Author: Holdsworths

Moving home can be one of the more worrying periods in life. Holdsworth’s aim to make any move as smooth and carefree as possible by providing advice and expertise to all of our customers. But a home removal is a big moment and can throw up a lot of opportunities to make changes in your life as well as moving your home.

Declutter

Any home removal, whether you have taken up a packing service or not, essentially forces people to go through their belongings. This provides the perfect opportunity to have a clear out of anything that you may no longer need before taking it into a new home. Either during packing or before the packing service, make sure there is a box or bag ready for any items that you want to throw away or give to charity. There is also the option of taking any items that you no longer display or keep around the house and moving them into a secure storage unit. All this is with the aim of decluttering before moving into a new home in mind.

Make Savings

Moving home also forces movers to look into their utility bills and providers due to arranging a change of address. This can present opportunities to look at providers that you have been using for some time and weigh up whether a better deal is available.

There is also an opportunity in terms of energy saving.

Moving into a new home provides the opportunity to ensure that it is properly insulated, windows are efficiently glazed and also to ensure that energy-efficient fittings are added around the new home. It’s the perfect time to make a fresh start in terms of your carbon footprint.

Have an Office Clear-out

When living in a home for some time, it is inevitable that a large amount of paperwork, letters and statements can build up, especially if you have a study in which to keep them. Moving home gives you the perfect opportunity to delve into these records and have a bit of a clear out. But given that these often contain confidential data that can be used for identity fraud it is best to use a professional paper shredding service to dispose of the confidential waste.

Make a Life Change

There is no doubting that moving home is a huge life change in itself which can provoke a bit of stress.

But new research by the University of Bath suggests that big upheavals can be a great time to ditch a bad habit.

The research showed that a behaviour change is more likely to be effective during a major life change. So whether it is smoking, weight loss or any other habit that you want to curb, a home removal could be the perfect time to go for it.

Our smartphones help us on a day to day basis. There seems to be an app for everything these days – some helpful, some fun and some slightly pointless! But when it comes to a removal, there are some apps out there that can genuinely help you out, and given that we always have our phones with or around us, the following apps can really help before, during or after moving home.

Rightmove (Free)

Rightmove describe themselves as the UK’s number one property website. The Rightmove app allows users to browse the housing market in any UK location from the palm of their hand. Rightmove have a number of useful tools available as well that can help users before their move such as a mortgage calculator.

Home Move Pro (Free- with in-app purchases)

This handy app is purely directed at making the removal process easier and aims to become a hub for your removal tasks and to-do list. It features a planner and organiser as well as template checklists with suggestions of what tasks you might have forgotten about. It is like a personalised to-do list purely for your removal.

Spotify (Free – with paid subscription available)

Spotify is a pioneering music playing app that turns your mobile or tablet into a personalised CD collection. You can search for singles, artists or albums and tailor them into playlists. There are also readymade playlists and suggestions that allow to simply select and get on with your day. This could come in really handy on move day or when packing up your things into boxes.

Pinterest (Free)

Pinterest is a popular app for creative types that are either planning a wedding or for fashion. It is also a great option for home movers looking to collect ideas for decorating their new home or current home for a sale. The idea is to search and discover great ideas from users across the world and add them to your own personalised Pinterest board.

Dulux Visualiser (Free)

One of the leading home decorating companies, Dulux, offer this revolutionary app that helps users picture their home in a new way. Using unique technology, it allows the user to browse the full range of Dulux paint colours and give a realistic live feed or photo of what the room would look like with the new colour. It then provides the option to share these images with family and friends.

Spirit Level (Free)

Does exactly what it says on the tin. Everyone uses spirit levels when they are redecorating a new or current home. But for when you might not have the spirit level to hand then this handy app uses the technology of a smartphone to ensure that your photos are hung straight.

Timeout (Free)

Timeout is a fantastic app when moving to a new city. Timeout acts as a one-stop shop for recommendations on restaurants and bars in most major UK cities. It also provides suggestions on up and coming events and attractions coming up in the chosen city.

Holdsworth’s have been running removals for nearly a century which has meant that we have developed as a trustworthy brand with plenty of expertise.

A long history within the industry means that Holdsworth’s have become a recognised brand in our hometown of Leeds and our membership of the British Association of Removers supports this. But despite Leeds being our base, we are proud to service wider areas and internationally. Here is some more information on the locations we service for removals

Leeds

As our company name suggests, Holdsworth’s of Leeds are proud to service Leeds removals. Holdsworth’s have been based in Leeds for nearly a century which means that, as a removal company we have developed an indispensable knowledge for the area as well as developing trust within the community. The Holdsworth’s office just off the Leeds ring road in Moortown is an ideal headquarters for the area in which we supply and allows us to cater to the whole of the Leeds city area. So whether it’s a move within Leeds, from Ilkley to Garforth, or from/to Leeds then Holdsworth’s have the right expertise.

Yorkshire & the UK

Being based in Leeds, this makes Holdsworth’s a proud Yorkshire company and we often run removals across the biggest county in the UK. Holdsworths’ base in Leeds allows us to run removals across West Yorkshire, the rest of the county and the surrounding area on a regular basis. We can also run removals across the UK.

International

Despite being a proud Yorkshire company, Holdworth’s also have the expertise to run international removals. Wherever the location is overseas, if its Europe or further afield, Holdsworth’s have the knowhow
to cater removals to major cities in most countries across the world. Despite the stresses and worries that come with overseas removals, Holdsworth’s draws upon its experience and network of partners to ensure that all each international removal runs smoothly.

Space and security are vital things both of which are growing considerations in modern life. As the way in which we live our lives develops, the more we seek extra space and extra security. This has led to self-storage and container storage services becoming valuable additions to the lives of some people in society. But despite this, there is still a large amount of people that don’t understand what storage is and how it can help. Which begs the question, what is the difference between self-storage and container storage and what are the benefits?

What Comes With Both

The best place to start is the similar services that you get with both options. Security is the key when it comes to storage and that is something that any esteemed storage company values highest.

Holdsworth’s were one of the first companies in the UK to offer
container storage and the values of security have been paramount for our near 100 year history.

So whether it is container storage or self-storage, your possessions are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by our CCTV system meaning their security is ensured.

The Differences
The two key differences between container storage and self-storage are what your possessions are stored in and access to them. Storage by container means that your possessions are loaded into individual containers, closed up and forklifted into our secure warehouse. Individuality is the key with container storage as your designated containers are then exclusively yours and a personal inventory is filled in on loading of the container to ensure nothing is missed. If access to your belongings is required then Holdsworth’s retrieval system allows staff to quickly locate the container required and fork-lifting them out of our warehouse.

Self-Storage on the other hand, is all about the personal touch. Customers

can decide the size of their self-store unit and then have personalised and flexible access to it. This means you can access your belongings without a member of staff – although Holdsworth’s staff will be on hand to help if required.

Who it Suits

Self-storage is useful for those wanting ready access to their belongings. This could be a student that has moved to a new city, somebody do
wnsizing their home without wanting to throw anything away or also businesses that need secure space to store stock but require quick access.

Container storage on the other hand is more ideal for items that don’t require ready access. Whether it’s someone looking to declutter their house but not wanting to throw away any items or someone moving house and wanting to keep valuable item safe. Container storage is ideal for storing memories and items that you want to keep safe, but also keep close.

What Can You Store

Other than a small number of restricted items, you can use container storage and self-storage for whatever items you like. There is also specialist storage available for things like vehicles, documents and furniture.

Here at Holdsworth’s we often receive calls of desperation from customers that have been let down by cowboy removal companies. Moving home or business can be a really stressful time and the last thing you want to be worrying about is being let down by your removal company. A removal company should be a trustworthy organisation, after all these are the people that you are trusting with your belongings and letting into your home. So here are a few things to keep an eye out for when coming down to the big decision of choosing your removal company.

BAR

The British Association of Removers (BAR) has been the recognised voice of professional moving in the United Kingdom for over a century. They are a Trading Standards Institution that requires all of their members to adhere to a code of quality and practice. The aim is to guarantee that those looking for a removal company can be assured that moving home with a BAR member will result in smooth removal by using a trustworthy and professional company.  This all with the added peace of mind that in the unlikely event of something going wrong, movers using a BAR member have the BAR to turn to for support.

The slogan of the British Association of Removers is “if you’re moving – look for the badge”, and here’s ours:

History

Another vital aspect is choosing a company that has history and expertise. At Holdsworth’s, we have been moving people for over 95 years. We are confident that our experience gives us the expertise and know-how to be trusted with any home, business or international removal. With a company that has been operating for a long period of time, movers know that there is sizeable local and industry knowledge to rely upon.

Come and Meet Us

As mentioned previously, moving house requires a dependable and reliable removal company. There is no greater impression than that of meeting face to face or via direct contact over the phone. So whether it is inviting a BAR registered removal consultant to show around your current property or fully trained and experienced removal staff on the day – the face to face approach ensures that these are the right people to trust with your removal. Also knowing that a removal company has an office address that you can visit and contact means that should you have any queries or questions then you can have them answered promptly.

Our shop: 391 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS17 6DJ. Tel 0113 269 0000

Here at Holdsworth’s Removals we’re proud to be a Yorkshire-based company. From our base in Leeds, we have been helping people and businesses move from and around Yorkshire for over 95 years. And on this 1^st of August, a day to celebrate all things Yorkshire, we thought we would list five reasons why we are proud to be a part of this great county.

Tea

If there is one thing that Yorkshiremen and women enjoy, it’s a proper brew. But Yorkshire can also be very proud of its contribution to the whole country’s love for a cuppa. It began with Charles Taylor who’s company became known for its quality of tea when they won a gold medal at the London Grocery Exhibition in 1896. Yorkshire Tea was first brewed in the 1970s and has since grown to become one of the nation’s favourite cups of tea. The North Yorkshire town of Harrogate has become known as a destination for tea lovers with the Bettys Tearoom keeping Yorkshire’s reputation for quality tea alive.

Sport

Yorkshire can be very proud of its sporting achievements over the past few years. Ever since its “twelfth” place finish on the London 2012 medals table, ahead of the likes of Jamaica, New Zealand and the Netherlands, the county has enjoyed a successful few years in sport. And where else to start than back to back county championship winning Yorkshire cricket side, all succeeded while the England team is led by Yorkshire players such as Joe Root & Jonny Bairstow. Then there was the huge success of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014 which was so successful it has led to the highly popular Tour de Yorkshire. Then there is world ch
ampion boxer Kell Brook from Sheffield, the Brownlee brothers and Masters winning golfer Danny Willett. With the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games just around the corner, were backing more of our Yorkshire sports stars to do us proud again.

Music

Yorkshire has a rich history of musicians and bands. Whether it is
the cult icons of yesteryear like The Beautiful South, Soft Cell and The Human League or the all-conquering Arctic Monkeys – Yorkshire has delivered a number of the UK’s favourite bands. But Yorkshiremen and women have made up some of the nation, and the world’s, favourite pop artists. Mel B of the Spice Girls, Kimberley Walsh of Girl’s Aloud and two of the world’s favourite boy band One Direction were all born in God’s Own County.

Landscape

There is a reason why Yorkshire is commonly known as ‘God’s Own County’, and that is because of its beautiful scenery. Yorkshire was named as the best place in Europe in 2013 and with its rolling hills, stunning waterfalls and picturesque settings – it’s easy to see why. From Knaresborough to Whitby, the Yorkshire Dales to the quaint city of York – Yorkshire’s landscape has everything that would need if you are looking for somewhere to move to.

Passion

One thing that Yorkshire Day proves is the passion that Yorkshire men and

women have for their own county. There isn’t really a county anywhere in the UK that celebrates itself so much. #YorkshireDay being top trend on Twitter every 1^st August is proof of that. So take a look at the celebrations of Yorkshire on Twitter and let us know what you most love about Holdsworth’s great home county.

These days it is increasingly important for individuals to ensure that any vital information is protected, even when it is ready for throwing in the bin. This applies on a personal level, businesses and organisations that deal with personal information and need to dispose of that information in a protected way. This is because personal information has grown to become a valuable commodity for scammers. The aim of this July’s National Scam Awareness Month is to “give consumers the skills and confidence to identify scams, share experiences and take action by reporting suspicious activity.”

The reasoning behind National Scam Awareness Month is clear and that is identity theft. According to Fraud prevention agency Cifas, the number of victims of identity theft rose by 31% to 32,058 in the first three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

The rise of identity theft has led to a growing requirement for individuals and businesses to safely dispose of documents that may contain vital information regarding a person’s identity. This is where professional shredding comes in to ensure that these documents are effectively destroyed making it impossible for criminals to access the information that they seek. Holdsworth’s are a professional shredding company that can provide an on-site shredding service using our state of the art mobile shredding vehicles at your premises and also off-side at our 24-hour CCTV monitored premises in Leeds.

Holdsworth’s know that confidence is key when it comes to protecting yourself from identity theft. That is why we have an experienced and high motivated team that are all security checked and committed to protecting your confidential waste. We are trusted by a range of organisations from hospitals and local services to legal and financial businesses across Yorkshire and North of England. But we are also committed to shredding confidential waste on a personal level that may have accumulated as a result of a declutter or clear out. Each of our safe shred customers is supplied with a certificate of destruction.

So, this National Scam Awareness Month, commit to protecting you and your identity by safely shredding your confidential waste with Holdsworth’s. You can contact us for a quote here where an experienced member of our staff will pick it up and reply with a quote for you. Once your safe shredding is arranged, you can rest assured knowing that your personal information and confidential waste will be dealt in a professional manner along with our pledge to help the environment. The shredded paper that we process contributes towards the production of everyday products such as paper towels and toilet roll.

Spring and Summer are our busiest times in the removals industry.

Every year there are a flurry of properties going on the market in early Spring, and by late Spring and Summer people are in a position to start moving.

A lot of people have it in their heads that they have to move on a Friday – a tradition that seems to reach back as long as we can remember! However, it is just not true! It’s definitely the case that Friday is the busiest day in the moving world, and of course it’s helpful having a weekend to unpack and get settled. But you can often get better deals choosing a midweek date. Plus you avoid the potential issue of hitting a snag in the moving process, and then the banks/solicitors being closed over the weekend for two days – leaving you in limbo and potentially temporarily homeless!

In the UK an estimated 11 per cent of the population – over six million people – move every year.

That’s a lot of people packing up everything they own and a busy time for removals firms – especially if they’re all aiming for a Friday move date in Spring!

However, on the flip side, one in 10 people have lived in the same house for over 30 years, and six in ten for 15 years or more. The average Brit will move eight times during their lifetime.

If you’re considering a move this Spring, why not give us a call to get a quote for our removals services? You can contact us on 0113 269 0000.

Moving house can be a stressful time – so it’s worth getting all the expert advice you can.

If you’re in the lucky position of having sold your house and found your dream property to move in to, now is the time to start planning exactly how you’re going to get all your worldly possessions from A to B.

Here at Holdsworth’s we’ve over 100 years of experience helping people move their precious belongings, so we have compiled our top tips to help you choose the right removal service for you.

• Firstly decide on whether you need a removals service, or if you would like to move your own belongings. Bear in mind that depending on your circumstances sometimes speed is of the essence on moving day – there may not be the opportunity to make multiple trips, so if you want to move yourself, are you confident you can get everything in one van load?

• Ideally, start contacting removals firms 6-8 weeks ahead of the planned move date. At the very least aim for four weeks – we appreciate move dates can often be subject to change at the last minute!

• You should always ask at least a couple of removals firms to quote for the job– but remember, price isn’t everything. You are trusting these people with everything you own! Gut instinct can tell you a lot.

• It’s vital that the removals company you choose is a member of BAR (British Association of Removers). DO NOT use any organisation which can’t provide evidence of this – membership ensures the company is properly regulated and insured. They should also have British Standard BSEN:12522 for home moving and storage.

• Are you being quoted a fixed price, or is it an hourly rate? Fixed rates can help with budgeting and that way you won’t worry about how long things take. What happens if the date or timings need to change last minute?

• Ask for testimonials and check online reviews. Word of mouth recommendations are always good if you know others who have recently moved.

• Make sure you meet members of the team and ask if you can have a designated point of contact. Is there a physical office you can visit, rather than it just being someone at the end of a mobile phone number?

• Consider whether you want the removals company to include a packing service. This can take a weight off your mind – and you’ll be amazed how well and how quickly the experts can pack as opposed to you (especially when they’re not distracted by nostalgic memories over old photo albums or baby clothes

• If you’re packing yourself, can they help provide packing materials such as boxes, bubble wrap and tape?

• Do you have any high value or unusual items which need to be considered as part of the move? From works of art to pianos, flag anything which may need extra consideration at an early stage so appropriate plans can be made.

• Is there sufficient parking at both properties? Do special arrangements need to be made?

• Contracts should always be provided so both parties know where they stand. You don’t want to be left stranded on the big day!

• If moving out/moving in dates don’t tie up, will the removal firm store your goods – and if so, where will they be stored? What security is in place to keep them safe?

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call on 0113 269 0000. We’re always happy to help!