Step 1: Work Out What You Actually Need

Before contacting removal companies, make a basic list of what your move involves.

Think about:

• The size of your current property
• How much furniture you have
• The number of boxes you expect to move
• The distance between the two properties
• Whether you are moving from a flat, maisonette or house
• Whether there are stairs or lifts
• Whether parking or access could be difficult
• Whether you need packing assistance
• Whether furniture needs dismantling and reassembling
• Whether you need storage
• Whether you are moving on a particular date

The more information you can give a removal company, the more accurately it can assess your move.

Step 2: Start Looking for Removal Companies Early

Don’t wait until a few days before moving.

Ideally, start researching removal companies as soon as you have a realistic moving date.

Give yourself enough time to research different companies, read reviews, ask questions and compare quotations.

Moving dates can become particularly busy at weekends, towards the end of the month and during popular periods of the year, so early planning gives you more choice.

Step 3: Research the Company Properly

Once you’ve found a few potential removal companies, do some basic research before requesting a quotation.

Look at:

• • Is it affordable: for many people considerable factor is value for money. Check if it is affordable. Keep in mind that higher prices do not always guarantee better service house removal services.
  • The company’s website: Website is the face of a business, so it should reflect the quality, professionalism, and trustworthiness.  

• How long it has been operating

• The services it provides

• Customer reviews on independent review platforms

• Whether its contact details are clear

• Whether it provides a physical business address

• Whether the quotation process is professional

Don’t rely on a single review or a single website.  Look for patterns in what customers say. If multiple customers mention good communication, careful handling and punctuality, that gives you useful information. Likewise, repeated complaints about unexpected charges, poor communication or damaged belongings are worth investigating.

Step 4: Check Independent Customer Reviews

Customer reviews can tell you things that a company’s own website cannot.

When reading reviews, don’t only look at the star rating.

Read the actual comments.

Pay attention to whether previous customers mention:

Communication

Was the company easy to contact and did it keep customers informed?

Punctuality

Did the removal team arrive when expected?

Care

Were furniture, boxes, floors, walls and other belongings handled carefully?

Professionalism

Were the movers polite, organised and respectful?

Problem solving

How did the company deal with unexpected problems?

Clarity in proving  

Did the final price match what the customer was originally quoted?

Reviews from established platforms such as Checkatrade and Google can be useful sources of customer feedback but remember that reviews are individual experiences rather than a guarantee of what will happen on your own move.

Step 5: Make Sure the Company Offers the Services You Need

Not every removal company provides the same service.

Some specialise in straightforward transport, while others offer a complete moving service.

Depending on your requirements, you may want:

• House removals
• Flat removals
• Long-distance removals
• Packing services
• Furniture dismantling
• Furniture reassembly
• Storage
• Office removals
• Specialist moving
• Large-item transportation
• Man-and-van services

Don’t assume that a service is included.

Ask before booking.

Step 6: Ask for a Proper Removal Quotation

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, ask for quotations.

A professional removal company should want to understand your move rather than simply give you an arbitrary figure over the phone.

Depending on the circumstances, this may involve a video survey, an in-person assessment or detailed questions about your property and belongings.

Give every company the same information so that you can make a meaningful comparison.

Step 7: Don’t Automatically Choose the Cheapest Quote

Price matters, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider.

A very low quotation may look attractive initially, but you need to understand exactly what you are getting for the money.

Check whether the quotation includes:

• Vehicle
• Number of movers
• Loading
• Unloading
• Travel
• Furniture dismantling
• Furniture reassembly
• Protective materials
• Packing and packing material 
• Additional floors or difficult access
• Waiting time
• Storage, if required

A quotation that looks more expensive may include services that another company charges for separately.

Compare like with like.

Step 8: Ask What Happens If There Is a Delay

House moves don’t always go according to plan.

Completion can take longer than expected. Keys might not be released when anticipated. Traffic can cause delays, or access to the new property might not be immediately available.

Ask the removal company:

• What happens if completion is delayed?
• Is waiting time charged?
• What happens if the move runs into the evening?
• Can the team stay available if the timetable changes?
• What happens if the removal cannot take place on the agreed date?

Knowing the answer beforehand can prevent an unpleasant surprise on moving day.

Step 9: Check Insurance and Protection

Before booking, ask what protection is provided for your belongings.

Find out what insurance or liability cover the company has and what it covers.

You should also ask whether there are any exclusions or limits for particularly valuable, fragile or unusual items.

If you have artwork, antiques, musical instruments, large televisions or other valuable possessions, mention them before the move.

Never assume that every item is automatically covered in every circumstance.

Step 10: Tell the Removal Company About Difficult Access

Access can make a huge difference to a move.

Tell the company if:

• You live on an upper floor
• There is no lift
• The lift is small
• There are narrow staircases
• The property has restricted access
• Parking is difficult
• The removal vehicle cannot park directly outside
• There are long distances between the vehicle and the property
• Large furniture needs to pass through narrow doors
• There are particularly heavy or awkward items

Being honest about access helps the removal company plan properly and reduces the chance of unexpected complications.

Step 11: Ask About Packing Services

Packing is one of the most time-consuming parts of moving house.

If you have the time and prefer to do it yourself, that’s perfectly fine.

But professional packing can be useful if you’re short on time or have a large amount of fragile or valuable belongings.

If you choose a packing service, ask:

• What packing materials are included?
• Are fragile items packed separately?
• Who labels the boxes?
• Are wardrobes and other furniture items protected?
• Can the company pack the entire property or only selected rooms?

Make sure you understand whether packing is included in the quotation or charged separately.

Step 12: Ask About Furniture Dismantling and Reassembly

Large wardrobes, beds, tables and other furniture may need to be dismantled before they can be moved safely.

If you don’t want to do this yourself, check whether the removal company provides the service.

Also ask whether the same team will reassemble the furniture at your new property.

Keep screws, fittings and small parts together and clearly labelled if you are dismantling anything yourself.

 

Step 13: Understand the Final Price

Before confirming your booking, ask the removal company to explain the final price.

You should understand:

• What is included
• What is not included
• Whether VAT applies
• Whether there are additional charges
• How long the quotation remains valid
• When payment is required
• What happens if your moving date changes

A clear quotation is much easier to work with than a vague estimate.

Step 14: Confirm Everything in Writing

Once you’ve chosen your removal company, make sure the important details are confirmed in writing.

Keep a record of:

• Moving date
• Collection address
• Delivery address
• Arrival time
• Services included
• Number of movers
• Vehicle arrangements
• Total price
• Payment terms
• Cancellation terms
• Any special requirements

This gives both you and the removal company a clear understanding of what has been agreed.

Step 15: Prepare for Moving Day

A good removal company can make moving day easier, but preparation still matters.

Before the team arrives:

• Finish packing
• Label boxes clearly
• Separate valuables and important documents
• Keep medication somewhere accessible
• Prepare an essentials bag
• Charge your phone
• Defrost the freezer if necessary
• Check parking and access
• Take meter readings
• Keep keys and property documents safe

It’s also sensible to keep basic toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, snacks and drinks somewhere you can easily reach them.

And don’t forget the kettle.

What Should You Look for in a Good Removal Company?

There is no single feature that guarantees a successful move.

Instead, look at the overall picture.

A suitable removal company should provide clear communication, transparent pricing, appropriate services, professional staff and reasonable evidence that previous customers have had positive experiences.

You should feel comfortable asking questions before you book.

If a company is unwilling to explain its quotation or what is included, that’s something worth considering carefully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing on price alone

The cheapest quotation isn’t necessarily the best value.

Booking without reading reviews

Take time to see what previous customers actually experienced.

Not mentioning difficult access

Surprises on moving day can cause unnecessary delays and additional costs.

Leaving everything until the last minute

Early planning gives you more options.

Assuming everything is included

Always ask what the quotation covers.

Failing to confirm the details

Get the important information in writing.

Forgetting about the journey between the properties

The distance, traffic and access at both addresses can affect the move.

The Simple Five-Question Test

If you want to narrow down several removal companies quickly, ask each one these five questions:

1. What exactly is included in your quotation?
2. Are you insured for the type of move I am making?
3. How do you handle difficult access or delays?
4. What do your previous customers say about your service?
5. What additional charges could I potentially incur?

The answers will help you understand the service you’re buying rather than simply comparing headline prices.

Final Checklist: Choosing the Right Removal Company

Before booking, make sure you have:

☐ Researched at least three removal companies

☐ Read independent customer reviews

☐ Checked the services you require

☐ Explained the size and details of your move

☐ Mentioned stairs, lifts and access restrictions if any

☐ Obtained a clear and final written quotation

☐ Asked about insurance cover and protection

☐ Checked for possible additional charges

☐ Asked about delays and waiting time

☐ Confirmed packing requirements

☐ Confirmed furniture dismantling and reassembly

☐ Checked payment and cancellation terms

☐ Confirmed the booking in writing

Moving House Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Choosing the right removal company isn’t simply about finding someone with a van with man.

It’s about finding a professional team that properly understands your move, communicates clearly and efficiently, provides a transparent quotation and has a track record that gives you confidence.

Take your time, ask the right questions and compare the complete service rather than just the price.

With the right preparation and the right removal team, moving day can be much more organised and easier leaving you free to concentrate on other things on the moving day .