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...
Great lads - careful and speedy
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Inspired Villages referral
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?
Price, availability, discount offered by Inspired Villages
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Great lads - careful and speedy
How would you rate our communication?
7/10
How can we improve our service?
An email the day before to reassure us that we are all booked in and you are prepared to come would be helpful.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Smooth
They were excellent. Took control from the start on both days
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Used before and saw advertisement in a magazine at dentist . Called Coast I think
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?
We wanted someone we could trust
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were excellent. Took control from the start on both days
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Can’t think of anything
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?
We put our furniture into store so did not move on same day so made it harder for the delivery team as they had no idea what was in the crates . Excellent service
Email to Lynn
Please could you thank Tommy, Jake, Marcus and Macca for giving up their Saturday for us and Josh and Luke for travelling all the way to Yorkshire .
Both teams were excellent and made the physical move the least stressful part. They just took control of everything once they arrived and only left me to make the tea. Thanks also to yourself and to Mark for sorting out dates etc
Liz, BroughtonEverything was delivered safely and swiftly
Email to Lynn
Just a quick note to say thanks for all the help from you, Pam and the moving team (Chris and Luke). Our move went well and everything was delivered safely and swiftly
Mark HintzeHelpful, flexible and understanding of our difficult circumstances.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Because you were Local and friendly. I found you through a google search.
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?
Helpful, flexible and understanding of our difficult circumstances.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They remained professional throughout in a difficult move.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I cannot think of anything; for us it was perfect.
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?
Long delays due to Solicitors messing about; so very late finish, but they stayed to the end.
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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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