The most common complaint about removal companies is not that they did a bad job. It is that the price on moving day was higher than the price quoted. This almost always happens for one of two reasons: the quote was based on a phone call rather than a proper survey, or the quote was an estimate rather than a fixed price.
Get a free fixed-price video survey from Shiftify Removals — takes 15 minutes, no obligation
how do you get an accurate removal quote?
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0 | Use a removal cost calculator to set your budget expectation |
| 1 | Book a survey, not a phone estimate |
| 2 | Show the surveyor everything, including loft, garage, shed |
| 3 | Tell them about access issues at both ends |
| 4 | Ask for a fixed price in writing, not an hourly estimate |
| 5 | Check what is included and what is extra |
| 6 | Get at least three quotes for the same scope |
| 7 | Compare like for like, including VAT |
Why do removal quotes change on moving day?
This is the most searched question on Reddit and Quora about removal companies, and for good reason.
Quotes change on the day for four consistent reasons.
The first is that the original quote was a phone estimate, not a survey-based fixed price. The company guessed the volume and the access. When the crew arrived and saw a packed loft, three flights of stairs, or a long carry from the parking, the price changed.
The second is that the quote did not include everything. Packing, parking suspensions, waiting time, and stair charges are all common extras that a cheaper-looking quote may have excluded. The other quote at a higher price may have included them.
The third is that the customer did not show the surveyor everything. A garage with 80 boxes, a loft full of furniture, or a shed of garden equipment all add volume and time. If the surveyor did not see them, they are not in the price.
The fourth is a cowboy operator. Cash-only, no survey, price far below everyone else. These companies take a deposit, turn up, and add charges once your belongings are on the van. The fix is simple: never book a company that will not survey your home and give you a fixed price in writing.
A fixed price based on a proper survey does not change on the day. That is the only protection that actually works.
What is the difference between a removal quote and a removal estimate?
This question comes up repeatedly on Quora and is worth a clear answer because most people use the terms interchangeably when they should not.
A removal quote is a fixed price based on a survey. The company has seen your volume, your access, and any challenges. That price is what you pay on moving day, regardless of how long the job takes.
A removal estimate is a guide figure based on what the company thinks the job will involve. It can change. If the job takes longer than estimated, the cost goes up. If there are more items than described, the cost goes up. An estimate is not binding.
Always ask, before you accept any figure: “Is this a fixed quote or an estimate?” If the answer is an estimate, ask what would make it change, and get a fixed quote based on a survey instead.
What should I tell the removal company to get an accurate quote?
This is the checklist every Quora and LinkedIn source points to, and getting it right makes the difference between an accurate price and one that changes on the day.
| Information | What to include |
|---|---|
| Both addresses | Current and destination postcodes, including floor level and whether there is a working lift |
| Access at both ends | Narrow hallways, stairs, number of flights, parking restrictions, long carry from door to van |
| Full inventory | Every room including garage, loft, shed, outbuildings, and storage units. Estimated box count and large items by name |
| Specialist items | Pianos, safes, antiques, large mirrors, gym equipment, artwork. Mention these specifically |
| Services needed | Whether you want full packing, partial packing, self-pack, furniture dismantling, or storage |
| Moving date | Preferred date and how flexible you are. Mention if completion is involved |
| Storage needs | Whether you may need storage if dates do not align |
The most common reason a quote changes on the day is that the customer forgot to mention the loft, the garage, the shed, or a specialist item. Show and tell the surveyor everything, even if you are not sure it matters.
How do I prepare before my removal survey?
This question appears consistently on Quora and nobody in the competitor set answers it properly. Here is a practical pre-survey checklist.
Before the surveyor calls or arrives:
Go through every room and make a rough note of what is staying and what is going. Open the loft hatch. Walk into the garage and the shed. Open the storage cupboards. You do not need a formal inventory, but you do need a clear picture of what is actually moving.
Note anything that needs special care: a piano, a large mirror, a glass table top, antiques, artwork. Write down the floor level and whether there is a lift at both addresses.
Walk the access route from the front door to where the van would park. Is it a narrow lane? Is there a low bridge? Is there a parking restriction? These all go into the quote.
If you have a storage unit, include it. If you have items at a family member’s house to collect, mention it. Everything that goes on the van needs to be in the survey.
During the video survey:
Walk slowly through each room and open cupboards where there is significant storage. Go up to the loft and show it on camera. Walk outside to the garage and the shed. The surveyor will direct you, but the more you show, the more accurate the quote.
How to get a removal quote online
Most removal companies now offer an online quote process. The quality varies significantly.
Online estimate tools and calculators give you an instant range based on bedroom count and postcode. They are useful for budgeting before you contact companies. Our free removal cost calculator gives a realistic South East-adjusted range based on property size, distance, packing, and moving date. Use it to set your budget, not as a final price.
Online quote request forms trigger a follow-up call or email from the company. This is the first step, not the quote. The actual fixed price comes after a survey.
Online video surveys are the best of both worlds. You fill in a form, book a 15-minute call, walk through your home on your phone, and receive a fixed written price by email the same day. This is now standard across the industry and accepted by the BAR (British Association of Removers) as equally accurate to an in-person survey for most moves.
What is the difference between an instant removal quote and an accurate one?
An instant quote is generated by an algorithm. It takes seconds and is based on your postcode, bedroom count, and distance. It cannot account for stairs, access issues, a packed loft, or a piano. Use it to understand the rough market rate. Do not use it as your moving budget.
An accurate fixed quote is produced after a surveyor has seen your home. It accounts for your actual volume, access, specialist items, and any parking arrangements needed. It is the only figure that will not change on moving day. Getting one takes 15 to 20 minutes.
The smart approach: use a calculator to set your budget expectation, then get three survey-based fixed quotes from companies covering your area.
How much deposit is reasonable for a removal company?
Reddit threads are consistent and clear on this. Here is what is normal and what is a red flag.
Normal: A holding deposit of 10 to 25% of the total quote, paid after you receive a written fixed price and have confirmed the date. This secures your booking and is standard practice.
Borderline: Some companies ask for 50%. This is higher than typical but not necessarily a red flag if the company has good reviews, a proper address, and has given you a written fixed-price quote.
Red flag: A request for more than 50% before any survey or written confirmation. Cash only with no receipt. Payment demanded before you have a written quote. These are the patterns that appear in Reddit horror stories.
Always pay by card rather than cash where possible. If something goes wrong, a card payment gives you a route to dispute the charge. Cash gives you nothing.
What should I do if the price changes on moving day?
This is Reddit’s most asked question about removals, and it has a clear answer.
If the price on the day is higher than the fixed price you were given in writing, you do not have to pay the difference without explanation. A fixed written quote is a contract. The company can only charge more than the agreed fixed price if there is a genuine, demonstrable reason: items that were not on the survey, access conditions that were not disclosed, or services added on the day by agreement.
What to do in the moment:
Ask the crew to explain in writing exactly why the price has changed and what specific additional charge they are applying. If they cannot give you a specific, written reason, you are entitled to challenge it.
If you are in a position where your belongings are on the van and you feel pressured, pay under protest. Write “paid under protest” on any receipt or payment confirmation you sign, and note the date and time. Then contact the company formally in writing within 24 hours and dispute the charge.
After the move:
If the company refuses to resolve it, you have several options depending on who they are registered with. BAR members have access to the Furniture Ombudsman dispute resolution scheme. If the company is not a member of any trade body, you can pursue a county court claim for the overcharged amount. Citizens Advice can help with the process.
The best protection is always prevention: a fixed written quote, a surveyed job, and a company with verifiable reviews and a real address.
In-person survey vs video survey: which gives a more accurate quote?
Both are reliable for most moves. Here is the honest difference.
An in-person survey is still the gold standard for larger or more complex moves. The surveyor can open cupboards, check the loft, walk the access route, and assess anything unusual. If you have a lot in outbuildings, a piano, or a property with tricky access, requesting an in-person survey is worth it.
A video survey is now standard practice and just as accurate for most moves. You walk through your home on a video call while the surveyor assesses volume, access, and any challenges. It takes around 15 minutes from your phone, and the fixed price produced is equally reliable. The BAR confirms video surveys are widely accepted across the industry.
Both produce a fixed written price. Neither should take more than 20 minutes of your time.
How to compare three removal quotes fairly
Get at least three quotes, all based on proper surveys for the same scope. Then compare them like this.
Check the scope is identical. If one quote includes packing and two do not, they are not comparable. Ask the two without packing what it would cost to add, so you are comparing the same service.
Check whether VAT is included. A quote of £900 plus VAT is £1,080. A quote of £960 all-inclusive is cheaper. This difference catches people out more than almost anything else.
Check waiting time and completion day policy. A quote that looks lower may add hourly waiting charges if your keys are delayed. Ask whether there is a waiting-time allowance built in, and what the hourly rate is if not.
Check the insurance cover. What is the goods-in-transit cover limit? Are owner-packed boxes covered? Is there an excess?
Read the recent reviews. A company with slightly higher rates and consistently excellent recent reviews is usually the better choice than the cheapest firm with patchy feedback.
What should I do if one removal quote is much cheaper than the others?
This question comes directly from Quora and Reddit threads, and the answer is consistent across both.
A quote that is significantly lower than three other survey-based quotes for the same scope is a warning sign. It almost always means one of three things: the scope is different (packing, insurance, or VAT excluded), the insurance cover is inadequate or absent, or the company intends to add charges on the day once your belongings are on the van.
Ask the company that quoted low to explain exactly what is included, confirm it in writing, and show you their insurance certificate. If they cannot or will not, do not book them regardless of the price.
A saving of £150 at booking is not a saving if the price rises by £400 on moving day or if damage goes uninsured.
South East-specific costs to include in your quote
If you are moving in or around Aylesbury, Reading, Oxford, Maidenhead, Slough, or London, there are additional costs that often appear after the quote if you do not ask about them upfront.
Parking bay suspensions. Most streets in central Reading (RG1), central Oxford (OX1 to OX4), and Maidenhead town centre are controlled parking zones. To park the removal van legally, you need a suspension from the council. This costs money and requires advance notice to arrange. Ask whether the suspension fee is included in your quote or charged separately. At Shiftify, we arrange this for you and include the process in your booking.
ULEZ and the Congestion Charge on London moves. If your move goes into or out of London, ask whether the company’s vans are ULEZ compliant. A non-compliant van adds £12.50 per day. The Congestion Charge adds £18 per day for central London from January 2026. Ask whether these are in your quote or charged on top.
Storage if the chain slips. If your completion date moves, short-term storage becomes necessary. Ask whether the company offers it and what it costs per week, before it happens rather than after.
Long carries. If the nearest legal parking is more than 50 metres from your door, most companies add a long-carry charge. Mention the distance at the survey stage so it goes into the fixed price rather than appearing on moving day.
What a good written removal quote must include
A properly produced quote should include all of the following in writing before you sign anything.
- The collection and delivery addresses
- The confirmed moving date
- A description of exactly what is included: loading, transport, unloading, number of movers, and whether packing, dismantling, or storage are included or extra
- Whether VAT is included or added on top
- The total price, confirmed as fixed
- What happens if your completion date changes
- The cancellation policy
- What insurance is included, the cover limits, and whether owner-packed boxes are covered
If any of these are missing, ask for them before you commit.
Can you negotiate a removal quote?
Yes, within reason. Here is how to do it honestly.
The most effective approach is to get three quotes, then tell your preferred company what the others quoted. A reputable firm will not match a suspiciously low quote, but many will review their price if the difference is modest and the scope is identical.
Other things that genuinely reduce the cost: moving midweek rather than Friday, moving mid-month rather than month-end, packing yourself rather than paying for a full packing service, and decluttering before the survey so the volume is lower.
What does not work: asking a company to match a quote that includes different services. If one quote includes packing and yours does not, they cannot fairly compare on headline price alone.
Red flags in a removal quote
A price given without a survey. Not genuinely fixed. Can change on the day.
A quote far below the others. Something is missing: insurance, experienced crew, or the full scope.
No mention of VAT. Always ask whether the figure is VAT-inclusive.
No written confirmation. If a company will not put the price in writing, walk away.
Vague on waiting time. If they cannot tell you what happens if keys are delayed, keep asking until you get a clear answer.
Large upfront deposit or cash only. A deposit of 10 to 25% is normal. More than 50% before a written quote is a red flag. Cash only with no receipt is a scam.
About Shiftify Removals
We are based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and have been moving homes and offices across the South East for over 10 years. Every move is surveyed before we quote, every price is fixed in writing, and every job is done by our own trained crew in our own vans.
Our free video survey takes 15 minutes, produces a written fixed price the same day, and comes with no obligation. If you are moving in Aylesbury, Reading, Oxford, Maidenhead, Slough, Southampton, Surrey, Brighton, London, or anywhere across the South East, we can help.
Book your free video survey — fixed price, no obligation
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an accurate removal quote?
Book a survey, either in person or by video call. Show the surveyor everything including the loft, garage, and outbuildings. Flag access issues and specialist items. Ask for a fixed price in writing rather than an estimate. Get at least three quotes for the same scope and compare them including VAT.
What is the difference between a removal quote and a removal estimate?
A quote is a fixed price based on a survey. It does not change on the day. An estimate is a guide based on assumptions about volume and time. It can change if the job takes longer or involves more than expected. Always ask which you are getting before you commit.
Why do removal quotes change on moving day?
Usually because the original quote was a phone estimate rather than a survey-based fixed price, or because the surveyor was not shown everything. A fixed price based on a proper survey should not change on the day unless you add services that were not part of the original scope.
What should a removal quote include in writing?
The addresses, the moving date, exactly what is included, whether VAT is included, the total fixed price, the date-change and cancellation policy, and the insurance cover and limits. If any of these are missing, ask before you sign.
How much deposit should I pay for a removal company?
A holding deposit of 10 to 25% of the total is normal after you receive a written fixed quote. More than 50% before a survey or written confirmation is a red flag. Always pay by card rather than cash where possible.
What should I do if the price changes on moving day?
A fixed written quote is a contract. If the company tries to charge more than the agreed price without a specific, written reason, you can challenge it. If you are pressured into paying, pay under protest and note it in writing. Then dispute the charge formally within 24 hours and, if unresolved, contact the Furniture Ombudsman (for BAR members) or Citizens Advice.
Should I get a home survey or a video survey for my removal quote?
Both are reliable. A video survey is now standard across the industry and just as accurate for most moves. It takes around 15 minutes from your phone. An in-person survey is worth requesting for larger or more complex moves with specialist items or difficult access.
How many quotes should I get?
At least three, all based on proper surveys for the same scope. This gives you a realistic range, helps you spot a suspiciously low quote, and gives you something to reference if you want to negotiate.
What should I do if one quote is much cheaper than the others?
Ask the company to confirm in writing exactly what is included, and ask to see their insurance certificate. A quote significantly lower than three survey-based quotes for the same job usually means something is missing or there is intent to add charges on the day.
Can removal companies charge more than the quoted price?
A genuinely fixed quote based on a survey is binding. The company can only charge more if you add items or services not included in the original survey, or if access conditions at the property were materially different from what was described. A phone estimate is not binding in the same way.
How do I get a removal quote online?
Fill in an online quote form to start the process. The actual fixed price comes after a video or in-person survey. Our free removal cost calculator gives an instant South East-adjusted estimate. For a fixed price, book a free 15-minute video survey with no obligation.
What is an instant removal quote?
An instant quote is an algorithm-generated estimate based on postcode, bedroom count, and distance. It is useful for budgeting before you contact companies. It is not a fixed price and will not match your final bill exactly. Only a survey-based fixed quote is genuinely accurate.
Do removal quotes include VAT?
Not always. Always ask whether the figure is VAT-inclusive or exclusive before comparing quotes. A quote of £900 plus VAT is £1,080. A quote of £960 all-inclusive is cheaper for the same job.
