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10 top tips on how to choose the right removal firm



| May 20, 2021

The whole process of selling and buying a house can keep you very busy. From the big clear out, getting your house ready for viewings and finding a new house you like enough to call home, to securing mortgage offers and the mountains of paperwork – it can get a bit overwhelming at times.

Although it may seem like the ‘end point’ of the moving process, choosing a removal firm is something which you’re best not leaving until the last minute. Particularly at the moment when the market is so buoyant – dates are booking up fast. So, in those quieter moments, when everything is in the hands of the solicitors and surveyors, it’s worth starting to put some calls in to local removal companies to find the one you’ll want to go with when the time is right.

But how should you go about choosing the removal firm you want to use? We’ve pulled together some helpful top tips to assist you in your choosing (although we know a really amazing removal company in Leeds we’d like to recommend…)

  1. Firstly, and most importantly, make sure your chosen removal company is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR). That gives you reassurance that they follow a code of conduct and about the level of service you will receive. They should also have British Standard BSEN:12522 for home moving and storage – look for the badge!
  2. Be clear what you want – a man with a van might be cheaper, but realistically how long will it take to move with those resources? If you’ll be charged by the day/hour, what happens if it takes longer than quoted?
  3. Beware cowboys – every industry has them, and removals are no exception. Be cautious of companies which just have a mobile phone number and no business premises or insist on cash in hand payment. What happens if you need to get hold of them and no one answers the phone? Trust your gut feel. These people will be driving off with a van full of everything you own, so you need to feel 100% confident in them.
  4. Make sure you ask any questions you have. You should be able to ask and not feel like you’re being an inconvenience or that you’re being fobbed off. No question is too ‘daft’ – you won’t be the first person to ask it!
  5. If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. There’s a lot of work goes into safely moving the contents of an entire house, so if someone is quoting substantially less than other companies, what corners are they cutting?
  6. Check reviews and ask your friends – don’t trust a couple of Facebook reviews which could easily be staged. Look at official reviews through independent services like Feefo. Also ask around your family, friends and local network for recommendations. You’re far more likely to get a genuine feel for the service offered.
  7. Have they got insurance? Make sure you’re clear on what insurance they have in place to cover your belongings whilst they’re in transit and in case of any damage at either end. Accidents, although rare, do happen.
  8. Be sure you get a signed contract in place – you don’t want to rely on just a handshake (in Covid-free times) and a text. If you’re relying on these people helping you on move day, make sure it’s all set in stone.
  9. What is included in the service? Or what can be included if you want it? Can they help with packing? Can they provide boxes and carriers? How do they handle things like transporting the contents of a wardrobe? Can they help with storage if you end up needing it as part of the move? (remember sometimes dates don’t end up tying in). Can they/will they take furniture apart if needed?
  10. If you have any specialist/unusual/heavy items, speak to the removal company about how they’ll manage moving them safely. There should be a plan in advance of move day for anything beyond the usual boxes and furniture.

If you’re looking for a quote for a removal company in Leeds, why not get in touch?




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