When it comes to moving home, there is not just the moving of your things from AtoB to think about.
Before you get to the stage of loading and unloading your household things they are a ton of other jobs that need doing first.
If you are considering hiring a good removal company to move your things to your new home, you should also be aware that many removal firms offer additional services that you may find invaluable when preparing to move home.
Even if you are not moving home, perhaps you are renovating, or want to declutter your home, you may find that your local removal firm will be able to help.
In this week’s home moving blog, we ask ‘What other services does a removal company offer?’
Do Removal Companies Clear Junk?
There is always junk to get rid of moving home. Your removal firm might be able to do this for you.
One of the most crucial tasks when moving home is to get rid of all the things that you will not be taking to your new home.
The fewer items you take to your new home, the quicker and cheaper your home move will be.
You may choose to sell or donate many of the items you no longer need but will still likely be left with things that need to go to the local recycling centre. Or it may be that you want a complete house clearance done.
In many cases, your local removal company will be able to help you with junk clearance. From a full house clearance to removing rubbish from your garden or garage.
How much does house clearance cost? This will obviously depend upon how much stuff you have to get rid of, but on average you can expect to pay the following costs:
Up to a quarter of a ton costs from £90
Up to half a ton costs from £185
Up to a ton costs from £330
Some items will cost extra to be recycled, such as old fridges and freezers, which can cost anywhere between £50 – £100 extra.
The cost of a house clearance varies depending on which part of the country you live in, how much stuff you have to dispose of, and how long the clearance will take.
Not all removal firms offer a rubbish removal service or a house clearance service but many do, so check the listings of removal firms in your local area to see exactly what they offer.
You may also like to read:
The Epic Guide to Decluttering for a Home Move takes you through each room of your home, explaining how to decide what to keep and what not to keep. You will find motivational tips to help you get through your decluttering marathon, as well as tips and tricks to make the decluttering of your home so much easier.
Obviously, if you can sell or donate your unwanted items then that is the best route to go, and in this guide, you can discover where to donate things. Item by item we list charities and organisations that accept the types of things that you are wanting to donate.
Save time and money on your move
Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.
A full packing service is one of the most valuable services a removal company will offer you.
Now that you have decluttered your home, you will be left with only the things that you really want and need to take to your new home.
These are going to be not only essential but often highly prized items that you will want to ensure complete the move to your new home undamaged.
One of the most cost effective and essential services that a reputable removal company offer is a full packing service.
Not only will hiring professional packers save you time, but they will ensure that your items are given the maximum protection, whilst being packed in the most efficient space-saving manner.
You may like to read: Are Packing Services Worth the Cost? Here we look at what a packing team actually does, what it costs to pack the contents of an average home, and why it makes sense to hire professional packers.
What Do Removal Companies Pack?
Professional packing boxes for maximum protection of your things
Packers will wrap and box anything from antiques to children’s toys, large pieces of furniture to lead crystal.
Your household items will be boxed in cartons of the appropriate strength, whilst your clothes may be packed in a wardrobe box to ensure that they arrive crinkle-free at your new home.
Your TV, artwork, and wall mirrors will be put into boxes that are specifically designed to give these fragile items maximum protection.
Note that your packing team will be unable to go into the loft of your home for health and safety reasons, so anything that is up there you will need to bring down so that they can pack it for you.
You should also be aware that there are certain items that your removal company cannot pack and move, items that may pose a health and safety hazard to them.
You may like to read: How to Declutter Your Loft When Moving Home. Decluttering a loft is not only hard work but can be emotionally taxing as well. In this guide, we look at how to safely declutter a loft, and even how to detach yourself emotionally from your things.
What Won’t a Removal Company Pack?
Your removal company will give you a list of the items that they cannot pack, but generally, they will not pack and move anything that may cause harm to the removal team or damage other items that are on the removal van.
Ensure that you make alternative arrangements to move such items as if they are found to be on the removal van, and do cause damage to your other possessions, your moving insurance will become invalid.
The items that your removal company cannot pack and move may include:
Good quality packing materials are essential to keep your precious items safe during the home move
It may be that you have the time, energy, and skills to pack your own things for your home move and just need the right packing materials.
Your local removal company may be able to supply you with quality packing materials but usually at a cost.
Some removal firms will offer free boxes with the packing service or may offer a discount on packing supplies if you book a move with them.
Warning: Check your home moving insurance very carefully as many insurers will not cover items you have packed yourself whilst they are in transit to your new home.
You may also like to read: How Many Boxes Do I Need to Move Home? In this essential guide, we look at how many packing boxes you are likely to need, how much tape and bubble wrap, and how much that is likely to cost you. We also look at alternative boxes such as plastic totes which may be a better option for your home move.
Do Removal Companies Disconnect Washing Machines?
This varies from company to company so check with your removal company if this is a service they offer.
Often there will be a clause in the contract that says that the removal company takes no responsibility for any damage caused if they do disconnect the washing machine for you.
Do Removal Companies Disconnect Cookers and Ovens?
Most electric cookers are 3 pin plugs these days so it is an easy job to disconnect them.
Older electric ovens may be hard-wired, in which case you will need a qualified electrician to disconnect the oven and make the wall connection safe.
Any gas cooker will have to be disconnected by a qualified gas-safe engineer. You can find a list of qualified gas engineers local to you at www.gassaferegister.co.uk
You may also like to read: Hot Tips on How to Move an Oven to Your New Home. In this guide, we look at how to prepare, wrap, and safely move an oven. From moving AGAs to small electric ovens, how to move them up or down stairs, and even what your landlords’ responsibilities are regarding safety certificates.
Do Removal Companies Dismantle Furniture?
Furniture dismantling is an extra-cost service but it will make your move far easier for you
Most removal companies will dismantle your furniture and reassemble it in your new home.
Be sure to specify that you need this service and that it is written into any contract that you are given.
There will obviously be an additional charge for this so when getting quotes for your home move be sure to tell them exactly what services you need so that you can compare the company quotes like for like.
It is also worth noting that many removal companies will recommend against dismantling MDF / Ikea-type furniture as they tend to get easily damaged when taken apart.
Consider whether you really need to take such furniture with you and whether it would be cheaper to replace them rather than pay to have them dismantled, packed, moved, and reassembled.
You can expect to pay around £160 for the furniture to be dismantled in the average 3-bedroom home.
You may like to read: How to Compare Removal Companies. Not all removal companies will offer every service that you may need, so you will need to shop around. It helps to keep a record of the services that each removal firm offers so that you can compare each of the removal firms you contact for a quote. This guide will be invaluable when comparing services, prices, and add-on services that they offer.
Do Removal Companies Store Your Stuff?
Many removal companies are now offering this invaluable service but when researching which removal company to use be sure to check if storage is something you are going to need.
Also think about what you would do if you could not get access to your new home straight away, or whether it is easier to move into your new home in stages.
Using a storage unit gives you a lot of flexibility when moving home for very little cost.
It may be that you are renovating your home, are downsizing but do not want to get rid of certain items, you may want somewhere to put your things between leaving your old home and moving into your new home, whatever your need for extra space, many removal companies now have storage facilities.
You should choose your storage unit as carefully as you choose any removal company, not all storage spaces are equal.
You may need 24-hour access to your things, CCTV or security, temperature control, or a high level of insurance.
Read this in-depth guide to choosing a storage unit where you can find out the questions you need to ask and the storage options that you may not have realised you need. Find out how much a storage unit costs to hire and what size you are likely to need.
Do Removal Companies Work on Saturdays?
Moving midweek is often cheaper than moving on a Saturday
Most removal companies work weekends, it can be one of their busiest days, but bear in mind that you will pay a premium for using removal services at a weekend.
You may also find that some removal companies have reduced customer service working hours at the weekend.
Check when you are thinking of hiring a removal firm on a Saturday what the office hours are.
Get alternative contact numbers so that if there are any issues on your Saturday moving day that you can actually get to speak to someone from the removal firm.
You may also like to read: Questions to Ask Your Removal Company for a comprehensive list of questions that you will want answers to when moving home. Use the list to compare removal companies, their prices, and services.
Will a Removal Company Just Move Furniture Around?
One little-known service that some removal companies offer is in-home moving.
It may be that you are redecorating a room, having a new floor fitted, or just repositioning furniture.
Many removal firms offer a labour only service where they will come to your home and move or reposition your furniture for you.
Do Removal Companies Offer Labour Only?
Moving labour services are very common in the USA and are becoming more so in the UK.
For whatever reason you may want to hire your own van but need help to load or unload it.
Whilst not common in the UK you can find removal companies who are willing to offer this service.
What you may be surprised to find though when you are getting quotes for labour-only services is that when you take all the other costs into consideration, in many cases it is cheaper to hire a removal firm to do a full-service move.
You may also like to read: Moving Home Yourself vs Hiring a Removal Company so that you can make an informed decision as to whether it makes more sense to hire a removal firm or try to move home on your own.
How to Hire a Removal Company
Scams are rare, but it is better to be safe than sorry
Hiring a removal firm to help with your home move is usually extremely good value for money, but not only that, they will make your move so much easier.
When you are talking to the removal companies ask what additional services they offer, and what makes their company stand hand and shoulders above the competition?
It could be the pre-move support they provide, the extra protection that they use to protect your home and goods from damage, it could be enhanced levels of customer service, or maybe even discounts and incentives.
But as with any service or company you look at hiring, choose wisely.
Although removal company scams are rare, they do happen.
Without wishing to scare you, it pays to be vigilant, so read this cautionary tale about a family in London who were scammed out of all their worldly possessions: Family Loses Everything in Removal Company Scam.
Read as many reviews as you can, get personal recommendations, and thoroughly research any company you are thinking of hiring.
You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. Choosing the right removal firm can seem a daunting task so we have created a step-by-step guide that takes you through the entire process so that you pick the best company for your home move.
Hiring a good removal company is the easiest and least stressful way of moving home, and by using their additional services, you can be sure that come moving day you have done all you can to get your new life, in your new home, off to the best possible start.
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