How to decide on removal company

hazyjo

Recommendation goes such a long way! Let us know the area (I may have missed it above) and someone will recommend a firm, I'm sure.


Jx

marjrie_2

When a removal firm does the packing, do they really pack everything for you? It is one thing that fills me with fear !

Paully232000

marjrie wrote: »

When a removal firm does the packing, do they really pack everything for you? It is one thing that fills me with fear !

Yes they do, we didn't pack a thing when we moved. They came at about 7ish in the morning and they were gone by lunch, they then went off to have their lunch and we met them after at the new house.
Then they put the boxes in the correct room, put together the large furniture (bed, wardrobes etc), and left us to unpack.
Best decision we ever made.

We used https://www.bar.co.uk, got three quotes and used one of them.

marjrie_2

So I just need to have a de clutter then they take over? The packing and stress really has been worrying me.

Paully232000

marjrie wrote: »

So I just need to have a de clutter then they take over? The packing and stress really has been worrying me.

Dont stress, it will be fine as long as you get a few quotes and do your homework on the companies (personal recc would be good too).
Yes, we were ruthless before we moved, get rid of things you dont want/need (the tip, ebay, freecycle etc).
Also, we put to one side, and told the movers not to touch, things like the hoover, cleaning materials, a few cups, coffee, teabags and the like that we wanted kept out and we just put in our car before we locked up for the last time.

Slinky

LandyAndy wrote: »

I used GB Liners, who have a depot in Altrincham, when I moved across country about 9 years ago. They were excellent, although not cheap.

We've used GB Liners twice, both with their packing service and they were excellent on both occasions. I've moved once packing myself, never again.

And as for a complete DIY move having watched a completely botched job unfold opposite us a few years ago (new people turned up as the first small van load was being taken out by the old people, the new people's removers ended up putting the new stuff into the garage and helping the old people load up their tiny van several times), the attempt to save money just isn't worth the stress.

phoebe1989seb

Slinky wrote: »

And as for a complete DIY move having watched a completely botched job unfold opposite us a few years ago (new people turned up as the first small van load was being taken out by the old people, the new people's removers ended up putting the new stuff into the garage and helping the old people load up their tiny van several times), the attempt to save money just isn't worth the stress.

Totally agree - although we would never want the removers to pack our stuff - as having DIYed last time, I'd never choose to do that again.

The reasoning behind our decision to DIY was that our previous long-distance move of 150 miles had cost in excess of £4k (no packing service) and we couldn't justify spending a similar amount three years down the line on a move 200 miles cross country.

Instead we hired the largest van possible and spent around £2k across the course of a week on diesel/rental. Seven journeys to move the contents of a 2000 sq ft house - which admittedly included several large sideboards and seven sofas - and DH was working most of that time so it was just little old me and DS doing the lifting/shifting

Luckily for us we had access to the house we were buying between exchange and completion, which obviously is not the norm.....but tbh I'd rather have spent another £2k and let someone else take the strain. At least we didn't damage anything though - more than I can say for Bishop's Move!

This time we have even more stuff - despite serious decluttering and having moved some items into a storage unit - as the house we're selling is larger and we need a whole van just for garden items, but we decided from the outset that £4k would be well spent if it meant no bad backs from moving literally hundreds of boxes

trailingspouse

marjrie wrote: »

When a removal firm does the packing, do they really pack everything for you? It is one thing that fills me with fear !

Actually - no, not quite everything.

They left me a mug, a plate, a knife fork and spoon, and the kettle so that I could manage to have something to eat on the evening between the packing and the moving. They were very thoughtful, and a good laugh.

Personally, I packed a suitcase with my underwear and 'feminine necessities' just because that's what I preferred to do. But I'm sure they've seen it all before! I also put a couple of screwdrivers (one flat, one phillips) in my handbag (got a lot of street cred from the guys for that, and it really came in handy). It's a good idea to hang on to the loo roll until the last minute too.

Tigsteroonie

andyb_sv wrote: »

Had a look on checkatrade but they're all coming up miles away, based in Manchester if anyone has any recommendations?

"Master Moves" just moved us from a 2bed to a 3bed across Manchester, Rose in the office was incredibly helpful, the guys were all very pleasant. No complaints about them at all. They packed us on one day, and moved us the next (we limited them to 9-3 so it didn't disrupt littl'un). And because I wasn't sufficiently clear in my labelling, they even packed some items that were intended for the rubbish bin!

reduntant

Warning to all about booking removal companies, word of mouth is a good start, but you pay for what you get, pay peanuts get monkeys, if in doubt use a company from the B.A.R. ( british association of removers) this will guarantee a level of service, even people in the know like myself can get caught out, I've been in in the industry for over 20 years, I had to move in 3 days, I called all my contacts in the industry, but none could help because of the help to buy scheme every company was to busy, so I put out an alert on the internet, I got a response from a company that said they could move me to store on my requested date, I had to take the offer else I would lose money on my house sale, move date came they turned up in unmarked vans, but the men worked hard were polite and new how to handle furniture, my goods were taken to store.but all quotes etc was online, no paperwork, I've had 3 properties that I've tried to buy but for one reason or another they fell through, so a year later I've finally got a place, within that year I've contacted the company to obtain an inventory of my goods plus my storage charges etc, first I was told it would all be sorted and they would be mailing me, no contact, some weeks later, same response, after that was unable to get any contact, now a year later I've just reported the company to the fraud squad for theft of my household goods, so the moral in this story, get everything in writing, insure they are part of a recognised, removals body like the B.A.R, they are other bodies but the b.a.r in my opinion are the best, companies with the b.a.r. They staff are trained to a high standard, you will also be treated with respect when you have a complaint, please learn from my situation, my price for moving to store was about the correct rate but remember, if it sound as to good to be true it probably is, FYI, removals to store are a bit cheaper than a straight house to house move as the profit will be made from the storage fees.