Sometimes you get weeks to plan a move. More often you get a phone call. The landlord wants the flat back by Friday, the new job starts on Monday, or the buyer wants it a fortnight early. Now you need a van and some muscle, and you need them fast.
This is where last-minute removals become useful, provided that you select the right ones. This article will tell you how to find reputable companies for relocation in Leicester, how to detect the scammers, and how to make your hasty relocation a breeze.
Start With A Quick Plan
Ten minutes of planning saves hours. Walk round each room with your phone and take photos
of the big stuff. Sofa, bed, wardrobes, fridge. A mover can give you a much better price from photos than from “it’s a two-bed”. Measure anything tall or wide as well. A wardrobe that won’t go through the new front door is a classic way to wreck a move, so check before you book.
The next thing is to state your deadlines clearly. Tell them whether you require the keys back by Friday. If you have an extra day on either side of the deadline, let them know because this allows some flexibility for the firm to schedule your move. Be honest with them. Companies will be able to help you much better if you are specific rather than unclear. In case you are leaving rented accommodation, it would be useful for you to take photos of every room after you have left it.
In case you are relocating an office, you should hire a moving company which has experience in office moves. It is crucial to handle desks, computers, and filing cabinets carefully, and you don’t wish to have your staff idle in the morning on Monday.
- Photos of every room and the biggest items
- A rough list of what’s staying and what’s going
- Your hard deadline and any wiggle room
- Get details at both addresses
- A rough budget, so you know what counts as a fair quote
Pick The Right Kind of Help
Different jobs need different help. A few boxes and a couple of big items? A man with a van will often be the quickest and cheapest way to do it. Many can turn up the same day, and you’ll normally pay by the hour or by the job. Just check how big the van is. A van that’s too small means two trips and double the time.
A full house is another story. A three-bed place needs a proper crew and a bigger lorry, because wrapping and carrying a whole home isn’t a one-person job. Student moves are a special case. Most students only have a bed, a desk and a few boxes, so a small van is usually plenty. If a housemate is going the same way, split the cost.
- A small van service for flats, student rooms and a few items
- A full crew for larger family home relocations
- Specialists for pianos, safes and big glass pieces
- Packing help if you’ve got no time to box things up
- Short-term storage if your dates don’t match up
- Part-service options, where you pack, and they carry
Know Where To Look In Leicester
Start local. Ask around. Friends, neighbours and people at work will often know a firm they’d use again, and someone who moved last month will tell you more than any advert will. Then check Google reviews and look for comments about turning up on time and looking after furniture, not just star ratings. Local Facebook groups can help too, as long as you check reviews and never hand over money before you’ve seen proof.
When you search for removal services Leicester has to offer, you’ll see a lot of results. Don’t just pick the first one. Ring three or four. Some firms hold a day or two back for urgent jobs, so last-minute removals can be possible if you call first thing and don’t mind when the crew turns up. Leicester gets busy around the end of term, when students are moving out, so expect a scramble in June and September.
Have a look at the firm’s website or social pages too. Real photos of real jobs are easier to trust than a page full of stock images.
- Recommendations from friends, family and colleagues
- Google reviews from the last few months
- Local firms with a proper Leicester address
- Photos or details of recent jobs
- A phone number that someone actually answers
Ask The Right Questions Before You Book
When time’s tight, people skip questions. Don’t. Two minutes on the phone can save you a nightmare. Ask how they work out the price, how many people will turn up, and what time they’ll arrive. Ask whether the same crew will be doing the job, or if they’ll send whoever’s free. If they can’t answer, they’re not organised enough for a rush job.
Also pay attention to the way in which they ask you questions. A reputable company will definitely be interested in knowing about the stairs, the parking situation, and what you are moving. If they give you a quote without asking anything, then you should be careful.
- Whether the price is fixed or hourly
- The minimum charge and any travel costs
- How many people are on the crew
- A time window for arrival, in writing
- What’s included, like blankets, wrap and trolleys
- Who to ring if they’re running late
Watch Out For Red Flags
A rushed job is exactly when dodgy operators try their luck. Be careful if someone asks for a big deposit in cash, won’t give you a company name, or only has a mobile number and no address. A cheap price is tempting, but it often means a lot of problems later.
Also be wary of anyone who says yes to everything. A crew that promises to be there in an hour, load a three-bed house, and finish by lunch might just be telling you what you want to hear. Reliable last-minute removals firms will be honest about what’s possible, even if it’s not what you hoped for.
- Cash-only deals with no receipt
- No company name, address, or website
- A price that’s far lower than the others
- A big deposit asked for upfront
- Pressure to book on the spot
- Vague answers about who’s coming and when
Pack Fast And Keep The Cost Down
Packing is where you can make time up. Start with the rooms that you only visit occasionally – books, ornaments, extra bedding. Pack the kettle and bathroom items on the last day. Dustbin bags are fine for duvets and clothing, but do not put plates and glasses into these. Boxes are ideal for bulky things such as books, and a marker pen is the way to go. Always write the name of the room on the side, rather than on top, of every box.
Reduce the volume of things that you have to move. If something will not be used in your new home, do not spend the money moving it. Charity shops, the tip, and selling groups can dispose of items for you. Fewer items will translate into needing a smaller vehicle and less time. Keep with you one bag with all the chargers, medicines, the kettle, and some cups. Keep any paperwork in here too. You will need a drink once it is all done.
On the actual day, try to have someone at each address if possible. Have one person directing the crew at the old address, and another showing them where things need to go at the new address. The quicker the crew can load and unload, the cheaper it will be.
- Pack rooms you rarely use first
- Use small boxes for heavy items like books
- Label every box with its room
- Take furniture apart and bag the screws
- Keep a bag of essentials with you
Some planning, the correct assistance, and a few direct inquiries will see you through it. If you do it correctly, then emergency removals in Leicester can be a breeze even when the deadline is tomorrow. However, if things start getting too much, just put the kettle on and keep ringing around.
