To choose a removals company in London, get two or three written quotes after a proper survey, then compare what each one includes, not just the total. Check the company is real, ask what insurance it holds, and make sure it has planned for your parking, stairs and building rules. A firm that won’t survey your home or put its quote in writing is one to walk away from.
This guide explains how to choose a removals company step by step, what a good quote looks like, the questions to ask and the warning signs to watch for. It’s written for moves in and around London, where parking, flats and narrow streets cause most of the problems on the day.
How to choose a removals company: the short version
- Ask for quotes from two or three companies.
- Have each one survey your home, in person or by video.
- Get every quote in writing.
- Check the company name, company number and reviews.
- Ask what insurance it carries and what that covers.
- Ask how it will handle parking, access and your completion day.
- Compare the quotes like for like, then book.
Start with a survey, not a phone guess
A removals company can only quote accurately if it knows what’s moving and how it gets out of the building. A surveyor walks round your home, or you show them on a video call, and notes the furniture, the boxes and anything awkward such as a piano or a large wardrobe.
The survey should also cover the things that catch people out in London:
- stairs, lifts and how far the crew has to carry things
- where the lorry can park at both addresses
- whether large items need dismantling to get through doors and round landings
- building rules, such as lift bookings or set move-in times
If a company gives you a figure in two minutes without asking any of this, it hasn’t really planned your move. The cost of that gap tends to show up on the day, in the form of a lorry that’s too small or a crew that’s one person short.
What a good written quote should include
Quotes from different firms are often laid out differently, so read them side by side. A clear quote should tell you:
- the company’s full name and contact details
- both addresses and the moving date, or the dates it’s valid for
- what’s included: packing, materials, dismantling and rebuilding furniture, storage
- the size of crew and the vehicles planned
- anything that isn’t included, and what would change the quote
- who arranges parking suspensions
- the terms for cancelling or changing the date
If you’re comparing a low quote with a higher one, check whether they’re really quoting for the same job. One may include packing and two vehicles, while the other assumes you’ve packed everything yourself. Our guide to what affects the cost of a London house move explains what drives the difference.
Check the company is who it says it is
These checks take a few minutes and are well worth doing:
- Company details: look for a full company name and company number, then search for it on the free Companies House register.
- Reviews: read recent reviews on more than one site. Look at how the company replies when something went wrong, not just the star rating.
- Trade membership: the British Association of Removers says its members follow a Code of Practice approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If a company says it belongs to a trade body, you can check that on the body’s own website.
- Real experience of your kind of move: a firm that does mostly local house moves may not suit an overseas move or an office relocation. Ask what it moves most often.
Ask exactly what the insurance covers
Insurance is the question most people forget, and “we’re insured” doesn’t tell you much. Ask what policy the company holds, what it covers and what the limits are, and ask to see it in writing.
Public liability insurance covers injury or damage to other people and property during the job, such as a damaged wall in a shared hallway. It’s different from cover for your own belongings, so ask how those are protected, and check whether your home insurance covers your things during a move. Our guide to house insurance when moving explains what to look for.
For flats, your managing agent may ask to see a certificate before they’ll allow the move.
London questions a good company should answer easily
London moves have their own problems, and these questions quickly show whether a company knows them.
Who sorts the parking?
Most London streets are in controlled parking zones, so the lorry usually needs a bay suspension from the council. Each borough has its own rules and notice periods, and some ask for 10 working days or more. See our guide to parking suspensions in West London.
Can it work with your building?
Blocks of flats often have lift bookings, loading bays, set hours and rules about protecting shared areas. Ask how the company handles them. Our flat removals page shows how we plan around them.
Has it allowed for traffic and road charges?
Ask how the crew will time the route, and whether anything like the Congestion Charge or the ULEZ affects its vehicles and your quote.
What happens if completion runs late?
On a sale or purchase, keys are often released later than you hope. Ask what the company does if it has to wait, and whether it can store your things overnight if the money doesn’t arrive in time. If your dates don’t line up, ask about storage too.
Warning signs to watch for
- No survey and no questions about your home
- A quote given by text or phone only, with nothing in writing
- No full company name or company number
- Vague answers about insurance
- Pressure to book today, or asking for full payment upfront in cash
- A quote far below the others, with no explanation
- Reviews that all appeared at once and all sound the same
One warning sign doesn’t always mean a bad company, but two or three should make you think again.
Choosing a company for a bigger or more complex move
For a large family home, ask whether packing will take an extra day and whether you’ll need a second vehicle. For an overseas move, ask who handles the paperwork and the shipping, and how your things are packed for the journey. Our international removals page covers how that works.
Moving a business? Ask how the firm will keep downtime to a minimum, and whether it can work evenings or weekends. Our office removals team plans around your opening hours and your building’s rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many removal quotes should I get?
Two or three is usually enough. More than that takes up a lot of time, and fewer gives you little to compare. Make sure every company has surveyed the same list of items.
Should I always choose the lowest quote?
No. Compare what’s included first. A quote can look lower because it leaves out packing, assumes a smaller crew or doesn’t allow for parking.
How far in advance should I book a removals company?
As early as you can, ideally as soon as you have a likely moving date. Fridays and month-ends book up first. Our guide on when to book a removal company has more detail.
Is a video survey as good as a home visit?
For most homes, yes, as long as you show every room, loft, shed and cupboard. For very large homes or awkward access, an in-person survey can be better.
What should I ask a removals company before booking?
Ask what’s included, what could change the quote, what insurance it holds, who arranges parking, how large the crew will be and what happens if your completion is delayed.
Get a free quote from K1 Removals
K1 Removals is based in Chiswick, West London, and moves homes and businesses across London, the UK and overseas. Every move starts with a free survey, in person or by video, followed by a clear written quote. We’ll check your parking, your building and your dates, and tell you early if anything needs extra planning. See our house removals page, use our London moving house checklist, or call 0330 103 0041.