What to Ask a Removals Company Before You Book: 15 Questions That Could Save You Money
Moving home and wondering what to ask a removals company?
If you are comparing removal companies right now, it is tempting to focus purely on the number at the bottom of each quote and go with whoever comes in cheapest.
But the questions UK homeowners ask a removals company before booking usually matter more than that number, because they reveal whether the price you have been given is the full story or just the opening offer.
Asking the right questions before you sign anything can save you money, protect your belongings and spare you a stressful moving day.
The bottom line is, no one wants to pay more than they have to on their house move.
This guide walks through fifteen practical questions to put to any removals company you are considering, grouped by theme so you can work through them quickly whether you are on the phone, sitting through a home survey, or reading a written quote.
A Short Overview of This Blog
This guide breaks down the questions worth asking any removals company before you book, so you can compare quotes properly and avoid hidden costs later. Here is what each section covers.
- Credentials and experience: checking accreditation such as BAR membership and how long a company has been trading
- Pricing and quotes: understanding what is included, what could be added later and whether the price is fixed
- Insurance and protection, confirming goods in transit cover and what happens if something is damaged
- The move itself, asking about vehicles, timing, packing materials and access on the day
- Flexibility and extras, covering storage, cancellations and how last-minute changes are handled
Work through these questions with each company you contact, and you will find it far easier to compare quotes like for like. It also gives you a good feel for how a company communicates before you have committed to anything.
Why the Right Questions Matter
A house move is one of the most expensive and stressful things most people do, and the removals company you choose directly affects how well move day goes.
Two quotes that look almost identical on paper can hide very different levels of cover, staffing and flexibility.
Taking twenty minutes to ask a handful of pointed questions before you book is one of the simplest ways to avoid nasty surprises on moving day, and it often uncovers savings you wouldn’t have spotted from the price alone.
Credentials, Experience and Trust
Verifying your mover’s reputation. Always check for independent BAR membership and actively read genuine customer reviews across trusted independent platforms.
These are the three questions to ask your potential mover; they are the holy grail of a good move.
- Are you a member of the British Association of Removers?
Membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR), the UK’s recognised trade body for the moving industry, means a company has passed an independent annual audit covering its vehicles, staff training, premises and financial standing. It also gives you access to free dispute resolution and, in many cases, an Advance Payment Guarantee that protects your deposit. White & Company was a founder member of BAR, along with FIDI and OMNI internationally, so this is always worth asking about early on.
- How long have you been trading, and can I see recent reviews?
A long trading history is not everything, but it does suggest a company has weathered busy seasons, awkward properties and unhappy customers without folding. Ask to see independent reviews rather than testimonials on the company’s own website, since these can be selectively chosen. Trustpilot and Google Reviews are both good places to check, and it is worth reading a few middling reviews rather than only the five-star ones, since they often show how a company handles things when they don’t go perfectly.
- Do you use your own employed staff, or subcontractors?
Some removal companies, particularly larger booking platforms, subcontract the actual move to third-party crews you will never meet before the day. This is not automatically a problem, but directly employed, fully trained staff tend to be more consistent, more accountable and more familiar with the company’s own equipment and vehicles. It is a fair question to ask outright.
Pricing and Quotes
Understanding your final bill. Ensure your formal moving quote is based entirely on a proper home or video survey rather than a dangerously rough guess over the phone.
- Will my quote be based on an actual survey of my home?
A proper quote should come from an experienced surveyor assessing the volume of your belongings, either in person or via a video survey, rather than a rough guess over the phone. This is the biggest factor in whether your final bill matches your original quote, so always ask how they calculated the figure.
- What exactly is included in the price?
Does the quote cover packing materials, dismantling and reassembling furniture, appliance disconnection, and insurance, or are these extra? Ask for a written breakdown rather than a single lump sum, so you can see exactly what you are paying for and compare it fairly with other quotes.
- Are there any additional charges I should know about?
Ask specifically about charges for stairs, long carries from the van to the front door, parking permits, ultra-early or weekend moves, and storage if your completion date shifts. These extras catch people out most often, and a reputable company should be upfront about them from the start.
- What happens if my move takes longer than expected?
Chain delays, access problems and slow completions are common in UK house moves. Ask whether your quote is a fixed price for the whole job or charged by the hour, and what happens if the move runs into a second day. Knowing the answer in advance means no unpleasant surprises if your moving day does not go entirely to plan.
Insurance and Protection
Securing your precious belongings. Ask exactly what goods-in-transit cover is proudly provided as standard and how the claims process genuinely works.
- What insurance or goods-in-transit cover do you provide?
Standard home contents insurance policies rarely cover items while they are in a moving vehicle. Ask what protection is included as standard and what additional cover is available. You can read more about how this works on our page about removals insurance, which explains options such as MoveProtect.
- What is the process if something is lost or damaged?
Ask how claims are handled, how long they take, and whether there is an excess or a limit per item. A company with a clear, well-rehearsed claims process is generally a sign of a well-run operation, while vague or evasive answers are a warning sign.
The Move Itself
Confirm whether you are booking a highly reliable dedicated vehicle or a significantly more affordable shared part-load service.
- Will my move be a part load or a dedicated vehicle?
A part load, where your belongings share a vehicle with another customer’s move, can be more affordable but usually means a wider delivery window. A dedicated vehicle costs more but gives you a fixed collection and delivery time. Understanding which service is being quoted, and how it fits with house removals more broadly, helps you judge whether the price reflects the level of service you actually need.
- Can you commit to my preferred moving date?
Popular dates, particularly month ends and Fridays, get booked up quickly. Ask how far in advance you need to confirm to secure your date, and what happens if your completion date changes at short notice, which is common in UK property chains.
- What packing materials and packing services do you offer?
Do they supply boxes and wrapping in advance, offer a full packing service where the crew packs everything for you, or expect you to pack yourself? Ask about specialist handling for fragile, valuable or awkward items you may have too, such as pianos, artwork or garden equipment.
- How will you handle access, parking or a difficult property?
If you live on a narrow street, above a shop, or somewhere with restricted parking, ask how the company plans around this in advance. A good removals company will ask about access during the survey, but it is worth raising it directly if they don’t, particularly for flats, listed buildings, or rural properties with tight lanes.
Flexibility and Extra Services
Managing property chain delays. Partner with an experienced removal company that confidently offers highly secure storage options if a sudden gap appears between your dates.
- Do you offer storage if there is a gap between moves?
Completion dates do not always line up neatly, and you may need somewhere secure to keep your belongings for a few days, weeks or even months. Ask whether the company has its own storage facilities, how pricing works, and whether items are stored in a dedicated container or a shared warehouse.
- What is your policy on cancellations or postponements?
House moves fall through or shift at short notice more often than anyone would like. Ask what notice you need to give to cancel or move your date without losing your deposit, and get this in writing before you book, so you know exactly where you stand if your plans change.
Bringing It All Together
Working through these fifteen questions with two or three removal companies should give you a genuinely clear, side-by-side comparison, rather than a decision based on price alone.
For a broader look at what separates a reliable mover from a risky one, our guide on how to choose a removals company covers some of this ground in more depth.
White & Company has been answering exactly these questions since 1871, as a founder member of BAR, FIDI and OMNI, with our own employed teams, vehicles and storage facilities across the UK. You can read more about us or get a quick quote to see how we compare.
Ww would love to quote you for your move!
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Home
How far in advance should I book a removals company?
Aim to book six to eight weeks ahead if you can, and earlier still if you are moving during a popular period such as the end of the month or over summer. Reputable companies get booked up quickly, so leaving it too late often narrows your options.
What is the cheapest day of the week to move house?
Weekdays, particularly Tuesday to Thursday, and dates in the middle of the month tend to be less in demand and sometimes cheaper than Fridays or month ends, when property completions and removals bookings both peak.
Do I need to empty my fridge and freezer before moving day?
Yes, it is best to defrost and empty your fridge and freezer at least twenty-four hours before moving day, then leave the doors open to air out and prevent condensation or odours from building up during transit.
Can removal companies dismantle and reassemble furniture for me?
Most established removal companies offer this as part of a full-service move, or as an optional extra. Confirm in advance which items are included, since very large or antique furniture sometimes needs a specialist.
What should I do with houseplants when moving home?
Houseplants are usually best transported in your own car rather than the removals van, since they can be sensitive to temperature and being knocked about. Water them lightly a day or two before the move, not on the morning itself.
How do I redirect my post when I move house?
Royal Mail offers a redirection service that forwards post from your old address to your new one for a set period, which you can set up online. It is worth doing this alongside updating your address directly with banks, utility providers and the DVLA.
What is the best way to pack a wardrobe full of clothes?
Hanging garments transport well in wardrobe boxes, which let you move clothes straight from the rail without folding or creasing them. Pack folded items flat in layers, with heavier items such as jumpers at the bottom of each box.
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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