This is our busiest time of the year for moving house. Its non-stop and we love it! But much as we do this day-in day-out we know it can be incredibly stressful for homeowners going through it – we’ve all been there!
So you finally have a date for moving, maybe contracts are exchanged and you’re sure THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING! But now to plan the move itself – can you do it on your own? Could you borrow you mate’s work van and some (willing) volunteers? Should you hire a van? If so, what size? Or do you really want someone to come and do it all for you – maybe even packing included?
If you’re planning on moving this summer, here’s some top tips to help you decide on the right solution for you:
- If you want to go for a full removal service, make sure you get some quotes to compare. But remember – this isn’t just about price. Companies may quote a low price per hour , but then spend twice as long as the company which sounded a bit more expensive at first. Remember you are trusting these people with all your worldly possessions – you may not want them to rush too much! Have a look at our blog post on choosing a removal company for more detailed info!
- With removal firms, go with your gut. Make sure you’ve met them and feel comfortable they will look after you. Always remember to check that they’re a member of BAR (British Association of Removers), as this means they will be audited regularly. You should also check that they have adequate insurance. What do online reviews say? Choose wisely!
- Do you have any specialist items for removal? Whether it is antiques, artwork or even a grand piano, you obviously need to make sure they’re properly looked after. Talk through what steps will be taken to safeguard them during the move, or if you’ll need any specialist equipment to remove them from the house.
- Do you want to pack yourselves or is that going to be difficult? Find out what packages are offered in terms of a combined packing and removal service – or even just a packing service which you can combine with your own van hire.
- It’s probably not worthwhile if you’re moving a four bed detached house-load of stuff, but if you’ve got limited things to move, you could hire a man and van – or even two men if you’ve lots of heavy stuff for lifting! We’ve even got the facility to book and pay online so you can order exactly what you need for the time you need.
- If you can take your time with a move, and spread it over a few days, why not consider hiring a van? If you’re age 23 or over, and don’t have any more than six points on your license, you can always hire our Luton van. It comes with a tail lift so it’s easy to take things on and off, and you can hire it for just a day, or over a weekend/week, as you need it. All you need then is to bribe some friends to help out with offers of keeping them full of tea and snacks!
