How to Choose a Removal Company
Choosing a removal company can be an intimidating experience - but if you're armed with the right knowledge, you can make the right choice for your moving needs.
Sadly, there are far too many people ready to take your money who don't take the appropriate care and attention to your belongings on moving day, or worse yet, disappear with your money and leave you desperately seeking a new removal company at the last moment.
We don't like to see anyone taken in by cowboy removal companies or bedroom brokers (people who operate a removals brokerage/price comparison site from their back bedroom), so follow our tips to ensure your next home move goes smoothly.
We have had many customers come to us after paying a removal company they didn't know much about who didn't show up on moving day. Most reputable removal companies will do their best to help people in this situation, however, the additional stress and cost can make your moving day a nightmare.
Price isn't everything
Don't just jump for the company with the lowest price - frequently it isn't worth the savings you might make. Get quotes from several reputable companies, and then pick the one who offers you the best service and value, who can move you when you need and who suits your needs.
Keep in mind that not all quotes are created equal - some include things that others exclude. Make sure you're comparing like for like before you make your decision.
Peak times cost more - Don't forget certain seasons and days of the week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) are popular days for people to move home, and slots on these days usually booked quickly. If you can move mid-week or be flexible with your dates and/or times, you may possibly be offered a better price.
Does their website list their name, street address & landline telephone number?
This is probably the most important thing you'll find on a removal company website. A removal service that uses a generic name, doesn't specify where their business activity is physically located or the telephone number to that location may have something to hide.
If this information isn't on their website, be sure to not only ask about this if you contact them, but get it in writing before you proceed. Cowboy removal firms usually only have a mobile, or if there is a landline, it is frequently an answering service.
Can you see who they are?
Does their website have photos of their trucks, staff, or facility? If they only use generic graphics or stock photos, they could be completely legitimate - or they could be trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes.
Can you visit their office and warehouse? If you're not able to visit the warehouse and/or office in person, can you find them on Google Street View?
What do their customers have to say?
Can you find any reviews of their service? Do they sound like genuine customers? With this information, hopefully you are able to find a reputable, reliable removal company for your next house move.
Are they a member of a professional removals organisation?
Look for and verify memberships in trade organisations such as the British Association of Removers (BAR) to ensure the removal company you choose is indeed a member.
In the unlikely event that something goes wrong on moving day, you'll have someone to turn to if your removal company is a member. Members need to adhere to strict membership criteria, ensuring that your removal company is professional and capable of handling the job. The BAR also offers pre-payment protection and a free conciliation service, and is approved and monitored by the Trading Standards Institute.
What about insurance?
When you speak to a removal company, be sure to ask about insurance options for your move. Things usually don't go wrong when you use a professional, but accidents can happen, and it is best to be insured against mishaps. There's also insurance available for delayed or cancelled moves, which can save you money if your move is delayed or cancelled for any reason.
How much are you moving?
A student moving a few items will have very different needs (and most likely budget) to a family moving a large five bedroom house.
How much and what you need to move will also help you to choose the right removal company for you, as you need to make sure the company you choose has the appropriate vehicles and manpower to perform your removal.
Will a surveyor come to your home?
Although estimates for small moves can be given over the telephone, it is always best to have a professional surveyor come to your home and give you a full estimate and discuss your options, such as packing services, storage and insurance.
If the removal company you're speaking to doesn't offer this service before the move, call someone who does. Britannia Bradshaw offers an innovative service for people who can't meet with one of our surveyors, using FaceTime or Skype and webcams, which helps us to estimate the size and requirements of the move.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Friendly, polite, capable, and resilient in appalling weather conditions.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We had used Britannia in a previous move. A flyer was posted to us.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Your survey inspired greater confidence than the (three) other companies.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Friendly, polite, capable, and resilient in appalling weather conditions.
How would you rate our communication?
7/10
How can we improve our service?
A quick confirmatory call on the day before the move would have been appreciated.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
They clearly knew what they were doing
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I had heard of Britannia as a reputable removal company
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
8/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
The people I dealt with gave me a lot of confidence that we would receive good service. Of the companies I would have been happy to go with, Britannia were the cheapest.
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Alistair, Tom and Tony were great. They clearly knew what they were doing, and packed/loaded efficiently and carefully. They made the whole process very easy for us. Thank you!
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
Maybe a reminder email a day or two before the move, just to reassure the customer that it's still all booked in, and a reminder of what time the team is expected to arrive?
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Good value
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Internet
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good value
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
You can't
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Professional and friendly
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
A friend recommended you
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Highly recommended
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Professional and friendly
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
That would be difficult
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
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Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.
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Bradshaw International is a trading name of John Bradshaw and Son Limited
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