Moving house - cheap removals

chaoticbaker

Hi!

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for cheap moving services for a house move. The last couple of times I moved I used Anyvan.com. At the time you would create a listing of the move you wanted to do (what you wanted moving, to-from, date etc) and then people with vans would bid on the job. It ended up being insanely cheap - I moved all my stuff from London to Manchester for £50. I was hoping to do the same for my imminent move but the site seems to have changed completely to a standard moving company and the charge would be hundreds of pounds. Does anyone know if the service I'm describing is now provided elsewhere? Or if not, could anyone recommend a cheap, reliable removals service?

Thanks

Smodlet

I explored the possibility of using Anyvan.com for our last move. It took little time for me to realise I should avoid them like the plague. I think there is a reason they seem to exist no longer. I think you need to decide which you want, OP: Cheap or reliable?

K80_Black

Are you moving lots of furniture etc, or just personal items? When moving from one furnished flat to another the cheapest method for me was to mail my stuff from myself to myself! Only really works if you only have personal items to send, but using parcelmonkey, I think the move from York to London cost me about £35, FAR less than any man and van services.

If it's not of use for you, maybe someone else will find it a useful tip

SallyDucati

My sister used Anyvan when she moved last year. It took me a while but I eventually persuaded her to actually call the winning bid company to check the details and say no-one would be able to help with the loading etc. It's a good job she did because only one guy was going to turn up and 2 were needed for furniture. They were lovely guys and did an OK job, but I'm going to use a proper removal company. They are even going to put my motorbike in the van once I've syphoned all the petrol out!! (Had been trying to work out how I could get my car & my bike to my new place without expensive taxis or a long time on public transport)

Smodlet

SallyDucati wrote: »

My sister used Anyvan when she moved last year. It took me a while but I eventually persuaded her to actually call the winning bid company to check the details and say no-one would be able to help with the loading etc. It's a good job she did because only one guy was going to turn up and 2 were needed for furniture. They were lovely guys and did an OK job, but I'm going to use a proper removal company. They are even going to put my motorbike in the van once I've syphoned all the petrol out!! (Had been trying to work out how I could get my car & my bike to my new place without expensive taxis or a long time on public transport)

This, precisely but not exclusively. Any old man in any old van does not have the insurance required for a house move. Taking an old appliance to the tip is one thing, safeguarding your worldly goods and precious possessions is quite another. Where is the redress if they break something? Or steal something? Contents insurance will not cover either scenario as you allowed a complete stranger access to your stuff.

What if the one man trying to do a two-man job injured himself and tried to sue you? You can bet your bottom dollar he will not have a Method of Work statement (or whatever it's called now, before anyone corrects me) let alone professional insurance.

I wonder how many men-with-vans take payment by credit card? Bye, bye Section 75 protection then.

You gets what you pays for.

datlex

Steer clear of anyvan. I used them and people turned up who could hardly speak English! They were also late.

SG27

You moved all your stuff from london to manchester for £50?? That would bsrely cover the diesel!?

quantumlobster

As with any product or service in the history of the world:

Cheap. Fast. Good.

Pick any two.

[Deleted User]

I think its one word if you start with the word cheap lol. Fast and good tend to not be cheap.

Jimmybucks

I've used A-1 Auto Transport a couple times. No problems at all and relatively affordable. They're based out of the US but seem to always be available here too. I don't know what kind of deal you got before, but that price seems very low to me given the distance. If you're stuck dealing with a standard mover rather than Anyvan, you might be better served just contacting some movers and getting an estimate. It's more work sure, but you'll be able to narrow down the field pretty quick. The estimates should always be free and not require a contract or obligation.

Murphybear

We used an awarding winning local family company when we moved last year.

It wasnt good, it was excellent, 5 stars. Every part of the move went like clockwork. We particularly liked the padded covers they provided for the furniture and television.

When you are in your 60s with arthritis and a lifetime of memories and furniture you don't do DIY removals, you use the professionals.

It wasn't cheap but it was worth every penny