Prices can vary considerably between removal companies, it is therefore important that you first assess exactly what services you require, enabling you to then choose the company that is best suited to you.

Before calling a removal company to get a quote, do the following:

- Make a list of exactly what you want to transport, and be strict with yourself; you do not want to pay good money to ship unnecessary items so this is the perfect opportunity to cut out the dead wood from your belongings.

- Measure the larger items to get their cubic metre volume.

- Estimate how many boxes and of what cubic metre volume you will require to transport your smaller possessions.

- Decide what contribution you will be making – will you be packing boxes yourself, or would you be happier leaving that to the professionals? Will you be unpacking boxes yourself? Will you be on hand to assist with loading and unloading?

- Make a note of details that may affect the removal company’s ability to do its job satisfactorily at either end of the journey: narrow roads, unsurfaced roads, steep or narrow staircases, lack of parking near the accommodation, small or no lift in an apartment building, for example.

On preparing the information above, you are now in a position to begin contacting different removal companies for quotations. When quoting, removal companies tend to take the following factors into consideration:

- The size and approximate weight of the loads

- The distance to destination

- The type of items to be transported

- The number of removal men they will require for the job.

Some removal companies will ask to come to your house in order to make an assessment; most, however, will be able to do that over the telephone, so it is vital that you furnish them with as much information as possible by preparing a detailed inventory of the items you wish to move. Inventories are invaluable because they provide the removal company with a list of exactly what is to be taken, and allows them to judge how many men they will require for moving the larger or more unwieldy objects. Also, they are proof of what was being transported by the removal company in the event of an insurance claim.

The risk that a removal company will abscond with your possessions is extremely low, but in order to ensure peace of mind, it is perhaps worth checking that the company is properly accredited by an industry association. This will also help in the case of a claim for damages, loss or bad service.
The smaller companies may be able to offer cheaper quotes that the mainstream companies, but they probably not be able to provide the same in-depth service.

“Groupage Service” is a service offered by some removal companies, and although it can take weeks or months for your possessions to arrive at their destination, it is considerably cheaper as it involves them being allocated space and then transported in large containers with other shipments.

Ensure you check exactly what services each removal company will provide as they can range from providing, packing and unpacking the boxes, and even cleaning and tidying after themselves, to other companies that may only be prepared  to load or unload ready-packed boxes.

Make sure that if you need to transport pets, heavy or unwieldy items (such as pianos) or fragile items (chandeliers, vases, ceramics, etc) that the company is also prepared to do that. As part of the contract, the removal company should provide you with the guarantee of a refund if they are not able to ship your belongings within the maximum shipping time stated, or at all.

It is important that you take out insurance for the shipment, not with the removal company itself as this may lead to more quibbling in the event of a claim. Most insurance companies will cover the shipment on the condition that it is packed, unpacked, loaded and unloaded by the removal company. Depending on the type of cover you opt for, you may be looking at about 1 or 2 per cent of the total worth. It is advisable to take photographs before packing to be used in case of a claim.

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