Surrey isn’t short of removal companies. Search “removals near me” from anywhere between Guildford and Croydon and you’ll get dozens — national franchises, long-established family firms, and the odd bloke with a Luton van and a website built last week. Most are fine. Some are excellent. And telling them apart from a stack of quotes is genuinely hard, because the things that separate a safe mover from a risky one usually aren’t on the quote at all. Knowing how to choose a removals company in Surrey comes down to what you check before you ask for prices.
This is the guide we’d hand a relative before they booked anyone — us included. It’s built around the checks that actually matter: accreditation, insurance, who turns up on the day, and whether the quotes you’re comparing are really like-for-like. Where it’s relevant we’ll say where Britannia Sandersteads sits on each point, because it’d be odd not to — but the checklist works for comparing any firm, and that’s the point of it.
How to Choose a Removals Company in Surrey: Questions to Ask Before You Book
Take these into any conversation with a firm — the answers tell you more than the price does.
| Question to ask | Why it matters | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Are you a BAR member — and can I check? | BAR members are audited yearly and follow a Trading Standards–approved Code of Practice | "Yes — you can verify us on the BAR website," with details to hand |
| Is any deposit I pay protected? | BAR's Payment Guarantee Scheme protects prepayments if a firm ceases trading | Explains how your money is protected, rather than brushing it off |
| Will you survey before quoting? | An accurate price needs someone to see volume and access | Offers a free home or video survey as standard |
| What does your insurance cover, and what are the limits? | Per-item caps and self-pack exclusions vary widely | Explains cover level, per-item limit and how to declare valuables |
| Are the crew your own full-time staff? | Trained employees handle and are accountable for your things differently to casual labour | Own uniformed, full-time trained crew — not agency |
| Is the quote written and itemised? | Itemised quotes prevent day-of surprises and let you compare like-for-like | Written quote covering crew, vehicle, packing, insurance and access |
| What's your policy if my completion date moves? | Surrey chains slip, and rebooking fees can sting | Flexible rebooking that prioritises existing customers |
Start With Accreditation: Is the Firm a BAR Member?
If you only check one thing, check this. The British Association of Removers (BAR) is the trade body for UK movers, and membership isn’t a logo you can simply drop on a website — firms pass an external audit every year to keep it. For you as a customer, a BAR member brings four concrete protections:
- A Trading Standards–approved Code of Practice. BAR members follow a Code approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, covering how they quote, contract and communicate with you.
- A Payment Guarantee Scheme. Any prepayment or deposit you make to a BAR member is protected — so if a firm ceased trading before your move, your money isn’t simply gone.
- Free independent dispute resolution. If something goes wrong and you can’t resolve it directly, the complaint can go to an independent, approved Consumer Ombudsman at no cost to you.
- An annual external audit. Membership is re-earned every year, not bought once.
Check a firm’s membership directly on the BAR website rather than taking a badge at face value. Britannia Sandersteads is a BAR member; alongside that we work to recognised British Standards including BS EN 12522 for household furniture removals — worth asking any firm about too.
Check the Insurance — and Its Limits
“Fully insured” appears on every removal website in Surrey, so it’s worth knowing what to actually ask. There are two layers: the firm’s liability for your goods in transit, and any separate cover for high-value items.
Ask what the goods-in-transit cover includes, what the per-item limit is, and whether the whole journey is covered door to door. Standard cover usually caps each item, so a painting, an antique or a piano may need declaring and valuing separately. Ask, too, whether items you pack yourself are covered — self-packed boxes are a common exclusion.
A reputable firm explains all this at quote stage without being pushed. If cover is vague or “we’ll sort it on the day,” treat that as your answer. We’re fully accredited and insured, and we walk through cover levels and any high-value declarations as part of the quote rather than leaving it in the small print.
A Real Quote Starts With a Survey
Be wary of a full-house price quoted over the phone or from a web form alone. Nobody can accurately price a three-bed move without seeing the volume, the access and the awkward items — so a sight-unseen number is either padded to be safe, or light and likely to climb on the day.
Any established firm offers a survey first, either an in-home visit or a video survey done on your phone. It’s usually free, takes twenty to thirty minutes, and it’s the difference between a quote you can rely on and a rough guess. Video surveys are handy if you’re time-poor or the property’s tenanted.
We offer both free video and in-home surveys for any house move in Surrey — and the survey is where access, parking and packing get worked out before they become a moving-day problem.
Who Turns Up on the Day: Full-Time Crew or Casual Labour?
This is the question people rarely think to ask, and it matters more than almost anything else. Some firms — especially at peak times — crew jobs with agency or casual day labour brought in for the season. Others use their own trained, full-time staff.
The difference shows in how your things are handled. Trained crews wrap and load to a consistent standard, know how to protect floors and doorframes, and answer to the company whose name is on the van. Casual labour, however willing, hasn’t necessarily had that training or that accountability.
Ask directly: “Are the crew your own full-time employees?” Every Britannia Sandersteads job is crewed by our own uniformed, full-time staff — not agency workers — which is a large part of why our standards stay consistent from one move to the next.
Packing Standards and Materials
Packing is where a lot of damage is either prevented or caused, so ask how a firm approaches it. Look for professional-grade materials — proper cartons, wrapping paper, bubble wrap, tape — rather than whatever boxes were going spare, and specialist handling for fragile and high-value items.
You should also be offered options: a full pack where the crew does everything, a part pack covering just the fragile and valuable things, or materials-only if you’d rather pack yourself. Being able to choose — and having it priced in at survey stage — is a good sign.
Our packing service covers all three, to the same standard as the move itself. If you’re packing yourself, we can supply the materials so you’re not trusting your china to supermarket cast-offs.
Storage That Joins Up With Your Move
Chains slip and completion dates don’t always line up, so check a firm’s storage options before you need them, not after. Two things to look for: whether your belongings go into a dedicated container rather than onto a communal warehouse floor, and whether the same company handles both the move and the storage, so there’s no double-handling between two separate outfits.
Security matters too — ask about CCTV, alarms and access. And read the terms: a genuine no-minimum-stay policy is more flexible than a “from one month” that quietly locks you in.
We hold over 1,000 containerised units at our Godstone depot, under 24/7 CCTV with alarm monitoring and security patrols, with no minimum-stay commitment. Because the same team handles your move and your storage, your belongings aren’t handed to a third party in between.
Reviews and Track Record: What to Look For
Star ratings are a starting point, not the whole story. When you read reviews, look past the number: recent, specific reviews tell you more than a big total from years ago; how a firm responds to complaints says more than the complaints themselves, with measured, helpful replies a good sign; and longevity counts in an industry where operators come and go.
Check Google reviews, the firm’s own testimonials, and how long they’ve actually been trading. Britannia Sandersteads has 100+ Google reviews and has been family-run since 1972 — the same family throughout.
Reading the Quote: Clarity Beats a Low Number
The cheapest quote is only the best one if it covers the same things as the others. A clear, written, itemised quote lets you compare like-for-like; a single number with no breakdown doesn’t.
A good written quote spells out the crew and vehicle, the packing option, the insurance cover, access and parking arrangements, and the policy if your date changes. If any of that’s missing, ask — and if the answer’s fuzzy, factor that in.
A few things worth a second look — not automatic dealbreakers, but ask:
- A full-house price quoted over the phone or by form, with no survey.
- A quote that's a single figure with no breakdown of crew, packing, insurance or access.
- Pressure to pay a large deposit in cash.
- No written terms, no landline and no business address.
- A price dramatically below everyone else's — usually a sign something's been left out, not a bargain.
A reputable firm will happily talk you through any of these.
Where Britannia Sandersteads Sits
We'll be straight about where we land against our own checklist. Britannia Sandersteads has been family-run since 1972 — over half a century under the same family — and we're a member of the British Association of Removers, so the Code of Practice, Payment Guarantee Scheme and independent dispute resolution above all apply to a move with us. We're part of the Britannia Cooperative, the UK's largest network of independent, family-owned removal firms with 40+ locations, so we can move you anywhere in the country without subcontracting your job to a stranger. We were named in the National Quality Awards in both 2023 and 2024, we crew every move with our own full-time, trained staff, and we run over 1,000 containerised storage units at our Godstone depot for when dates don't line up. We cover Surrey and the South East, from Reigate to Epsom and beyond. Once you've chosen a firm — us or otherwise — our Surrey moving house checklist walks you through the eight weeks that follow.
Removal Company Shortlisting Checklist
Run each firm you're considering through the same checks-
Confirm BAR membership on the BAR website — not just the logo on their own site.
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Insist on a survey — in-home or video — before accepting any quote.
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Get the quote in writing and itemised — crew, vehicle, packing, insurance, access and parking.
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Check what the goods-in-transit insurance covers, its per-item limit, and whether self-packed boxes are included.
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Ask whether the crew are full-time employees or casual/agency labour.
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Confirm your packing options — full, part or materials-only — and that they're priced in.
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Check storage options in case dates slip — dedicated container vs communal, and security.
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Read recent reviews — look at how the firm handles problems, not just the star count.
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Confirm the date-change and cancellation policy before you pay anything.
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Pay deposits traceably (card, not cash) and check they're covered by BAR's Payment Guarantee Scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check whether a removals company is really a BAR member?
Don’t rely on the badge on their website — anyone can add a logo. Check the firm directly on the BAR website, or ask for their membership details. A genuine member benefits you through a Trading Standards–approved Code of Practice, a Payment Guarantee Scheme for your deposit, and free independent dispute resolution.
How far in advance should I book a removals company in Surrey?
Four to six weeks is a sensible minimum for a straightforward move. If you’re moving between May and September, or over a school holiday or bank holiday weekend, book earlier — those slots go quickly. Shorter notice is often possible; it’s worth a call to check.
Is the cheapest removals quote usually the best value?
Not necessarily. A low number often means something’s been left out — packing, adequate insurance, enough crew — rather than a genuine saving. Compare written, itemised quotes based on an actual survey, and check each covers the same things before you judge on price.
Should a removals company visit before giving a quote?
Yes. A reliable quote needs someone to see the volume and the access, whether by an in-home visit or a video survey. Be cautious about a full-house price quoted purely over the phone or from a form — it tends to drift on the day.
What insurance should a removals company have?
At minimum, goods-in-transit cover for your belongings during the move. Ask what the per-item limit is, whether high-value items need declaring separately, whether cover runs door to door, and whether self-packed boxes are included — exclusions vary, so get it clear before you book.
Do I have to use a Surrey-based removals company for a Surrey move?
Local knowledge helps — familiarity with narrow lanes, parking rules and gated developments saves time on the day. But accreditation, insurance and who crews the job matter more than a postcode. A local firm that ticks those boxes is the ideal combination.