We all know that hiring the right removal company is one of the most important things to consider with your move. A good removal company will make the process of moving home a little less stressful and give you peace of mind that your valued possessions are in good hands.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at the steps you should take in order to get the best firm for the job as well as the average costs for removal services and FAQs.
A couple moving house
Below are some of the most important things to consider when hiring a removal company.
Cost – Removal company costs can vary a lot so it’s important to find out exactly what the cost will be upfront. There’s sometimes a deposit to pay to book and for long distance removal cost, it can be significantly higher.
Services offered – It’s very important to know what services a removal company offers before hiring them. You need a basic removal job where your boxes are all already packed but if you require additional services, such as packing or dismantling, then you should find out upfront if they’re available.
Professionalism – It isn’t just the cost and services offered that are important when you’re hiring a removal company. You should also think about their level of professionalism. You’ll be able to get a good idea about this when they first come to survey your house and give you a quote. If they’re not professional from the beginning, whether it’s because they’re rude, turn up late or don’t show up at all, then it’s a good idea to look elsewhere
Insurance – Insurance is another important thing to consider. Any reputable removal company should have the correct cover in place. This means not only having their van(s) insured for road risks but also goods in transit cover that will protect your items from loss, damage or theft.
Availability – Availability is certainly key when you’re looking for a removal company. No matter how good a company is, they’ll still need to be available on the day you’re planning to move. Once you know when the completion day is, you can then start contacting removal companies to enquire about availability.
Average removal costs 2023
The cost of hiring a removal company will largely depend on the size of your home. For smaller properties, such as a 1 bedroom flat, the removal costs will usually be around £450-650. This is assuming it’s a local rather than long distance move. Prices for other types of properties are –
2 bedroom house – £550 to £800 for a local move. £650 to £900 for a long distance move.
3 bedroom house – £700 to £1000 for a local move and £900 to £1200 for long distance.
4 bedroom house – £950 to £1400 for a local move and £1200 to £1500 for long distance.
5 bedroom house – £1350 to £2000 for local moves and £1500 to £3000 for long distance.
Below are some of the other factors that will affect how much you pay.
- How many people are required – Depending on the size of your house and how much there is that needs to be moved, it’s possible that multiple movers will be required. This will certainly bump up the cost quite a bit.
- Packing costs (optional) – If you don’t want to pack your possessions yourself, then most removal companies will offer this as an additional service. How much more you’ll pay will depend on how much there is to pack.
- Dismantling and reassembling costs (optional) – Another additional service that can add to the cost of hiring a removal company is dismantling and reassembling. If you have big piece of furniture that you want to keep, such as a cabinet or sofa, it might be necessary for it to be dismantled before being moved, so this is something to bear in mind when thinking about costs.
- The distance to your new property – A big thing that affects the cost when hiring a removal company is the distance from your old house to your new one. The further it is, the more you can expect to pay.
- Specialist items – Specialist items are typically those that are extremely large, heavy or valuable; or a mixture of all three. A piano would be a perfect example of this. Not only is it extremely heavy and difficult to move, but they’re typically very expensive too. If you have such items, then it might be a better option to hire a removal company that specialises in moving them.
- Packing materials – Packing materials would certainly add to the overall cost of moving. If you choose to get the removal company to pack for you, then the cost of the materials themselves will also be factored into the price.
- Your location – The area you’re in will affect how much you pay too. Typically removal companies in London and surrounding areas tend to cost more than many other parts of the country.
How to save money when hiring a removal company
- Get quotes from several companies – Getting quotes from several different removal companies is one of the best ways to save money. Having multiple quotes enables you to make an informed decision and prevents you from overspending.
- Reduce costs by packing yourself – Many people choose to pay their removal company to pack for them now, but this does significantly add to the cost.
- Book in advance – It’s always a good idea to book your removal company as soon as you know the date of your completion day. This is because hiring at the last minute often comes with a higher cost.
Removals company FAQs
Is it necessary to hire a removal company when moving house?
If you’ve never moved house before, then you might be wondering if it’s actually necessary to hire a removal company. In most cases, it is. Unless you already have a large van that’s big enough to carry your possessions, it’s going to be very difficult to do everything yourself.
You do also have the option of hiring a van but when you consider the expense and work required, it’s usually worth forking out for the cost of a removal company.
At what stage should I contact a removal company?
You should start contacting removal companies when you know when the completion day will be. Completion day is simply the day the process of buying your new property is finalised and you receive the keys from the seller.
Giving plenty of notice will ensure the availability of different removal companies and can also help you to save money.
What if I’m moving overseas?
If you’re moving overseas, then you’ll need to hire an overseas removal company. In addition to making sure your items are well packaged, you also need to think about things like any customs fees you might have to pay.
Is it better to pack myself or should I have the removal company do it?
This really comes down to personal preference and whether or not you can afford the additional expense to have your items packed for you. Most removal companies will offer to do this but you can save quite a bit of money by doing it yourself.
I’m Paul Smith, Founder and Director of HouseMoveHelper. I have a great love of business, marketing, the wilderness and love to travel. You can learn more about me here.