The entire house purchasing process is something of a nightmare for most of us. Assuming that you have negotiated the hazards of offers, mortgages and the conveyancing process successfully, the great day finally arrives for the move. You are now faced with, in the case of most people, packing and transporting your entire world to a new location. Choosing a good removal firm can make this a far more palatable element of the moving process. Choosing the wrong firm can make it almost unbearable.

Estimates
Generally bigger removal firms will send a representative to your house to make an on-site survey before providing an estimate. Smaller firms, however, do this initial survey either over telephone or by sending you a printed or emailed questionnaire and basing their estimate on your replies. Although sending a representative may provide you with some sense of comfort, it makes absolute business sense for the smaller firms to get the relevant details without physically sending someone, particularly as you may be merely enquiring or looking for preliminary information. Many firms are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) whose members adhere to certain standards and codes of practices. It is generally wise to choose to use a remover with BAR membership.

Once you have short-listed a few firms, they will have to make a physical inspection as their experience will almost invariably indicate that a final estimate cannot be based on your own evaluation; it requires an expert view to pick up on factors that you may have missed in providing your initial responses.

This visit will also provide you with the chance to ask a few questions of and get relevant details from the firm's representative on a one-on-one basis. This will help in judging their professional competence. Ask the representative how they would pack your expensive new leather suite, for example. If he or she is able to give you a comprehensive answer including the safety precautions that need to be taken while removing it, you can be reasonably assured that the firm will do a decent job. The same thing goes for other bulky or extremely delicate items.

Always ask for references, regardless of the size of firm.

Insurance
Always establish what sort of insurance cover the firm will provide for your possessions while they handle them. Generally every reputable removals firm provides full insurance cover to general household items. In case of some special or high value items such as antiques, firms arrange for special insurance at an additional cost. If it is likely that you will need insurance cover for exceptional items, ensure that this is clearly indicated in the firm's estimate. You may decide that the associated costs are too high and that you will either move the item yourself (be sure that you can do this) or accept that there is an exposure if the item is lost or damaged in transit. Be aware that very few house contents policies will cover loss or damage to goods being transported by a professional removals firm (or indeed by you!).

Waiting Time
The bigger firms generally own most of the vehicles they use for transporting household items, so they don't necessarily charge any waiting time for that day. However if, for some reason, the wait spills over to the next day you will most probably have to pay for the delay as this will cause havoc with the firm's own planning and other moves. You need to know the extent of any extra costs that you may be liable for should this occur.

Packing
You generally have a choice here. You can either do some or all of the packing yourself or you can leave it all to the removals firm who will send in a team of experienced packers. For example, you may wish the removals firm to pack all of your breakables, leaving you to pack everything else. Many people prefer to do the packing themselves and removals firms provide cardboard cartons and boxes both on a rental or outright sale basis for this purpose. Remember though, there will not be any breakage insurance cover provided by the company on goods which you have packed yourself.

If you have packed the goods yourself, make an inventory and give a copy of it to the removers. This list is necessary not only to remind you what has been packed and what is left out, but also indicates what is in which box. You should also make a plan of your new home with the rooms marked on it, for the removers. If you then label each of your boxes with the room name / number of your new home, your belongings can be placed in the right rooms.

Ensure that all your furniture will be wrapped in proper covers or transit blankets to minimise damage and dust during transit. All reputable removal firms do this as a matter of routine, but it is always better to double check.

When you reach your destination and everything has been unloaded, personally check the removal van/s to ensure that nothing has been left inside. As soon as everything is unpacked; check for any 'casualties' of the removal process and immediately notify the firm for compensation wherever applicable. Most firms and their insurers impose relatively short deadlines for such notification.

Cost
This is probably the single most important factor. Obviously, the more possessions you have, the more you can expect to pay for removals. Distance is the other major factor. Moving two streets away will invariably cost less than moving from Devon to the Outer Hebrides. There are other considerations too. Suppose a piece of furniture is too big to come out through the door or too unwieldy to be brought down the stairs. It may require a window to be removed and specialist lifting equipment: all adding to the cost. Similarly, moving a houseful of antiques will cost far more than a similarly sized houseful of standard furniture.

While you should be wary of those firms which provide ridiculously low estimates don't think that a high price will necessarily mean that you will get better service. Perhaps choose a mid-range firm and discuss in detail every aspect. Chances are you may find a firm which will do your job at moderate cost.

Conclusion
There are many ways in which to evaluate a removals firm. Recommendation is ideal, since this will give a true picture of a firm from the client's perspective. You should also consider their general attitude and professionalism and for added confidence, perhaps seek a firm with membership of a professional body such as the British Association of Removers (BAR). Which ever firm you choose, ensure that it has adequate insurance cover, as it will be moving the entire contents of your home and any mishaps could be potentially disastrous.
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25 June 2008
VAN AND MAN HIRE LONDON WWW.CAPITALCARGO.CO.UK..
See http://www. capitalcargo. co. uk for more details. removals: london, uk, europe we cover all areas of london north, east, south, west, and any uk address, europe www. capitalcargo. co. uk, man and van hire, removals, collection, delivery services london, . .
£30
N1
17 June 2008
Removal and Rubbish Collection Service to Suit Your Nee..
We are experienced removers and our focus is to deliver a good and strong customer service whilst still maintaining a good time keeping. so before you get a quote anywhere get one from us first… our areas of specialisation are: - removal (bedsits to 2 bed. .
£15
SE28
10 June 2008
uk, european removals...
Removals to anywhere in uk and europe. insured, luton van with tail lift, straps and blankets to protect furniture. contactable drivers, load and go service no swopping load between vehicles. credit cards taken. .
B35
available 24/7 man& van..
Available 24/7 for any kind of transportation or removals within and outside london.
IG11
06 June 2008
A Removal Service to Suit Your Needs and Budget (from 1..
We are very reliable and have a really good time keeping record. we work with you to get a quote and schedule that will not only fit your needs but also your budget. our specialisation areas are - removals (bedsits to 2 bedroom flats) - store pickups and drop off. .
SE28
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