How to Choose a Moving Company in Turkey
Handing your belongings to strangers is the most stressful part of a move, and even more so in a country where you may not speak the language fluently. Choosing the right moving company decides both how safe your things are and how smoothly moving day goes. This guide walks through what to ask and check, in order, before you hire a mover.
Ask for the K certificate
In Turkey, companies that transport goods commercially are expected to hold the right authorization certificate for their activity. For home moves this is usually called the K certificate (transport license) and is issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Asking for the certificate number and checking that it matches the company name is a good start.
Working with people or companies without a certificate can make it hard to find someone responsible if something goes wrong. Be careful with quotes that look cheap but have no clear official record.
The same check applies to intercity moves. Ask whether your belongings will be handed over to another company, that is, whether the company quoting will do the move with its own truck and crew. This makes clear from the start who is responsible.
Find out what the transport insurance covers
Many moving companies offer transport insurance for your belongings, but what it covers matters as much as whether it exists. Ask in advance which damage the policy covers, whether there is a limit and what the process is if something is damaged.
Also make clear whether insurance is included in the quote or charged separately. If you have valuable furniture, artwork or sensitive electronics, it helps to get in writing how these are treated under the policy. Senin Ekip does not insure your goods.
Ask for a written contract and an item list
Verbal agreements are not enough if a disagreement comes up on moving day. The moving date, addresses, total price, included services and situations that may cost extra should be in a written contract. If you do not read Turkish well, ask for the key points to be confirmed in a message you can translate.
A list of the items to be moved helps the company plan the right truck and crew and helps you check that nothing is missing at delivery. Noting pieces that need special care and any existing scratches or damage on the list reduces arguments later.
- Total price and what it covers
- Packing, taking apart and reassembling furniture
- External furniture lift or other extra equipment
- Conditions for changing the date or cancelling
- What happens if something is damaged
Invoice and official records
Getting an invoice (fatura) or receipt for the service matters if you ever need to use your rights as a consumer. If there is a dispute, documents showing the payment and the service make any complaint easier.
Discuss the payment method and timing in advance. Having in the contract when and how you pay avoids surprises on moving day.
When delivery is finished on moving day, do not sign a delivery report or handover document before checking your belongings. If you notice a damaged piece, take a photo and tell the company in writing the same day.
Look at reviews and past jobs
The experience of customers the company has served is a more reliable sign than price alone. When reading reviews, look beyond the rating at details such as punctuality, care with belongings and how the company handled problems.
When you post a free request on Senin Ekip, you get quotes from movers whose identity, tax details and required documents have been checked. Reviews on profiles come only from customers who completed a job through the platform; you can compare the ratings and reviews of the movers who quote and hire the one that suits you.
External lifts and building conditions
On high floors, with narrow stairs or when the building elevator is too small for large items, an external furniture lift may be needed. Discuss in advance whether it is included in the quote and whether there is enough space in front of your building to set it up.
Some buildings have rules about moving hours or require permission from the management. Sharing this with the company helps the crew plan properly.
If an external lift will be used, also find out whether you need permission from the municipality or your site management. Agreeing beforehand on who gets these permissions keeps the morning of the move on track.
Why a pre-move survey matters
In a pre-move survey the company sees your home in person, or through a video call and photos, to assess the volume. Quotes given without a survey can change on moving day if there turns out to be more than expected.
During the survey, clearly show what will and will not be moved and point out furniture that needs to be taken apart and reassembled. The more detail you give, the more realistic the quote will be.
Frequently asked questions
What is a K certificate and why does it matter?
It is the authorization certificate that companies transporting goods hold for their activity. Working with a company that has an official record makes it easier to find someone responsible if there is a problem.
Is transport insurance mandatory?
Insurance options differ between companies. It is best to find out in writing before hiring whether there is insurance, what it covers and its limit.
Is it fine to get a quote without a survey?
You can get an approximate quote from photos and a detailed item list, but an in-person or video survey makes the quote more realistic and helps keep the price from changing on moving day.
