How to choose the best removal company for your move
We know that choosing a removal company can be an intimidating experience. You're confronted with an array of choices, and not always a heck of a lot of information about the companies who perform the removals. We've gathered together some information for you to help make the right choice for your individual moving needs.
It is the unfortunate reality that there are removal companies who will just take your money and either disappear before moving day, demand more money for the removal before your goods are unloaded, or worse. Every so often, stories pop up in the news about some of the more serious incidents, but many more go under the radar.
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, frequently passing on the leads they generate to cowboy companies or not at all), so follow our tips to ensure your next home move goes smoothly.
We hope our tips will help you select the best removal company for your move, even if you don't chose Britannia Bradshaw.
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. If a removal company uses a generic name, appears to have a home address as their business address or doesn't specify where their business activity is physically located, list a only a mobile number or a region-generic 0800, 0845, etc number may have something to hide. If this information isn't available on their website, be sure to not only ask for the details if you contact them, but make sure to get it in writing before you proceed.
Can you tell who they are?
Does their website have photos of their trucks, staff, or facility? If they only use generic graphics or stock photos, they may be completely legitimate - or they could be trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes. Try and find out more before you proceed with your quote.
Can you visit their office and warehouse in person? If you're not able to visit the warehouse and/or office in person, can you find them on Google Street View? (note: some industrial estates and private roads are not on Google Street View).
Are they a member of a professional removals trade organisation?
Look for and verify memberships in trade organisations such as the British Association of Removers (BAR) - or another removals trade organisation - 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 Trading Standards.
What about insurance?
When you talk with a removal company you're evaluating for your move, be sure to ask about insurance options. Things usually don't go wrong when you use a professional, but accidents can unfortunately happen. 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, including receiving your keys late in the day.
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. Every move is different, and make sure the company you're choosing has the experience, vehicles and staff to perform your removal effectively.
Will a surveyor come to your home?
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, such as FaceTime or WhatsApp.
Although estimates for small moves can be given over the telephone, it is often helpful 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. This is because the survey may notice that you've got a very tight staircase, or another issue which may make your removal slightly more challenging than others, in addition to being able to accurately determine how much is being moved and selecting the right size vehicle for the move.
Price isn't everything
As tempting as it is, don't jump for the company with the lowest price - frequently it isn't worth the savings you might make. Instead of looking for the cheapest, look for value for money.
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
Certain seasons and days of the week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) are popular for people to moving 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.
With this information, hopefully you are able to find a reputable, reliable removal company for your next house move.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Bradshaw Moving Services can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0116 289 9011 (Leicester), 0115 965 6555 (Nottingham), or 01283 243001 (Derby & Burton) 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...
First class service
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommendation
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?
Confidence in the discussion with the office.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They treated me with total dignity and respect throughout the move, with compassion and kindness, even when the completion was delayed by 2 hours!, efficient and multiple teams came to do the final unload which was so kind.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
First class service
Excellent team who took the strain out of a stressful day
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
You were local to me and I also received a card through my door, which was very useful to have. I checked your reviews and they were positive.
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?
Positive reviews and you were available on the date I required, even at short notice.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Josh, Kemp and Marcus arrived early, which is always a positive. They were all very pleasant, hard working and professional. Nothing was too much trouble. Well presented in the Britannia Bradshaw uniform. Excellent team who took the strain out of a stressful day. I've never used professional removals before and it was great just to sit back, safe in the knowledge that the team were doing a excellent job.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I can't think of anything.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
They treated our possessions with utmost care
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Flyer posted through our door and high score / positive Google reviews. Also you offered a full pack and move service.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Pam from your Leicester team was extremely helpful and even though it was short notice she managed to fit us in through a cancellation, and quickly produced a full pack quote.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Our team were Kemp, Josh and Marcus for a full pack service and all 3 of them were fantastic. They were really polite and respectful towards us, checking in regularly and making sure they knew exactly what they needed to do. They treated our possessions with utmost care, and our items were packed quickly and efficiently. They made sure that everything was labelled properly and were very careful when moving items, especially big / fragile things. They all worked extremely hard and overall we were thoroughly impressed.
How would you rate our communication?
8/10
How can we improve our service?
N/A
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Took every care possible with our belongings
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Word of mouth - referral
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Referred to you. Advised your moving staff were very good.
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Kemp, Jamie and Aaron worked as a team. Took every care possible with our belongings. They all followed our request on specific items of value. Very happy individuals and worked very hard to make our move an easy process. We were pleased that we pushed our solicitor / estate agent which resulted in the release of the keys just before 11am.
Please pass on our thanks all three, plus they late helpers Tommy and Jake on the 25th. We would not hesitate in recommending this team in the future to friends and family. EXCELLENT JOB!
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
It was all good from Trevor's visit to finishing the move.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
No
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