Choosing a removal company for a London move

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Describe the whole move

List furniture, boxes, floors, lifts, stair turns and vehicle distance at both addresses. Include dismantling, packing and reassembly. A few boxes in a van and a complete household move need different resources.

For a large move, request a survey or detailed video assessment. Understating volume can produce an undersized vehicle, insufficient staff and disputed extras. Identify pianos, heavy pieces and fragile items separately.

Verify the provider

Trading Standards' Approved Code page explains BAR membership ↗ and verification. Membership is one factor rather than a promise that nothing will go wrong. Check the legal name, contacts, cover and complaints process.

Obtain comparable written quotes covering vehicle, staff, packing, materials, stairs, VAT, waiting and road charges. Compare hourly and fixed pricing against the same work.

Parking and access

Establish who arranges suspensions or permits. Check the relevant council ↗. Permission for a brief stop does not necessarily allow a van to remain throughout the move.

Arrange lifts and unloading times with building management. Ask about waiting charges and contingency if keys are delayed. Keep documents, medicines and overnight essentials separate from the main load.

Packing and delivery

Label boxes by room and retain an inventory and valuable-item photographs. Check liability limits for owner-packed goods. Insured wording is insufficient without limits, exclusions and reporting deadlines.

Count boxes and record damage during unloading rather than signing an empty form. Keep invoices and messages. Read cancellation and date-change charges beforehand. Clear scope, access and written conditions make comparison more useful than a low starting price alone.