5 Don'ts When Finding a Removal Company

Posted on 29/08/2024

Things You Can Do To Help Your Removal Company

Moving house can be a stressful time and sometimes stressful situations force us to react rashly. This can result in us leaving certain aspects of the moving process until the last minute or rushing them in order to get them out the way. One aspect of moving which shouldn’t be rushed is booking a removal company, as you can lose out on money or end up hiring a removal service or man with a van who you shouldn’t trust. Oftentimes, it’s easier to consider what not to do, rather than what to do. Therefore, here are five things not to do when hiring a moving company.

1 – Don’t book last minute

Always book in advance, never last minute. Booking last minute not only means you may be able to get the removal van you want, it can mean you might not even be able to hire a vehicle for the moving day you need it. It may also have to pay over the odds. Therefore, although it’s not necessary to book years in advance, booking several months ahead is very wise.


If you would rather book years in advance, make sure to look the company up every couple of months online to check it’s a) still running and b) still reputable. Keep an eye out for any negative feedback that could easily pop up in the space of a year. Also, give them a courtesy call every so often to check you’re still on their books and the moving date is still okay to go ahead. Building a relationship with the movers can also help the day run smoothly.


2 – Don’t book the first company you find

Whether you’ve moved house before or whether you’re moving house for the first time, it’s important to gather information from a range of removal companies before settling and booking with one. Collect a few quotes from removal services which will fulfil your requirements, compare them and then make an informed decision when you’re happy. You may even be able to negotiate your quote if you mention that a rival company can provide you with a better deal or service. Keep the negotiations cheerful and make it clear that your intentions are positive.


3 – Don’t ignore feedback

Negative customer feedback is a huge give away when it comes to whether you can trust a company or not. Even if there’s an extensive feedback section on the removal company’s website, always type the company’s name into a search engine and see if anything bad pops up. Often, the websites are closely monitored and negative feedback can be deleted, so checking with other sites that they can’t edit will give you more of a clear view.


4 – Don’t forget insurance

Moving insurance is crucial in case of accidental damage or the loss of your belongings. Most removal companies offer this as part of their deal. However, it’s important you check they do and study the policy thoroughly beforehand. If they don’t offer it, it’s wise to question why and perhaps go with another company.


5 – Don’t hire a friend

Most of us have that friend who has a van and is willing to help out. This can be excellent if they’re part of a reputable company, but if they’re just a man and a van and inexperienced with loading, unloading and driving the vehicle, it could be an accident waiting to happen. Light-heartedly explain to your friend that you’d rather hire a company, which includes paperwork in their deals.