A Guide To Home Removals Surveys

The purpose of a home removal survey is for the removals team to assess your property and the items you wish to move, ensuring they can provide you with an accurate removal quotation. A representative from the removal company will evaluate your home’s contents, including everything from the bedrooms, office, loft, and shed.

During the survey, you should walk the representative through your house, indicating what needs to be moved and what does not. It's important to give them full access to all areas, including cupboards and other hidden spaces, to receive the most accurate quotation. Be sure to point out any items that require special care or packing, such as paintings, antiques, or sentimental items.

Omni Removals partners with various property and finance experts to bring you helpful guides that will assist throughout the moving process. In this article, we’ll discuss what happens during a home removal survey, the typical duration of the survey, and the questions you should be prepared to ask.

What Happens During a Home Removals Survey?

Once your removals survey has been scheduled, a representative from the moving company will visit your home to assess the items that need to be moved. They will need to inspect every room and area of your property to provide an accurate removal quote. From the bedrooms and loft to the garden shed, ensure they have access to as many areas as possible. This applies to both home moves and office relocation services for businesses.

During the survey, you will need to indicate which items will stay in the house or be sold before the move. This helps avoid adding unnecessary costs to your final quotation. If you require additional services such as packing, storage, or furniture dismantling, be sure to mention these as well.

As the surveyor inspects the property and its contents, don’t forget to highlight any fragile items or those requiring specialist care, like paintings, antiques, or sentimental pieces. If you're planning on purchasing additional furniture before the move, inform the surveyor so they can account for the extra space required in the removal van.

At the end of your home removal survey, the representative may not give you an immediate quote, as they may need to return to the office to calculate the final cost. Whether or not you receive an instant quote will depend on the moving company and the number of items being inspected.

How Long Does a Home Removals Survey Take?

The duration of a home removal survey will primarily depend on the size of your property. On average, the assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete. Since providing a quotation is typically a free service, and you may have a busy schedule, some representatives may aim to keep the survey short and efficient. As a result, they will often try to minimize the time it takes to assess your belongings and provide you with a quote.

Questions the Removal Company May Ask You

The removal company representative will likely inquire about accessibility, which is a crucial factor when planning your house move. These questions will cover aspects like parking availability, any limited access areas, potential obstacles, and whether there are lifts or stairs.

Additionally, the removal company will discuss your budget. While you don’t need to provide an exact figure, it's essential to note that some less reputable companies might use your budget as leverage to influence their quote. Instead, focus on explaining which parts of your move are most important, such as packing assistance or the dismantling of furniture, as these services can impact the overall cost.

They’ll also ask for details about the number of rooms in your home, including the loft, cellar, and garden (if relevant). This helps them assess the property’s layout and plan the move effectively. Lastly, they may inquire about any special requirements, such as moving with pets or elderly relatives, to ensure they can accommodate your needs and make the move as smooth as possible.

Questions to Ask the Removal Company

It's highly recommended to ask as many questions as possible to fully understand the removal company and the process on your moving day. At Omni Removals, we suggest that you specifically inquire about the company’s insurance coverage and how your belongings will be protected during the move. Additionally, ask about any other services they offer, such as packing services, which should be factored into the survey.

You should also ask the removal company about their timescales and how they plan to organize the move, ensuring that both you and the property are fully prepared. For a comprehensive list of other important questions to ask your removal company, check out our guide, where we highlight key questions that will benefit you and your move. We also provide a detailed FAQ guide to answer all the most common questions about house removals.

Discussing Additional Services

During your home moving survey, the representative may ask whether you would like any additional services alongside the removal. These are optional and are there to make your move a little bit easier. Some extra services may include:

packing services

providing packing materials

dismantling and reassembling furniture

storage options

The removals team will be well-trained and can assist with the packing process, ensuring that your items are protected and secure during transit. Packing can be a time-consuming task, so having professional help can make the process much smoother. Before committing, make sure to clarify exactly what’s included in your removal costs.

During the home survey, it's also a good idea to ask about white glove removal services, especially if you have delicate or fragile items that need special attention.

After the survey, consider discussing the possibility of requiring storage services. If the survey shows that you have excess furniture or items, you may want to opt for storage solutions to streamline the move.

Services like furniture storage can help reduce the number of items that need to be moved on the big day, making the process more organized and efficient. While your items remain safe and secure in storage, you can move into your new home without the added stress of managing excess belongings or dealing with overflowing boxes.

What is a Video Home Removals Survey?

Video home removal surveys are an innovative and efficient alternative to traditional home surveys. By utilizing modern app technologies, these surveys allow movers to receive a fast and accurate quote for their move.

Using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you can connect with your removal company, who will then conduct a survey of your home through the camera. This eliminates the need for a surveyor to physically visit your property, making the process quicker, more convenient, and potentially more affordable.

How to Prepare for a Moving Survey

Your representative will carry out most of the work, but there are ways in which you can help to begin your moving house checklist. We suggest that before a home removal survey you:

Write down the questions you intend to ask the representative

Declutter the property

Clear away any mess to create easy access to each room

Count the number of boxes to be moved

Label any fragile or valuable items

Before your home removal survey, it’s helpful to count the rooms in your house, estimate how many boxes will need to be transported, and identify any items that require special handling. If there are any blocked or inaccessible areas, clear a path to ensure the removal team can perform a thorough inspection. You can include these details when requesting a removal quote.

Additionally, preparing by cleaning and decluttering your property will make the survey process more efficient. The fewer items you have, the fewer boxes need to be moved, which can shorten the survey time and potentially save you money, as the removal team will have less to move.

Save on Your Removals Today

We hope this guide has been useful to you and that you’re now aware of what a home removal survey is and why it’s important. The next step should be to choose a removal company to book a removal survey whilst you begin packing. If you require additional assistance with packing then it's worth considering movers and packers in London and across the UK.

To save you both time and money, don’t forget to use Omni Removals' free service to compare removal quotes today. All you have to do is fill out our quick and simple form and you’ll be connected with up to 6 trusted removal companies within your local area.