House Removals Costs & Planning

Once you have requested quotes and compared removals companies, your chosen removals firm will begin by conducting a pre-move survey to assess how much they will need to move for you and how much space they have. This will allow them to give you the most accurate quote before booking. You can help out by preparing your own list of bulky, valuable or unusual items such as pianos, American-style fridge freezers, exercise equipment or antiques.

You should also tell the company about any access issues at either property, such as narrow roads, restricted parking, flights of stairs or lift access, as this can affect costs and moving arrangements.

On moving day, the removals company will handle packing and loading your items. They will have a set loading process that includes the order in which they load items, large and heavy items first, for example. They will deliver your belongings to your new property and follow a similar process for unloading the items and safely moving them into your new home.

There are different types of removal services available to customers:

• Full-service removals – handling every aspect of the move, such as packing and unpacking, transportation and assembly/reassembly of furniture.
• Standard removals – the transportation of prepacked furniture and belongings
• Man and van services - A van and one or two drivers who will transport your belongings. These are best suited for smaller and short distance moves.
• Container removals – your belongings are packed into large, sealed storage containers and kept in a warehouse until being delivered to your new address.
• Self-drive van hire – you transport your belongings yourself in a hired vehicle.

If you're unsure which service type is right for you, consider both the size of your move and your budget. A man and van service can be cost-effective for a smaller move, but a full-service removal may be better value for a larger property with lots to move.

Yes, many removal services will provide full or partial packing services where they will pack your items for you, ensuring they are securely packed for the move. Many will also offer packing materials such as boxes, bubble wrap, and tape to help you pack up your belongings.

Even if you plan to pack most of your items yourself, it can be worth asking your removal company whether they can provide specialist boxes for things such as wardrobes, TVs, mirrors, artwork and fragile items. Professional packing materials can help reduce the risk of damage in transit.

If you've fallen behind with packing, try contacting the company before moving day, as they may provide last-minute packing assistance.

Yes, many removals companies will happily move special or heavy items, but it is important to make them aware of these before the move, so that they can factor in special equipment or considerations into their plans.

Every removals company will have limits to what they will and won't transport; for example, they may expect you to transport high-risk or irreplaceable items, such as legal documents and jewellery, yourself.

Your standard removals insurance will likely cover only items up to a certain amount, so if you are asking your removals firm to transport high-value items, it is wise to ensure they are insured separately.

Yes, 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.

Many removal companies will also provide wardrobe cartons which allow clothes to remain on hangers during transport, making unpacking much quicker at your new home.

We advise that you consult your removals team about this before the big day. If any miscommunications arise and the home removals team has to move an unexpected item, you may incur an unwanted additional fee.

Yes, 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 is moved with too much stress in it.

It is generally advisable to remove valuables, important documents, jewellery and medication from any furniture before moving and transport these yourself.

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 disconnect appliances yourself, ensure they are drained and thoroughly dry before moving to help prevent leaks during transport.

If you need help, you can read our guide with tips on moving kitchen appliances.

You may be able to claim compensation for broken or lost items if you have insurance.

Before you move, check your existing home insurance policy, as many contents insurance policies will cover your possessions in transit.

Your chosen removals firm should also include removals insurance in their contract, so ask what their moving insurance policies cover. They will likely have ‘goods in transit insurance’, which covers your items whilst they are being moved. However, this is usually only covered for around £40-£50. You may be able to increase your coverage, so it is worth asking if this is possible.

For more information, have a look at our guide to removals insurance when moving home.

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.  

Always check the firm's cancellation policy when comparing removal companies and request a written quotation showing the payment schedule before paying a deposit.

It typically takes between 6 to 12 hours to empty a house, depending on property size. 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 estimate

The kind of parking situation your removal company will need is dependent 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.

Check parking restrictions well in advance and inform neighbours of the move where appropriate, particularly if a large removals vehicle may temporarily restrict road access.

Yes, you may need storage when moving home if you have too much to move at once or if your move-in date does not, for whatever reason, match up with the date you leave your current home; for example, if you have a delayed completion.

You may also take advantage of storage if you are downsizing and have too many belongings for the size of your new home, or if you are renovating your new home and need to temporarily move your belongings.

There are many different types of storage available depending on your needs, such as short-term storage, long-term storage and container storage. Some removals firms may offer storage options within their services.

When choosing a storage facility, remember to check their insurance arrangements, security measures and access hours.

There are a few easy ways to keep house removal costs down. Simple things like booking in advance, using second-hand removal boxes, and checking to see if your removals company offers discounts can help you save on moving day.

Reducing the number of items being moved by decluttering your home can significantly lower costs, as removals costs are often based on volume.

If possible, avoid moving on Fridays, month-end dates and school holidays, as these are often the busiest and most expensive periods for removal companies.

To really cut costs, compare prices with reallymoving so you can get the best deal.

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 ‘essentials’ box or bag, containing phone chargers, medication, kettle, tea and coffee, snacks, toiletries, toilet roll, cleaning products and important documents, so that you’re not caught short when you settle into your new home.

Being organised on moving day will ensure a smoother process for both you and your home removals company.  Read our moving day survival guide for more details on how to stay organised on moving day.

You may have to pay an extra charge if you are delayed in getting your keys and your removals firm is left waiting to start work. Charges can be up to and even over £80 per hour of waiting. However, many will offer you a grace period of up to 2 hours to account for unexpected delays.

You can get what is known as a ‘late key waiver’ as part of your removals service, which is a one-off payment that can cover you if you are waiting longer than anticipated. Ask about this waiver when choosing and hiring a removals firm.

• 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 to see their removals insurance details. Check that 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.
• Ask whether there are any additional charges for stairs, long carrying distances, difficult access, storage, dismantling furniture or moving dates that change at short notice.
• Ask how complaints are handled and whether the company offers access to an independent dispute resolution scheme.

Yes, 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 undergo regular audits and follow a Trading Standards-approved Code of Practice that dictates 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.

BAR members also provide access to an independent ombudsman service if disputes cannot be resolved.

Yes, 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.

Even if a removal company is recommended by an estate agent or solicitor, it is still worth comparing quotes and checking independent customer reviews before booking.