Removal companies come in all shapes and sizes, from huge multi-national firms to the smallest companies consisting of a man and his van.
It’s estimated that around 11% of people in the UK will move home each year. It’s a big business, therefore, there is no surprise that there are so many removal companies UK wide to accommodate those transitions. Anyone who has ever moved house will understand why the process is said to be one of the most stressful life events we can undertake. Therefore, anything we can do to make it easier on ourselves and cut the costs too, is more than welcome.
This article offers a quick guide to a smooth move.
Why House Removal Costs Vary So Widely From Case To Case
Categorically, there is no such thing as a typical move and therefore, no real way to say with certainty how much the typical house removal should cost.
A wide variety of factors can affect the amount you end up paying for your possessions to be moved. Some of these you will have influence over; many you will not, but the major factor is, of course, the amount of ‘stuff’ you need transporting from your old location to your new. This affects the size of vehicle that must be used; or the amount of trips and consequently the length of time the move will take.
Whether it’s in terms of paying for larger transport or conducting your move over a longer timescale, the more you need moving, the higher your house removal costs will be. Another consideration built into any quotation you receive will be the distance you are moving. Access difficulties can add to the expense of removal quotes too.
Is specialist equipment required, such as lifting gear for heavy objects? Do windows need to be removed to extract that grand piano? Does an alternative route to the new property need to be planned to accommodate a low bridge or tunnel?
What’s Included In A Typical Removal Quote?
Although there is no such thing as a typical case, these are a few of the major components that will certainly make up your home removal quote. then, there are optional extras. This is often where you have more discretion to make savings on the overall bill. For an additional fee, many professional removal companies will undertake your packing for you. The benefits of this are their experience and access to specialist packaging. The best firms have staff trained in the most effective ways to protect everything from furniture to priceless vases while in transit.
They’ll also have a ready supply of boxes and other packaging materials suited to every item you want to take with you. Paying someone else to do this will save you time as well as reducing the risk of damage to your belongings, but expect it to add considerably to the overall removal quote.
Other services you may benefit from include paying the company to dismantle and reassemble flat-pack and other furniture, to protect it from damage and make it easier to move from A to B.
You might also ask for a handyman’s help to hang shelves, plumb in your washing machine, or put up curtain rails, i.e. all the finishing touches that will make your new home welcoming from day one.
How To Keep Removal Costs Manageable
Perhaps you are more interested in keeping removal costs down, rather than adding more to the bill, despite the convenience – in that case, you should be prepared to have everything ready for your removals firm on the day.
Set yourself a schedule and begin saving packaging material like newspapers, boxes from supermarkets and bubble wrap early, to save on the costs of buying them. You’ll also need to be organised well in advance so you’re not running round packing at the last minute and getting in the movers’ way!
Don’t forget to defrost the freezer and ensure the washing machine is disconnected; otherwise you may end up paying additional amounts for inconveniences like these.
Another handy tip is to be flexible about your moving schedule, as far as is possible. Many removal companies offer cheaper rates for moving home during the week; conversely you may pay a small premium for moving on weekends, especially bank holiday weekends. These days are particularly popular to allow clients to move without interrupting the school or working week.
Book your removals firm early and you may benefit from a better deal than the average removal costs UK wide for a move or your size and type.
Why It’s Vital To Secure Multiple Moving House Quotes
You can use an online a removal cost calculator to get an idea of how much your move might cost, but by far the best way to ensure a satisfactory move, whether your aim is to save money or not, is to secure multiple moving house quotes before making your choice.
Professionals advise that you obtain at least three or four estimates, having first given them the clearest details possible of what needs moving, to where and by when. Be as honest as possible about the volume of possessions involved and full details about any additional services you require, to ensure each quote is accurate and largely comparable with the others. This then gives you an idea of what figure is realistic for your budgeting purposes.
After that, it’s time to evaluate the quoting companies against their estimated house removals cost. First, check that everything you expected is covered. For instance, is insurance on your belongings included? Are fuel costs accounted for?
Next, look for evidence of membership of a professional standards body, such as the British Association of Removers. This gives you confidence in the quality of services provided by the company.
Finally, check online reviews from past customers of each firm. You’re looking for a majority of complimentary reviews with no hint of unreliability or unprofessionalism. One place where you can get free removal companies prices from trusted local companies quickly and easily is Removals Index.
Using Removals Index To Source Removal Companies Could Be Your Best Move
At Removals Index, we aim to save you time and money. On our website, https://www.removals-index.com/, you’ll find the simplest way to secure multiple quotes without wasting time ringing around and waiting for companies that never get back to you. Our member removal companies are motivated professionals who want to secure your business.
Fill in the simple form and we’ll circulate it to local firms. You’ll receive free quotes for your home move with less stress and less hassle. Our performance has been judged to be five-star and excellent by reviewers on independent review site Trustpilot, so why not try us today?