How Can Removals Help? – Quick Guide

Moving house often appears in lists of the top 5 most stressful life events. Having the right removals company in your corner can make the difference between, “They took care of everything.” and “THAT WAS THE WORST DAY EVER!”

A little bit of knowledge can help make sure you get a hassle-free moving day.

What Does A Removals Company Provide?

A good company will give you knowledge, skills and safe hands on the day. They should also provide financial security should anything go wrong. Floor coverings, recyclable boxes, padded furniture covers, a dedicated coordinator so you have a single, constant point of contact, storage options (if required), cover for your possessions while in transit, but mostly experience. Every move is different, there will always be something unexpected and an experienced team will have seen it all before and quickly overcome any issues.

How To Choose The right Movers for You

Always get more than one quote and don’t be swayed by an amazingly cheap deal, do you really want to entrust all your worldly possessions to the cheapest bidder? Decide what’s most important to you, flexible booking terms, floor coverings, insurance cover… Ask the questions that matter and book your movers accordingly.

One of the best ways to find a trusted remover is ask friends and family for recommendations.

Find more tips on choosing the right removals company here.

What To Consider

Size and budget matter. A man with a van can be perfectly adequate for smaller moves and offers a lower priced solution. If you have precious items, a larger move, want to be 100% confident you won’t be let down, a larger, more experienced company could be better.

Not all removers offer the same skills and when enquiring make sure they offer the service you need;

• Packing service
• Short-term/overnight storage
• European travel permits
• Furniture assembly
• Specialist handling
• Piano removals

Are Video Surveys OK?

Yes, in a modern world video surveys are perfectly acceptable using smartphones or tablets. You can still speak to the removal company on the phone to find out more about their service. And of course do your research about any company before signing on the dotted line.

What Should I Look For?

We always recommend using a member of the British Association of Removers. BAR members operate within a strict code of working practises that protects clients and staff. It also gives you greater financial protection should anything go wrong. It means there is a governing body you can turn to, should anything go wrong.

Do Your Research

The best way to find your movers is through a recommendation from someone who has recently moved, that way you get genuine feedback from someone you trust. If you can’t get a personal recommendation, then check out prospective companies online. While a number of websites offer ‘Removals Reviews’ or Google Reviews are paid platforms aimed at benefitting their advertisers. Use independent review sites like Trustpilot or Which where all reviews are checked and verified.

Should I Pay Upfront?

No. A good company won’t ask you to pay the entire amount weeks prior to your move. You might be asked to pay a small deposit to secure your dates. Most removals companies ask for full payment to be completed the day before your move, but you should never pay huge sums way in advance. If you do feel you’re being pressured into paying, find a company that makes you feel more comfortable. It’s your move. Your money. A good removals company will respect your custom and treat you accordingly.

Choosing The Best Service For You

Do you want everything packed? Will you need overnight storage? You can even have the whole move completed for you in your absence. Then there are overseas removals which are a whole different kettle of poisson and you’ll need a company with the required international removal licenses. But like any trade, there are huge differences in the services on offer, so decide what’s important to you, then find a company that provides the services you need.

How Can I Make My Move Easier?

Get organised early. That’s choosing and booking your removals company, sourcing boxes, even the packing. The sooner you get things done, the smoother your move will be. Anything that has to be done on the day could impact on the move itself and if things run late, you’ll incur extra fees as the crews will need to be paid for any extra hours worked.

How Much Does A Removal Cost?

Removals costs basically breakdown to volume (the amount of items to be moved based on the cubic size) and distance (the distance that has to be travelled between the two properties. Typically a larger property will have more items (volume) so the cost is higher. Any extra services like packing, overnight storage, etc will be added. Many companies will provide a certain number of boxes for free. Most removal companies will give you a bespoke price based on your property/move, this generally is a sign of a quality company as they won’t try and charge a ‘one size fits all’ as every move is different.

How Can I Save Money?

Declutter. Anything you don’t want, sell/donate/recycle, don’t pay to move anything you don’t want/need at your new property.
Source free boxes. You can usually find people giving away removals boxes on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
Pack yourself. Do your own packing.
Get your own insurance. It’s cheaper and you should definitely have cover, just in case there are any damages.
If it’s a small move, hire a van and rope in friends and family to help, then DIY!

What Can Go Wrong?

Removal teams not turning up on time, or even at all. Cowboys in vans, will give you an amazingly cheap price, take a deposit, then not turn up on the day. It’s why you should always book with a reputable firm.
Breakages, this is usually due to items being poorly wrapped when boxed, make sure everything is well wrapped and that boxes are fully packed. Use blankets or packing material to ensure there are no air pockets creating ‘crumple zones’ that will crush and damage items.
Check your removers have insurance cover, it’s always best to have your own cover in place.