We all know that moving house is a stressful event, whether you are moving from a 1-bedroom apartment or a 5-bedroom family home but that stress can be minimised by choosing a reliable, efficient removals firm. They can pack your boxes for you, if you prefer, to protect your valuables and breakables and will know how to get that large wardrobe up the awkward stairs. It is important to get a few quotes as all companies vary in price and the service they offer so you need to compare both of these to see what fits with your budget. The cheapest may not necessarily be the best if the service is lower so make sure you know what you will be getting for the price. One of the best ways to find a good removals company (and avoid the bad ones) is by personal recommendation from friends or family. But what else should you look out for when selecting a removals company?

If you cannot get a personal recommendation, because you don’t know anyone who has moved recently, then it is still possible to easily find a reputable company by looking for one that is approved by the British Association of Removers (BAR). They have a Code of Practice for the removals industry so a company that is BAR approved will work to these high standards.

The value and fragility of your personal possessions will to a certain extent govern your choice of removers. If you own, for instance, a large collection of valuable artworks or antique furniture then these items may need to be packed and moved by a specialist remover. These will clearly be more expensive for moving your everyday belongings so you may want to consider using a specialist for the valuable items and a regular removals firm for your other belongings. But do check costs for this as you will end up paying for two lots of manpower and two vehicles. Only you can decide whether the extra cost is worth the peace of mind in protecting what you value.