Frequently asked questions when finding removal companies
Removal companies – what you need to know
Moving house is perhaps the most stressful part of the moving process, as you’ll have to put your trust in a team from a removals company to move your goods safely to your new home. This guide will show you how to choose the best removals company for your needs and some of the questions you need to ask to ensure your move is a smooth one.
Why hire a removal company?
Many movers might find it tempting to choose the cheapest option when it comes to removals, after all, it’s only moving stuff from A to B, right? In fact, the reality is very different. A professional removal company will not just move your belongings to your new home, but will do so safely, securely, and efficiently. Too often people have been caught out by cowboy removal companies who are unreliable, don’t have a big enough van, charge you extras you weren’t aware of or damage your property when moving it.
Reallymoving only works with removal companies with a good reputation and positive customer reviews, so you can be sure that through us you’ll find a reliable and professional company.
Important questions to ask a removal company
Choosing a reliable and quality removal company can be a challenge, but with this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask to make sure you’re dealing with experts:
Ask for a pre-move survey to confirm the volume of your possessions and discuss your removal requirements. This shouldn’t cost you anything.
Ask them whether their staff are removal-trained and who by. Most reliable removal companies will be members of a trade association like the British Association (BAR). This means they are more likely to give you a quality service and means if anything goes wrong you can complain directly to their trade association.
Ask to see their removals insurance details. Check you don’t need to supplement this, as some items may not be covered during the move.
You can read our more detailed guide on questions to ask your removals company to find more relevant information.
How to choose the best removal company for you
Although you can receive all the right answers to the questions you ask, you might want to consider other matters before making a firm choice:
Feedback. Reallymoving offers you reviews of previous customers on the removal companies we have recommended to you. Feedback can potentially be used to separate a good professional removals company from an excellent one, and can reveal the small touches a firm adds that made a big difference to the moving experience.
Ask how you can pay. Cowboy removal companies often insist on cash-in-hand payments or large deposits. The best removals companies will have no problem with how you pay or want a card or cheque payment.
The best in the business will also lay out all costs before moving day. They will not throw in any last-minute extras.
The removal company you pick has to feel right for you. If you trust a removal company and they give you a personable approach, this can go a long way in giving you peace of mind.
You can read our full article on choosing the right removal company for you for more tips.
What is the average cost of UK removals?
House removals costs will vary depending on several factors. The size of your house, how accessible your home is, the distance your belongings need to be transported, and the number of items and furniture removals you’ll need play key roles in removal costs.
Let’s start with the size of your home:
A one to two-bedroom house will have an average removal cost of £350-£550.
A three-bedroom house will have an average removal cost of £800.
A four-bedroom house will have an average removal cost of £1,100.
And a five-bedroom house will have an average removal cost of £1,400.
Distance can sometimes determine house removal costs. For instance, moving locally will make things easier for your removals company. But they may charge hourly for their service as a result.
Reallymoving is here to help with a thorough guide on how much home removal costs are and why.
To make things easier, let us know the number of bedrooms and what items you’re moving, and we can instantly give you up to 5 removal quotes.
You can find out the total cost of moving house (including Conveyancing and Surveys) by using our Moving Cost Calculator.
Do removals companies pack clothes?
Rest assured, house removal companies will pack clothes for you. You only need to ask. Often, you can organise this prior to moving day by letting the removal team know when they give you a quotation.
Being sure that your home removals company is able to move the belongings you need moved is important for peace of mind. We advise that you consult your removals team before the big day. If any miscommunications arise and the home removals team has to move an unexpected item, you can incur an unwanted additional fee.
Do you pay upfront for removals?
Whether you pay upfront for a house removals company is dependent on the team. Some may ask for a deposit when you initially book, in order to secure a slot. You can then pay the remaining cost on moving day.
How far in advance should I book a UK removal company?
It’s a good idea to book your house removals company at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your move. In peak periods, like Summer, it’s smart to book even earlier. Moving day can be stressful, so you’ll want to make sure your removals company is booked in and ready for your peace of mind.
How long does it take for removals to empty a house?
The length of time a house removals company takes to move your belongings is dependent on the number of rooms and items they have to move. If a property has 2 bedrooms, a removals company can take 6-7 hours to complete a job. If a home has 4+ rooms, the removal can take 10-12 hours or more.
Be sure to consult your removals company prior to the move to get a more in depth estimation
Do furniture removalists dismantle beds?
Many removals companies do offer the service of helping you to dismantle larger items like bed and reassemble them once you arrive at your new home. There may be an extra charge for this service so make sure to ask your chosen firm upfront.
Do you need to empty drawers for removals?
You should make sure to empty your drawers and cupboards before transporting them. Not only will this make it easier for you or your removals people to move about, but it may also reduce the risk of damage. Older or more fragile furniture may break if it moved with too much stress in it.
Do removal companies disconnect washing machines?
Not all removals companies will help you to disconnect appliances such as washing machines, so you may need to do this yourself in advance of moving day. If you need help you can read our guide with tips on moving kitchen appliances.
What will removal companies not move?
House removal companies will avoid removing anything dangerous from property to property. Because of this, corrosive, explosive, or flammable items won’t be moved by your removals company. Compressed gases, radioactive materials, or poisonous things will also count as items that are too unsafe for your removals team to move.
How to keep removal costs down?
There are a few easy ways to keep house removal costs down. With good planning and an understanding of what is to be moved and what isn’t, you can reduce removal fees a great deal. Simple things like making sure to clear the clutter, book in advance, use second hand removal boxes, and checking to see if your removals company offers discounts can help you save on moving day.
To really cut costs, compare prices with reallymoving so you can get the best deal.
How do you stay organised on moving day?
Being organised on moving day will ensure a smoother process for both you and your home removals company. Make sure to pull together any moving essentials that you’ll be travelling with yourself. Declutter and label boxes in advance of the day so that you can be sure of what is where, what is moved, and what has yet to move. You’ll have packed most of your things, so prepare an overnight bag with clothes and toiletries so that you’re not caught short when you settle into your new home.
Read our moving day survival guide for more details on how to stay organised on moving day.
Is a ‘man and the van’ service enough?
‘Man and the van’ services can be attractive because they’re usually a cheaper option than house removal services. However, if you’re moving a lot of items, a removals company is often a better option. This is especially true if you’re moving high value belongings that need careful handling with a trained removals team.
Do estate agents recommend removal companies?
House removal companies that are well regarded will often be recommended by estate agents or solicitors. A great removals company will be Ombudsman regulated, ensuring that if any issues arise, the independent service will help to resolve disputes.
reallymoving works exclusively with Ombudsman regulated house removal companies, so that you can have peace of mind that your removals team is one of the best.
Where will a removal company park?
The kind of parking situation your removal company will need is dependant on your property and its accessibility. Identifying the right place for your removals company to park prior to moving day is vital. Perhaps there is free parking available nearby, or you may need to arrange for a parking permit for the moving van.
Are there Trade Associations for movers?
Home removal companies work under a governing body called the British Association of Removers (BAR). This is monitored by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. BAR members must adhere to particular rules. These will dictate the standards of service customers will receive, the quality of materials used, vehicle and warehouse standards, staff training requirements, and what should happen if anything goes wrong.