What is a removal service? Put simply, it’s a company that moves your belongings from one property to another — but a good removal service does far more than drive a van. It plans the move, provides the right crew and vehicle, protects your furniture, and can take care of packing, storage and awkward items too. Here’s what removal companies actually do, the main types of service, and how to pick the right one.
What is a removal service?
A removal service (or removals company) is a business that handles the physical side of moving home or office. At a minimum, that means a van, a trained crew, loading, transport and unloading. Most also offer packing, dismantling and reassembly, storage and specialist handling — and a professional firm will be insured for your goods in transit and for any damage to property.
The difference between a removal service and simply hiring a van is responsibility. With van hire, you plan, lift, drive and carry the risk. With a removal company, a trained crew does the work, the job is insured, and — with a fixed quote — the price is agreed before the day. You’re paying for experience as much as muscle: knowing how to take a wardrobe round a tight landing, how to load a van so nothing shifts, and how long a three-storey walk-up really takes.
Types of removal service
| Service | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full house removal | Fixed-price move of a whole home with crew and van | Flats and houses |
| Man & van | Hourly van with driver who helps load | Small moves and single items |
| Packing | Full or fragile-only packing, plus materials | Busy movers and kitchens |
| Storage | Secure storage between properties | Gaps between completion dates |
| Specialist | Pianos, antiques, safes and large artwork | Heavy or valuable items |
| Vehicle & international | Car transport and moves abroad | Relocations |
In London, our house removals start from £249 for a studio and £499 for a 2-bed house; man & van from £50/hour (two-hour minimum); full packing from £150; storage from £15/week; and piano and specialist moves from £180.
Many moves combine several of these. A typical family move might be a full house removal with fragile-only packing for the kitchen, a specialist crew for the piano and a few weeks of storage while the new place is decorated. A good removal company will put that together as one plan and one price, rather than leaving you to coordinate separate suppliers.
How a removal works, step by step
- Quote: you share addresses and an inventory, or book a free home survey.
- Plan: date, crew size, vehicle and any parking or lift bookings are agreed.
- Pack: you pack, or the crew packs for you the day before or that morning.
- Load: furniture is wrapped and protected, then loaded safely.
- Move: your belongings travel insured to the new address.
- Unload: items go into the right rooms and beds are reassembled.
In London, planning also means parking. Many streets need a suspended bay or permit for a removals van, and mansion blocks often need lift bookings or porter notice. An experienced local company will flag these when they quote, not on the morning of the move.
What’s included — and what isn’t
One of the most common sources of friction on moving day is a different idea of what the price covers. Most of it is straightforward, but it’s worth checking the grey areas in writing.
| Task | Usually included | Usually extra or excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Loading, transport and unloading | Yes | — |
| Wrapping furniture in blankets | Yes | Specialist crating for artwork or antiques |
| Dismantling beds and tables | Often, if listed at quote stage | Complex wardrobes, wall-mounted units |
| Packing boxes | Only if booked | Full packing (from £150) or fragile-only (from £80) |
| Disconnecting appliances | Moving them, yes | Plumbing or gas work needs a qualified trade |
| Taking down TVs, shelves and curtain poles | Rarely | A handyman job, best done before the day |
| Disposing of unwanted items | No | A clearance service, booked separately |
The appliance line catches people out most often. A crew will carry a washing machine, but disconnecting a gas cooker must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and plumbing a dishwasher into a new kitchen is a job for a plumber. Book those trades for either side of the move.
What we see on real jobs is that the smoothest moves are the ones where the customer has already decided what isn’t coming. A sticker or a note on anything staying behind — the landlord’s bedside table, the old fridge in the garage — saves a lot of questions and stops things being loaded by mistake.
Do you need a removal service?
Not every move needs a full removals team. If you’re moving a few boxes and a bed across town and you have help, a man & van may be all you need. A full removal service makes sense when:
- You’re moving a whole flat or house, not a few items.
- There are stairs, no lift or heavy furniture.
- You want the total price fixed before moving day.
- You don’t have the time — or the helpers — to pack and carry.
- Your completion dates don’t line up and you need storage.
- You have valuable, fragile or specialist items.
How to choose a removal company
- Fixed, written quotes — not vague estimates.
- Proper insurance: goods-in-transit and public liability.
- Recent, genuine reviews from local customers.
- Clear terms on cancellation, waiting time and delays.
- Local knowledge — in London, of parking, permits and building rules.
- A survey, in person or by video, for anything larger than a flat.
The cheapest quote is often the one that missed something. Compare what’s included, not just the headline figure.
Warning signs to watch for
Most removal companies are honest, but a few habits are worth treating as a reason to look elsewhere:
- A price given over the phone without any idea of what you own or the access at each end.
- No written quote, or a quote that only says “estimate” with no detail.
- Unable or unwilling to tell you what insurance they hold.
- A large cash deposit requested well before the move.
- No landline, address or trading history you can check.
- Pressure to book today to keep a price.
A good company will be happy to explain how it reached the price, what would change it and what happens if something goes wrong.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is the price fixed, and what could change it?
- What insurance do you have, and what’s the limit?
- How many movers and what size van are you sending?
- Do you dismantle and reassemble furniture?
- What happens if completion is delayed on the day?
- Can you store items if my dates don’t line up?
FAQs
What’s the difference between a removal company and a man & van?
A man & van is usually hourly and suits small moves. A removal company typically offers fixed prices, bigger crews and extras like packing and storage. See man & van vs full removal.
Do removal companies pack for you?
Most offer it. Ours ranges from fragile-only packing (from £80) to full packing (from £150).
Are removal services insured?
Reputable firms are. Every Phi Movers job includes goods-in-transit and public liability cover.
How much does a removal service cost?
It depends on size, distance and access — see our guide to how much it costs to move house.
Looking for a removal service in London?
Tell us about your move — we’ll recommend the right service and fix the price.
See house removals or contact us.
About the author
Writer
Sameer writes practical, no-nonsense moving guides for Londoners — drawn from real jobs across all 32 boroughs, covering vans, packing, permits and fixed-price removals.