When you’re planning a move, understanding what affects the price of a removals service can help you budget and choose the right options for your needs. Several factors come into play that can influence the overall cost of hiring a removals company. The reason a survey is always important before you get a final quote, particularly for a full house move is that all of the below factors are considered by the surveyor to ensure you get the service you need.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common factors and why one quote can vary so much from another:
The first and most important factor is volume – in other words, how much stuff you have. Two similarly sized rooms can contain a very different number of items.
The more items you have, the more manpower and number of vans needed to move everything. If you are having a packing service, it will also affect the packing materials needed. Removal companies often measure this in cubic feet or meters, you may see ‘cuft’ on your quote, referring to cubic feet.
A 3.5 tonne Luton removals van holds approximately 400-500 cubic feet of belongings.
Removal vans have a maximum weight limit that cannot be exceeded by law and the type of items being moved are important. For example, where a van might be able to take 40 boxes of normal household items, it might only be able to take 20 boxes of books. So, if you have a lot of heavy items, this could add an extra van to your move to ensure your removals company is working within the law.
Additionally, some items are unstackable (meaning things cannot be places on top of them) and therefore additional vans may be required. This could be items such as delicate large furniture or houseplants.
Some large furniture items may need to be disassembled to move safely and then reassembled at your new home. The most common items are bed frames and wardrobes. You can always advise that you will do this yourself, however, removals companies always come prepared to do this on your behalf if it has been included in the quote.
If you are selling your home and purchasing a new home and your move is taking place on sale day, you’ll need to be out of the property by lunchtime. For larger moves this might mean having to load vans the day before or using additional movers or vans to ensure you have all of your belongings out of your property on time. There is no margin for error on a sale day move and therefore being overprepared is always best.
Some items are easy to box up or move, others need careful wrapping with specialist equipment. More delicate items will add time at the preparation/wrapping and packing stage.
Items that require special care (like pianos, fine art, or antiques) may increase the cost due to the need for special packing materials and handling techniques to ensure their safe transport.
The ease of access at both your current home and your new home can affect the price. If movers can’t park near the door, or if your home is on a high floor without a lift, it will take more time and we will therefore need more team members to load and unload your belongings.
How far your belongings need to be transported plays a significant role in the cost. Local moves are generally at a standard price and fuel is generally not charged. For long distances, you may also have costs associated with driver accommodation and fuel charges.
If you choose to have the removals company pack or unpack your belongings, this will have an additionally cost. Professional packing isn’t just about convenience; it also means your belongings are insured against damage caused during transit, provided the packing was done by the movers.
Most reputable removals companies will offer some form of insurance to protect your belongings during the move. The basic coverage might be included in your quote, but if you want comprehensive coverage, especially for high-value items, you might need to pay extra.
If there’s a gap between when you move out of your old home and into your new one, you might need storage services. The cost will depend on the volume of belongings that need to be stored.
The demand for removals services varies throughout the year. Peak times like weekends, bank holidays, and the summer months often come with higher rates due to increased demand.
Sometimes plans change, and if you need to cancel or reschedule your move date, especially at short notice, you might incur additional fees.
We know budgetting for your move is important, so here are some average house removals prices for moves within Bristol, based on property size. At survey we would consider all of the above points to ensure your quote includes everything you need, however, below will give you a good idea of the price brakets for different size properties.
Our service includes as standard, full protection of your home (door and floor covers), full protection of all furniture and all dismantling and reassembly of furniture as required.
+ a full packing service at £280-£600+VAT
+ a full packing service at £560 – £795+VAT
+ a full packing service at £750 – £1,150 +VAT
+ a full packing service at £1,050 – £1,550 +VAT
+ a full packing service at £1435 – £1750 +VAT
* There are always a number of factors to consider such as access to both properties, the type of items to be moved a of course distance if the move is outside of Bristol and surrounding areas, but this offers a good guide to the cost of a local move.
By understanding what affects the cost of a removals service, you can make more informed decisions and possibly find ways to reduce expenses. For example, decluttering before you move can reduce the volume of items, choosing a weekday during off-peak seasons can lower the cost, and packing/dismantling things yourself can save costs. Always discuss all potential costs and services with your chosen removals company to ensure there are no surprises on moving day.
Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have, even if you are not planning to move just yet. Be sure to give us a ring at 0117 259 1010.
