Hints for using a comparison site for removals
Comparison sites are everywhere. We're used to using them to switch our energy supplier, check on better rates for our home, car, and pet insurance, find a better mortgage, loan, or credit card Comparing prices for products like these offered via comparison sites is relatively straightforward. You tell them what you're looking for, answer some questions or make selections on must-haves for the product, and you're presented with a chart allowing you to compare like-for-like among the companies on offer.
When you use a price comparison site for removals, your experience is different. You provide the comparison site with some very basic information about your move and you're given the names of various removal companies (usually 3 or 4) and an indicative price for your removal. You often don't know what's included in that price (packing materials, insurance, waiting time, etc) until you've spoken with the removal company.
Also, the price isn't binding - a removal company should be, at a minimum, asking you a lot of questions about how much you're moving, what you're moving, etc - and only once they know the full scope of your move can they give you a full and binding quote for your removal.
Price comparison sites for removals are different
On the face of it, removals can appear to be an unskilled job. The reality is quite the opposite. Yes, the men are moving heavy pieces of furniture and boxes, but if you've ever moved yourself, you know how easy it is to damage something by carrying it the wrong way - from scraping your floor or walls, to dropping and breaking what you're carrying.
Then there's loading the truck - the men often describe it as being a bit of a game of Tetris as you need to think ahead, plan out how to best fit everything in, and then do so in a way that leaves no gaps and is a tight fit so nothing bounces around in the back of the lorry. Our men undergo a considerable amount of training throughout their careers to ensure their skills are up to best practice, and the latest and best techniques are used.
Hints for using a comparison site for a removal quote
- Is the indicative price given inclusive of VAT?
- Is the removal company VAT registered?
- Are they adequately insured? If not, and their truck with your belongings was involved in an accident that wasn't their fault, your items may not be insured!
- How long have they been in business? Will they still be in business when your move takes place?
- Are they a member of a trade organisation such as the British Association of Removers (BAR)? BAR members are inspected annually for not just good practice in the removals industry, but also for their finances and creditworthiness. In the unlikely event a BAR member's business fails after you've paid for the move (but before you've moved), the BAR will ensure your move takes place or a refund is issued under their Advanced Payment Guarantee
- Provisional bookings - some removalists take provisional bookings for future removals, only to cancel them at the last minute when a better paying job comes along, leaving you in the lurch trying to find a replacement removal company often the day before your move is scheduled. We don't take provisional bookings, but do offer you insurance options to avoid costly changes should your moving date need to change
- Are the quotes like-for-like? Because you don't know exactly what's included in the prices you're given from a comparison site, you'll need to find out exactly what's included in their price (insurance, boxes, packing materials, etc) - these things will vary from company to company, regardless of their size
- Will they come to your home to perform a survey to see exactly what's being moved, check the access at your home for the lorry, and make sure there aren't any issues with very tight stairs or corners that would require a bit of extra work to remove your belongings?
- Be sure to fully check the binding quote you're given after you've spoken with the removal company to ensure you're receiving a quote for everything you require for your move. Use this as a comparison, rather than the indicative prices you initially receive
Removal quote appointment booking service
Bradshaw Moving Services can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0116 289 9011 (Leicester), 0115 965 6555 (Nottingham), or 01283 243001 (Derby & Burton) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Professional, helpful, prompt
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommendation from employee
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Recommended. Considering only 2 days notice your quote was very competitive
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Professional, helpful, prompt
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
No improvement needed.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Removal team were helpful, courteous and professional. Waiting for completion was long winded but the team were very patient
Communication with your office was good.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I found you by researching on the internet.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
8/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Trevor was very helpful when he conducted the survey and your quote (whilst not the cheapest) was very reasonable. Furthermore communication with your office was good.
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were efficient, helpful and very accommodating
How would you rate our communication?
8/10
How can we improve our service?
It was excellent
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
They kept the floors protected were courteous and helpful
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Online
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good explanation by administration staff to my request and clear paperwork and costs were explained.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Calm reassuring asked appropriate questions. They kept the floors protected were courteous and helpful. They anticipated any difficulties over moving specific items of furniture.
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
It was a good service.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
I felt well supported and that items were safe. Helpful staff as I was on my own doing the move after over 30 years at the property so it was emotional and exhausting.
Email to Lynn
It was a fantastic service and I am very glad that I chose your company. The feedback to you personally is that you have a great customer service manner. You are calm kind and reassuring.
Thank you for an excellent service at a very stressful time.
Clare TurnbullSympathetic. Professional. Helpful.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We were let down by our local removals company (and told the day before we moved that they couldn’t move us) so I contacted Bradshaw with my wife in tears and everything crossed.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Sympathetic. Professional. Helpful. Competitive quote. Available.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were amazing and worked very hard despite some surprises and challenges. Friendly, professional, helpful, polite & amazing!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
You were amazing and saved us. Beyond this, you were excellent in every respect and did more than we could have expected.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
A nightmare was turned into an efficient process. There was no time for Bradshaw to visit so they accepted the volume calculation/quotation from the original company and we were all surprised it was inaccurate.
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Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.
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