Tips on choosing a good removal company?

Cristy

We're getting some quotes for our removal. We're moving 20 miles down the road from a 3 bed terraced to a 3 bed detached. Two quotes have come in so far - one twice the other :eek: both from local companies. A third quote should be coming in tomorrow.

How do I pick the right removal firm? I mean, the cheaper of the two I've had so far actually was my favourite - the owner, who turned up for the quote, was a pleasant, no-nonsense guy who took the time to explain how they work, what we would have to do etc. They have full insurance coverage just like the more expensive company.

Do you think there is a trick somewhere? Or was the more expensive co just trying it on? FYI, the cheapest I was quoted was £690 + VAT (the latter to be split between us and the company if we pay cash on the day) for a full packing service.

4 years ago I used Edward Baden to move from a 2nd floor flat to this house, I thought they were excellent but steep - we paid £800 for a self packing job! Would love to use them again but I can't justify spending all that money when cheaper options are available.

bap98189

A friend of mine just moved house in Scotland. They were going from Peebles to Aberdeen. They assumed that local companies would be cheapest, and got quotes from 3 firms, all of which were in excess of £1200 and self-packs.

They hadn't bothered asking the "big firms" assuming they would charge a fortune, but eventually contacted Pickfords and were amazed to receive a quote for £650, which included Pickfords doing all the packing. Just goes to show sometimes the big firms are value for money.

cattie

Unless you can find someone to recommend a removals company I would say go with your instinct.

The local firm you've had the quote from sound excellent in that they take the time to explain things properly to you.

When I last moved I had a quote from Pickfords which was more than double what a local company I had good vibes about quoted. Of course I went with the local company & what an absolutely brilliant service they gave.

There was a long delay with the previous owners getting their stuff moved out & my removal men sat waiting patiently in the lorry for more than 2 hours.

When the time came to settle up to my surprise they hadn't added extra to the bill, even though this was almost 7 extra man hours they had worked between them. I gave the 3 of them a good tip each & will definitely use them when I next move, even though I'm out of that area now.

Cristy

Thanks to you both. The third quote came in and it was not a million miles from the first - some £100 more. But I still think we'll go with the first people - the third would like to charge us £100 deposit for the boxes! Beg pardon?

Also, since being shafted by national companies for carpets and kitchen in our current home, and having had great experiences with local tradespeople for all the other work we had done, I am starting to believe that local is better - less overheads = savings for us, and more personable.

bylromarha

Just want to bump this thread up to see if there's any other great tips out there from people who missed it the first time. We're now moving in about 4 weeks time...before Miss Bylromarha arrives.:j:j:j

del_boy_

1's that have a good refences, have facilties that there are well trainned and ask them loads of questions

Celtic

We we last moved it was about five miles.
I hired a man with a van from the local paper £30 all in !