Removals in Reading

Affordable Removals in Reading

Shiftify Removals is a Reading and Berkshire moving company with 10 years of experienec. We handle house moves, office moves, and man and van jobs across the RG postcodes, from Caversham to Lower Earley. Every job is fully insured, every crew is checked and trained, and every price is fixed in writing before we lift a single box.

What you get when you book with us

• A fixed price agreed up front, with no hidden fees on the day
• Fully insured moves, with goods in transit and public liability cover
• Trained, checked crews who load and drive your belongings themselves
• Local knowledge of Reading streets, parking zones, and access
• Free quotes with no obligation, by phone, video call, or home visit

Moving services we provide in Reading

We cover the full move, or just the part you need help with. Tell us the job and we will plan around it.

How much do removals cost in Reading?

The cost of your move depends on the size of your home, how far you are going, and the level of packing you need. Access and your moving date affect it too. Every home is different, so we give you a fixed price after a quick survey, with no hidden fees. 

What changes your price:

1. Home size. More rooms means more to load and a longer day. Each extra bedroom adds roughly £400 to £600.
2. Distance. A move within Reading costs less than a move to another county.
3. Access. Stairs, no lift, narrow streets, or long carry distances add time. This matters a lot in flats and terraced streets.
4. Packing. A full packing service adds around £150 to £600, based on your home size.
5. Date. Fridays, weekends, and the end of the month are busy. Peak dates can add 10 to 25 percent. A midweek move in the middle of the month is often cheaper for the same job.

Areas we cover across Reading and Berkshire

We move homes and offices across every RG postcode. Below is what we see in the areas we work in most. Local knowledge shapes how we plan each job.

Reading town centre (RG1). Flats above shops, apartment blocks, and period homes near Forbury Gardens and the Kennet. Access is tight here. Many streets have loading limits and controlled parking, and The Oracle area has restricted vehicle hours. We plan parking and timing before the day.

Caversham and Lower Caversham (RG4). North of the River Thames, reached over Caversham Bridge or Reading Bridge. There are riverside homes, period houses, and steeper roads up the hill. The bridges get busy, so we time our runs to keep the day moving.

Tilehurst and Calcot (RG30 and RG31). West of Reading, on higher ground with some steep streets. Mostly family homes and semis. Calcot sits near junction 12 of the M4, which helps for longer moves.

Earley and Lower Earley (RG6). South east, next to the Whiteknights campus. Lower Earley is one of the largest housing estates in the country, with a mix of family homes and student shares. Cul de sacs and shared driveways are common, so we scope access first.

Woodley (RG5). A settled family suburb east of Reading with newer housing and decent parking. Straightforward for most moves.

Whitley and Shinfield (RG2). South of the centre. Shinfield has fast growing new developments near the university and offers good value for student and first time movers.

Winnersh (RG41). East toward Wokingham, near Winnersh Triangle. A mix of family homes and businesses.

Sonning (RG4). An affluent Thames village north east of Reading, with narrow lanes and listed period homes. Access is often tight, so we bring the right vans and plan the route with care.

Green Park and Kennet Island (RG2). Modern developments south of the centre, with apartment blocks, lifts, and loading bays. Note that many new builds here carry permit free planning rules, which affects parking on the day. We cover that below.

If your area is not listed, we very likely still cover it. Ask us when you get your quote.

Parking, permits, and access on your Reading move

Parking is one of the biggest reasons a move runs late. We plan it before the day so the van gets close and the crew is not carrying boxes half a street.

Much of central and east Reading sits inside controlled parking zones. In these zones, on street bays are for permit holders only. Your own permit does not reserve a space outside your door, and spaces cannot be booked in the usual way.

If parking is tight at either address, Reading Borough Council offers temporary digital permits. At the time of writing these cost £19 for a two month permit, and the council reviews applications within 24 hours on weekdays. If you live in a new development at Green Park or Kennet Island, check your paperwork. Many new builds have permit free planning conditions, which means you cannot get a resident permit at all. In that case we plan around the block’s loading bay or nearest legal space.

You can check current permit rules and apply on the Reading Borough Council parking pages. If you are not sure what applies to your street, tell us the postcode and we will help you work it out.

For town centre moves, remember that some streets near The Oracle have vehicle access restrictions during set hours. We time these jobs to fit.

What happens on moving day

Here is how a typical move with us runs, so you know what to expect.

Before the day. We agree your fixed price after a survey, then confirm the date, the plan, and any parking or access notes.

We arrive and protect. The crew arrives at the agreed time. We lay down floor and door protection, and wrap furniture with blankets before it moves.

We load. We load in a planned order, heavy and sturdy items first, fragile items packed and marked. Nothing goes in loose.

We drive. Your belongings travel in our own vans with our own crew. No agency labour, and no last minute subcontractors.

We unload and place. At the new home we carry each box and item to the right room, so you are not shifting things around later. We reassembled any furniture we took apart.

We check. Before we leave, we walk through with you to make sure everything is where you want it.

A recent move in Reading

We moved a family from a three bedroom terrace in Newtown to a four bedroom home in Woodley. The old street had permit only parking and a narrow entrance, so we arranged a temporary bay with the council two weeks ahead. The move included a piano and a delayed key handover, so we held the load safely until keys were ready in the afternoon. The family unpacked and settled the same day.

What we can and cannot move

We move almost everything in a home or office. That includes:

1. Household furniture, beds, sofas, and wardrobes
2. White goods and appliances, such as fridges and washing machines
3. Antiques, artwork, and mirrors, packed with extra care
4. Pianos, safes, and other heavy items, with the right equipment
5. Office desks, chairs, IT equipment, and files

For safety and legal reasons, there are a few things we cannot take in the removal van. These include petrol, gas bottles, fireworks, paint and other flammable liquids, and hazardous chemicals. Please empty fuel from mowers and other garden tools before the day. If you are not sure about an item, just ask us when you book.