Advice

In most cases an estimator or surveyor will visit you in your home to discuss the details of your planned move. He or she will explain the services they provide and agree with you exactly what's to be included in the quotation, together with a detailed Service Specification of what will and won't be included in the final move.

Your removal company will need to understand how much requires moving, if packing is required, the time it will take them and how far they need to travel. They will then arrange the appropriate vehicles, number of men required and packing materials to meet your requirements. The Service Specification document is designed with you in mind.

Packing can be the most time consuming and frustrating part of any move. Many people often leave it to the last minute only to find they don't have enough appropriate boxes to do the job properly. Your remover can supply you with all the packing materials you need. You may even want your remover to do it for you!

If you had intended to do all the packing but, for whatever reason, you haven't had the time then you will often find that your mover will still be able to assist.

Even with the greatest care taken, no mover can guarantee that your personal and cherished belongings won't get damaged in transit.

Decide what you want to take early on and make sure your mover knows this before the quotation is provided. Do not put everything together in one room or area; this makes it very difficult for the crew to work and it will slow them down. If you can, try to remove anything that is not going to your new home before the moving day. If you can't, then just identify the items clearly, usually by using labels provided by your mover.

If you have something unusual to take with you let your mover know. They will make special arrangements for plants, fine art, antiques, wine collections, IT equipment, or anything else about which you are particularly concerned.

Arrange the date as far ahead as possible, but don't guess. Keep your mover informed if you think they might need to react at short notice.

Your mover is not allowed to tamper with mains services. Make arrangements with your gas and/or electricity companies well in advance. Also inform your telephone company and Internet Service Provider and, if required, make arrangements to keep your old numbers.

It is advisable to run down stocks as much as possible - freezers are not designed to be moved whilst loaded. For long distance moves they will need to be completely emptied and for short trips the contents may be temporarily removed, packed in boxes and reloaded at the new home. However, please note that neither the mover nor most insurers will accept responsibility for any deterioration of the contents.

Your mover will take down curtains and take up carpets by special arrangement (check your Service Specification), but will not fit them again in your new home.

You should remove light fittings before the moving day as your mover is not qualified to do so. Journeys supply on request qualified electricians (additional charge applies).

This type of furniture is not designed to be moved in its assembled form. You should discuss this with your mover who will be responsible for dismantling it. Generally speaking, removers would not expect to reassemble such furniture although they may, under certain circumstances, be prepared to quote separately for such work.

Clothes and other light items may be left in drawers, but heavier items such as books, files or tools should be removed and packed separately.

Tell your mover if there are parking restrictions at either location. Your mover will make arrangements with the authorities for permission to park if required.

Please also inform them if they are likely to face any difficulties getting access to your new home. These might include narrow streets, overhanging trees, unmade roads, small doorways, spiral staircases, etc.

Tell your mover if you are moving to a flat or a multi-storey building and whether or not there is a lift (and how big it is!). Where possible we recommend that you make arrangements for priority use of the lift for the day.

Sometimes the removal vehicle will arrive at your new home before you do. If you can, give the foreman a spare key so they won't lose any time waiting for you.

Please give the driver clear directions to your new home and a street map if possible. Also draw a floor plan of your new home and give it to the foreman so that everything can be put in the correct room. Colour coded labels can also help to identify the correct location for items - speak to the estimator about this.

Older children may enjoy the excitement of the move and should be included as much as possible, both during the planning and the move itself, to help them understand the reasons for moving and reduce homesickness. You might consider having younger children and pets looked after by a relative or friend while the move is taking place.