Your lifestyle and the distance of the move could be determining factors for deciding whether or not you hire professional removers. If your move is local, for example, it may make more sense to handle it yourself and save hundreds of pounds.

Also, consider the work involved: a houseful of wicker furniture, for example, costs much less to move than a houseful of heavy antiques. (But paying the movers to lift that heavy armoire may be worth the price.) Moving during peak times-usually school holidays - costs more, and homes with minimal access or apartments with lots of steps will add to the final cost.

Allow some leeway in your moving schedule, so you don't end up behind before you pack a single box. Hire a moving company or ask for the price of renting a van at least eight weeks before your planned moving date. If you're planning a summer time move, BEWARE the Summer is the busiest time for removal companies. The most important thing is to book up your removal company as early as you can. You wouldn’t want to be disappointed when companies tell you that they are completely booked up and you have to look else where.


The simplest way to move is to hire professionals to pack up your household and drive away. If you do this, ask several moving companies to come to your home and give you cost estimates. The estimates are generally not binding, but some movers will give binding estimates guaranteed to be your final cost.

Although cost estimates are important, give equal weight to the reputation of the remover. You could ask for references from the removal company. It is important to get it right. Make sure that the company has the right insurance for moving your furniture.

Even when you use a professional mover, there are ways to cut expenses. If possible, avoid the peak summer season. Minimize accessory charges – disconnecting appliances (washing machine and dishwasher) and moving heavy furniture up more than one flight of stairs. Also, do as much of the packing as you can (leave expensive and fragile items to the movers for insurance reasons) and don't take expendable items.