How to Find Cheap Removals Companies When Moving

Written by Martha Lott Reviewed by Dave Sayce

30th May 2022 (Last updated on 18th Mar 2024) 5 minute read

Comparing Cheap Removal Companies

It doesn’t have to be difficult to find a cheap removals company, you just need to know the right places to look. Here are the best ways to choose a removal company to help lower your costs.

Comparison websites

Comparing removal quotes on comparison websites allows you to gather a range of quotes for the same job. This means you’ll know you’re getting the best price and can compare what each company can offer you. If a quote seems too cheap, it might not include the services you require such as packing or furniture dismantling.

Compare different days

When comparing quotes, try entering different days or months for your move. Certain months and days are more popular for moving house such as Fridays and summertime. During these busy periods, many removal companies hike up their prices to match the demand. Our data shows that Sunday is the cheapest day to move house, costing £717.13 on average.

Read reviews

If they have a significant amount of negative reviews, it’s best to avoid this company. It’s only natural to experience a couple of negative reviews but they will help you understand how the company operates.

It’s important to read them and how the company responds, as the complaint could be a misunderstanding. You could search their reviews for terms such as “hidden fees” or “costs” to see if there’s anything you should be aware of.

Check their insurances

Any professional removal company should have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance. This will protect you in the worst-case scenario and give you peace of mind that your belongings are in safe hands. You shouldn’t have to pay an extra fee to cover the cost of these insurances.

How are Removal Quotes Calculated

There are a number of factors that the removal company will consider when working out your removal quote.

The two main factors that will affect your total cost are:

1. The volume of items
2. The distance of the move

Other factors that affect your removals quote:

• How long the move takes
  
• Extra services such as packing
  
• Accessibility of old and new property
  

If you're needing an office relocation service, expect to pay more than a residential move.

How to Keep Your Removal Costs Down

Whilst comparing removal quotes is the best and most recommended way to ensure a cheap removal, there are other steps you can take to lower your costs before and during the house move.

1. Declutter

Before you request your removal quote, you should declutter your belongings. If you’re taking items with you that you no longer use, your quote will be more expensive. The fewer items you take with you, the cheaper your removals will be. This is a good idea if you plan on using a furniture removal company. Create a moving house checklist to keep track of the items you want to keep and get rid of. This will also help you to keep on top of the stress of moving house.

2. Pack up your own belongings

You can guarantee a cheap removal if you opt to pack your own belongings and not use the removal company's packing services. Asking friends and family for spare cardboard boxes or using old plastic containers will keep your removal costs down.

3. Find free packaging materials and boxes

Utilising what you already have for packing materials is a great way to ensure cheap removals. Packing fragile items in blankets and towels will help to protect them from breakages as well as save you money on packing.

4. Move during the quieter months

August is the UK’s favourite time to move house, with summer being an extremely popular time for house moves. Avoiding these popular months will mean affordable removals.

5. Negotiate

It’s not uncommon to negotiate with your removal company. You could ask for no extra fees if you have to wait for the keys from the estate agent. If one company is offering you a special offer, you could ask your preferred removal company to match this.

6. Book early

You should book your removal company as early as possible as some companies often charge more for last-minute bookings. Booking your removals in advance will also allow you to budget and save for the move, making the cost seem less daunting.

7. Organise a home removals survey

This survey will inform the movers of the volume of items and provide you with an opportunity to ask questions. The inspection will ensure you receive an accurate quote and will highlight which items require special care.

For more information read: 10 Money Saving Tips for Moving House

Saving Money After you Move

There’s still an opportunity to save money after your move. By making some simple changes, you can keep the total cost of your removals down.

• Change utility suppliers - Moving house is a good opportunity to change utility suppliers to find a cheaper deal. Make sure you take meter readings of your old property and then again in your new one to ensure you’re not paying extra.
  
  
• Use up leftover food - Instead of doing a big food shop before you’ve moved in, you should use up everything from your cupboards and fridge so they don’t go to waste. There will be a lot of expenses around moving day, so saving money on a food shop will make a difference.
  
  
• Council Tax bands - You’ll be aware of your council tax band before you’ve moved in, but it’s important to double-check it’s the correct one. You could face paying a higher rate by mistake.

How to Compare Cheap Removal Quotes to Find the Cheapest

To get the best price for your removal costs, fill out our quick and easy form to get matched with up to 6 local and trusted removal companies. You can compare prices and discuss quotes with our verified and reviewed partners to ensure you’re getting a cheap removal quote.