Choosing a BAR Member for your removal
Choosing a BAR Member for your removalA good removal firm can take so much of the stress out of moving that it can be quite transformative. But how do you know you’re choosing a good company? One sign to look for is membership of the British Association of Removers professional body, to which Colin Batt Removals is proud to belong.
The association has existed for more than a century, and around 400 removals and storage firms across the UK are now members, carrying out more than 280,000 home moves between them across the country each year. One of the main roles of the association, alongside giving professional advice and lobbying governments, is to ensure members meet high standards of service and transparency – if they don’t, they get booted out.
Code of conduct
To become a BAR member, a removal company has to prove that they can meet certain criteria, covering things like premises, vehicles, staff, operations, contracts, insurance, complaints and quotations – BAR members must provide free, no-obligation, clear and fair quotes. They must adhere to the BAR code of practice and provide evidence that they are giving good service.
All members are inspected annually and are also financially vetted to make sure they are sound.
Deposit guarantee
It’s standard practice in the removal industry that you’ll be asked for at least part of the cost upfront. When you choose a BAR member, that money is protected by the association’s Advance Payment Guarantee. This means that, if the firm you choose ceases trading before you move, either another BAR member will step in and move you or you’ll get your money back. Visit the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee Page to learn more, including the full terms and conditions.
Dispute resolution
If you have a dispute with your removal firm, the Association offers an Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme which is independently operated by:
The Furniture and Home Improvement Obudsman 3-4 Viewpoint Office Village, Babbage Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2EQ. Tel: 0333 241 3209. Web: fhio.org
Specialist movers
If you’re moving outside mainland Europe, you’ll want a specialist in international moves who can ensure your possessions are packed and insured appropriately, and delivered safely and promptly by sea or air. The BAR Overseas Group consists of around 50 firms who have the necessary expertise and experience. Around the same number are members of the BAR Commercial Moving Group thanks to their expertise in commercial relocations.
How do I find out if a firm belongs to the British Association of Removers?
You can check on the association’s website at www.bar.co.uk or call them on 01923 699480, or you can check on the removal company’s website. The BAR logo should be displayed alongside the CTSI (Chartered Trading Standards Institute) logo as a link. If you click on it, it will take you to a page on the association’s website confirming that the company is a member.
At family-run Kent removal firm Colin Batt Removals, we’ve been making moving house as stress-free as possible for our customers for 40 years. We’re based in Ashford, but cover the whole county, particularly Maidstone, Canterbury, Folkestone and Tonbridge, and regularly work further afield and internationally thanks to our expertise in piano removals. We offer a packing and unpacking service to make moving easier, and also have our own secure storage facility in Kent if you’re not able to move all your belongings into your new home straightaway. Call us on 01233 740395 for an informal chat or a free quote.
