moving companies appreciate that their employees are their best assets and therefore work hard to take care of them. From a moving industry perspective, taking care of employees covers issues like personal training, paying commensurate salaries on time, helping them improve on personal wellness, providing suitable work uniforms, providing meals, etc. It is not difficult for you to check these details before hiring a mover. Also, recognize that how a company treats its employees is an indicator of how they treat their clients. Movers who are cared for by their employers are bound to show the same level of care to their clients.
How do the best movers in Nairobi, Kenya conduct their moves?
Let’s take a case of Nellions Moving & Relocations Company – Kenya’s leading moving company. What are their service offerings, and how does the moving process break down?
1. Pre-move survey
Before we conduct any move, we have to conduct a survey to assess the volume of the goods and the requirements on our ends in terms of tools and personnel. This survey is also the basis from which we calculate our moving quotation. In the recent months, and in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we are increasingly relying on video technology as the primary medium for our clients to receive their moving quotes. It’s as simple as 3 steps:
- 📹 Film your belongings. Ensure the wardrobes and cabinets are open so we have a clear impression of the volume of goods that we’ll be moving.
- 📤 Send us the video via WhatsApp to me/254788000001. Include your other contact details such as email address, your current address as well as your new location’s address. Also include the date when you wish to move.
- 🚚 We’ll revert to you with your quotation as soon as possible – usually within 2 hours during business hours – together with a note on our availability during the proposed moving date.
2. Moving services
Nellions offers a diverse range of moving services: available for both individual and commercial customers: House Moving: we move you from your old house to your new home. Pricing is mainly based on volume of goods and distance from House A to House B.
International Moving: Moving from Kenya to any other country world-wide. We’ll handle all your transfers and give advisory on all necessary paperwork.
Office Moving: Moving office? We’re the people you want to call.
Destination Services: Moving to Kenya? We will handle your goods safely and get you installed in your new home.
Cross-border Moves: Moving to a nearby country? We have a strong team of regional partners who can tremendously aid your move.
Storage: Short- or long-term storage for all your goods.
Machinery Move: Industrial machinery requires specialist equipment and handling in order to be shipped securely.
Furniture Installation: Nellions employs a diverse and highly skilled team of carpenters who can ensure the safe disassembly, movement and reassembly of literally all household and office furniture.
Auto Relocation Services: For when you require your vehicle to be moved discreetly and anonymously.
Fine Art Moving: Your works of art require careful handling to ensure they’re untarnished when they arrive at their intended destinations.
Piano Moving: For delicate handling of your piano before, during, and post transit.
3. Post-move services:
We like to conduct an interview within 2-4 days of completing a move in order to gauge the clients’ experience and address any issues that might have been left lacking.
4. Reviews and Social Media Presence
Our client reviews are available on both of our Facebook and Google pages. You can also keep up to date with us on all our social media presences: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
5. Awards
Nellions has received prestigious awards such as the Best Moving and Relocations Provider in the Real Estate Excellence Awards in both 2018 and 2019.
Are you looking for a professional moving company? Follow these guidelines to identify the best movers who fit your needs.
