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.

How to Choose a Removal Company Britannia Bradshaws

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).

How to Choose a Removal Company Britannia Bradshaws

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Get a Quote

How to Choose a Removal Company Britannia Bradshaws

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.

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Get a Quote

How to Choose a Removal Company Britannia Bradshaws

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.

How to Choose a Removal Company Britannia Bradshaws

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Call Me Back

How to Choose a Removal Company Britannia Bradshaws

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.

Meet our movers

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Let Us Call You Back

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...

What a lovely, friendly, polite, hard-working team!

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
BAR member, good feedback ratings, local to us

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?
Good customer service, keeping in contact with us after quote. Had confidence in your service

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
What a lovely, friendly, polite, hard-working team! The final day turned out so long for them and yet they took the time to navigate our tricky staircase, expertly deconstruct and reconstruct furniture and move things around at our request. Many thanks to them!

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
All good

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Janet Riley

Nothing broken, courteous and attentive.

Email to Lynn

I tried to give feedback about your removal men online but found the site difficult to navigate.

However, I would like to say that Nick and Craig were excellent. They are a credit to you. Nothing broken, courteous and attentive.

Thanks for your help and I will recommend Britannia Bradshaw.

Best regards 

Alec Luhaste

They were fantastic, polite, caring and efficient.

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
From our insurance we had a kitchen fire

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?Image Library
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Insurance

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were fantastic, polite, caring and efficient.

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
If all your teams are like the lads we had you don’t need to worry about improving

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?
It was not an easy move but they took it in their stride. I hope we get the same team bringing our goods back after the fire has been sorted. Will you thank Aaron, Chris, Jake, Jamie, Tommy, & Cameron for me thank you

Joan & Nigel Yeomans

Very professional, courteous and efficient.

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Internet search and the best quality from 3 chosen.

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?
You quoted me the cheapest price to move from 3 removal companies.

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very professional, courteous and efficient.

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
Nothing. Just keep doing what you’re doing

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?
Possibly a courtesy phone call prior to collection to inform when the team will be arriving or if they have encountered any delays. 

Brian Bloomfield,

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Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.

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Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only.

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Let Us Call You Back

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