Moving house is a significant investment, and choosing the right removal company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. To ensure your possessions are safe and the day goes smoothly, you need a confident, competent, and honest service. This guide will teach you how to choose a removal company with confidence, and what to look for when doing a removal quotes comparison.

Removal company red flags: What to look out for

If a company exhibits any of the following, pause and look elsewhere. Trust is non-negotiable when handling your life’s possessions.

• Quote without a survey: A professional must perform a visual survey (in-person or video) to accurately gauge volume, access, and specific items. If they quote without seeing the job, that’s a major red flag, likely leading to price hikes on the day.
• Extremely low price: If a quote is drastically lower than all others in your removal quotes comparison, they may be cutting corners on insurance, using unqualified staff, or planning last-minute surcharges.
• No clear insurance: They cannot clearly explain how your goods are insured in transit, or they use vague language.

Removals insurance explained: What you need to know

Removals insurance explained simply: there are two types, and a good company has both.

• Goods in transit insurance: Covers your possessions against loss or damage while being moved or transported. Make sure the total value covered is sufficient for your contents.
• Public liability Insurance: Covers damage to your property (e.g., scuffing a wall, damaging a banister) while the movers are on-site.

Always ask to see evidence of both policies and their coverage limits.

What to ask a removal company: The essential questions

When you are vetting potential movers, these questions separate the professionals from the amateurs.

• “Are you a member of a recognised trade association (e.g., BAR or FIDI)?” Membership demonstrates adherence to strict service standards.
• “What is your exact process for my high-value items (e.g., art, antiques, electronics)?” This tests their technical knowledge and specific procedures.
• “Do you use your own staff, or do you rely on casual/agency workers?” Companies using their own full-time, trained staff tend to be more reliable and experienced.
• “What is your breakdown of the quote, including packing costs and any potential waiting fees?” Demand clarity and transparency in every line item.

Why Rated People is the trusted answer

We understand that trust is everything. Rated People attracts confident, professional removal specialists. When you choose a tradesperson through our platform, you benefit from verified homeowner reviews and can be sure you are getting transparent, quality-focused quotes from people who value a high standard of service.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.

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Moving house is one of life’s biggest stressors, but adding children and pets to the mix can raise the challenge level significantly. The goal is a stress-free moving with toddlers or teens, and a safe, smooth transition for your furry friends. By planning ahead, you can make the day positive for the whole family.

The moving house with kids checklist

Kids thrive on routine and certainty. Giving them a role and a sense of control can make the move much easier.

• The “Moving day” box: Dedicate a clearly marked box (or two) of essentials: a favourite toy, blanket, PJs, toiletries, and snacks. This is the last thing packed and the first thing unpacked.
• A “Home base”: Before the move, designate one room in the new house as their special space. On moving day, unpack their beds and favourite things there first.
• The babysitter rule: On moving day, the children (especially toddlers) should be at a friend’s or family member’s house. This ensures their safety and allows the removal team to work quickly and efficiently.
• Involve them in packing: Let older kids decorate their own boxes. Use it as a fun way to go through the moving house with a kid checklist together.

These family moving house tips will help them feel valued, not overwhelmed.

Preparing pets for moving day

Pets are sensitive to stress and change, and a frantic moving day is terrifying for them. Preparing pets for moving day requires separation and routine.

Find a removal company that’s kind and balanced

Our network of removal specialists are experienced, friendly, and understanding of the chaos that comes with moving a family. When you book through Rated People, you can be confident that your movers will be kind, courteous, and efficient, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible for everyone, including the non-human family members.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.

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Tackling a big house clearance or renovation means dealing with a mountain of waste. Homeowners often face a crucial decision: hire a skip, or book a ‘man with a van’ rubbish removal service? While both offer a way to get rid of your clutter, the costs, convenience, and suitability differ hugely. This guide lays out the facts to help you find the cheapest way to get rid of rubbish for your project.

Skip hire vs man with a van cost: The breakdown

Hidden fees and legal compliance

Don’t be fooled by a low initial price; there can be hidden costs with both waste disposal options for homeowners.

• Skip overfilling: If you fill a skip past the ‘level fill’ line, the driver may refuse to take it, or you will be charged a surcharge.
• Prohibited items: Items like asbestos, batteries, plasterboard, and liquid waste often incur specialist fees or are outright banned from standard skips.
• The law: When using a ‘man with a van’ service, you must check their credentials. Ensure they hold a valid man with a van rubbish removal license (specifically a Waste Carrier License from the Environment Agency). If they fly-tip your waste, you, the homeowner, can be fined up to £5,000.

The savvy homeowner’s choice

Find a licensed waste removal specialist

Using a tradesperson found through Rated People means you are choosing a service that has been vetted. When it comes to waste, we help you find licensed specialists who are compliant with the latest UK waste regulations, giving you total peace of mind.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.

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When tradespeople are moving furniture, materials, or waste in and out of your home, the risk of scrapes, dings, and scuffs is surprisingly high. Professional removal and clearance specialists take proactive steps that homeowners can replicate to ensure maximum moving damage prevention and keep your property looking great.

The floor is our priority: Protecting floors during renovation

Floors take the brunt of the traffic and dropped debris. Protecting floors during renovation is essential, as floor repairs are expensive.

• Temporary floor protection for moving: Forget old sheets. Professionals use specialised, heavy-duty floor runners (often padded or self-adhesive plastic films) to create non-slip pathways. For carpeted stairs, they use durable carpet film.
• Plywood paths: For heavy traffic areas, especially over delicate wood or tiles, they lay down sheets of plywood or hardboard to distribute weight evenly and prevent cracking or deep gouges.
• Doorway mats: Use a thick rubber or synthetic mat outside the entrance to remove dirt and grit before entry, preventing it from being tracked through the house.

Keeping walls and doorways flawless

The simple act of carrying a box or sofa through a doorway can result in costly damage to the architrave or paintwork.

Specialist moving damage prevention

Beyond covering surfaces, specialists manage the process to minimise risk.

• Clearance: They ensure the path is clear before attempting the move. Every tradesperson should plan the route and identify pinch points.
• Wrap everything: All furniture and items being moved are wrapped in thick padding or stretch-wrap, so if it touches a wall, it’s not wood hitting plaster.
• No dragging: Items are lifted or placed on sliders/dollies, never dragged, which is the main cause of floor scratches.

Find property-conscious removal specialists

When you hire a removal specialist or tradesperson through Rated People, you are choosing professionals who understand that their job is not just about the task but about respecting your home. Our platform attracts people who are committed to a high standard of work, which includes leaving your property exactly as they found it.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.

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When you’re moving items that hold significant monetary or sentimental value—such as family heirlooms, art, or antique furniture—the risk simply isn’t worth a DIY approach. Removal specialists don’t just lift and load; they provide meticulous preparation and transit protocols. If you’re wondering about the specialist removal services cost, it often covers the peace of mind that comes from their unique process.

The professional packing difference

The key to how to move fragile items safely lies in packing, which is where specialists truly excel.

• Custom crates: For large canvases, statues, or chandeliers, a specialist will often build a bespoke wooden crate that ensures zero movement in transit.
• Triple-layer wrapping: They use a three-stage wrapping process: acid-free paper (for surface protection), shock-absorbing bubble wrap, and finally, a thick furniture blanket or corrugated cardboard wrap for protection against scuffs.
• Internal void filling: For hollow items (like vases or lamps), they fill the internal space with crumpled paper or packing peanuts to prevent the shell from imploding under pressure.
• Separation: They separate frames and glass, removing them where possible to pack individually.

The art of moving valuable art and antiques

Moving valuable art and antiques requires a different logistical approach entirely.

• Inventory & condition reports: Before the item is even touched, specialists create a detailed inventory and note the condition of the piece, often using photos, which provides transparency and protection.
• Temperature control: For sensitive art or wine collections, they use climate-controlled vehicles to prevent damage from extreme temperature or humidity changes.
• The right vehicle: They use air-ride suspension trucks, which cushion the cargo against road bumps far better than a standard hire van, effectively preventing the transmission of shock waves.

Specialist transport and preparation

For extremely heavy, bulky items like safes or machinery, specialists follow protocols you can’t replicate at home.

• Moving piano tips: A piano is moved on its side, secured to a specialised piano dolly using webbing straps, and only ever by trained personnel who understand the weight distribution. Never attempt to move an upright or grand piano without specialist help.
• Insurance: Unlike standard household contents insurance, which may have low limits for items in transit, specialist removal firms carry higher levels of liability and transit insurance tailored to your declared high-value items. This justifies the specialist removal services cost.

Find high-calibre removal specialists on Rated People

When the contents of your home matter this much, you need the right person for the job. Our platform connects you with vetted, insured removal specialists who treat your possessions with the care they deserve. This confidence is part of the Rated People experience.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.

The post Moving fragile and high-value items: What removal specialists do differently appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Moving day and major clear-outs often involve lifting objects that are heavier or more awkward than we anticipate. Avoiding strains and injuries is paramount, and it’s surprisingly easy when you use the right ergonomic skills. If you’re going to attempt to move heavy furniture alone or simply shift a lot of boxes, remember these principles.

The golden rule: Lifting with your legs, not your back

Professional removal teams rely on core strength and leverage, not brute force. This is the foundation of safe heavy lifting techniques.

• Assess and clear: Before you lift, check the object’s weight and clear the pathway. A tripping hazard is a fast route to injury.
• The power stance: Stand close to the object with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Bend your knees, not your waist: Squat down, keeping your back straight and your chest up. This engages your powerful leg and glute muscles. This is the essence of lifting with your legs not your back.
• Secure the grip: Grab the object firmly with both hands, ensuring you have a full, secure grip.
• Lift gradually: Use a steady, slow motion, pushing up with your legs. Do not jerk or twist your body.
• Keep it close: Hold the load as close to your body’s core as possible. The further out it is, the heavier it feels.

Essential equipment for moving house

You don’t need a team of pros if you have the right tools. Investing in the best lifting equipment for moving house is a smart move to help prevent back injury lifting.

When to step back and call a pro

While it’s great to save money, know your limits. You can only truly prevent back injury lifting if you don’t over-exert yourself.

If an item is heavy, awkward, located on a staircase, or involves a high risk of property damage, it’s time to call in the specialists. They have the training and insurance to move items like pianos, marble statues, or large safes safely.

Find a tradesperson who handles the heavy stuff

Our platform connects you with experienced removal specialists who possess the knowledge, equipment, and insurance required for all types of loads. Don’t risk your back (or your banisters!) when you don’t have to.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today

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