How much do movers cost?

DuffyA

Hi,
I'm just counting up what I need to budget for moving.

I'm probably moving about 5 miles and have plenty of family to help with small items, and even a family friend with a van. However the new place is a first floor maisonette so I am going to have to hire help, even if it's just to lift things like my washing machine up the outdoor stairs to my new front door, as my dad (my usual heavy lifter) is out of action and also probably not quite strong enough anyway.

Approximately how much should I budget (north west England) and what is the best way to find people to help? I'm thinking I need two strong people for an hour or two. Happy to pay for them to use their own van too.

alex_163163

My advice is to google professional movers and pay that little bit extra for the service, over a ‘man with a van’.
They will pack everything into the van/ lorry (vehicle size depending on how much to move). They will bring an appropriately sized vehicle so they only do one trip, and then the unload everything into the property at the other end.
If you want to spend a little bit more they will even pack all your belongings for you into boxes.
If you dont want the packing service, then make sure you pack everything before they get there so they can just get in with loading once they get there.
I’ve done it both ways in the past ( help from friends with a van, and with professional mover) and wouldn’t consider anything but professional movers now. I am in the midlands and it cost about £500 when I moved 2 years ago.

hazyjo

Totally agree with above. It's worth EVERY penny.

You'll be stressed enough!

zagubov

Save up the money and get the move done by professionals. If they have a packing service, get that as well.

Moving house is extremely stressful and not a job for amateurs.

Thomas_Crown

Take a look at the British Association of Removers (B.A.R.) to find a reputable removals company. https://www.bar.co.uk

MysteryMe

If you are talking about a one bed flat's worth of stuff as opposed to a large house, for that short distance I'd take advantage of offers from your friends and van to move the smaller items yourself and just use a man with van for the heavy bits as long as the latter is insured. It's not difficult if you are OK for a bit of hard work, prepared to spend time wrapping carefully anything delicate etc and can organise. Only you know if you fall into that category. If you don't then pay a removal firm.

kinger101

In the interests of money saving the offers from friends of man-with-van option might be cheaper.

But....

(a) If you use friend, you'll need to treat them afterwards (beer and pizza minimum, dinner out max).

(b) You'll need two men and a van minimum, and they might not be insured. I'd expect things to be knocked about a bit. Including walls and paintwork. They don't have as much experience with house moves as the professionals, and will take less care with your belongings. No blankets etc. A perhaps little patience.

(c) If it takes two or three journeys, then it might not be any cheaper.

(d) If you're selling, bear in mind you'll need to be out by a certain time so purchasers can move in. Screw this up, and you can expect a bill from any costs they incur.

DuffyA

I simply don't have £500 to pay movers, unfortunately. I'm on universal credit and disability benefits so my income is quite low. I have sent enquiries to see how much the professionals charge for just the heavy/bulky items though as it does sound like the best option if it is possible.

I'm lucky enough to have quite a lot of support from family and friends so hopefully the small items etc will be fine in a few car loads or my dad's friends van. I can pay them in brews/beer/pizza/gratitude I'm sure, and I help them out whenever I can in return.

yksi

The cost will include their travel time at either end, so think about how long it takes to drive between homes and double it, and add the time they'll spend packing the van and unpacking it at your place, then multiply it all by about £50-70 an hour. The best place is to ask on a local Bookface group asking for recommendations. Both of my last moves I found this way and both were brilliant, so I definitely understand why so many people chimed in to say, "Yes, so-and-so was great." Then you contact three or four of them by private message and ask for a quote, explaining the items they'll be moving and the postcodes.

If you budget is that tight then definitely pack and move all the boxes of stuff yourself... pay for the van just for the items you can't physically move.