How to Get an Accurate Removal Quote (and What to Ask)

To get a removal quote you can trust, ask for a proper survey rather than a figure over the phone, describe the full job including the loft, garage and shed, and gather three written quotes you can compare line by line. A price given without anyone seeing your home is a guess, and it is the guess most likely to climb on moving day. This guide walks through how to get an accurate removal quote and the exact questions to put to each firm.

A removal quote is only as good as the information behind it. The single biggest cause of a bill that jumps on the day is a quote given blind, where the crew arrives to find far more to move than the firm allowed for. So the first thing to insist on is a survey.

Insist on a survey, not a phone estimate

Every reputable remover will offer to assess your home before quoting, either with an in-home visit or a video survey where you walk them through each room on your phone. This is how they measure the real volume, spot access problems and price the job properly. If a company is happy to book you on a headline number without ever seeing what you own, treat that as a warning sign rather than a convenience. A surveyed quote is far more likely to be the figure you actually pay.

Give the full picture

The quote you get back reflects what you tell the surveyor, so leave nothing out. Show them:

• Everything that is moving: the loft, garage, shed, cellar and any items in storage, not just the main rooms.
• Bulky and awkward items: pianos, large wardrobes, American fridge-freezers, garden equipment and anything that needs dismantling.
• Access at both ends: stairs, narrow doorways, long carries from the van, and whether a large lorry can park near the door.
• What you want them to do: full packing, part packing, dismantling and reassembly, or a labour-only load.

Understand what shapes the number

Distance, volume, crew size, packing and the time of year all move the price. A month-end or summer move costs more because demand is higher, and a long carry or a parking suspension adds to the labour. For a full breakdown of the typical figures for each property size, see our Sussex removal cost guide, and to sanity-check a starting range use the removal cost tools.

Get the quote in writing and check what is included

Ask for a written, itemised quotation, not a verbal ballpark. Two quotes for the same house can differ by hundreds of pounds simply because they are not quoting the same job. Read each one for crew and van size, whether packing and materials are included, dismantling and reassembly, insurance limits, and any extras such as long-carry charges, parking permits or storage between dates. When you are ready to gather quotes, you can reach vetted local firms through the Move Sussex homepage, and for vetting a firm before you book see our guide to choosing a removal company in Sussex.

Ask whether the quote is fixed or an estimate

There is a real difference between a fixed quotation and an estimate. A fixed quote holds unless the job changes, while an estimate can move. Ask which you are being given, what would cause it to change, and whether there are any charges that are not shown. Also confirm the goods in transit and public liability insurance limits in writing, since cover is part of the value, not just the headline price. For the wider checklist, see our questions to ask a removal company.

Compare three quotes, not on price alone

Three surveyed quotes give you a genuine feel for the market rate. Lay them side by side and compare what each includes rather than picking the lowest number. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value once you see that it excludes packing, carries a low insurance limit or assumes a smaller van that means a second trip.

Frequently asked questions