Categories of Movers

Not all moving companies provide the same service, not all provide their service at the same price. 

The choice of international movers in the Singapore market can be very confusing as to the level of service provided. 

Service and price levels can vary significantly. Therefore we have divided a representative number of international and local movers operating in Singapore into different categories, each with distinct differences in both services provided and service levels achieved.

Our staff, who have compiled these information for you, have years of professional industry experience and know the Singapore moving market and their contenders well in order to make these pre-segregations for you.

In order to further facilitate your decision process we have added general recommendations. These are to show you under which circumstances the choice for one or the other category should be made.

We are happy to get you quote-comparisons from all three categories. However, it is advantageous to decide before hand which service level you feel comfortable with and analyse your budget along with that consideration. This will avoid you taking your decision across the categories based on price alone.

Firstly, the following pages have been designed to explain which criteria we have employed to carry out this segregation. It mentions, too, for which service and budget considerations we are recommending the different categories.

Secondly, they explain to you what services a mover of a certain category is guaranteed to provide.

Category I

Category II

Category III

Local Move Category

Category I

Category I is recommended for:

Large international moves with valuable effects
Price considerations stand back behind desire for first-class service

1. General Service Standard of Category I:

• ISO / FAIM certified (highest quality accreditation)
• FIDI member (largest and most reputable international organisation of moving companies; FIDI enforces certain minimum quality requirements to their members)
• International network of wholly-owned offices with one such office at your destination
• Will use their own crew (no sub-contractor) for your packing
• Insurance matters may be settled in-house
• Provides most extra-services in-house (not subcontracted)
• Most their business stems from international moves and from corporate customers
• Does Local Moves (within Singapore) and Office Moves at equally high standards

2. Service Level Agreement with the movers in this category: Door-to-door service 
    price must include:

Category II

2. Service Level Agreement with the movers in this category: Door-to-door service 
    price must include:

• Door-to-port service (excludes points h. – l.)

• Extra Services (not included in the above; additional charges apply)
   

  a.	Transit- and storage insurance (various options)
  b.	Handyman service / cleaning service
  c.	Pet removal
  d.	Various special handling methods, e.g. grand piano etc.

• Local Moves (in Singapore only; lower packing standard than international moves)

• Office Moves (local only)

Category III is recommended for:

Local Moves if not too many valuable effects are involved
For international moves only if cheapest option possible is sought
Pack- and service quality is basic

1. General Service Standard of Category III:

• May not have relevant quality accreditation

• Not FIDI member

• No own network, works with agents only, which are selected purely on price

• Majority of pack-jobs is done by sub-contracted crews

• Extra services not provided

• Most of their business is local moving and / or freight forwarding

• However, are still versed in arranging for international cargo and destination pick-up

• No unpacking at destination provided – delivery to door-step only

2. Service Level Agreement with the movers in this category: Door-to-door service 
    price must include:

• Full door-to-door service, including:

  a.	Provision of all packing materials; packing materials may be re-used
  b.	Provision of packing crew (mostly sub-contracted)
  c.	Packing – pre-packing of smaller items expected
  d.	Loading of container or liftvan depending on shipping mode agreed (for terms please see attached glossary)
  e.	Haulage to PSA or warehouse (if storage was requested or for LCL shipment); storage facility may not be their own
  f.	Completion of all export formalities
  g.	Arranging of transit of container on to port of entry of your destination country; may not use direct shipping lines (one or two stop-over may be included in the transit time)
  h.	Customs clearance and related paperwork at port of entry by company’s agent; shipper’s presence may be required at customs
  i.	Payment of duties (if any) by shipper personally at customs (no pre-payment)
  j.	Delivery of container or liftvans from port to residence or storage (according to your wish) by company’s agent
  k.	Unloading of all packages, unpacking not provided
  l.	Removal of packing debris can be arranged for at a later point but may be subject to extra charges

   

• Door-to-port service (excludes points h. – l.)

• Extra Services (not included in the above; additional charges apply)

• Transit insurance

• Local Moves (in Singapore only; shrink-wrapping only)

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Local Move Category

1. Specially selected and tested local movers to provide excellent quality local moves
    at reasonable prices.

2. Service Level Agreement with the movers in this category: Door-to-door service
    price must include:

• "Door-to-door" price quoted will include the following services:

  a.	Provision of all packing materials; packing materials may be re-used
  b.	Provision of trained packing crew
  c.	Packing pre-packing of smaller items by shipper can be expected
  d.	Loading of transport truck
  e.	Haulage to new residence or warehouse (if storage was requested)
  f.	Unloading of all packages, unpacking of all furniture optional
  g.	Removal of packing debris as incidental to delivery day(s)
  h.	Stairway handling up to 2nd floor (Asian counting) = 1st floor European counting
  i.	Handling of up-right piano
  j.	Handling of safe up to 0.2 cbm / 7cft

• "Door-to-door" price quoted may exclude the following services, but mover must be able to provide them at extra charge:

  a.	Crating
  b.	Stairway handling (beyond level stipulated above)
  c.	Handling of grand- and baby-grand piano
  d.	Hoisting at origin / destination
  e.	Long distance carry at origin / destination
  f.	Waterbed related charges at origin / destination
  g.	Cleaning and handyman services at origin / destination
  h.	Safe-handling charges for safe above stated size
  i.	Transit- and storage insurance
  j.	Storage & warehouse handling charges
  k.	2nd delivery to additional address
  l.	Storage extension insurance for storage period
  m.	Humidity agents to prevent moisture damage during storage