How To Find Cheap Removals For Moving
Moving house can be stressful enough without having to worry about the costs. This guide will feature easy ways to help you find cheap removal companies. We also share our best tips to save money when moving house.
Comparing Cheap Removal Companies
It doesn’t have to be difficult to find a cheap removals company, you just need to know the right places to look. Here are the best ways to choose a removal company to help lower your costs.
1. Comparison websites
Comparing removal quotes on comparison websites is a great way to gather a range of quotes for the same job. This ensures that you're getting the best price while also allowing you to compare the services each removal company offers. If a quote seems unusually cheap, it might not include essential services like packing or furniture dismantling.
For those with smaller moves, you can also compare man and van prices to find a more affordable option.
2. Compare different days
When comparing removal quotes, try entering different days or months for your move. Certain days and months, such as Fridays and the summer months, are more popular for moving house, which leads to higher demand and increased prices from many removal companies.
According to our data, Sunday is the cheapest day to move, with the average cost being £717.13. Choosing a less popular day for your move could help you save on your overall moving costs.
3. Read reviews
If moving companies have a significant number of negative reviews, it's best to avoid them. While it’s normal for any company to receive a couple of negative reviews, they can still provide valuable insights into how the company operates.
It’s important to read the reviews carefully and see how the company responds. Sometimes, complaints could be due to misunderstandings. You can also search reviews for terms like "hidden fees" or "costs" to identify any potential issues you should be aware of before booking a service.
4. Check their insurances
A professional removal company should always have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance. These insurances protect you in case of any issues during your move, ensuring your belongings are safe and giving you peace of mind. It’s important to know that you should never be charged extra for these essential insurance coverages.
How are Removal Quotes Calculated
There are a number of factors that the removal company will consider when working out your removal quote.
The volume of items
The distance of the move
How long the move takes
Extra services such as packing
Accessibility of old and new property
If you're needing an office relocation service, expect to pay more than a residential move.
How to Keep Your Removal Costs Down
While comparing removal quotes is the most effective way to ensure a cost-effective move, there are additional steps you can take to lower your costs both before and during the house move.
1. Declutter
Before requesting your removal quote, it’s essential to declutter your belongings. If you’re moving items that you no longer use, it will increase your quote and overall removal costs.
The fewer items you take with you, the cheaper your removals will be, especially if you plan on using a furniture removal company. Create a moving house checklist to help you keep track of the items you want to keep and those you want to get rid of. This will also help you stay organized and reduce the stress of moving house.
2. Pack up your own belongings
You can guarantee a cheap removal if you opt to pack your own belongings and not use the removal company's packing services. Asking friends and family for spare cardboard boxes or using old plastic containers will keep your removal costs down.
3. Find free packaging materials and boxes
Utilising what you already have for packing materials is a great way to ensure cheap removals. Packing fragile items in blankets and towels will help to protect them from breakages as well as save you money on packing.
4. Move during the quieter months
August is the UK’s favourite time to move house, with summer being an extremely popular time for house moves. Avoiding these popular months will mean affordable removals.
5. Negotiate
It’s not uncommon to negotiate with your removal company. You could ask for no extra fees if you have to wait for the keys from the estate agent. If one company is offering you a special offer, you could ask your preferred removal company to match this.
6. Book early
You should book your removal company as early as possible as some companies often charge more for last-minute bookings. Booking your removals in advance will also allow you to budget and save for the move, making the cost seem less daunting.
7. Organise a home removals survey
This survey will inform the movers of the volume of items and provide you with an opportunity to ask questions. The inspection will ensure you receive an accurate quote and will highlight which items require special care.
For more information read: 10 Money Saving Tips for Moving House
Saving Money After you Move
There’s still an opportunity to save money after your move. By making some simple changes, you can keep the total cost of your removals down.
1. Change utility suppliers
Moving house is a good opportunity to change utility suppliers to find a cheaper deal. Make sure you take meter readings of your old property and then again in your new one to ensure you’re not paying extra.
2. Use up leftover food
Instead of doing a big food shop before you’ve moved in, you should use up everything from your cupboards and fridge so they don’t go to waste. There will be a lot of expenses around moving day, so saving money on a food shop will make a difference.
3. Council Tax bands
You’ll be aware of your council tax band before you’ve moved in, but it’s important to double-check it’s the correct one. You could face paying a higher rate by mistake.
