Planning for removal costs
Posted on: April 4, 2022
There is lots to consider when budgeting for your upcoming dream home move. Removal costs are often a forgotten expense. However, it is essential to account for them, if needed, to ensure you are adequately covered for moving day.
How do Removal Companies Charge?
There are a variety of ways companies bill for their services. Most will charge hourly, which means the quantity of items you require moving is generally a good indicator of how much the job will cost.
Try to give the removals company the most accurate description of your home and belongings to obtain the best quote. No two homes will look the same, and basing your move on the number of bedrooms can mean you estimate completely wrong. Underestimating the number of items you need moving will only lead to a larger than expected bill, a frustrated workforce, and a more stressful process.
Which day of the week you chose to move will also affect the cost. Fridays and Saturdays are generally the busiest, and therefore the most expensive day to move to a new house.
Beware of simply choosing the company with the lowest rates. Remember, they are transporting your possessions, including sentimental and valuable items, and the last thing you want is any hiccups on your important moving day.
Long Distance Moves
Most removal companies will charge a minimum fee, equating to their rate for two hours. However, this flat fee is generally not a cause for concern. Even the shortest of moves usually take longer than this when loading and unloading the van is considered.
Long-distance moves are generally more expensive due to the time required to drive between properties. You may, therefore, be tempted to hire a van and move yourself, which is totally do-able, however, just be mindful that by taking this responsibility on yourself, it may cause additional stress to your day.
Packing Services
You may also choose to hire the removal company to pack and unpack your belongings. This can further help reduce stress in the lead up to the move.
However, this service comes at a cost. Although this is an extra expense to add to the process, it can be well worth the money if it’s something you don’t have the time to do yourself, or one you’re dreading. The professionals should work quickly and efficiently on your behalf.
Be sure to discuss whether materials (packing tape, boxes, bubble wrap) will be provided by the team when calculating the expense.
Many removal companies will also offer a dismantling service. Perfect for any flat pack furniture that you wish to rebuild in your new home, helping with the logistics of moving between rooms. These services generally start from around £100, depending on the item and the company.
Special Care Items
If you have any particularly delicate or precious items you want to be handled with more care, you will pay more for the removal company to deal with them.
This may include using specially designed crates for expensive electronics such as televisions and computers or carefully wrapping any delicate art pieces.
Extra Equipment Required
The removal company might need to use extra equipment for any particularly heavy or challenging items you own. Some pieces may not fit up or down the stairs, meaning they have to be removed through windows. This process will likely add to the total bill, so is important to consider beforehand.
Delays
We hope moving day goes as seamlessly as possible for you, but unfortunately, delays can occur when it comes to moving home, and these are often out of your control. If your move is delayed by a matter of hours, there may be a waiting charge to pay to the removal company to cover the time they have lost. We would recommend checking this with the company beforehand so that you are prepared for any additional costs that may incur.
In the unfortunate event that your move is delayed to a different day, there may be a cancellation fee payable. Plan ahead by considering other factors that may be included in this, such as the price of storing items or paying for accommodation for yourself should the move become disjointed. Hopefully, this isn’t something you have to deal with, but it’s always good to be prepared.
Insurance
Insurance is one of the most significant benefits of choosing a removal company over attempting the task yourself. Good companies will offer a range of insurance plans, starting from as little as £20, ranging up to insurance covering you for £50,000 worth of damages.
Insurance is always recommended to give you peace of mind during the moving process.
Final Thoughts on Removal Costs
It is tough to place an accurate figure on how much your move will cost. There are many factors that will need to be considered, including the number of items you have, the level of support you require and the distance you are moving. So it’s best to do your research and gain quotes from multiple companies.
For additional home move services, head to our Helpful Extras.
