How to choose a removal company

So you’re moving house - congratulations! You secured the deal, signed the mortgage and are now counting down the days until you can finally move into the house of your dreams. There’s just one little (big) step left - packing! If you’re now shopping around for quotes for a removal company, you might be wondering how to choose the best service.

In this article, I’m going to explain how to choose the best removal company, what red flags to look out for, and how to ensure that the moving and packing process goes as smoothly as possible. So, how to choose a removal company? Let’s take a look.

How do I find the best removalist?

If you’re wanting to find the best removal company and get your money’s worth without spending a fortune, you should take the following steps:

1. Read reviews

Another important step to take when choosing a removal company is to read reviews. You should look at sites such as Trustpilot and Google Business in order to get an objective view of whether or not the removal company is up to standard.

Reading reviews is arguably going to be one of the most important factors when choosing a removal service - you’ll want to read real-life customer experiences, so look around and even ask around on moving forums if you want to be sure that the company you’re booking with will provide a good service.

For example, Goodfellows removals have 5 star reviews!

2. Check Accreditations

One of the easiest ways to check whether or not a home removal company is high-quality is to check for accreditation. Removal companies that belong to the BAR (British Association of Removers) are more likely to guarantee a good experience than those that aren’t.

That being said, not all home removal companies need to belong to movers associations. Young companies might not yet have accreditation, but can still provide a great service. In the end, it’s up to you whether or not accreditation is important - accreditation simply offers peace of mind more than anything.

3. Arrange a Home Survey

Another way to help you determine the best home removal company is to arrange a home consultation, also known as a home survey. A home survey will involve a representative (or several) of the removal company coming to your home to assess what needs to be moved and calculate the cost of supplies, packing and packaging materials.

Home surveys should be carried out for free, so be wary of any removal company that tries to charge you for a home survey. Be equally wary of any removal company that refuses to carry out a home survey, as this can end up significantly increasing the overall price of your move. If your removal company doesn’t carry out a survey and ends up needing more materials than anticipated, you might end up footing the bill for the extra supplies.

Did you know that Goodfellows removal company in Maidstone also offer removal services all over Kent including removals in Sevenoaks, removals in Tonbridge, West malling and beyond.

4. Check what can and can’t be moved

Before booking your movers, it’s important to obtain a list of items or materials that your chosen removal company is unable to transport during the move. Typically, these include hazardous items, currency, medical equipment and items of high value such as jewellery.

Another red flag to look out for is a removal company that isn’t able to give you this list when asked. Most reputable home removal companies will have this information on hand, as there are certain rules and regulations that dictate what movers can and cannot transport.

5. Removals Insurance

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a removal company is the state of their insurance policy. In the event that your objects are damaged, lost, or stolen in transit, will you or the removals company be liable for their replacement?

It’s a good idea to ask for documentation proving insurance cover, as some removal insurance policies won’t cover all of your belongings. In this case, you’ll want to be sure that your own insurance policy covers the rest of your items in the event of theft or loss. If you’re moving internationally or long distance, insurance should be one of your main priorities when it comes to choosing a removal company. In general, choosing a pricier company with a strong insurance policy would be better than choosing a cheap option with a poor insurance policy.

In addition, be wary of any home removal company that isn’t able to offer you a copy of their insurance policy. If neither you nor your removal company is insured, your belongings won’t be either.

6. Price

Finally, probably one of the most important things to consider when choosing a home removal company is price. Finding a good price is important - not just because you want to find the best deal - but because a low price might imply gaps somewhere in the overall quality or standard of the removal company.

While you might be tempted to opt for the cheapest option, it’s important to figure out why the price is so low. Are their workers uniformed and therefore easily distinguishable? Will there be lots of workers there to help with the move, or is the price low because it’s just one or two movers tasked with packing up all your belongings? These are all important questions to ask when you organise your home survey.

When it comes to pricing, note that a removal company that is too cheap may be a major red flag. Removal companies deal with your personal belongings - why risk these being mishandled? It’s best to find a reputable firm that has been trading for a number of years and offers a professional service.