Moving tips and checklists
This guide explains how to choose a moving company in Kenya with twelve simple checks, from the survey and the written quote to the truck, the crew and the payment terms. Use it to compare movers fairly and avoid the common traps that turn a cheap quote into an expensive day.
Quick answer
Choose a mover that surveys your items, gives a fixed written quote, lists the crew, truck and materials, uses blankets and straps, and takes only a small deposit to an official account. Avoid movers who quote blind over the phone, ask for full payment upfront or cannot explain what the price includes.
Choosing a mover is a big decision. You are trusting strangers with everything you own, often on one of the most stressful days of the year. Yet many people choose by price alone, after a short phone call. The checks below take a little longer, but they protect your belongings, your budget and your sanity.
When you choose a moving company, you are really choosing how your moving day will feel. We are a moving company ourselves, so we have a view. Still, these checks apply to any mover, and we encourage you to use them on us too.
A good mover makes the day calm. The truck arrives on time, the crew knows what to do and everything arrives whole. A poor mover does the opposite: late arrival, missing blankets, broken items and a bill that grows by the hour. The difference is rarely luck. Instead, it comes from planning, training and honest pricing. These are things you can check before you choose a moving company and pay a deposit.
A reliable mover wants to see what you are moving, either in person or by video call. Without a survey, the quote is a guess. Guesses often turn into extra charges on the day. Therefore be wary of any mover who gives a firm price for a whole house after a two-minute call.
Always get the price in writing, by email, PDF or at least a detailed WhatsApp message. It should name the date, both addresses, the crew size, the truck and what is included. A written quote protects both sides, because everyone knows what was agreed.
Fixed prices are safer for most people. By contrast, hourly rates can grow with traffic, slow crews or late keys. If a mover only offers hourly rates, ask for an estimate of total hours and a cap.
Check whether packing materials, dismantling, reassembly, stairs and heavy items are included. Many low quotes leave these out and add them on the day. Our guide to movers charges in Nairobi lists what to look for.
A covered truck protects your things from rain and dust. Ask about the size, too. A truck that is too small means a second trip, while one that is too big costs more than needed. Good movers explain why they chose that size. They will also ask about parking and gate width, because a big lorry that cannot reach the door slows everything down.
How to choose a moving company in Kenya
Ask whether the crew are trained employees or casual loaders hired on the day. Trained movers know how to lift, wrap, load and secure items. They also work as a team, which speeds things up. In addition, ask who leads the crew and who you call on the day.
Furniture should travel in moving blankets and stretch wrap, with the load tied down by straps. Without them, items scratch and shift. Therefore ask directly what protection the crew brings. If the answer is vague, look elsewhere.
Ask how they pack glass, mirrors, TVs and artwork. For pianos, safes or cars, ask what equipment they use. A mover who handles these often will explain the method in detail. See our pages on piano moving and car transport for examples.
Ask how claims work before you book, not after. A good mover photographs valuable items, keeps an inventory and explains in writing what happens if something breaks. They can also help you arrange goods-in-transit insurance for high-value moves. The Insurance Regulatory Authority lists licensed insurers in Kenya.
Reputable movers ask for a small deposit and the balance on completion. Pay only to an official till, paybill or company account, and get receipts. Be cautious of anyone who asks for full payment upfront or wants money sent to a personal number.
Look for genuine reviews from real clients on platforms you trust. Better still, ask friends, colleagues or your new estate's caretaker which movers they have seen do good work. A mover who is proud of their work will happily share references.
Notice how the mover communicates before you book. Do they return calls? Are their answers clear? Does anyone confirm details without being asked? How a company behaves before the sale usually predicts how it will behave on moving day.
Timing
Costs and pricing
When you have three quotes, put them in a simple table. List the price, crew size, truck, materials, dismantling, stairs, deposit and payment terms for each. Then compare like with like, because the goal is to choose a moving company on value, not on the headline price. Often, the cheapest quote turns out to include much less. In contrast, a slightly higher quote may include packing, reassembly and a bigger crew, making it better value overall.
Questions
Offices need extra checks. Ask whether the mover has moved offices of your size, how they label desks and IT equipment, and whether they can work over a weekend. Also ask how they coordinate with building management and your IT team. Our office relocation checklist covers the full plan.
For moves between towns, ask how long the trip takes, whether the crew travels with the load and how they handle rest stops. Also ask about shared loads, which can cut the price. A mover that runs the route often will answer with confidence. Our long-distance movers page explains what to expect.
Sometimes you need movers in a few days. Even then, keep the key checks: a video survey, a written quote and a small deposit only. Most good movers can do a video survey the same day. If a mover cannot find time for a ten-minute call, they may not find time to do the job properly either.
Finally, trust your instincts. If a mover feels rushed, vague or pushy, it is fine to walk away. In the end, you should choose a moving company that you would happily let into your home and trust with your family's things. A short call, a clear quote and a polite, organised team are good signs. On the other hand, missed calls and changing prices are warning signs worth heeding.
We built KejaPal around these checks. Every quote follows a survey, every price is fixed and written, every truck carries blankets and straps, and every move has a team leader and an inventory. If you are comparing movers now, request a moving quote and put us to the test.
We do not publish fixed prices, because every move is different. Instead, we assess each move, send a written quote and agree the final price with you, so the figure you agree reflects your real move. If you are working to a budget, tell us early. Then we can suggest options, such as packing some boxes yourself, moving mid-month or sharing a truck on long routes.
Get started
Tell us what you are moving and where, and our move coordinator will call you back within one working day to plan it with you.
Prefer to talk? Call +254 184 379 590
Look for a survey, a fixed written quote, a trained crew with blankets and straps, a small deposit to an official account and genuine references.
No. Compare what each quote includes. A cheap quote often leaves out packing, reassembly or crew, which can cost more on the day.
Two or three quotes are usually enough to compare prices and services fairly.
Yes, if you pay a small deposit to an official till, paybill or company account and keep the receipt. Avoid paying the full amount upfront.
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