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When should I book a removals company?

You’ve found your dream home and you can’t wait to move in. You have enough on your plate right now, so now you need a removals company to help you transport your stuff to your new abode. But with so many things to think about, you’re wondering – when is the best time to book a removals company? 

This guide will help you determine the best time to book a quote, give you valuable information on what you should expect from them, what they need from you and the best time to book in your home removal.

What’s the best time to book a removals company?

Ideally you want to be looking for quotes from removal companies 4-6 weeks prior to your expected moving date. 

Although you may not have a set date, at this point you will usually have a rough idea of the timescale of your completion. 

Do I have to wait until I’ve exchanged contracts to book a removals firm?

You do not need to have exchanged contracts or have a completion date to get quotes for your removals. 

Ensure you know what type of services you require when looking for quotes, and when to book your date. 

A good company will usually provide a free home survey, or if this isn’t possible, alternatives such as videos and inventories may also be an option. But a home survey is usually the best way to receive an accurate quote. 

What information do I need to give a removals company?

When you get a quote from a removals firm, you need to give as much information as you possibly can. This ensures there will be no extra surprise charges on moving day!

The information you should give includes:

  • Location
  • What the access is like at both properties- is there any restrictions for height and widths of vehicles? Narrow country lanes? Busy main road? Street parking? Driveway? permit parking? Etc 
  • Type of property- Town house? Bungalow? Terraced? Flat- floor- is there a lift? How many rooms?
  • If you require any part or full packing services
  • All Items for removal, including anything in the garage, sheds, and garden (you would be surprised how many people forget to mention these things)
  • Any specialist items for removal, such as pianos, grandfather clocks, artwork etc
  • Do you require any dismantling and reassembling of furniture? 
  • A rough idea of the number of boxes you may have
  • Rough dates of when you are likely to be moving house.


What questions should I be asking a removals company? 

When initially looking for a removals company, you need to know that they can deliver what they promise and cater to your needs. To determine this, you should be asking questions such as:

  • Do they have the availability around your moving date?
  • Are they insured? And how much insurance they can provide- ALL reputable removal companies should provide insurance and have public liability insurance. 
  • Do they provide packing services? (If you require this service)
  • Do they supply boxes?
  • What protection they provide for your belongings during transportation- Blankets, covers, TV protection etc
  • If you are moving long distance, or your move is particularly large, ask about timescale they think it will take to complete. For example, when going long distance sometimes it may be done over a couple of days, one day loading and travelling, then unloading the following day into the new property. 
  • Do they require a deposit? – Some firms do not, however the majority of reputable companies do, as this provides clarity to both the removals firm and you that you definitely have them booked in for your move.
  • Is there any extra charges for waiting for keys? Many removal firms have their own policies regarding this. Some may provide it as part of their quote as a key waiver, others may only wait until 4pm, and if no keys are provided they will unload the following day. While others may charge by the hour after a certain time.
  • What are their preferred refreshments? <<< THIS is intended as a joke and not a serious question to ask, however it has been previously given as genuine feedback to us, that we did not provide this information, so I thought I throw this in! Plus, anyone from any industry appreciates the gesture 😊 


How many quotes should I get, and how do I choose between them?

You should be aiming to get quotes from at least 2, but preferably 3 removal companies. This ensures that even if your preferred company is unavailable when you receive your completion date, you have other quotes to fall back on. 

You will also have the opportunity to meet people from each company and get a good idea of what type of service you will receive on moving day. 

It is from experience; I can say it is important that  both you and whoever you choose to conduct your move, get along. 

Bad vibes do not bode well for moving day, especially when you are already likely apprehensive about your move to begin with, you need to feel like you can trust the people moving your belongings, and transparency on both sides is important. 

You will easily be able to determine these things when you meet them. 

Of course, sometimes price may also be a factor, but it is important to remember that price also usually reflects the service provided, so the sometimes the cheapest option isn’t always the best as it may be more costly in the long run. As referred to above, always check about insurance and how they will protect your belongings. 

Another thing to consider when choosing, is the size of the vehicles they will provide for your move, how many people, and will they have your house completely empty by 1pm? as most completion day moves require the house to be empty by 1pm. 

When should I confirm my booking for removal?

The answer to this may vary from company to company. 

But I would strongly advise not putting a deposit down until you have 100% confirmation from your solicitor that your completion will happen on dd/mm/yy. 

If you book prior to this, you run the risk of losing your deposit, and the chosen removal firm not being available on the date you may need to change to, effectively costing you more.

Find a trusted removal company for Burnley, Clitheroe, and Blackburn

To summarise, here’s what you need to know about when to book a removals company ahead of your house move:

  • Contact removal companies for quotes 4-6 weeks in advance
  • Ensure you know all the information you need to give them
  • Know what you need from them, and what you need to ask them to ensure they meet your needs
  • Choose your preferred removal company
  • Book your house move!

If you are reading this and you are looking for a removal company in Burnley, Clitheroe, Blackburn and surrounding areas, please see our enquiry form and get booked in for your quote! 😊 

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