How to Choose a Removal Company
Here at Compare My Move, we always work with trusted and verified removal partners. Each partner has passed our strict verification process and meets the high standards we have set.
Once you have filled in our online form, you will be contacted by up to 6 partners in your local area. They will each provide you with a quote based on your removal needs.
When discussing removal services with our partners, there are several things you should discuss, from their insurance cover to whether they provide the services you need.
In this article, we discuss everything you should consider.
Ask About Costs
The average house removals cost in the UK is £826. This price will fluctuate based on the area you're moving to, the size of your move, the distance travelled and additional services used.
When using our comparison service, you will receive 6 unique quotes. Due to the competitive nature of our business, the quotes you receive will be a range of competitive prices. As a result, some may be higher or lower than others.
Having several quotes to consider provides you with a clear idea of what you should expect to pay. It's always important to speak to each company directly to have a better understanding of the cost breakdown, and their individual charges.
When the removals companies phone you after filling out the form, take this opportunity to ask them about their costs and what this covers.
Customer Service
A company should always be approachable and friendly. After all, you want to be happy with the level of care provided.
You need to feel at ease with a removals company. Their team should be attentive and answer any queries or concerns you may have.
Regardless of if a company provides an efficient service, if they are too pushy in their initial phone call and try to provide you with a hard sell, this can be off-putting.
All the removal companies we work with will contact you directly within 48 hours of you filling out our form. They will discuss quotes, and the services you require and will provide you with an opportunity to ask them any questions.
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Additional Services
When our partners contact you to discuss their services and quotes, this is the best time to make them aware of additional services you may need.
The majority of removals companies will then tailor their services to best suit your removal needs. The most popular additional services include packing, white glove delivery and storage.
You should make a removals company aware of anything that may make your move more difficult. This includes flights of stairs, narrow streets or parking restrictions.
These situations may impact their ability to carry out the removals service, so it's important to make them aware of this in advance.
Check Their Insurance
All our partners need to have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance to pass our verification process. This is essential as this covers and protects your goods during transit.
If you’re moving internationally, international removals insurance is vital. Many international removal companies will include cargo or shipping insurance.
It's important to ask a removals company to see proof of their insurance before using their service even if they state they are covered.
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Check Their Accreditations
A removal company's accreditations emphasises their reliability and how trustworthy they are.
Accreditations to look our for include the British Association of Removers (BAR), the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS), The Road Haulage Organisation and FIDI.
These accreditations are independent and have high standards and expectations that need to be met. In addition to passing our verification process, many of our partners are also accredited.
Complaints Proceedure
Each company will have a different complaints procedure in place. The company should be clear about their procedure before you choose them.
While you will always expect to receive a high quality of service from a removals company, sometimes there may be discrepancies or issues that need to be acknowledged.
If you feel as though the removal company hasn't handled your complaint sufficiently, the Removal Industry Ombudsman Scheme (RIOS) can take this matter further.
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Delay Charges
Unless you have already agreed on a fixed removals price, the majority of removal companies will charge a waiting fee if they are subject to delays on your moving day.
When speaking to our removal partners, ask them what their delay charges are and how they are calculated. Having a clear idea of these charges beforehand will help you to avoid any unexpected charges when the move has been completed.
Delays are common on completion day, especially if you're in a chain and are late picking up the keys for your property. As a result, you will want to factor in these potential costs beforehand.
Cancellation Policy
Every removals company will have their own specific cancellation policy. You should always have a clear understanding of a removal company's cancellation policy before choosing them.
While some companies will be laxer in their policies others may charge you a cancellation fee.
Even if you have a set completion date, sometimes situations can change and it's useful to prepare for potential charges in advance.
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Check Company Reviews
Checking customer reviews are a great way of having a clearer idea of whether a company follows through with the service they have promised.
Our reviews provide first-hand experiences of people that have used a Compare My Move partners. Each review is unbiased and written by movers.
These independent reviews are useful because they provide honest and reliable feedback on the service the removals company has provided.
Complete a Home Survey
By visiting your current home, the removals company will gain a better understanding of the assistance you need. They can gauge how many personal belongings you have, and the difficulty of the move.
The survey helps to provide an accurate quote for their services. Requesting and completing a Home Survey also helps to prevent removal firms from adding additional charges or unexpected fees to the removals service.
