Your home is full of treasured items and should you ever decide to move, finding the right company to undertake the removals process is essential. Timing is of the essence, as properties change hands, we need to be able to stick to schedules. Borrowing your friend’s van might seem like a good idea at the time, but when you realise just how much “stuff” you have accumulated over the years, it doesn’t really make the grade, unless you want to do multiple trips.

Plan Ahead

The sourcing and hiring of a removal company can take time, so plan ahead to be sure that the move can happen on the day you require it. Make sure you have both sets of keys, and there are duplicates available.

Online Directories

Before you can determine which removal company is right for you, you must first make contact. It is easy to check on Thomson Local for a list of London removals companies, which you can browse before making initial contact. It is better to ask several companies to provide you with a quote, and make sure you give them your current location, your new location and your intended date of move.

What Questions Should I ask a Prospective Removal Company?

Here is a list of questions that you can ask to determine the reliability and professionalism of the company,

• What level and type of insurance is offered?
• Are they members of the British Association of Removers (BAR)?
• Are they members of the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS)?
• How long has the company been trading, and can they supply references?
• How will the move be carried out? This means crew size and number of trips involved.
• Will there be security if your valuables are left on the vehicle overnight?
• Do you have an office or depot I can visit?

Use your Common Sense

Your powers of observation can tell you a lot about the company. Look at the general condition of the vehicles, and talk to the staff to see how friendly they are. If people are smartly dressed and polite, this is reassuring; after all, these people will be packing all of your treasured possessions and taking them away.

How much should I pay for a removal service?

Obviously, this depends on a lot of variables, such as:

• The amount of items that have to be moved
• The number of trips taken
• The distance the vehicle(s) must travel
• Whether you require special packing facilities
• If you have specialised equipment such as a piano, or artworks that need special protection
• The date(s) you plan to move – Certain holiday times will be more expensive

Most removal companies will negotiate a price that you are both happy with, and if you are prepared to move on a weekday, it may mean a slightly lower price.

Home Insurance

It is a good idea to check your policy, as some insurers will include the removal in their cover. Regardless of this, the remover should have adequate insurance to cover all eventualities, and this should be verified before any agreement is made.

Heavy Furniture and Domestic Appliances

These items only get damaged when they are moved, and some houses offer a challenge, with narrow staircases and doorways, so you need the services of an experienced mover who will protect your furniture while the move takes place. Correct loading procedures ensure that no damage occurs during transportation. If a large piece of furniture can be dismantled, this is preferable to trying to move it as a complete unit.

How Should I Prepare for the Move?

• Small items should be stored in sturdy boxes (or containers provided by the removals company), with each box labelled to identify its new location. Delicate objects such as glasses and crockery should be individually wrapped in newspaper or tissue, to avoid breakage. Each box should have its contents clearly recorded, with the new location printed on top. A good removals firm will supply you with a colour-coded system to help with this.
• Use the move as an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items as there is no sense in transporting things you don’t need.
• Don’t forget the garden shed and garage contents, which are very often bulky items.
• Leave the boxes in their respective rooms; this will help the removers understand what goes where.

Clear Communication on your Part

Many times a removal company will arrive, only to be told that the move has not been confirmed yet. It is always best to be clear about dates, and whether they are in fact confirmed. If you know that the beds will not pass through the stairway, and must be taken apart, tell your remover this, so they will be able to plan accordingly. Having all the information, the company will be able to prepare sufficient workers and tools to make sure the removal is completed effectively. Here is a link for more detailed information on finding the right removal company.

Home Visit

It is usual for a representative to visit you in your home, where they will make a note of everything that is to be moved, which will be on the inventory. Start at the top of the house, especially if you store items in the loft. Visit every room and make sure that all items to be moved will be packed correctly, and ready to be loaded onto the vehicle. Decide who is to be responsible for packing. If you are going to do this, make sure the removals team knows it. This is important, as they will not be prepared for this if it wasn’t included in the original quote. In order to plan the removal properly, the company will need to know exactly what is going and what is not. If you change your mind, this could drastically affect the remover’s plans.

Once an agreement has been reached, you will be expected to pay a deposit, with the balance due when the removal job is completed to your satisfaction.