When to get Removal Company quotes?

dslator

At what stage of the house selling process should I get Removal Company quotes?

TrickyDicky101

I personally got them about a month in advance of when I thought Exchange was going to happen (ended up being at least 2 months in advance though :-)). Since house buying/selling can be very long and drawn out, I don't think you should get too hung up on when you approach the movers for quotes - each must do their fair share of quotations that are never taken forward.

pmlindyloo

Personally I see nothing wrong with getting quotes once you have a firm offer on your house and have had an offer accepted on the place you are buying. Nothing wrong with getting quotes in advance so you can manage your finances.

As regards giving a date for moving them this can't really be done until you know when you are going to exchange and complete. (Another good reason for having a gap between exchange and completion)

I know everyone goes for a Friday because of the weekend for sorting things out but my view is that you have more choice if you choose a different day. We exchanged on a Friday and didn't get the 'go ahead' until very late in the day. Our removal men said that solicitors were particulary slow on a Friday, maybe because they were so busy.

Ultimately you will have to negotiate dates with your buyer and the vendors of the house you're buying.

Good luck!

oasisfeverish

We have an indication that our move will take place in November, and I have just sent off for quotes, with the aim to get some of them around next week for accurate prices.

I did note that some companies offer discount if you move midweek, as the Fri / Sat is their busy days.

But make sure you do ask a few, I've had the range £840+VAT down to £399 all inclusive.

Also take Insurance and packing materials into the budget. Some removals will provide as many boxes asyou need, some loan then on a deposit basis (you need to return them for your refund) other you have to buy as they don't include any in the quote.

jahudson72

I'd best get on the phone then ha! I exchanged yesterday and complete in 13 days! I agree on Friday's being a nightmare hence the completing on a Thursday

klolav

jahudson72 wrote: »

I'd best get on the phone then ha! I exchanged yesterday and complete in 13 days! I agree on Friday's being a nightmare hence the completing on a Thursday

Congratulations on getting the exchange out of the way!

We are still waiting to exchange and i've had a few rough quotes but nothing accurate yet!
Good luck with the move

aliciamoss

Get your removal quotes early. If you want to hire a suit for a wedding, you don't leave it until the day before to get measured and book it, unless you want to take a chance.

Removers have finite resources. If you want choice, start looking about 6 weeks before you want to move, longer in summer. It goes like this: you ring for an appointment for an estimator. They come out to see you. It can be a week from your first call to receiving the quote. Once the remover has your details, it's easy to ring and discuss dates because they know what resources they will need for your move. Remember - the remover is the one at the end of the line - he can't wave a wand and create another van. Ask him when he's free and work backwards from that, instead of simply going when your solicitor decides. He only has to shuffle papers.

False economy

Don't go to online quote sites. You'll get a general price that will not take your special needs into account. The result is a removal that makes the remover money at the expense of proper service. Don't expect a hire van to cost the same as a remover. You'd be surprised how many people think it might be cheaper to hire a bespoke lorry and trained crew than to hire a tranny themselves. Ask around for recommendations.

To save money, get professional advice, and do your own packing, dismantling and reassembly. Don't use nasty boxes if you value what you are going to put in them. Not every box can be on the top of the pile - make sure any box can be on the bottom. To do that it must be a good, strong box, of a suitable size for its load, and full. Ask the remover what you can do to reduce the cost. Work with them. They will want the job, and they won't mind if you want to do certain things yourself. That won't include loading the van, by the way. There's too much litigation possible!

Make sure someone is going to pay for any delay. You want your keys by a certain time. If it's the bank, or solicitor or whoever holds up that handover - they should cover the waiting cost your remover is entitled to pass on to you. The men don't sit idle for free.

hazyjo

Can't really mention your own co on here so suggest you remove the reference to it.

Jx

ellives

Still good general advice!

hazyjo

That's why I didn't say 'delete the post'

Jx