A good free removals quote is written, itemised and based on your inventory, access, distance and services such as packing. Ask what is included, how insurance works and what happens if plans change. This guide explains how quotes work, what to ask and how to compare them like for like.
Asking for a removals quote should be simple: you say what you are moving, and someone tells you what it will cost. In practice, quotes can be very different from one another, and it is not always obvious why. One is a single number in an email. Another is three pages long. A third seems cheap until you notice what is missing.
We give free removals quotes across Southampton and Hampshire, and we know how confusing they can be to compare. This guide explains what to expect from a free removals quote: what it should include, how it is worked out, the different ways of surveying a home, what to ask before you accept and how to compare quotes like for like. We have not given any prices, because they depend entirely on your move, and this is not a cost guide.
What should a removals quote include?
A good quote is written and itemised, so you can see what you are paying for. At a minimum it should cover the following.
- The addresses at both ends, and the date or dates of the move.
- The size of the property and what is being moved, as an inventory or a description.
- Access details, such as stairs, lifts, parking and distance from the van to the door.
- The services included, such as packing, dismantling, unpacking and storage.
- The team and vehicle, so you know what to expect.
- Insurance, and what it covers.
- The terms, including cancellation and what happens if plans change.
If any of these is missing, ask. A quote that does not say what it includes is a quote that can change on the day.
How is a quote worked out?
A quote reflects the work involved, not just the distance. The main things that shape it are these.
- Volume. How much you are moving, and how big and heavy it is.
- Distance. How far it is from one address to the other, and how long the journey takes.
- Access. Stairs, lifts, narrow doors, parking and the distance from the van to the door all add time.
- Time. How long the job will take, and how many people it needs.
- Services. Packing, dismantling, unpacking and storage are extra work.
This is why two moves of the same size can produce very different quotes. A ground-floor house with a driveway is a different job from a third-floor flat in a Southampton terrace with no lift and no parking. The more accurately you describe your move, the more accurate the quote will be.
Survey types: in person, video or by phone
Companies work out the details of your move in different ways. The common ones are these.
- In person. Someone visits your home and sees the rooms, the access and the items. It is the most thorough, and the most useful for large or complicated moves.
- Video. You show the rooms on a video call or send photos and videos. It saves time, and works well if you can show the access clearly.
- Phone or online form. You describe the move, and the company gives a quote based on your details. It is quick, but it relies on your description being accurate.
We give free, no-obligation quotes, and we can often give one quickly. If your move is large, or the access is awkward, tell us, and we will talk about the best way to look at it. Ask us when you get in touch which options we can offer for your move.
Questions to ask before you accept
Once you have a quote, a few questions are worth asking, whoever gives it.
- Is the quote fixed, or can it change? What would change it?
- Is it fully insured? What does the insurance cover, and what does it exclude?
- What is the cancellation policy, and what happens if my date changes?
- Are there any extra charges, such as for stairs, parking or waiting time?
- How many people will come, and what vehicle will they bring?
- What happens if there is a problem with parking or access on the day?
We say what we quote is what you pay, simple, and every move we carry out is fully insured. If anything is unclear, ask us, and we will explain.
Comparing quotes fairly
The cheapest quote is not always the best, and the most expensive is not always the most complete. Compare them like for like.
- Check they cover the same scope: the same items, services and dates.
- Watch for vague wording, such as 'plus extras' or 'subject to survey'.
- Check what is included in the price, such as packing materials and insurance.
- Look at reviews from named review sites, and read a mix of them, not just the best ones.
- Ask each company the same questions, so you can compare the answers.
If a quote seems much lower than the others, ask what is left out. If it seems much higher, ask what is included. A good company will explain.
Red flags in a quote
- A price with no breakdown, and nothing in writing.
- No mention of insurance, or a vague one.
- A price that seems far too good, with no explanation.
- Pressure to pay a large deposit, or to decide on the spot.
- No questions about your access, your stairs or your parking.
A good company asks questions, because it needs the answers to give you an honest quote. If nobody asks you about the stairs, the parking or how much you are moving, the number you are given is probably a guess.
How to get a quote from K2
You can ask for a quote by phone or through our website. It helps to have a few things ready.
- The addresses and postcodes at both ends, and your preferred date.
- The size of each property, and what you are moving.
- Details of the access, such as stairs, lifts and parking.
- Any services you would like, such as packing or dismantling.
- Photos of anything large, awkward or valuable.
We work seven days a week across Southampton and Hampshire, and a quote is free and comes with no pressure to book. Tell us what you need and we will sort the rest.
Summary
- A good quote is written and itemised.
- Access and inventory shape the quote.
- Ask about insurance and cancellation.
- Compare quotes like for like.
FAQs
A good quote lists the addresses, the date, what is being moved, the access, the services, the insurance and the terms. Ask for it in writing, and check that nothing is left out.
Ours are. We give free, no-obligation quotes, and there is no pressure to book.
It depends on how well you describe your move. The more detail you give about your belongings and the access, the more accurate the quote will be. For large or awkward moves, ask for a survey.
Ask whether the quote is fixed, what the insurance covers, what the cancellation terms are, whether there are extra charges and who is coming on the day.
It can, if the move turns out to be different from what was described, for example if there is more to move or the access is harder. That is why accurate details at the quote stage matter, and why you should ask what would change it.
One Last Thought
Want a free quote for a move in Southampton or Hampshire? Call K2 Swift Removals on 023 8111 3116 or 07356 097791 and we will give you a straight, free quote.
