Worried about getting ripped off by less-than-reputable London removals companies? We’re here to help you avoid any potential pitfalls. Here are our five top signs to watch out for that a removals firm could be ripping you off…

1. They can’t show you evidence of insurance cover

No insurance, no move. This should be your motto when looking for London removal companies. Full insurance is protection for you and your belongings, as well as for the company. If something is damaged or broken, you need reassurance that the mover’s insurance will cover it. If a company has the right insurance, there should be no problem proving this to you before you make your decision.

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2. They won’t give you an estimate

If a London removal company won’t give you even an estimated figure for the cost of the move, why would you consider using them? This is very suspicious, and not at all good practice. Look for companies like Kiwi Movers who provide detailed estimates. This will outline the full service, any extras and use accurate information from you in order to come up with their quote.

3. You don’t get given an itemised receipt

What exactly are you paying for with your move? This is what an itemised receipt can tell you. It will give you a clear, transparent list of everything you’ve paid for, including time taken and amount of stuff moved. It should cover extra services you’ve agreed to. It’s also a record of the service provided, which you may need if you later discover a problem (i.e. damage to an item)

4. They aren’t based in London but advertise as a London removal company

The problem with this is that companies based many miles away may advertise as London removal companies, but then farm the work out to someone else. This ‘someone else’ could be a complete amateur without the skills, experience and local knowledge that the initial company promised. The whole point of hiring a professional mover in a city like London is not just to hire someone with a van and the time to shift your boxes. It’s to find someone with experience of the unique challenges of moving in London.

5. The initial price is super low

A cheap price on its own doesn’t necessarily mean that a London removal company is ripping you off. However, it should ring some alarm bells. After all, there’s a difference between a good value price and a ‘too good to be true’ mega cheap price. When it comes to the latter, there’s a chance there may be hidden costs sprung on you later. Some poorly reviewed moving firms will quote a super low price to win your business, then add on loads of extras when you get your final bill. This isn’t cool, which is why Kiwi Movers gives you a clear picture of the full costs at the outset.

Take your time choosing a removal company and always look at online reviews. If you have questions, ask away! Give the Kiwi Movers team a call on 020 8877 9682* to get your burning questions answered and to find out how we can help with your move.