How to Get and Compare Removal Quotes
Getting quotes from removal companies sounds simple. Send an email, get a number, pick the cheapest. Right?
Wrong. Removal quotes vary wildly, and the cheapest one is often the most expensive in the long run. Hidden fees, missing services, and vague estimates turn what looks like a bargain into a disaster.
This guide covers both sides: how to get an accurate quote in the first place, and how to compare quotes fairly once you have them.
Jump to: Getting an Accurate Quote | Comparing Quotes | Red Flags | How Many Quotes | FAQ
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Part 1: Getting an accurate removal quote
A removal quote is only as good as the information you give. The more detail you provide, the closer the quote will be to the final price. Here is what your removal company needs from you.
Prepare a full inventory
Walk through your house and list everything that is moving. Every piece of furniture, every appliance, every box. Do not guess. Write it down.
An accurate box count matters more than most people realise. If you say “about 20 boxes” and it turns out to be 40, the van space needed doubles. Most people underestimate their box count by about half. We see it on almost every move. (See our room-by-room packing guide for a full materials estimator by house size.) If you are unsure, ask the removal company to do a video survey, they will estimate for you based on what they see.
A proper inventory includes:
– Furniture (type, approximate size, whether it disassembles)
– Appliances (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, note if they need disconnecting)
– Box count estimate (by room if possible)
– Special items (piano, safe, large artwork, gym equipment)
Describe your property accurately
Tell the removal company:
– How many bedrooms
– Number of floors including basement and attic if used
– Whether there is a working lift at either property
– Parking situation at both ends (distance from van to door, any permits needed, whether a large van can park nearby)
– Any restricted access (narrow streets, weight limits, stairs-only entry, low bridges on the route)
These factors affect time, and time affects price. A fourth-floor walk-up with no lift and a 200-metre carry from the van adds hours to a job that a ground-floor flat with driveway access does not.
Parking permits
If either property is in a controlled parking zone, you or the removal company need to arrange a parking suspension or visitor permits. This can take 1-2 weeks with the council. Do not leave it until the week of the move, you will arrive to find a parking ticket or, worse, no space for the van.
Cost: typically £40-£125 per bay per day depending on the borough. You do not need to deal with the council at all. We can apply for a parking suspension on your behalf.
Mention special items
Pianos, safes, large antique furniture, pool tables, hot tubs, large treadmills and garden trampolines. These need specialist handling, extra crew, or specific equipment. If you do not mention them at the quote stage, expect a surprise charge on moving day, and possibly a crew that cannot move the item at all because they did not bring the right equipment.
Provide full addresses
Both the collection and delivery address, including full postcodes. The distance between them affects fuel, time, and the Congestion Charge if the route passes through central London.
Be honest about access times
If completion day has a specific time to vacate your current property, or key release time at the destination (e.g., 12 noon), say so. The removal company plans the day around access windows. A crew waiting for keys for two hours is still on the clock and you will be charged for that time.
Part 2: Comparing removal quotes properly
Once you have a few quotes, do not just look at the bottom-line number. Compare what is actually included.
Set your budget first
Know what you can spend before you start comparing. Any quote above your budget goes straight to the “no” pile. This saves time and prevents you from talking yourself into spending more than you planned.
Do not automatically pick the cheapest
The cheapest quote often cuts corners somewhere. Lower insurance cover. Fewer crew members (a 2-man crew takes twice as long as a 4-man crew on the same job). Smaller van needing multiple trips. No packing materials included. No parking permits covered.
Ask yourself: what are they doing differently to be 40% cheaper than the other quotes? Sometimes the answer is genuine efficiency and experience. A well-run company can be both good and competitive. But more often, the answer is that something is missing from the quote that the others have included.
What a proper removal quote includes
A removal quote from a professional company should spell out:
- Number of crew (2, 3, or 4, more crew means faster, which can mean cheaper overall despite the higher hourly rate)
- Van size and whether a second van or return trip is included
- What services are covered (dismantling and reassembling furniture, floor protection, basic packing)
- Insurance cover level and whether it is included or costs extra
- Additional charges itemised: parking permits, Congestion Charge, tolls, long carries, stairs, waiting time
- Payment terms: deposit amount, when the balance is due, accepted payment methods
- Cancellation policy
If any of these are missing or vague, ask before you book. A company that cannot give you clear answers before they have your money will not suddenly become transparent after.
Quote comparison scorecard
Print this or screenshot it. When you have your quotes in front of you, go through each one line by line. If a quote fails any of the red-flag items in Section A, eliminate it immediately. No second chances.
Section A: Elimination round (fail any = reject the quote)
Section B: What you are actually getting
Section C: Additional charges (these are where cheap quotes hide costs)
Section D: Trust check
How to score it
You are not looking for the cheapest quote. You are looking for the quote with the fewest unknowns. Every blank cell in Section C is a potential surprise charge on moving day.
- Eliminate any quote that failed Section A.
- For the remaining quotes, count the blank cells in Section C. The quote with the fewest blanks is the most transparent.
- If two quotes are close, Section D breaks the tie. Higher review score and a real person answering the phone beat a slightly lower price.
The company that gives you clear answers to every line on this scorecard is the company that will not surprise you on moving day.
Check the insurance section carefully
Most removal companies include “Standard Liability” or “Limited Liability” in their quotations as a default. Ask what the difference between them is. Our standard cover is £25K, upgradeable to £50K, or higher for an admin fee.
What happens if something goes wrong
Ask the company directly: what is your claims process? How long does it take to resolve a claim? How do I report damage? A company with a clear, documented claims process and straightforward answers is a good sign. A company that brushes off the question or gives vague answers is telling you something important.
Red flags when comparing quotes
How many quotes should you get?
Three to five. Two is not enough to see the market range. Ten is too many to compare properly and you will confuse yourself.
Aim for three quotes from companies recommended by friends, family, or colleagues, plus two from Google searches or comparison sites. But know that comparison sites charge the removal company for your lead, that cost is built into the quote you receive. Going direct to a company’s own website and contacting them yourself can sometimes get you a better price because they are not paying a middleman.
Ready to get quotes? Call us on +44 207 118 7778 or Get Your Free Quote. We provide detailed written quotes based on your actual inventory, no hidden fees, no surprises.
FAQ
Moving house? Get your free quote today. Call +44 207 118 7778 or Get Your Free Quote. We provide clear, itemised quotes with no hidden costs. 1st week of storage FREE with any removal.