How Our Quote Process Works

The four ways we can quote your move

Not every customer wants the same quote route, and not every move needs the same level of survey. That is why we offer several ways to gather the information needed for a proper written quote.

In person viewing

An in person viewing is often the strongest route when the move is larger, more complex, harder to explain, or more likely to be affected by access, furniture shape or the true volume of contents. It gives us the clearest picture of the move and often helps spot details customers do not always think to mention, such as awkward wardrobes, tight hallways, difficult parking or outbuildings full of additional items.

In person viewings are especially useful for:

• larger family homes
• fuller office relocations
• moves with difficult access
• moves involving a lot of furniture
• moves with delicate, valuable or awkward items
• jobs where storage or packing may be needed as well

Video survey

A video survey is a practical alternative when an in person viewing is not necessary or not convenient. It allows us to see the key rooms, the furniture, the access and the general scope of the move without needing to attend in person first. For many customers, this gives a good balance between convenience and accuracy.

Video surveys work well for:

• straightforward house moves
• flat moves with clear room layouts
• customers who want a faster survey process
• moves where we still need to see access or furniture detail
• customers outside the immediate area who still want a proper visual quote basis

Phone discussion

A phone discussion can work well where the move is more straightforward and the customer already knows the key details clearly. This route depends heavily on the quality of the information given, so it works best when you are confident describing the property, the access, the furniture volume and any special requirements.

Phone quotes are often suitable where:

• the move is smaller or simpler
• the customer can describe the contents clearly
• the access is straightforward
• there are no major unknowns around the job

Full written information

Some customers prefer to send everything in writing, particularly when they already have the move details organised and want the quote process kept efficient. This can work well when the information is complete and clear, especially if it includes photos, access notes and any detail that helps us understand the scale of the job properly.

What information we need to quote accurately

The best quotes come from practical detail. That does not mean the information has to be complicated. It just needs to cover the real shape of the move so we are not left filling in gaps with assumptions.

The most useful information usually includes:

• the collection and delivery addresses
• whether the move is residential or commercial
• the property type at each end
• the approximate volume of furniture and boxes
• whether there are stairs
• whether there is lift access
• how parking works at both ends
• whether there are restricted access times or building rules
• whether you need packing support
• whether you need storage
• whether you have fragile, high value or awkward items
• whether furniture needs dismantling and reassembly
• your preferred moving date or likely timescale

Here is a simple guide to the details that help most.

That is why the quote process is not just about price. It is about building the move around the information that shapes it.

What customers forget to mention most often

The details most often missed are usually access and parking, along with items outside the obvious living spaces such as loft contents, sheds, garages, spare-room furniture or office archive boxes. Another common issue is forgetting to mention fragile items or furniture that clearly needs dismantling to move safely.

What helps us the most

The single most helpful thing is honesty about the move as it really is. If something is awkward, mention it. If the parking is difficult, say so. If the date is still moving, tell us. A realistic conversation at the quote stage is much more useful than a neat-sounding version of the move that later turns out not to be accurate.

What we look at when building the quote

Once we have the move details, we work through the main factors that shape the quotation. The exact weighting of each one varies by job, but the principles are consistent.

We are usually looking at:

• How much is being moved
• How easy or difficult the access is
• Whether there are stairs or no-lift buildings
• How parking works at both ends
• How much time the move is likely to take
• Whether the move needs packing, storage or extra support
• Whether the timing is standard or out of hours
• Whether there are fragile, valuable or awkward items needing more planning

Home moves

On residential jobs, we are often looking at the furniture volume, whether the property is fully packed, how access works, whether there are stairs, and whether anything needs dismantling, storage or extra handling. A family house move, a flat move and a staged move into storage may all start with the same broad idea, but the quote will differ once the practical details are understood.

Office moves

On commercial jobs, the key issues often include desks, departments, equipment, files, building management rules, lift bookings, timing and how the office wants the move sequenced. An office move is not just about getting items from A to B. It is about doing that in a way that still makes sense for the business.

What happens after we send the written quote

Once we have enough information, we send the quote by email. That gives you something clear to review instead of relying on memory from a phone call or a rough estimate. If there are options to discuss, such as storage, packing or different ways to schedule the move, we can go through those with you before anything is booked.

At that point, the usual next steps are:

1. You review the written quote
2. We answer any practical questions
3. You confirm whether you want to go ahead
4. We issue the deposit invoice
5. Once the deposit is paid, we place the booking into the calendar
6. We send written confirmation for the payment
7. The move is then organised around the agreed details

This part matters because customers should not feel uncertain about whether the booking is actually secured. Once the deposit is paid and the move is booked into the calendar, the process becomes much clearer for everyone.

Why written quotes are useful

A written quote gives you something concrete to compare and refer back to. It helps you check what has been allowed for and makes it much easier to spot whether anything important still needs clarifying before the day itself.

What changes after acceptance

Once the quote has been accepted and the deposit is paid, the move shifts from pricing stage to planning stage. That means the focus becomes confirming the timing, access, parking and service detail so the day itself can run as smoothly as possible.

What can make the quote change later

Most customers want to know this upfront, and rightly so. The strongest way to avoid quote changes is to give accurate information at the beginning. When the scope is described properly, the quote has a much better chance of staying aligned with the real move.

The things most likely to change the quote later are:

• major differences in actual volume
• access or parking issues not mentioned during quoting
• extra stairs or no-lift access not disclosed
• added packing or storage requirements
• added fragile or awkward items
• changes to timing, especially after-hours requests
• extra staff or vehicles needed because the scope is larger than first described.

When dates move

Dates do sometimes move, especially with property chains or office schedules. We understand that. The important thing is to tell us as early as possible so the booking and the plan can be adjusted around the new reality rather than left hanging until the last minute.

When the customer changes scope

Sometimes the move genuinely changes after quoting. More items are added, storage becomes necessary, access turns out to be different, or if you decide you want packing included after all. In those situations, the quote may need to be updated so it still matches the real job.

How to help us give you the most accurate quote possible

The simplest way to get a strong quote is to treat the survey or quote conversation as part of the move plan, not as a quick formality. The more openly and clearly the move is described, the better the quote becomes.

The most useful things you can do are:

• tell us about stairs, lifts and parking
• mention fragile or valuable items early
• describe the real volume of the move
• let us know about outbuildings, lofts, garages or storage areas
• tell us if storage might be needed
• say if furniture needs dismantling
• mention if the date is fixed or still moving
• show us awkward access during a viewing or video survey
• keep us updated if anything changes after the quote is sent

That kind of clarity helps us do the job properly before moving day even begins.