Will removal companies pack for you?

A common question asked by the public is will removal companies pack for you? In this blog we answer the question, as go into detail about what you can expect when a removal company packs your house for you.

We look at what a packing service includes, how long it may take and how much a packing service costs in the UK.

Do removal companies pack for you? The answer is yes. Most reputable removal firms will offer a packing service along with their standard removal services. Like anything, a packing service will increase your moving costs, however there are a number of benefits which could outweigh any costs.

So what is a packing service?

When moving home, you can either pack up the contents of your home yourself, or for an additional fee, you can ask your chosen removal company to do this for you. The removal team will usually attend a day or 2 prior to your move and bring with them a variety of packing boxes and materials. They will then begin to pack your personal effects into boxes (hopefully in a careful way!). This may include the use of packing paper and bubblewrap for fragile items, protective furniture coverings for your furniture and portable wardrobe cartons to keep your hanging clothes tidy.

A full packing service will literally involve everything being packed. Drawers emptied, kitchen cupboard contents into boxes, toiletries from the bathroom into boxes etc. There may be certain exceptions like paints, flammables etc so always best to check for any exclusions.

How long does it take for a removal company to pack a house?

Well this will depend on the size of your home and how many possessions you have. A standard 3 bedroom house with a garage and average volume of belongings should be packed up in a day. For larger moves 2 or more days may be required. If there are a particularly high amount of fragile items that require extra care or high value precious items like oil paintings, antiques etc, this may take longer. For smaller homes it may be possible to pack and move in the same day.

How much does it cost for a removal company to pack a house?

Prices for packing will vary, again depending on the size of your home and how much stuff you have. Obviously the larger the house, and greater the volume of belongings to pack will result in more time required for packing, more packing materials and more staff, so costs will be higher.

Some removal firms will quote you a flat fee for packing. Some may price on a ‘per box’ basis and some may have a mixture of the both.

Is it faster for a removal company to pack for me?

Removal companies will generally be quicker at packing as they are experienced and know how to pack correctly and in an efficient manner. Also when you are packing your own home up, you often take time to look at items and get side tracked. A removal company will be ruthless but in a careful way and pack the box and move onto the next box.

Will my belongings be safer if packed by a removal firm?

Whilst you may take care packing your own belongings, removal companies have the necessary experience, knowledge and materials to carefully pack those precious items. Good quality double-walled packing boxes, strong packing paper and strong packing tape will all increase the safety of your belongings.

Will it be less stressful having a packing service?

Packing is one of the biggest causes of stress when moving home. Sourcing good quality packing materials, knowing where to start and most importantly finding the time to pack are stressful situations. It isn’t uncommon for moving dates to be delayed so if you have started packing you could well be without items you may end up needing before you move.

Generally if a removal company packs for you they will supply all the materials. If you are packing yourself you will soon find out how expensive it is and you will always underestimate just how many boxes you will need.

Do removal companies unpack for you?

Some do and some don’t is the simple answer. Unpacking is less common than packing but it can be useful for customers who face difficulty in packing and unpacking. Be sure to ask the question when speaking to your removal company.

How to prepare for a packing service?

One of the joys of having a removal firm pack for you is that you do not need to do much yourself. There are some useful things you can do though which will help your movers and yourself.

• Keep important documents safe in their own box and mark clearly

• Remove any items of particular value or sentiment if you are not happy for them to be packed

• Start working your way through your food supplies, this will mean less to pack!

• De-clutter beforehand. This is often overlooked, but why pay someone to pack items you no longer need or use

• Make a box up for your children’s favourite toys etc and keep separate. This way when you come to unpack you have their favourite toys at hand.

• Keep any medicines or tablets back that you may need quick access to

Will my belongings be insured if packed by a removal company?

What many people do not realise is that the majority of removal companies terms and conditions will limit the insurance cover if the customer packs themselves. A lot of removal firms have similar terms and conditions as they are very industry specific. The insurers will often limit cover on a self-packed item to a minimal amount.

If your removal company packs for you, you will usually receive a greater insurance cover for any unfortunate damages that could occur.

So what have we learnt from the above? Having a removal company pack for you may add to your moving cost, but the benefits are clear to see. As always it is a case of weighing up what your priorities are as a customer. Would you rather spend more on your move and have less to do, or would you look to keep the costs down and do more yourself. Everyone is different but hopefully this article will help you reach the decision that is best for you.

So if you would like a professional removal company to pack for you in Devon, please get in touch.

Empire Removals South West Ltd

https://www.empireremovalssouthwest.co.uk

Will removal companies dismantle furniture?→

Do removal companies disassemble furniture?

This is a common question the public ask when trying to plan their next house move.

So, do removal companies dismantle and rebuild furniture when moving you? Typically yes, any reputable, professional mover will offer a dismantling service as part of their quotation to you.

Here we discuss which items should be dismantled for your move, along with explaining the benefits of having a moving company dismantle furniture for you.

What pieces of furniture may need to be disassembled?

Every home is different, and furniture comes in all shapes and sizes so the answer to this question is not an exact science. Typical furniture that will be easier and safer to move if dismantled includes:

Bed frames - Wooden and metal bed frames for example are unlikely to be able to moved down a staircase or through most doors in one whole piece.

Wardrobes - Anything larger than a single wardrobe should be split down if possible. As well as the complexities that arise from trying to move a large wardrobe down a staircase with a turn, there is also the stability of the piece itself to consider. Some wardrobes do like to be moved in one piece and can flex and lose sturdiness. If it can be dismantled, it should be.

Sofas - This one is often overlooked. A lot of sofas these days, especially recliners and corner sofas can be broken down into smaller pieces. Most recliners have the facility to have the backs taken off them (a very quick, easy process when you know how), as well as splitting into smaller individual sections. This obviously makes it much easier for the movers to move them, reducing the chances of any damage occurring.

Dining tables - This is often a very simple task but can save much time and hassle. Most dining tables can have their legs taken off with a simple couple of screws being removed. This turns it into a much friendlier piece to move.

How long does it take to dismantle a typical piece of furniture?

Obviously every piece is different and different companies will work to different speeds, however with experienced staff and the right equipment, most pieces should be straightforward to dismantle and rebuild again.

From our experience the most time consuming pieces are ottoman style lift up beds, large day beds and larger wardrobes with such features as sliding doors. Even with qualified experienced staff these items need a good amount of time set aside to complete. Whereas a dining table could be literally 5 minutes to dismantle, the items mentioned above could be an hour or 2.

How much does it cost to dismantle furniture?

Every company will charge differently for such services. Typically for example you could expect to pay between £30-60 for a simple item, or over £100 for a more complex item. Your removal company can discuss the prices in more detail. Obviously prices are different all around the country and these are just a rough guide to give an idea.

Will removal companies rebuild furniture?

Most removal companies will rebuild anything they have dismantled. If a bed is needed to be taken apart to move, then it is fair to expect it to be rebuild at the new property. It is worth remembering that some furniture is not as strong when it is being dismantled and rebuilt on numerous occasions.

What can you do to prepare for furniture dismantling?

If you know a wardrobe needs to be dismantled then you could help the process by emptying the wardrobe into portable hanging cartons or similar packaging (a good removal company will have these). You could strip the bedding off the beds, clear any tables etc ready for dismantling. Equally as important is ensuring there is space for the mover to work in, so under beds, behind wardrobe etc should be clear.

There are plenty of handy moving checklists online which are a really good way of keeping track of what you need to do prior to move day. For example, this one from Rightmove is great for preparing for your move day. Click here for checklist.

Having a removal company take care of the dismantling and rebuilding will allow you to focus on other tasks that you need to be doing when moving house. Do you want to wake up on your move day with 3 beds and 2 wardrobes to dismantle yourself? Or do you want to wake up knowing it will be taken care of for you by a professional.

To recap, these are the benefits to you having a removal company dismantle your furniture:

1. Time saving

2. Professionally done

3. Less chances of damage to furniture or property

4. Making moving house less stressful

At Empire Removals South West Ltd we have the experience and knowledge to safely and carefully dismantle your furniture and rebuild at the other end. We do it everyday and will discuss this during our initial quotation survey.

Please browse our website for details on our furniture dismantling services along with the other services we provide, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or enquiries.

Want to save time? Contact us directly via our online form and we will be in touch with you within 24 hours.

How much does it cost to move house in the UK?

What is the average cost for moving home?

How much do house removals cost in the UK? This is a common question and one that we hear a lot from potential customers. It is not a simple answer with one price that fits all as there are many determining factors when it comes to the cost of a home removal. Some of the main factors are below and we look into each of these in this blog:

1. Size of the property

2. Volume of goods to be moved

3. Access and parking for removal vehicles

4. Distance between the two properties

5. Value of goods to be moved

6. Time of the move

So the above list is not an extensive list of what determines how much your removal should cost, but these points will be some of the main actions that removal companies will consider when setting your move cost. Lets take a more detailed look at these now.

Size of property

The size of a property will affect the cost of a removal, but not necessarily the number of bedrooms. Whilst the general consensus would be that a 4 bedroom move will have more than a 2 bedroom move, this is not always true.

You will see certain articles online and elsewhere saying the average cost of a house removal for a 2 bed home should be £400, a 3 bed home should be £500, a 4 bed home should be £600 and so on. This is extremely vague and does not offer a true reflection of the move process. Any experienced mover will agree that you can go into a 2 bedroom apartment that is absolutely full to the brim of furniture and personal possessions to be moved, and then the next day you could move a 4 bedroom house that is minimal and has less in than the 2 bedroom home from the day before.

The size of the property is a determining factor, but more important than the number of bedrooms are things like does it have a garage full of belongings? Is there a large garden with numerous plant pots and garden furniture, are there outbuildings that need clearing etc.

So whilst size of the property is worth considering, your move cost can not be set based on this alone.

Volume of goods to be moved

This is an obvious one but also probably the most important factor when calculating your move cost. Professional removal companies will want to visit your home to carry out a quotation survey. The main purpose of this, other than building a rapport with customers, is to walk round and note everything to be moved. As mentioned above, this will include gardens, sheds, garages and all areas of your home. With this information the mover can calculate your volume in cubic feet (some movers may use a different method).

The reason this is so important is that at this stage the mover will use the volume to determine what type of removal vehicle to use, or how many are needed, as well as how many staff are required. There is nothing worse than underestimating the volume and come move day the removal firm run out of space for your belongings.

Access and parking restrictions

Another key element in your removal cost is the access and parking. This is equally important for both your current and new homes. If the removal vehicle cannot park close to your home then this will increase the amount of time it will take to load your belongings. Given there are often deadlines to vacate your property, this may mean the removal firm need to allow extra staff to complete on time, which will obviously result in a a higher charge.

Other things to consider that could be classed as difficult access could be number of steps involved. If you are moving to a 4th floor apartment and there is no lift available this will take a lot longer than if you were moving to a bungalow for example.

Distance between the two properties

If you are relocating to the other end of the country then it is reasonable to expect a higher cost than if you were moving to the next street. A removal company will have to take into account the cost of fuel for the removal vehicles, staff wages, possible overnight costs if long distances are involved which all increase the base cost of your removal.

If you are moving a long distance, it may be necessary to load up the day before which can obviously result in a 2 or 3 day removal. Again this is something to consider when moving.

Value of goods to be moved

Something that is often overlooked is the value of your belongings. If you are asking a mover to transport valuable artwork, antique furniture and precious fragile items then this should be costed as such. There may be extra protection needed when it comes to packing these items. Would you expect a £10,000 piece of artwork to be transported the same way as a £10 picture from your local store? Extra care, packaging materials and time will be required which again will have an affect on the cost of your move.

There is also the insurance element to consider. Many insurers want to know about specific high value goods being moved. In certain cases, additional insurance cover may be required.

Time of the move

Is there a cheaper time to move? Sometimes the date and day of your move can affect the cost. For example if a removal company is in high demand during high season (often summer months) then they may charge more than if you are moving in January of February which can often be quieter months for movers.

Is it more expensive to move house on a Friday? This is a question we get asked a lot, it can be. Solicitors often set completions for Fridays so it is a very busy day in the world of removals. If you have any flexibility then it may be worthwhile speaking to your mover and setting a removal date for midweek and avoiding the busy Fridays. This is not guaranteed to be cheaper as some removal firms will have the same price for any day, but worth asking.

So when looking at all of the above, it is clear to see why there is no set price for moving house. There are too many variables when calculating the cost of a move. This is why it is always best to have a removal company visit your home and carry out a quotation survey. This way they have seen everything and can offer an accurate cost based on all the variables. Most firms will offer free no obligation surveys which is a great opportunity for both the removal company, and the customer to ask any questions they may have, and establish all the relevant information before working out your price for moving home.

Thank you for reading and please visit our website for further information as well as moving advice and tips.

https://www.empireremovalssouthwest.co.uk

Why use a removal company?

Many people ask why should you use a removal company when moving home, when you can save money and move yourself. This blog post goes into detail about the benefits of using a removal firm and hopefully answers some of your questions you may have about the moving home process.

A removal company will save you time

The simple fact is that moving house is a long process and can take up a lot of your time, which could be used elsewhere. When you choose a professional removal company everything will happen quicker. By moving customers everyday, removal companies know exactly what it takes to ensure the move to your new home goes smoothly and on time.

A reputable mover will have carried out a survey and worked out the exact resources needed for your own individual move. This will include the number and type of vehicles, the number of staff required, and even the amount of packing boxes needed to box up your belongings. Most professional movers will offer an optional packing service which is another great way of speeding up the move process. This usually consists of a packing team arriving the day before your move day and packing up your entire home ready for move day. This allows you to live ‘normally’ right up until your move, rather than sitting in a home of packed boxes.

Time is particularly important if you are buying and selling in a chain. You will most likely need to be moved out of your current home by 1pm as at that time the property will no longer be yours. Using a removal company is often the only way of doing this as you will not have the option of making several trips back and forth to your new home.

Transporting your valuable and precious belongings safely

We all have something around the house that is either valuable, precious or maybe sentimental. It is worth employing the services of a professional who can move your valuables safely and securely. Professional movers will be experts in wrapping, packing and transporting a whole range of items from delicate ornaments to heavy bulkier items. They will also be able to offer you peace of mind with insurance cover in the unlikely event that anything were to get damaged during the move.

Advice and tips on moving house

A good removal company will offer more than just turning up on the day and transporting your personal effects from one house to another. One of the main benefits is the advice and information your movers can give you leading up to your move. There is so much to consider during a house move that any information can be valuable. This could be advice on packing your belongings, or questions about timescales on the day or maybe they know a good cleaning company to recommend for your move out clean. Remember they are experts in moving home so having someone to talk to and ask questions is extremely useful at what is usually a chaotic and stressful time.

Additional services on top of removals

Most removal companies will offer a variety of additional optional services for you to consider. Many will offer packing services which are a fantastic way to save time and eradicate the chances of breakages. You may have the requirement for storage for some of your belongings, again a good removal company will be able to offer you storage solutions.

Another service to consider is a de-clutter or clearance service. This is perfect if you are downsizing or have furniture etc that will not have a place in your new home. Many movers offer this service and can carry this out in advance of your move date.

Leave the hard work to someone else

Lets be honest, the thought of lifting and carrying your large wardrobes down the stairs, or moving your washing machine or fridge freezer with your partner or a friend is not everyone’s idea of a good time! Choosing a good removal company will mean you can leave all the heavy lifting and hard physical work to someone else, and concentrate on other important tasks you will no doubt have.

Is the cost difference as great as you may think?

The obvious reason for NOT choosing a removal company will be the cost to you. However if we ignore all of the benefits above, is the cost of employing a removal company that much more expensive than self-moving. Let’s look at the costs involved.

Vehicle hire. A removal company will obviously have access to the required vehicles needed to carry out your move. It is unlikely that you will, so you would need to consider hiring a large van or maybe more than one. It is perfectly feasible for the cost of hiring a large van for 24 hours or more to be in excess of £150. If you did need two vans, or even a van for 2 days you could be looking at a cost of £300. Then there is fuel which would be included in your removal quotation from a moving company, but if you are moving yourself you need to pay. With rising fuel prices this could also significantly add up, especially with multiple trips.

Packing materials. A lot of professional removal companies will either lend or sell you packing boxes, tape, bubblewrap, paper etc. Removal companies will often buy these in bulk, which means the cost of boxes etc can be less than if you went and purchased them yourself. It is not uncommon for large good quality packing boxes to retail at £4-£5 per box. You can imagine the cost if you have a lot to pack up!

So you can see from just van hire, fuel and packing materials that the price can soon build up. Depending on the size and ease of your move, a moving company may not charge as much more as you would pay if you were moving yourself.

Moving home is one of the most important things you will do in your life. Having your entire life belongings transported from one house to another needs careful planning and execution. Finding a professional removal company you can trust could be the best decision you make, and one worth serious consideration.

To summarise

1. Using a good removal company will save you time

2. Professional movers will transport your belongings safely

3. Helpful and advice and tips for moving house

4. Removal companies offer additional services on top of just moving your items

5. Using a removal firm will leave the hard work to someone else

6. Removal companies may not be as expensive as they may first seem

Please keep an eye out for next month’s blog post and thank you for taking the time to read.

Reasons to use a professional removal company

Many people ask why should you use a removal company when moving home, when you can save money and move yourself. This blog post goes into detail about the benefits of using a removal firm and hopefully answers some of your questions you may have about the moving home process.

A removal company will save you time

The simple fact is that moving house is a long process and can take up a lot of your time, which could be used elsewhere. When you choose a professional removal company everything will happen quicker. By moving customers everyday, removal companies know exactly what it takes to ensure the move to your new home goes smoothly and on time.

A reputable mover will have carried out a survey and worked out the exact resources needed for your own individual move. This will include the number and type of vehicles, the number of staff required, and even the amount of packing boxes needed to box up your belongings. Most professional movers will offer an optional packing service which is another great way of speeding up the move process. This usually consists of a packing team arriving the day before your move day and packing up your entire home ready for move day. This allows you to live ‘normally’ right up until your move, rather than sitting in a home of packed boxes.

Time is particularly important if you are buying and selling in a chain. You will most likely need to be moved out of your current home by 1pm as at that time the property will no longer be yours. Using a removal company is often the only way of doing this as you will not have the option of making several trips back and forth to your new home.

Transporting your valuable and precious belongings safely

We all have something around the house that is either valuable, precious or maybe sentimental. It is worth employing the services of a professional who can move your valuables safely and securely. Professional movers will be experts in wrapping, packing and transporting a whole range of items from delicate ornaments to heavy bulkier items. They will also be able to offer you peace of mind with insurance cover in the unlikely event that anything were to get damaged during the move.

Advice and tips on moving house

A good removal company will offer more than just turning up on the day and transporting your personal effects from one house to another. One of the main benefits is the advice and information your movers can give you leading up to your move. There is so much to consider during a house move that any information can be valuable. This could be advice on packing your belongings, or questions about timescales on the day or maybe they know a good cleaning company to recommend for your move out clean. Remember they are experts in moving home so having someone to talk to and ask questions is extremely useful at what is usually a chaotic and stressful time.

Additional services on top of removals

Most removal companies will offer a variety of additional optional services for you to consider. Many will offer packing services which are a fantastic way to save time and eradicate the chances of breakages. You may have the requirement for storage for some of your belongings, again a good removal company will be able to offer you storage solutions.

Another service to consider is a de-clutter or clearance service. This is perfect if you are downsizing or have furniture etc that will not have a place in your new home. Many movers offer this service and can carry this out in advance of your move date.

Leave the hard work to someone else

Lets be honest, the thought of lifting and carrying your large wardrobes down the stairs, or moving your washing machine or fridge freezer with your partner or a friend is not everyone’s idea of a good time! Choosing a good removal company will mean you can leave all the heavy lifting and hard physical work to someone else, and concentrate on other important tasks you will no doubt have.

Is the cost difference as great as you may think?

The obvious reason for NOT choosing a removal company will be the cost to you. However if we ignore all of the benefits above, is the cost of employing a removal company that much more expensive than self-moving. Let’s look at the costs involved.

Vehicle hire. A removal company will obviously have access to the required vehicles needed to carry out your move. It is unlikely that you will, so you would need to consider hiring a large van or maybe more than one. It is perfectly feasible for the cost of hiring a large van for 24 hours or more to be in excess of £150. If you did need two vans, or even a van for 2 days you could be looking at a cost of £300. Then there is fuel which would be included in your removal quotation from a moving company, but if you are moving yourself you need to pay. With rising fuel prices this could also significantly add up, especially with multiple trips.

Packing materials. A lot of professional removal companies will either lend or sell you packing boxes, tape, bubblewrap, paper etc. Removal companies will often buy these in bulk, which means the cost of boxes etc can be less than if you went and purchased them yourself. It is not uncommon for large good quality packing boxes to retail at £4-£5 per box. You can imagine the cost if you have a lot to pack up!

So you can see from just van hire, fuel and packing materials that the price can soon build up. Depending on the size and ease of your move, a moving company may not charge as much more as you would pay if you were moving yourself.

Moving home is one of the most important things you will do in your life. Having your entire life belongings transported from one house to another needs careful planning and execution. Finding a professional removal company you can trust could be the best decision you make, and one worth serious consideration.

To summarise

1. Using a good removal company will save you time

2. Professional movers will transport your belongings safely

3. Helpful and advice and tips for moving house

4. Removal companies offer additional services on top of just moving your items

5. Using a removal firm will leave the hard work to someone else

6. Removal companies may not be as expensive as they may first seem

Please keep an eye out for next month’s blog post and thank you for taking the time to read.