Compare House Removal Companies

The best house removal companies not only offer reasonable rates and insurance, but also take care of the entire move, from supplying boxes and advising on packing fragile or bulky items, to overseeing the process of dismantling your home and loading up the removal van.

Many removal companies now cover the UK and Europe, with weekly trips to overseas destinations.

Finding a house removal firm in your new location is a good idea if you are moving to a different area, as this means the removal contractors (affectionately known as "removal men" in the UK) will also be on their way home as they transport your precious worldly goods to your new demised premises.

Many larger removal firms will have offices across the UK and beyond, and can also offer storage if you need to go into rented accommodation for a while or your new home is not quite ready for all your possessions.

The basic services you should expect from a reputable firm of house removers include:

• Packing: the removal company will pack your household items for you and advise on moving awkward items, including pianos or other musical instruments or specialist equipment
• Removal insurance: taking out removal insurance is crucial, so do not be tempted to cut corners on cost as even the most careful and professional removal men sometimes have accidents when packing or carrying items
• Storage: If you need storage for your homewares for a while, look for removal companies with storage warehouses.

The best removal companies train their staff thoroughly in how to pack various items and this can often save homeowners much stress and grief, although the removal quote will obviously be higher if you want a full removal service including packing.

It is always a good idea to ask for a removal quote which includes packing as well as a removal quote which enables you to pack your own possessions ready for moving, as this will give you a better idea of whether paying extra for your house removal services will in the end save a huge amount of stress.

If you are moving abroad, packing by professionals is essential and international relocation removal firms will handle the entire house removal for you.

Large removal firms specialising in international relocation have affiliates overseas and will coordinate the house removal so that your possessions are ready and waiting for you when you arrive at your new home as part of a door-to-door house removal service.

If you have a family, this can help everyone settle in quickly and avoid any pangs of homesickness that the newness of moving overseas can produce.

Moving house is one of the most stressful activities that occurs in daily life, alongside divorce and bereavement; and sadly some of these life events can occur in quick succession, so it is important to make sure your house removal is as smooth and stress free as possible, rather than opt for a cheap house removal firm which offers a limited home removal service.

Your home contents and possessions will be quoted for by house removal companies on the basis of volumetric weight and many online house removal companies allow users to calculate obtain an initial online quote for house removal.

If you moving nearby and have your own transport, saving money by moving more portable items may be one option, but it is likely that after a certain level you will pay as much for a full van as one which is partially empty, just as in storage the square footage rather than the amount of possessions stored dictates the price.

It may also be possible for your house removal to involve several different modes of transport and again a reputable house removal firm will be able to advise on whether a house removal by road, rail, sea or air will work out to be more economical than just using one method of transport.

This can be especially crucial if you are moving abroad or moving to more than one property, as in the case of homeowners who sell a large family home and downsize to two smaller properties in different locations, including relocation to a holiday home overseas.

Obtaining a house removal quote for both UK residence and an overseas residence can work out cheaper if both removals are synchronised and you plan in advance exactly which property you want the various contents of your home to end up in and when.

House removal companies can help you prepare an inventory and also a checklist of the various stages of moving home.

Removal companies will often ask for payment upfront or a hefty deposit and this is another reason why you should always hire reputable firms to move you to a new property and be very aware of the possibility of online scams.

Always check a house removal company offering a really cheap quote has a traceable office in the UK and a track record in house removals, and do not part with any money if you are not sure. You can check if a removal company is a member of the British Association of Removers if you are looking for a reliable and professional service and come across a company you are not sure about.