Whether you are moving your entire home, a few items into a self storage unit or moving all or part of your business into new premises, getting the right removal company for your needs is an essential component to ensuring the success of your move. Here are our top tips for finding the perfect removal company for your needs, however large or small.

 

Do you need a removal company?

With everyone watching the pennies these days, keeping the costs down is sure to be paramount for your house move. Asking yourself whether you really need a removal company, or whether you can manage with a man and van, or maybe even a self-drive hire van and some cheap self storage will help you decide how much you should be budgeting for this. However, never underestimate the amount of time and organisation a move will take, and if you’re in any doubt that you can manage the move by yourself, then investing a little extra in a company that will do more for you will be money well spent.

 

Get plenty of quotes

Get your quotes in plenty of time and from a good number of removal firms. As well as going to the removal companies directly, you can also take advantage of some of the online comparison sites that get quotes from many companies at once. Some of these will allow you to put in details of the load you need moved and the date(s) you need it moved, and hauliers will ‘bid’ on your job with their best price. This may enable you to find a company who is travelling to your area with a full load and looking for another load on the way back. Known in the trade as ‘backloads’, these jobs can often be offered at well below the market value, as for the haulier anything is better than travelling empty.

 

Don’t just go on price

Whilst getting a good value for money service is, of course, a high priority, make sure you consider more than just price when you are choosing your firm. Things to think about include:

  • Reputation – Do they have customer testimonials and feedback?
  • Experience – How long has the company been in business?
  • Flexibility – Are they flexible on dates and times?
  • Insurance – Does the price include adequate insurance for your belongings?
  • Professionalism – Is the company a member of appropriate trade associations such as the British Association of Removers or the National Guild of Removers and Storers?

 

Negotiate!

Once you have found a company who will offer you the services you need at a competitive price, don’t be afraid to call them up and haggle on the price. Often if you indicate you’ve had a slightly cheaper price elsewhere they will be able to negotiate a small discount, or might throw in a few freebies such as boxes or packing materials.