Are you moving house and need some help to safely transport your belongings? Here’s how to find house removal companies near you who can make quick work of the job while you sit back, relax, and look forward to your new home. Here’s to a stress-free, smooth move!
How to find house removal companies near you
Finding house removal companies near you on Checkatrade is quick and easy. All of our trade members are thoroughly checked and meet our high-quality standards.
Enter your postcode into the search box below to browse a list of services that can help move all your furniture and possessions in a professional manner.
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Your questions answered about house removal companies near you
Why should I hire a house removal company?
Moving to a new house is exciting. But it can be stressful working out how to get all your belongings from one house to the next.
While you can organise the logistics yourself, hiring a professional house removal service in your area will certainly take some of the stress out of the move.
- House movers have the manpower and big vans to make the move efficient, quick, and as easy as possible
- They can help move all your boxes and furniture either a short way or longer distances
- Loading and transporting your belongings are the most common services
- However, if you don’t want the time-consuming job of packing and unpacking yourself, professional movers can do this for you at an extra cost
- Some companies offer a storage service if you need some items stored for a while
How to choose house removal services near you
If the house removal companies you’ve contacted all offer the same service and the removal quotes are similar, how to decide which one to hire?
To help you decide, here are ten questions to ask before hiring.
1. How long have you been in business?
Experienced house removal companies have usually outlasted or have been able to compete with other services. That means it’s more likely they deliver a good quality service at a reasonable price – and people like them.
2. How much do you charge?
Ask about payment upfront. Find out exactly how much the move will cost you and what you get for the price.
It’s also important to find out when to pay. Some removal companies ask for a deposit, some don’t expect payment until the job is complete.
3. What removal vehicles do you have?
Most removal services have a small fleet of vans to do the job.
To make sure all of your belongings will fit into their vehicles, it’s a good idea to ask their opinion. They will have vast experience in this.
4. How long will it take?
The amount of time it takes to move your furniture and possessions to your new home will vary, depending on the following:
- How many items need to be moved
- Whether your items need packing and unpacking
- The distance to the new property
- Whether you have any big, awkward, or fragile items (such as a piano) that may need special attention
However, experienced house removal companies in your area will be able to give you a rough estimate, so you can plan around them.
5. Is there anything you won’t move?
You’ll need to find out if there’s a list of things that house movers won’t move. Whether this is to do with the size of their vans or the team they have on the job.
- Experts might have weight restrictions in place
- House movers won’t usually relocate pets, live animals, or perishable items
- Removal companies won’t move hazardous materials such as chemicals, flammable materials, or anything containing asbestos; unsealed paint tins, creosote, or gas bottles
If you have anything that you’re unsure about, ask. It’s better to know ahead of time.
6. When will you carry out a survey?
A home removal survey is the company’s chance to look at what the job requires and to plan things for the new house.
They can work out what needs doing and what items might be tricky or need special equipment.
Ask when a house removal company is going to carry out the survey so you can make sure everything is in place.
7. Do you offer storage?
Perhaps you need storage for certain items if you are moving into a property that isn’t finished – or you’re planning renovation works straight away.
Most removal companies offer temporary or more permanent storage if you have items that can’t go into your new home just yet.
Remember to find out how much storage will cost.
8. Do you supply packing materials?
If you opt for a packing and unpacking service, find out if the removal company supplies packing boxes, tape, and packing materials.
You don’t want to spend money on boxes and crates to find they are unsuitable. Some companies will provide packing materials or sell you packing sets that contain everything you need to pack for your move.
This will likely come at an extra cost so ensure this is factored into the final bill to avoid unexpected costs.
9. What about removal insurance?
Reputable removal companies will all have some type of insurance. But do be aware that it might not cover everything.
Some insurance companies don’t cover precious goods while in transit, and some won’t carry anything worth over a certain amount.
Be completely upfront with what you have, and make sure their insurance adequately covers it.
10. Do I need to help on the day?
Finally, it’s crucial to ask the movers if they’re happy to do the move on their own or if they expect your help in some way.
This will help you plan for the big day and reduce unnecessary stress.
How much do house move companies cost?
Removal companies don’t charge by the weight of your furniture. Instead, they will provide a quote based on the scope of the job – i.e. how much needs moving, whether packing is needed, and the location of both your old and new home.
They may charge an hourly rate basis if the move is very small, but will first consider factors such as access issues, what floor you are on, and the distance of your move.
Local and long-distance removal costs will differ depending on the location, move size, vehicles required, and if an overnight stop is required for the removal team.
- For local moves, removal companies may charge an average of £50 - £80 per hour for two removal professionals and a van for a small move such as a one or two-bedroom flat
- For larger properties, a fixed price will usually be quoted, plus extra services such as late key/cancellation waivers and insurance upgrades
You should expect the mover to come and visit your home to give a thorough survey and follow up with a written quotation. For ballpark figures, please take a look at our house moving cost guide.
Keep in mind that removal companies will often have a two-hour minimum charge for a ‘man and van’ type removal service.
Long-distance house removal costs tend to be a fixed price. Because there are so many factors, it is best to get a quote to plan for your move.
What factors affect the cost of moving house?
The total cost of moving house will be determined by the following factors:
- Location
- If it’s local or long-distance removals
- Amount of furniture/boxes to move (scope of work)
- How many people are needed to help (moving heavy furniture will require a team of at least two)
- How many rooms in the property
It’s difficult to estimate exactly how many hours will be required for the removal until you get underway. For that reason, we recommend booking your mover for the day at an agreed price or budgeting for more time rather than less when sourcing a quote. Unexpected issues could easily cause hurdles in the process, and it may be the case that you need more movers to handle larger furniture.
Each additional team member will cost extra, so try to consider in advance how many professionals you will need. That way, you can put together an accurate budget before hiring a team.
How do I find the best house moving companies near me?
1. Use Checkatrade
You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our checks on Checkatrade. On average, our trades score 9 out of 10 on everything from reliability to tidiness.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
2. Read online reviews
Check online reviews to see how other people rated their experience. We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
3. Ask for recommendations
Recommendations from family and friends are priceless. Ask around locally to see if anyone can recommend reliable house movers near you.
Don’t forget to look those recommendations up on Checkatrade!
Ready to find house moving companies near you? Enter your postcode in the box below to see who comes highly rated in your area.