Professional Firms

Many people choose to use a removal service when moving home, either to handle the entire job, including packing, or simply just to move all the furniture and boxes that they have already packed.

Unless you have been given a glowing personal recommendation for a small company, it's usually safer to use a major removal company with a good reputation. Use a firm that is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) (www.bar.co.uk), as members of this body have to adhere to a code of professional practice, meet minimum standards and provide emergency service and finance guarantees. BAR members also have access to Careline, an insurance policy to help customers deal with emergencies (such as emergency accommodation, legal advice, breakdowns or accidents and even burst pipes) during the first three months in a new home.

Removal firms can offer various levels of packing services, which may include:

• Full packing service (the most expensive option)
• Fragile packing
• Standard move (load and unload only, and the cheapest option)
• Combination service (pack and unload but not unpack)

Get at least three written quotes before choosing a company, as costs can vary considerably. Don't forget to include everything that you want moving, as quotations can increase dramatically if you add things later. If you're moving a relatively long distance, you should look for firms in both the area that you're moving from and where you're moving to, as they may reveal surprising differences in cost.

Check whether a quote includes packing and packaging, as these are optional extras with some companies and part of the standard service with others. Ask whether the quote includes insurance and VAT.

Make sure you read the small print in removal and insurance contracts, for example, some policies require owners to declare the value of all goods that are fragile or breakable over a certain amount. Removers are responsible for loss or damage caused by their negligence, and without insurance, a removal company's contract will limit their liability to a trivial sum in the event of damage or loss.