Removals quotes

stressedout45

We've been starting to get some quotes for our move, we are looking for the movers to pack for us but not unpack at the other end. 

 I assumed that it would be logical to use a company local to where we currently live, but then somebody suggested to me that it may also make sense to get quotes from a few places that are based around the area we are moving to (50ish miles away)... this never occurred to me - has anyone else done this and found that it has somehow been more cost-effective?! 

(also as a side note has anyone used the company "Anyvan" for their move? The prices seem too good to be true). 

Thanks

Irishpearce26

If the prices are too good to be true...likely hood is they are.

Make sure to check they have insurance, policy if the completion is delayed or cancelled, that they come to the property and survey the size of van needed as you don't want/cant have multiple trips.

Reddington85

Most of the cheaper quotes we've had didn't include key waiver and had limited insurance (though we are covered under home insurance for most items)

A lot of them seem to be one man bands or franchisees who just happen to have a van and can lift stuff. I guess it depends on your budget, how complex the move is (disassembling etc) and how valuable your items are

AdrianC

stressedout45 said:

(also as a side note has anyone used the company "Anyvan" for their move? The prices seem too good to be true). 

Unless I've misunderstood, Anyvan aren't actually a removal firm. They are simply a portal to give you prices from third party providers, akin to Shiply.

If those providers are competing simply on price, and unable to market themselves effectively any other way, then prices that are "too good to be true" may well be exactly that.

I'm reminded of the regular threads about a similar car servicing portal, over on the motoring forum. Have a read there for "Servicing Stop".

Falafels

When I moved, I used this portal: https://hoa.org.uk/services/find-house-removals-companies/

The guys I got through this were absolutely brilliant. They were also so good-humoured that they made a fraught process actually quite bearable.

It was in sharp contrast to the local company hired by my partner when we moved from our rental into our new house, who charged by the hour, were nothing like as well-equipped and, by the time they'd finished faffing about, weren't significantly cheaper either.

user1977

If you're expecting them to start packing first thing in the morning, probably more sense to use somebody local to you.

pinkteapot

If you're only moving 50ish miles I can't imagine the prices would be particularly different. Whether you use a company local to the start-point or the end-point, the job takes about the same amount of time. If you're relocating from say London to the far north, where prices of things are generally a bit cheaper, you might save some money by using someone up north. 

The main difference these days is between 'traditional' removal companies and the smaller/one-man type operations. The latter's fine, and can definitely save you cash if you find a good one, but things to check when getting quotes are: 

- How many vehicles/what size they have - if you're mid-chain and need to do the whole move in one trip, make sure they actually have vehicles big enough to do that. 

- Whether they charge a fixed price or by the hour, and what their policy is if there's a delay getting the keys (the 'traditional' ones will typically still charge extra if you go past 6pm say). 

- What insurance they offer for your posessions. 

If the removers don't insure your stuff, or want extra for insurance, your house insurance contents cover may cover you anyway - some policies do include for your stuff in transit during a move so worth checking before paying extra for unnecessary insurance. 

btcp

We are using 2 guys and a van type of company. They charge by hour, probably will end up much cheaper than a removal company.  We packed everything ourselves, it was a long long process. You don’t realise how much stuff you have! I cannot imagine someone else is packing it, as I wanted to organise everything the way I wanted. 

badger09

Its not usual for removal firms to unpack at your new place - they just place boxes in relevant rooms, though ours wanted their wardrobe boxes back immediately. (A couple had almost disintegrated while in storage so they kindly? left those).

50 miles isn't a long way, so shouldn't impact on cost, but will mean an earlier start if you choose a firm from your new area.  

Good luck

RedFraggle

We used Anyvan as you can book last minute. They subcontract all their house moves and we were provided with bodgeit and breakit who were paid about a quarter of what we paid (£1200). They were slow, not covid safe, I'm surprised the truck had an MOT and I'd never use them for a house move again. How our stuff made it relatively unscathed from York to London can only have been divine intervention. It's a completely different service to sending a part van load.

bramptonbrew

Falafels said:

When I moved, I used this portal: https://hoa.org.uk/services/find-house-removals-companies/

The guys I got through this were absolutely brilliant. They were also so good-humoured that they made a fraught process actually quite bearable.

It was in sharp contrast to the local company hired by my partner when we moved from our rental into our new house, who charged by the hour, were nothing like as well-equipped and, by the time they'd finished faffing about, weren't significantly cheaper either.

thanks for this link - i've just used it to get some quotes for our upcoming move!