Are you moving house soon? If you’re starting to think about the possibility of using a removal company then there might be a few things you want to know first – and you wouldn’t be alone.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about removal companies, and the answers we hope will help you pick the right one for your move…
1. How much will house removals cost?
One of – if not the – top questions we usually hear is regarding the cost of removals services. It is also probably one of the only questions that companies can’t give a definitive answer to immediately without knowing a little more. There are lots of elements that make up the cost of a removal, so it’s hard to give each customer a concise figure before there’s been a chance to review their individual requirements.
As a rough guide, the cost of removal is usually based on a number of combined factors :
- Volume (amount) of belongings you’re moving
- Access at both properties
- Distance of the move
- Your preferences for your move plan
- Additional services you select – i.e packing services, dismantling/reassembling of items or handyman or housemaid services.
The best way to get an accurate figure is by booking an in-home move consultation, where expertly trained Move Consultants can assess the amount to be moved as well as any other components of your move, from which a detailed quotation can be made.
2. How soon should I book a removal company?
Generally speaking, it’s recommended you start contacting removal companies around 4-6 weeks prior to your arranged move date.
If you’re buying and/or selling this may be your completion date and you’ll likely know when this is once you have or are about to exchange contracts and are reaching the end of your sale process. This ensures you’ve got plenty of time to arrange a pre-move survey and get an accurate quotation. However, don’t panic if you’re moving at short notice as some companies will have flexible resources that allow for last minute moves.
And remember that it’s never too early to contact a removal company for help or advice – most will only be too happy to help you and answer any questions you might have about your upcoming move.
3. How do I know if a removal company is reputable?
When you’re paying a lot of money to hire a service you need to know that the company in question will do a good job – especially when it comes to moving all of your treasured possessions. When it comes moving house, it’s important to make sure that the company you pick is not only professional but more importantly reputable.
Finding a removal company is actually easier than it sounds though. As a rule, you should always look for companies that are members of Removers , can provide you with previous customer feedback and have good local reputations or come strongly recommended by friends or family. Find out everything you need to know about finding and choosing the right removal company for you with The Ultimate Guide to Removal Companies.
4. Do I pack my own belongings, or do the removal company do the packing for me?
It’s entirely up to you what you choose to do regarding the packing of your goods – if you’re happy to pack your own items and are confident in doing so then that’s absolutely fine, but the removal company can usually do it for you if you want them to. Consider:
- Do you have a large amount of furniture and personal effects to be moved?
- Are you short on time?
- Would you like the peace of mind of professional packing to reduce the risk of damage?
- Have you got any awkward, delicate or fragile pieces you need help with?
You can usually choose from self packing, full packing or even customise your quote and ask for just selected items to be packed for you. Whatever your requirements are, you can discuss this with your Move Consultant, who will ensure that the quote they produce reflects your needs.
The same also applies to unpacking – this is something you can do entirely yourself, or for an extra charge you can request the help of your removal company in unpacking.
If you’re packing your own items, you can watch our packing video guides here to help you make sure they are safely protected.
5. What is a pre-move survey, and do I really need one?
A pre-move survey is the name given to the process that most removers use to assess the overall volume of goods that need to be moved from your present home to your new one.
