There are a few ways to keep removal costs down. Some are well known, others you might not have thought of before. Moving house can be very stressful and the house removal costs can only add to that stress. Trying to find an affordable removals service that is fully qualified for the job can sometimes be quite difficult. However, by planning ahead and comparing removal quotes, you will be able to keep moving expenses down to a reasonable rate.
You should always create a moving house checklist to help you keep track. You can use it to note down what you need to do, how much you have to spend, and how much you have already spent. Don’t make a decision on a removal company without getting a few man and van quotes first, depending on the size of your move you could save a lot of money!
How Much Do Removals Cost?
Many removal companies offer a variety of services. The price above would include packing services and materials as well as the dismantling and reassembling of furniture. You may not need these services so would be able to deduct them from the overall price.
How Can I Get A Cheap Removal?
With moving being so expensive, it is little wonder many people look to get it as cheap as possible. There are a few different things you can do to get costs down.
Plan In Advance
Have a set budget that you will keep to. Plan it accordingly around the quotes you get, so you will be prepared for any surprise costs. You should also have your checklist to hand – you need to remember to get certain documents and accounts changed or updated.
Can the removal companies access your property easily? Where can they park? They will need to know this for both properties as they need to be able to park and access both.
Compare Moving Companies
As well as comparing quotes from multiple movers, you should compare their reviews and online presence. You will want to use a company that has a proven track record.
Answer Their Questions
All removal companies will want to know exactly what it is they are moving and where they are moving them too. A home removals survey will tell them how many items you have to move and whether you also have any specialty items that need extra care and attention.
Avoid Peak Times
If you can be a little flexible with your moving date, do it! Make your moving day one of the lesser-used days or in the off-peak season, and you may see some good prices. Weekends, summer months, and bank holidays are all popular for house moves and can be incredibly expensive. This is due to increased demand so companies have to put their prices up.
De-Clutter
If you have possessions that you no longer need or want, then get rid of them before you move. Why waste time and effort moving stuff from A to B if you no longer want it?
By de-cluttering it, you will have a much easier and potentially cheaper removal. You can donate, recycle, sell, or simply throw away. There is so much you can do with the items you no longer want.
Pack With Free Or Alternative Materials
You should pack as much as you can in advance. This will save time nearer the day as you are rushing to complete those final few tasks. Many companies provide clients with professional packing materials but you can keep costs down by using free materials such as moving boxes.
Ask at your local shops or recycling centers for any moving boxes they may have. Buying cardboard boxes for moving can work out incredibly expensive so take advantage of free items if you can get them. You could even ask friends and family if they have any.
You can also get creative with packing and use alternative packing materials. Using newspapers, magazines, or your own clothing instead of packing paper is a great way of both reusing and saving money. You can use bedding or towels to pad and protect your more fragile items.
Pack With Care
You should always pack your belongings carefully, especially the more fragile items. Don’t try to cram everything in and don’t overfill the boxes. Each box should be clearly labeled, have adequate padding such as bubble wrap with no empty space, and be covered by insurance.
You should also disassemble any large furniture if you can. Most companies offer this as an extra service, some do it for no extra cost. By dismantling it, you should end up with more room in the removal van.
Are You Insured?
You might find that your contents insurance may cover you on the move but a good removal company will also hold their own. They usually have both Goods In Transit and Public Liability Insurance which means they should be covered for every eventuality.
When comparing quotes, ask what removals insurance they have and what policies are in place. You need to ensure you are adequately covered.
What Can Affect Removal Costs?
There are a few different factors that can affect average removal costs. Here are a couple of them:
Distance
The longer the distance, the higher the costs of moving house and the more difficult it will be to book movers. From doing some research, we found that some companies charge £25 per hour of traveling plus £0.50 per mile covered whereas another charge £1 per mile covered.
Get moving house quotes so you know how much you can expect to pay, even if it is a long-distance move that involves a significant distance traveling.
How Many Items Are Being Moved
The volume of items or size of the property definitely plays a part when it comes to a removal company cost. You should let them know what bulky or heavy items you have. A 4 bedroom house will be more expensive to move into than a 1-bedroom flat for example.
Additional Services
As mentioned previously, plenty of removal companies offer some additional services, usually at additional cost. These often include:
- Packing Services
- Packing Materials
- Dismantling & Reassembling Furniture
- Piano Removals
- Storage Solutions
- Cleaning
- White Glove Delivery Services
Make sure you mention if you need any of these services when comparing removal quotes. Each company will have its own prices for additional services.
Moving Date
As mentioned above, there are peak seasons that bring higher demand. Days of the week can also influence the cost. Weekends and same dau removals can often carry a premium as these are the busiest days.
Save Money
To keep removal costs down, compare removal quotes and find the best-suited removal firm for your needs.