Not sure how to choose a removals company? Here is everything you need to know to find the best removals company and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Using a removals company when moving house can make your life SO much easier, providing you pick the right one and know the correct removal company etiquette!
It can be very tempting to choose the cheapest removals company, but this isn't always the right decision. You could end up with 10x more stress if you haven't done your homework.
Here are the best tips we've accumulated over the years to help you find the right removals company. We'll cover 7 key areas:
Finding a removals company
When to book a removals company
Quotations
Insurance
Packing and Storage
Moving Day Etiquette
Damage to your belongings
This post is all about how you can find the best removals company when moving house.
Finding a removals company
When searching for a removals company, we recommend you:
1.) Use the British Association of Removers
You should look at removal companies on the British Association of Removers (BAR) in the UK. Members of this association are required to maintain certain standards, so you are less likely to have an issue.
2.) Get at least 3 quotations
Getting at least 3 quotations from different removals companies will allow you to compare the services available and prices they offer. These can vary widely.
3.) Ask for at least 3 references
You should ask for at least 3 references from each company. Follow these up by phoning previous clients and asking about their experience.
Whilst it is always worth getting recommendations from family, friends, and neighbours, you should always do your own research. Never rely solely on other people’s recommendations and always check yourself that the companies are members of the BAR.
4.) Watch out for sales companies
Some removals companies are just sales companies who will come to your home to give you a quotation. They then sell the quotation to a fully-fledged removal company to carry out the move.
This can come with its own problems, such as the sales company not telling you they're actually offering the quotation to sub-contractors. It will then be a different company showing up on moving day, one which you may know nothing about ! It can also be much easier to deal directly with the removals company rather than going through a third party.
Always ask and try to find out before they come to your house if they're a fully operating removals company or if they're just putting the quotation out for tender.
When to book a removals company?
5.) Book early
You should try to secure a removals company as soon as you know you'll be moving into a new house. If your moving date isn't yet finalised, we still recommend pencilling in a date with a removals company and mention it's 'to be confirmed', especially during busy times.
Usually, you need to give at least 4 weeks’ notice to secure the date you want. This could be longer in summer or if the company is particularly busy.
Quotations
6.) Never pay for a quotation
A removals company will come to your property to undertake a survey in order to provide a quotation. The quotation tells you how much their services will cost. You do not need to pay for a quotation. If a removals company tries to charge you for this, find another one!
7.) Specify the type of service you would like
You must make sure to get a quotation for the whole move and the exact service you require. Be super clear so there is no dispute later about what was included in your quotation.
- Full-pack and unpack service. i.e Packing up all the items in your old home and unpacking in your new home
- Just a pack up service (not an unpack service) or vice-versa
- You may prefer to buy your own boxes/materials and pack up your belongings. You may only require the removal company to lift/carry items to their van, transport it, and unload at your new home
- Be clear if you want the removals company to supply the packaging materials
- Whether you want to store any of your goods with the removals company
- If you'll be using the removal company's insurance (see insurance and storage section below)
If you are very busy, it takes a lot of the stress and strain out of moving if you can include the full pack and unpack service. However, this is the most expensive option.
If you choose to pack up your own belongings, this will be cheaper but don't forget to factor in the cost of all the boxes/packaging.
8.) Specify the exact items to include
Make it clear to the removals company if you would like the following included in the quotation. These will affect the price and duration of your move:
- Lifting of any carpets
- Removal of curtains
- Dismantling of any furniture i.e. tables, cabinets
- Dismantling of large equipment, as the removals company will need to get them through doors
- Any items that need removing from the loft and whether you have a ladder for access
If the equipment is relatively small and straightforward the removals company may be able to do this. However, if you have large professional equipment (i.e. treadmill/piano), some removals companies may be unable or unwilling to dismantle this.
Check whether the removals company can do this or whether you need to get a specialist company to dismantle the equipment safely before the move. The removals company will then just carry it. You will also need to arrange for the specialist company to reassemble the equipment in your new property.
9.) Get things in writing
- You must obtain an actual quotation in writing and not just a verbal quotation or estimate
- Make sure the quotation states all the services that you require: supply of packing materials, pack up, unpack service, storage, any insurance, which equipment needs to be dismantled, extra special care on certain items etc
- You can ask for two quotations, one with a packing service and one without to compare the two and have a think about it
- The quotation should include the total final price (including VAT if applicable)
- Once you have accepted the removals company's quotation, check you have been issued with an invoice. Remember to check if it has been issued for the correct amount, which will be payable on moving day
10.) Pay on the day
- No payment is usually made in advance. Occasionally, you may pay a small deposit to secure the booking. However, the full payment is usually made on the day by bank transfer to the removals company's account. Be very careful if a removals company is asking for a large deposit or full payment in advance
- After you have paid, make sure you get a receipt confirming payment has been made
Removals Company's Insurance
11.) Check the Removals Company's Insurance
Always check the removals company is fully insured and ask for a copy of their insurance certificate. Their own insurance will cover their team of employees, vans, equipment etc.
12.) Insure Your Belongings
You will also need to have insurance to cover your belongings when they are being moved.
Removals companies will usually offer to supply insurance for your belongings during the move to protect against loss or damage. However, this can be expensive and unnecessary, especially if your home content insurance already covers you for moving.
It is important to check this with your home insurance. If this is not covered under your existing insurance:
- Your home insurance may be able to cover this for an additional premium, or
- You can phone around other insurance companies to see if they will cover you just for the move
Both of these options will probably work out cheaper than taking out insurance with a removals company. If things also go wrong and you have to make a claim, you can go to your insurance company directly. It can sometimes be more hassle to go through the removals company instead.
Packing and Storage
13. Understand What's Happening with Packaging
- The removals company will usually supply boxes and any packing material, unless you state that you have your own. Make this clear when they come to do their survey for the quotation
- Boxes and all packing materials are usually supplied in advance by the removal company, although you should check this with them. They will gauge how many boxes you need and bring extra on the day with wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes
- Packing service will usually mean a packing team will come to your house a day or two before the move date to pack up all your items
- Unpack service at the other end will usually involve unpacking all the items and putting them on the surfaces – it does not mean they will be put the items away in cupboards. You may find a company who will do this, but this will be an extra charge
- The removals company will usually take all the boxes and packing materials away. They may return in a week or at another convenient time to do this
14. Consider If You Need Storage
Some removals companies offer storage facilities, which are usually in their own warehouse or an off-site warehouse. Your belongings are usually put into wooden containers and stored between 1 day to 1 year + depending on what you need.
If you get your removals company to store your goods in a warehouse, you will need to check access availability:
- No access: Some removals companies take your goods into storage and will only take them out when delivering to your new property. However, you will not be able to access your goods in the meantime
- Access: Other removals companies have their own warehouse where you can access your goods. However, they may charge you an access fee each time you go to the warehouse
Sometimes storing your belongings with a removal company can work out cheaper than using a 24/7 access storage facility.
15. Get Storage Insurance
You must also remember to get insurance when storing your goods with a removal company. Make sure to insure your belongings for the whole duration of the storage.
Clarify at the start whether you want this insurance taken out through your removals company or your own house insurance. Some insurance companies will require that you do a full inventory of everything that is in storage. This list will have to carefully prepared and very detailed.
You should also take photos of everything you're putting into storage for your own records. Make sure you don't leave it all to the last minute !
Moving Day with a Removals Company
16. Photograph everything
Before moving day, it's a good idea to photograph all your items and furniture so you know exactly what you have. It will also come in very handy to have pictures of the back of your TV/computers/electronics, so you know where to put back all the wires in your new home.
17. Get the right contact details
On moving day, make sure you have the contact details/phone number of the removal company and the removals van driver. You may need to contact them if they are delayed or any issues arise.
18. Provide Tea and Biscuits
The removals team will usually be very grateful if you can supply them with tea/coffee and biscuits.
Lifting heavy boxes, especially if they have to go up and down stairs multiple times, is very hard work. They will need to take regular breaks and this will help keep everyone happy with things running smoothly.
19. Tipping
You can ask the removals company surveyor (when they come to give a quotation) what their tipping policy and going rate is.
Tipping the removals team is usually completely at your discretion and depends on whether you think they have done a good job. However, you can be sure the team will always greatly appreciate any tip, as it's a tough job!
Damage To Your Belongings
20. Document any damage thoroughly
There is always the chance that some damage may happen on the day or after the removals company has left. Take a photo for evidence and document what, how and when it has happened.
The type of damage, how it happened, and if the removals team were responsible, will determine whether the removals company or your insurance will take care of it.
21. Report any damage as soon as possible
You should inform the removals company of any damage as soon as possible.
Check the small print on your quotation/invoice or insurance documentation. You may have a time limit for when damages have to be reported.
To sum up...
When getting a removals company, you should:
- Check the company is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR)
- Get at least 3 quotations from 3 different companies
- Get 3 references from each company and follow these up
- Watch out the removals company isn't just a sales company
- Try and book as soon as possible
- Never pay for a quotation
- Be super clear on the type of services you require
- Specify the exact items you need moved
- Get the quotation in writing and double check it covers everything you need
- Don't make a large payment in advance. Pay on the day!
- Check the removals company is insured
- Check you have insurance for your belongings during the move
- Be clear on what's happening with packaging
- Consider if you need to store your belongings with the removals company and make sure this is covered in the quotation
- Make sure you have insurance for the whole duration of your storage
- Before moving day, take pictures of all your furniture and belongings
- Get the correct contact details for moving day
- Don't forget tea/coffee and biscuits for the removal team
- Tip the removals team if they've done a good job
- Document any damage thoroughly i.e. take photos/time/date etc
- Report any damage to the removals company as soon as possible.
This post was all about how to choose the best removals company when moving house.
If you found this helpful, you can view our upcoming content on our coming soon page to see what's next !
Comments