There’s no shortage of removal companies in the UK but deciding on which company is best suited for you can be a daunting task. This blog is a step-by-step guide to help you choose the best removal company in your area.
1. Read Reviews
Before calling around random removal companies or man with a van services, you should create a shortlist of the best-rated companies to narrow down your search. This will help you to avoid wasting time with quotes from companies that have a string of bad reviews.
One of the best places to find online reviews is Removal Reviews and Google but you should cast the net far and wide by using search engines. Keywords such as ‘Removal Companies in *your location*‘ should generate a list of options but search engines also react to phases so try mixing up the words. Once you’ve done this and found at least 5 to 10 different removal companies, look for their reviews.
You can do this by Googling their business name and searching for Google or on their social media pages and dedicated review sites. Don’t expect every review to be a 5-star rating, no company is perfect and don’t dwell on the bad reviews but don’t ignore them either. Look for the company’s responses to bad reviews and see if they have acknowledged their mistake and compensated the customer. However, some customers are just impossible to please and will complain about anything so, with this in mind, analyse what was written by the disgruntled customer and ask yourself if the bad review is actually warranted.
Now that you’ve read the reviews, it’s time to select some removal companies you think will best suit your move. It’s always a good idea to choose a local company that knows the area because they’re best positioned to conduct home and office visits (we’ll get to that later) and to offer an accurate quote.
2. Find Out What They Offer
Now you have a shortlist of reputable companies, it’s now time to call them. Did you notice I said ‘call’ and not ‘email’? I want to emphasize this because it’s very important for you to gauge them over the phone. After all, you’re entrusting this moving company with your cherished belongings and it’s important to choose well.
Answer their questions to the best of your knowledge and clearly explain what you need to move and tell them about any special circumstances such as awkward parking or access because this could have a huge impact on how the move is executed. Also, it’s always good practice to ask them about their Terms and Conditions and Insurance policy. Most Home and Office removal companies will have Goods in Transit and Public Liability Insurance but they can vary to some degree.
A good way to approach this is by thinking up some home or office moving scenarios and asking the removal company how they would deal with any unfortunate circumstance and how they process claims.
Some removal companies offer loaned boxes as part of their removal package so it’s always a good idea to ask about this because it could save you some money and if you’re strapped for time, ask if they offer a packing service. We recommend choosing a packing service if you have a demanding job or a family to look after.
It will save you a lot of time and stress! During the phone call, try to rate each removal company by their responses to your questions and create another shortlist. This will help you filter out the better companies.
3. Home and Office Visits
By this point, you should have a refined list of companies and the next stage is booking a home or office visit so the removal company can offer an exact quote but this is only really done for 1 bed or higher properties. Don’t expect the removal company to send out an employee if it’s obvious the contents of a studio flat will easily fit into a Luton van.
It’s important to note that it’s now common to have a Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp video call instead of a home or office visit and this method is just as effective for a removal company to assess your items. This process is essentially the same as a personal visit and involves a walk of your property whilst pointing the camera at everything you want to be moved. The removal assessor will write down your furniture items, estimate the number of boxes required and offer you a quote.
One more thing and this might sound very obvious, make sure your home or office is tidy before the assessment. Speaking from experience, it’s a lot harder to offer a quote for a home or office removal job in an untidy property.
During the home visit or video call, you should ask the assessor how their pricing structure works. There could be a way to keep costs down to a minimum by dismantling and reassembling some furniture yourself or by getting everything onto the ground-floor ready for the removal team. Get at least 5 quotes from different removals companies and compare them while keeping in mind the services they offer and from there, choose a suitable company.
I hope this guide will help you choose the right removal company by giving you a better understanding of the process involved. If you have any questions, or you’re interested in our Home, Office and Packing Service, please contact us at Macro Removals for more information.
Disclaimer – This blog should only be viewed as a guide and Macro Removals will not accept liability for any injury, damage to possessions, loss of earnings, or death.
