How much does a removal company cost?

While there are several potential advantages to hiring a professional removal company to help with a move, people naturally worry about one thing: cost. But, unfortunately, removers don't give away their time free of charge, even if you still feel the sting of spending thousands on your new home.

That said, thinking carefully about precisely what you get for your money is essential. For one, professional removers are highly experienced in packing and transporting goods as safely as possible, whether you are moving across town, to the other side of the country or even around the world.

Secondly, professional removers can provide all the necessary vehicles, tools and equipment to ensure your move goes off without a hitch. You might have a friend willing to lend you a car for the day, but a removal company can provide vans or lorries which are not only amply sized but also fully insured (a cost that many need to consider when renting moving vans of their own).

Finally, a remover can help you to plan your moving day. If you have never had to organise a move before, this kind of advice can be invaluable; did you remember to inform your bank and utility providers about your new address? Do you know which day of the week will be best for your move, or what time of day? Will you need to book overnight storage for your belongings? As long as your chosen candidate is experienced, they should be able to ensure that everything is remembered.

It is still worth taking a few steps to get the best price possible. As with most tradespeople, there will always be good and bad choices regarding removers. For example, national chains often have higher overheads, which will cause them to charge higher prices than local firms. Other removers may have poor reviews from past customers or even inadequate insurance to put your goods on the road.

Generally speaking, collecting at least five quotes from different removal companies is best before deciding who to hire. Doing so gives you an accurate idea of what constitutes a fair quote in your local area. Remember that some online prices are only precise sometimes, with others based on national averages rather than local information. For example, removers in the south, particularly in London, tend to be much more expensive than those elsewhere, and so on.

Remember, if you are unhappy with your quote, there are ways to reduce the cost of your move. It could be as simple as booking your remover on the right day, or you could sell some of your belongings. Just be sure to save money in the right ways; scrimping on the cost of hiring the best remover and going with a poor performer could put you and your belongings in danger, which only costs more long-term.