It’s not a great idea to have children around on moving day. There’s so much activity and so many people moving back and forward, it could be risky to have little ones running around. They can inadvertently get in the way and slow your moving team down, or even get hurt.
If it’s not possible to send them off to grandma’s house on moving day, you need to find a way to keep them entertained and safely out of the way. This is where preparation is your best friend – just like everything to do with moving house!
Here are five top tips for keeping kids occupied during your move, and most you can organise in advance:
1. Pack a special easy-access box just for the kids
Just like you would if you were going on holiday, you can pack an emergency children’s box ready for moving day. This will contain everything you need to entertain, distract and placate. For example, it’ll have books, toys, colouring books, wet wipes, snacks and drinks, a change of clothes and a phone or tablet pre-loaded with their favourite TV show. Make sure you clearly label this crucial box and make it as easy-access as possible.
2. Prepare a child-friendly ‘haven’ room
If you can keep the kids in just one room, you can minimise any risks and keep them safely out of the way. You’ll need to completely clear one room, packing it up and moving boxes into another part of the house. Keep only the easy-access kids box you packed earlier, full of things to keep them entertained.
3. Send them out into the garden
If the weather’s nice, a great way to keep kids occupied is to send them out into the garden for a play session or camp out. You can pop up a tent with a portable DVD player or tablet inside, which will keep them happy until the movers have finished their work. Then it’s simply a matter of packing up the tent and leaving.
4. Get the kids involved
If there’s a way to do it safely, you could enlist older children as helpers on moving day. Give them a specific task so that they stay focused. For example, checking the whole house for missed, left-behind items, clearing out their own rooms or small cleaning tasks. You never know, they could turn out to be really helpful! You could even make it more fun, such as creating a game with unused packing materials or decorating moving boxes with stickers.
5. Call for backup
The best option for stressed-out parents on moving day will always be to leave the kids with relatives. If this isn’t an option, one of you may be able to take some time out from supervising the move to take the kids to the park.
Gearing up to move house? Get in touch with the Kiwi Movers team on 020 8877 9682* to discuss your plans and for a quick, tailored quote.
Moving to or from a luxury apartment in London presents a unique challenge. Expensive and often fragile items need to be delivered from A to B, and both properties should be protected during the move.
You don’t want any scrapes, smashes or breakages, but you absolutely need peace of mind that it’ll all go smoothly. This is why you should always call in the professionals when it comes to luxury apartment removals in London. Here are some other important things to consider…
It’s important to have a customised, detailed plan for moving day
Facing a challenging prospect like luxury apartment removals, it’s essential to have a watertight plan. You need a dedicated project manager overseeing every aspect of the move, to make sure it runs smoothly. It’s recommended to have a detailed inventory, especially for valuable or irreplaceable items. You also need an hour-by-hour plan for moving day itself. Everyone needs to know exactly what to do, and where they’re supposed to be, at every stage during the day.
Is each property fully protected from damage?
With luxury apartment removals in London, a great deal of care needs to be taken when moving items in and out of each property. You need to protect expensive fittings, along with pristine paintwork, stairs and banisters. You need a team with the experience and skill to navigate tight spaces and move large items without causing any damage.
Kiwi Movers take the utmost care in all properties, taking extraordinary steps to protect fittings and finishes. For example, we wrap door handles, radiators, banisters, stairs and even light switches.
Whether there are several flights of stairs or a tight lift to negotiate, we can handle it. We can even provide a hoist lift for large possessions that need to be moved in unconventional ways. Our service can be tailored to suit you, so just tell us what you need.
Your possessions need to arrive in perfect condition
Professional movers such as the Kiwi Movers team are specialists when it comes to handling expensive, valuable or fragile items. We have packing and preparing these items ready for a move down to a fine art. You’ll have complete peace of mind that every painting, sculpture, priceless vase and antique will be securely packed using the right materials and a great deal of skill.
Needless to say, you just don’t get this with your everyday man and van service.
Great insurance is essential
When you’re moving high value items, you need to know that they are fully protected by the right kinds of insurance. Your moving company needs to have professional liability, goods in transit and other kinds of insurance in place. Check when getting quotes what level of cover is included, and find out about options for increasing it if you need to. You can get insurance cover tailored to your needs, to include specialist or high value items.
To chat to the Kiwi Movers team about your upcoming move, just give us a call on 020 8877 9682*.
Man and van hire is a flexible, convenient and affordable way to move stuff – whether you’re moving house or simply have a single large piece of furniture to shift across town.
Take a quick look online and you’ll find hundreds if not thousands of man and van services to choose from. But crucially – only a fraction of these services will have the right insurance. It’s so important to check out the insurance situation before trusting someone with your whole life’s worth of possessions or valuable goods. You, and your stuff, need to have full protection.
Why is insurance so important when using man and van services?
Unless you choose a reputable, trusted service – perhaps one recommended by a friend or which has verified customer reviews – you’ll always be taking a bit of a leap when you hire someone to help you move house.
They could be inexperienced, which could lead to your stuff being damaged. They may be unreliable, causing serious delays on moving day. In a worst-case scenario, they may even be a bit dodgy, leading to the mysterious disappearance of your possessions.
In most cases, none of the above happens. But this is why insurance is so important – it provides financial protection for all of your belongings, just in case. It offers peace of mind, and is the responsible way to use a moving service and protect your possessions.
What insurance do man and van services need?
When asking about man and van insurance, bear the following in mind:
There may be a fixed or limited liability. As they don’t know the value of your goods, many removals companies will use industry standard cover. For example, £40 per damaged or lost item, £25 for broken glass covers on pictures.
You can arrange additional cover for valuable or irreplaceable items – so make sure you tell your moving company about this before signing up. You can potentially get cover of up to £100,000 per moving truck if needed.
Your removals company should have public liability insurance in place – this covers legal costs or claims if property or possessions are damaged during the move.
Movers may also have goods in transit insurance – this is a policy which covers any damage to items when they’re inside the removals van.
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. It’s important that you feel satisfied with the insurance cover on offer before going ahead.
Always use a trusted, insured man and van service
The safest way to use a man and van service is to find a company you trust. Recommendations from a friend or family member are great, but you can also do your own research into reputable, credible removals companies.
Look for customer reviews, trade association memberships, accreditation and other positive signs. Kiwi Movers, for example, has Which? Trusted Trader status, is an approved trader on Checkatrade.com and is a member of the Road Haulage Association.
Give the Kiwi Movers team a call on 020 8877 9682* to arrange your move, or to ask us any of your burning questions about removals insurance – we’re happy to help!
If you’re a bibliophile, there’s just never enough bookshelf space. It’s not quite hoarding, but it’s close – and you’re not alone with your book-collecting ways.
Ofcom research from 2014 found that around 84% of UK adults had a book collection. While they are more widely owned and used compared to DVDs and CDs, books aren’t always being read as much as they should.
Research for World Book Day found that the average home holds around 158 books, but a quarter of them have never been opened. 50% of people keep books because they’re emotionally attached to them, while some 16% people admitted keeping certain high-brow titles on their bookshelves to make them look more intelligent.
Book lovers – storage could be the solution
Do you love your collection, but are running out of room? This can cause real problems during any attempts to de-clutter, but there is a solution. If you can’t bring yourself to get rid of your books, why not put them into storage? You can keep building your collection if you like, or you can use long-term storage and review in a few months’ or years’ time. If you haven’t missed a particular book or collection, or don’t think you’ll read it again, you may be ready to say goodbye.
Some collectors and avid readers understandably have concerns about putting their treasured possessions into storage. They worry about damage to their books, from dirt, damp or other environmental problems.
The reality is that many long-term storage facilities are perfectly suitable for books. You just need to choose carefully and inspect the facilities before signing up. Ask to have a look around the unit, and make sure to ask plenty of questions about insurance at the same time.
Top tips for safely packing books for storage
As well as carefully inspecting your storage unit before use, there are other things you can do to protect your books in storage.
For example:
Dust off your books before storing, making sure they’re clean, dry and free from items such as paper clips and bookmarks
Use high-quality boxes of a small to medium size that are free of chemicals if possible – use too large a box and you risk it breaking due to the weight. You can also use air-tight plastic containers
Pack the same book types together – for example, paperback with paperback
Fill all spaces but don’t pack your books over-tightly. Fill in any spaces with packing material like bubble-wrap or acid-free paper
Wrap fragile, valuable or precious books in bubble wrap or polyester jackets
Use shelving to raise book boxes off the floor
Label boxes carefully, so you can find what you need without having to disturb all of your boxes. Labelling along with an inventory also helps you to keep track of exactly what’s in your unit. This could be useful if anything is lost or damaged.
Kiwi Movers guarantees clean, dry and tidy storage for books. You can be completely confident that your books are safe and protected when you leave them in our care. Give us a call on 020 8877 9682* to discuss your needs.
If you’ve ever moved house, you’ll know the pain of packing, wrapping, shifting and unloading. It can be back-breaking and mega stressful, which is why so many people choose to use professional removals firms instead.
But not everyone knows that removals companies can do so much more than just move your stuff from A to B. Some all-rounders like Kiwi Movers offer additional services that can make moving day so, so much easier.
Crucially, these ancillary services can be much cheaper when included as part of your removals package. This is because the team is already on site and has the expertise and equipment to handle it. You’re likely to find it much more expensive and time-consuming to go out and search for these services separately.
Here’s a quick guide to the extra services designed to make moving day a doddle, so make sure you ask about them when comparing each removals firm in London:
Wrapping and packing
Moving day itself is only a small part of the process. You’ll actually spend most of your time wrapping things up, dismantling furniture and packing things in boxes. Pick the right removals firm in London and this will all be taken care of. Even better, it’ll be handled by experts who know how to quickly and efficiently pack all kinds of items. They’ll even bring their own specialist packing materials.
Unpacking
This one is a real game-changer. Many removals firms in London will do your packing and wrapping for you, but it’s a rare gem who’ll handle the unpacking too. You’ve guessed it, Kiwi Movers offer this service too. It’s all to make moving easier, and how amazing that you won’t even have to unpack.
With a bit of input from you, our crew will unpack furniture, appliances and even boxes once the move is completed. Tell us where you’d like everything to go, and we’ll take care of it. Moving can be such chaos, leaving you feeling displaced and disorganised when you arrive in your new home. A little thing like having your bed already unpacked and set up in your bedroom can make all the difference.
Cleaning and handyman tasks
These are more time-consuming but necessary tasks when moving home. You could hire a separate cleaner or handyman, but it’s easier (and cheaper) to arrange it through your removals firm as part of the service.
Short and long-term storage
Don’t need to move everything right away? If you’re between moves or are having a down-sizing issue, ask your removals company about storage options. Again, it’s much easier if the removals firm can offer this rather than having to sort it separately, as they can take items to the unit for you.
Shipping
Make sure to ask your removals firm in London about shipping, as it can be a real time-saver. It’s a handy service if you need to send something to another location, rather than the house you’re moving to. Perhaps you’re moving abroad, or simply selling some items to de-clutter during the move.
Kiwi Movers offers all of these extra services and much more – whatever it takes to make your move easier. Give us a call on 020 8877 9682* to find out more.
If moving house is on the horizon, it’s time to get organised. Get yourself a pen and paper and start making a list of what needs doing and when. Better still, get a wall planner and pencil in some important dates.
One of the most important things to include on your calendar is moving day. For this, you’ll need to book in your London removals company. But how far in advance do you need to call them? The golden rule is – the earlier the better. As soon as your moving day has been confirmed, get a removals team booked in.
When are you moving?
While early is best for all house moves, there are certain dates where you may need to reserve your spot even further in advance.
London removals companies are more in demand during peak times like summer holidays and bank holidays. You’re already off work after all, so why not schedule your house move in for then? The problem is that everyone else has the same idea, meaning your movers of choice are already booked up.
If you can avoid bank holidays, school holidays and even weekends, you’ll find that you have more choice of movers. The prices tend to be lower too, as removals companies charge peak and off-peak rates.
Finding the most convenient time slot
House moves are often run to very tight timescales, especially if you’re buying a new house and you’re in a chain. You need to vacate your property at a certain time, and the owners of the house you’re buying are in exactly the same position.
You may also have a perfectly timed plan for the move, hoping to start at certain times and complete it before the day is out. Or maybe you need movers for a few days or more. Whatever you have in mind, book early to ensure that your London removals company is available at your chosen times. If you leave it too late, you may have to compromise on your plan.
Book a slot now, you may be able to adjust it later
Some people wait until their moving day is 100% confirmed before booking their London removals company. Unfortunately, the confirmation often doesn’t come through until very near the date itself. This means you’ll be booking last-minute and you may not be able to get the price, time slot or even the date you want, compromising the whole move.
The smart thing to do is to give your movers a call and tell them when you estimate your moving day to be. They can pencil you in for then, reserving their team’s availability. If you do need to change it by a day or two, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to.
Give Kiwi Movers a call on 020 8877 9682* to reserve your moving day slot, get a quote for your move and get all your plans finalised. As an experienced London removals company, we can help with every kind of house move.
Moving house and your new place is not quite ready, or maybe you’re going off travelling and need somewhere to keep your stuff? These are just a couple of the many situations in which storage is a really useful solution.
You’ll have ample choice of storage units in London, as they’re littered all over the city. But how do you choose the right one? It’s not always as straightforward as picking the one closest to you. It’s well worth doing a bit of research and considering exactly what you need. You should also take the time to compare what’s available in terms of price and other factors.
To help you sort out the ideal storage unit in London, here’s our guide to what to look for:
A choice of unit sizes
Some storage facilities in London offer just one or two standard unit sizes. This may not work for you, so you’ll either end up paying for space you don’t use or struggling to fit everything in. Ideally, you’ll have a choice of different unit sizes, priced according to square footage, so you can pick the perfect option for you.
Security
For your peace of mind, it’s important to pick a storage unit in London that is fully protected with advanced security systems. This is particularly crucial if you’re storing anything valuable. The kind of features to look out for include 24-hour CCTV, keycode access, number plate and facial recognition.
Insurance
What would happen if your unit was broken into, or if there was a fire or flood? These are important questions to ask before signing up for a storage unit in London. You need to make sure there is comprehensive insurance cover in place.
Good quality facilities
Storage space isn’t just any old unused corner of a warehouse. It needs to be clean, well-lit, properly secured and the environmental conditions controlled. If a unit looks dirty or there’s signs of damp or mould, run a mile.
Access
Do you have to wait until set opening times to access your unit, or can you pop in anytime using your own access key and/or code? The latter is the best option for your convenience.
Price
Most people pick a storage unit in London based on price. Rates are higher in the capital than in most other UK cities, as is everything else. However, price isn’t the only factor to go on – you also need to think about value.
If a unit costs a little more but offers everything you’re looking for, it’s worth paying more. If you’re getting a convenient location, 24/7 access, full security and insurance, and a clean, well-maintained unit, you can consider it money well spent.
To find out about more about the flexible, exceptional value storage solutions at Kiwi Movers, click here or give us a call on 020 8877 9682*. We have a top choice of storage units in London, conveniently located in central spots across the main London boroughs.
Insurance is one of the biggest differences between a professional removals company and a man and van found on a Facebook page.
You need the experience and knowledge of a professional firm to ensure your move goes smoothly. However, you also need the peace of mind of knowing that your possessions are safe and covered by the right insurance.
Despite the importance of insurance during house moves, a survey by Buzzmove in 2014 found that 33% of people don’t ask about insurance. If they do ask, they don’t tend to check what cover is in place.
More about removals insurance
There are a few different kinds of insurance that your removals company may have. There are also policies of your own that could cover your belongings. Here’s a quick look at each of them:
Public liability insurance. This is a type of insurance policy that most businesses and tradespeople have in place. It is designed to cover any claims or legal costs if a business activity harms a member of the public or their property. In terms of removals companies, public liability insurance provides cover just in case property is damaged during the move. It also covers you and your family in case of unexpected accidents.
Professional insurance for breakages. This is also known as Goods in Transit insurance and is designed to cover any damage to or loss of items in the removals van.
Removals companies will also have employers’ liability insurance for claims made by employees. Lastly, they’ll have vehicle insurance for removals vans and trucks.
The majority of people never need to claim, but it’s reassuring to know that insurance cover is in place. You never know what could happen, so it’s important to do things by the book.
Your household contents cover
It’s worth checking your home contents insurance policy ahead of the move. It could be the case that cover is provided for items in transit. You may have special arrangements in place for valuable or antique items, and this could extend to the removals process depending on the policy.
How much cover is provided by removals companies?
It’s important to remember that the insurance cover provided by removals firms isn’t limitless. At Kiwi Movers, we provide cover of £40 per damaged or lost item, at a maximum of £60 a box. This is in line with industry standards.
In most cases, this level of insurance cover is adequate for home movers. Setting cover at this level enables us to keep costs down for those who aren’t moving anything particularly valuable. However, if you do have valuables to move, you can add extra cover (at a competitive extra cost) up to £100,000 per truck. The cover can be arranged by the Kiwi Movers team on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Please give us a call on 020 8877 9682* to discuss your move. We’ll be happy to advise on the insurance cover we can provide.
Choosing a removals company in London can be difficult. It’s not a lack of options, the opposite in fact. How do you find a moving firm you can trust, that will do a great job and offer good value for money? Here are our 10 top things to look out for:
1. Insurance
It’s essential to check that your removals firm has full insurance to cover the move and any potential breakages or losses. They’ll need full public liability insurance cover, plus the option for you to add extra cover on for particularly valuable items.
2. Great reviews
Word of mouth is a great way to find a removals company in London you can trust. Always check a firm’s reviews, or use one that friends and family recommend.
3. Experience
Removals can throw up many challenges, so you need a trained and experienced team who can handle anything. They will be able to fit bulky items through small spaces, without any damage to the property or item. They can pack, wrap and move quickly and efficiently, to keep your move on schedule.
4. A choice of well-maintained vehicles
Your stuff will be going inside the removals van, so it needs to be clean and in good condition. Removals companies should have clean.
5. Local knowledge
This is arguably the most important quality to look for when choosing a removals company in London. Moving house in the capital can be very stressful, congested and time-consuming if you don’t have the right local knowledge. Your moving crew need to know which roads to avoid at peak hours, where parking permits are needed, congestion zone fees and lots more.
6. Response time
How long does the removals firm take to respond to your initial enquiry? If it’s ages, this isn’t a good sign for the future working relationship. You need speedy responses and a quick quote, because you’ve got the rest of your planning to do.
7. Helpful extra services
Moving home isn’t just about shifting boxes from A to B. It can be a complex logistical project, starting with packing boxes, cleaning your property and making sure valuables are wrapped up securely. If a removals company can offer an all-in-one package with these extra services, it’ll make moving day so much easier.
8. Tailored estimates and a pre-move survey
It’s better to get a quote for your move that is based on your particular circumstances, unless you’re only shifting a few boxes. If you’re moving the contents of a three-bed house, your removals firm should do a pre-move survey to give you a tailored estimate. If not, there’s always the danger that surprise extra costs could be added on.
9. A helpful ‘can do’ attitude
When you contact a removals company in London to ask for help or advice, you want a friendly, positive response. You don’t want hesitation when discussing a potential issue or setback, you need solutions. If it’s a close competition between two firms, choose the one that thinks on their feet and takes a proactive problem-solving approach.
Needless to say, Kiwi Movers ticks all of the boxes above! We’re your dream removals company in London, so give us a call on 020 8877 9682* to discuss your big move.
Storage is a great option for people in a huge range of different situations, whether moving house, renovating, downsizing or travelling. It can also be surprisingly affordable, but savvy self-storers will use a number of tips and tricks to save even more money. This can be very handy in a city like London, where storage (like everything else) can be a little pricier than other parts of the UK.
Store less, save space and save money
The key to saving money on storage in London is space. There are usually a number of units available in a range of different sizes. You need to pick the unit that’s right for you – where it’s not so packed that you can’t find anything, but also without paying for extra space you don’t use.
The less space you use, the more money you save. To use less space, you need to store less stuff. It really can be that simple.
The first thing to do is to declutter before you store. If you’ve not even looked at it for years, are you likely to need it at any point in the future? If the answer is no and it doesn’t have sentimental or actual value, it has to go. You can even sell your unwanted items to raise some extra cash.
Packing advice for storage in London
If you pack smart, you’ll fit more in your unit and it’ll be more organised too. This makes it easier to access and find things, without a whole pile of boxes falling on you! Follow these smart packing tips:
Dismantle bulky items. De-flat-packing beds, wardrobes and sofas means that they’ll take up far less space in your unit. Put them in first, lining the walls with the different parts of your furniture.
Choose boxes of similar sizes. This makes it easier to stack them on top of each other. Also, only use sturdy boxes with no damage, as they’re less likely to collapse.
Fill your boxes to capacity (but not over). Filled boxes are sturdier and easier to stack, but resist overfilling or they could burst or split.
Pack everything in tightly, but leave a passage for access. Utilise every inch of space, but don’t forget about your access needs.
Consider using shelving. Provided it doesn’t take up too much space, shelving can help you maximise the height of your unit while still allowing easy access. Warehouse-style racking is widely available, not too expensive and doesn’t take up too much room.
Tips for protecting valuables
As well as saving space, you also want to avoid damage to any valuable items you’ll be storing. The first way to do this is to choose storage in London very carefully. You need somewhere clean, dry, fully insured and completely protected with full security systems. If you have any antiques or fragile items, you should also check out any climate control features.
If you’re happy with the unit, it’s now time to get your items ready for storage. Protect valuables with bubble wrap or cloth, or store in a sealable crate, to protect them from damage.
To find out about convenient storage in London or for more expert advice on storage solutions, contact the Kiwi Movers team by calling 020 8877 9682*.
Moving from Wandsworth to Chelsea only involves a short hop over the Thames, a journey that can take as little as 15 minutes by road. For such a short journey (less than 3 miles), it simply isn’t worth calling in a full moving crew.
A far more suitable option for many house movers is man and van. This is especially the case if you don’t have much to move, but too much to lug onto a local bus or pack into the back of a taxi.
Man and van Wandsworth to Chelsea – how much will it cost?
The great news for house movers heading for new digs in Chelsea is that man and van for such a short trip is really affordable. The Kiwi Movers team charge just £75 plus VAT per hour (for off peak moves) for their man and van Wandsworth to Chelsea service. If you’re packed and ready, you may be able to get the move done in as little as an hour. This means that you’ll pay less than £100 for the whole service. This is a fantastic price considering that you get:
A team of experienced, professional movers – who treat your possessions with care, working speedily and efficiently
A fully insured, clean, spacious van in great condition
Comprehensive insurance for your possessions – in the unlikely occurrence that an item is damaged or broken, our insurance covers a replacement or reimbursement
Complete peace of mind – we guarantee that we’ll turn up on time and ready to move.
The dangers of cheaping out on your move
Of course, we know that you’ll want to save every possible penny on your house move. You’ll be looking for the cheapest possible options, but be careful. Cheap hardly ever means quality.
Not every bloke off the internet with a van is the right choice for your move. It could even turn out disastrously. What if the man and van doesn’t turn up at all, leaving you stranded on the pavement with all your possessions? This is particularly inconvenient if you have someone moving into your old place or you’ve taken time off work to move.
Other ‘worst case’ scenarios include:
Breaking down on the way
A filthy van causing your stuff to arrive covered in dust and dirt
Damage, breakage or loss of your possessions
Damage to your new home as your stuff is carelessly moved in
A move which takes far too long, when you’re billed for the time!
A man and van service that takes your money (or your stuff) and is never heard from again.
If all of these send shivers down your spine, make a smart choice. Go for a reliable man and van Wandsworth to Chelsea service like Kiwi Movers. You simply don’t need the stress on moving day, so choose a 100% reliable, quality guaranteed service instead. Please call us on 020 8877 9682* to find out more.
So, time to move house. You’ve made the smart choice and decided to look into using a London house removals service rather than trying to tackle everything yourself. It’s a sensible move because many people find that it’s way more work, sweat and stress than they realised. It can even end up costing more if your plans fall apart.
Budget will always be a concern with a house move, so how much on average does it cost to move house in London? Let’s take a look at a few useful points to consider for moving the contents of a two-bed house. This is one of the most common sizes of house moves – especially in London when space is at a premium.
Your stuff and how large a van you’ll need
The first thing to think about is how much stuff you actually have to move. This will affect how long the move will take, how big the moving crew is and crucially, what size of moving van will be needed. All of this will be reflected in the price.
You don’t need to worry about selecting the right van, as moving experts like Kiwi Movers will do all of that for you. All you need to do is provide as accurate an estimate as possible of how much stuff you have.
Let’s look at two-bed house removals in London, for example. If you have an average two-bedroom property that isn’t stuffed to bursting with clutter, you can expect to take up around 500-700 cubic feet in a removals van. Provide details of roughly how many boxes you’ll need as well as listing larger items of furniture. It can be a good idea to buy your boxes from the removals company. This means you can fill them and tell them exactly how many you have.
Of course, it goes without saying that a good way to save money is to reduce the amount of stuff you have. It could be time for a clear out, making you some extra cash and giving you a fresh start in your new place.
Distance travelled
Another thing that affects the price of two-bed house removals in London is how far you’re going. If you’re only going between neighbouring London boroughs, the journey will be quick and won’t cost as much. You can even consider hiring man and van services which charge by the hour. This is a good option if you don’t have much stuff.
Packing services
Don’t fancy packing everything yourself? If you’re prepared to pay a little extra, your moving crew can do all the legwork for you.
On average, people pay upwards of £500-£550 for two-bed house removals in London, not including packing. It can be well worth the money to know that every detail is covered – so you can put your feet up!
Planning a big London house move in 2019? How exciting! Now’s the time to start your planning, including choosing your removal company and looking at costs for the big day.
As all Londoners know, everything in the capital is more expensive than in the rest of the UK. On average, it can cost between £300 and £650 for a basic house move (without extras like packing) in Newcastle, whereas in London it can range from £330 up to £700 or more. Some estimates go all the way up to £2,000 for a large house move.
What affects the costs of moving house in London?
Asking how much London house moves cost is similar to asking how long a piece of string is. It varies hugely, depending on a number of crucial factors:
The size of your home. One-bed flat moves, for example, will be a lot cheaper than three-bed house moves.
Ease of access. If there are lots of stairs, it will inevitably take longer than moving the contents of a bungalow.
Distance to be travelled. If you’re moving between neighbouring London boroughs, this will be cheaper than travelling outside of the capital.
The amount of stuff you have
The number of people needed to complete your move
When you plan to move. You can save money by moving during an off-peak time such as a weekday outside of any holidays.
Whether you’re moving anything particularly bulky, heavy, valuable or tricky to move. This can mean that specialist equipment will be needed.
Any challenges associated with either property (i.e. a window needs to be removed to get a sofa out).
Other factors such as parking permits (often needed in London).
You can save money by sorting out your own boxes, doing your own packing and choosing a nice, quiet time for your move.
Personalised quotes are essential
Every house move is different. It’s important to get prices based on the exact details of your move, including the distance to be travelled and all the other points above.
Ahead of moving house in London, you can expect your removal company to carry out a consultation and home visit. This is where they’ll gather all this info, and use it to give you a personalised quote.
This is very useful, as it means no nasty surprises when it comes to the cost. If your movers know exactly what to expect beforehand, they can give you an accurate estimate that covers the exact work to be done.
Simply give us at Kiwi Movers on 020 8877 9682* to arrange a consultation and to find out how we can make moving house in London a doddle.
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.
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.
Moving house can sometimes turn out to be a bit of an ordeal, but not if you do some clever prep. For tips on packing and moving in style and without breaking a sweat, it’s the internet to the rescue!
Let’s take a look at the best moving hacks we could find online. They won’t change your life, but they could make moving day so much easier.
Make handles in all of your boxes
A top tip by Dave Hax is to make handy handles for all of your moving boxes to make them easier to carry. It takes just seconds and the use of a knife or pair of scissors to do. All you need to do is cut three sides of a rectangle and fold upwards and voilà! Handy handle. Just don’t make it too wide or large or you could destabilise the structure or strength of the box. This moving hack is only useful if you’ll be shifting boxes yourself, as removals companies are fine to move boxes using their own equipment.
Use towels and sheets to wrap your plates
This is another of the many useful moving hacks in the Dave Hax video above. Why save up newspaper or buy loads of packing paper when you can wrap your breakables in sheets and towels that you’re already transporting?
Don’t take your clothes off the hangers, just wrap them in bin bags!
You could waste hours removing clothes from hangers, folding and packing them, and doing the same thing in reverse in your new place. In this simple but effective moving hack, all you need to do is pull a bin bag up over a bunch of clothes on hangers and tie it at the top. Just leave the hook of the hanger peeping out. This means you can bag it, unhook, pack and then simply hang back up again at the other side.
Use every empty vessel you have and save on boxes
The next of the moving hacks in the video above will save you a small fortune on moving boxes and save space at the same time. Use what you already have and bring suitcases, laundry hampers, bags and more into service for packing. You can even fill shoes with socks, make up bags with toiletries and buckets with cleaning supplies and knick-knacks.
Take a picture of your electronic setups and put all electronics in one place
It can be a nightmare trying to remember how all your various wires and cables plugged into the back of that device. There’s an easy fix – take a picture of the setup on your phone, as per this handy hack. Then, keep all electronics in one box or bag, then you know exactly where to find everything.
Remember, moving doesn’t have to be stressful if you’re prepared! And a great removals company can make it so, so much easier. Give the Kiwi Movers team a call on 020 8877 9682* for a chat on how we can simplify and streamline your move.
If you’re moving house in London and you’ve gone online to do your homework, you might find yourself up against quite a bit of confusing jargon. This is especially the case for people moving to the capital for the very first time. What on earth is a ‘red route’ and how will it affect moving day? And will you need a ‘dolly’ during your house move? Let’s bust some jargon!
Property Survey
Also known as a ‘move consultation’, this is when a member of the Kiwi Movers team pops round to ask crucial questions about the move. They’ll ask about:
Whether or not you’re in a chain
The parking situation at both the property you’re leaving and your new home
Your move date.
The survey will also mean taking a close look at your property, from top to bottom. Don’t worry – you don’t need to tidy up! We’ll just be making a note of any large, awkward or valuable items that will need to be moved. The consultant will also check for furniture that’ll need to be dismantled.
Volume
This term is used by London removals companies simply to mean the amount of stuff to be moved. It includes everything from boxes to furniture. An accurate estimate of ‘volume’ is essential to work out how long the move will take and how many movers will be assigned to the job. Finally, what vehicle will be used.
Congestion Charge Zone and London Low Emissions Zone
Removals companies in London have an extra challenge to deal with as well as getting your stuff from A to B. They must also deal with London’s road restrictions, which includes the Congestion Charge Zone. This is where a daily charge is due if you drive through the zone during certain hours. Another one that London removals companies know all about is the Low Emissions Zone, where vehicles that don’t meet certain emissions standards will be charged for entry.
Red routes
This is another challenge affecting removals companies in London. Red routes are the busiest roads in the city, so-called because of their red markings. There are signs along these routes advising on what you can and can’t do in relation to parking, loading, bus lanes and turns. Experienced London removals companies know about red routes and how to use them, so no penalties are incurred.
Self-store
Don’t want to move everything right now, or don’t have enough space in your new place? Self-store is the solution. It refers to clean, modern storage units where you pay a weekly, monthly or annual cost. In most cases, you can also access your self-storage unit whenever you want.
Dolly
This is a word that London removals companies use regularly, but those not in the industry may not have a clue what it means. A dolly is simply a small, wheeled platform designed for moving heavy objects. Professional movers use dollies to shift all of your bulkier items safely, smoothly and without the risk of injury or damage to your property.
Have any other burning questions? Please call the team at Kiwi Movers on 020 8877 9682* – we pride ourselves on our jargon-free, straightforward approach to London moves.
When moving house, timing is crucial. It not only affects the likelihood of selling or buying a house and getting the price you want, but also moving day. Believe it or not, the time of year you pick for the move can affect the cost as well as the smooth running of the day.
Considering moving house in winter?
Many people move house in winter. This could be just the way everything has worked out with their property transaction or when their lease ends, but it can also be more of a strategic decision.
This is because moving house in winter can actually be cheaper. The property market is far less active in winter (as people mainly choose to sell houses in summer when they look at their best). This means less demand for London removals in winter and lower tariffs. You’re more likely to be able to book in the day you want, at a great price.
You may also be able to secure a short notice booking more easily, just in case you need to move unexpectedly early. London removals companies have more space in their calendars, so they can fit you in even at very short notice.
As an added bonus, tradespeople may also have more availability in winter, just in case you need any snagging work done when you move in.
Make sure you avoid Christmas
Winter in general may be a cheaper time to book in a removals team, but make sure you avoid Christmas! It sounds obvious, as everything is more expensive at Christmas, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to ‘be in by Christmas’. Wait just a few weeks more and you could save a small fortune on moving costs.
Cons to consider with London removals in winter
London removals in winter are undoubtedly cheaper, but are there any other things to consider? Make sure you bear the following in mind before booking in a winter move:
Fewer daylight hours – winter days give you far less daylight time in which to complete your move, so make sure your move is achievable. The last thing you want is to book in another day, if that’s even possible with your property chain.
Slippery surfaces – moving in winter can be more hazardous, especially if you aren’t experienced. Slippery surfaces, wet conditions and ice-cold hands are all problems that could make DIY moves very dangerous, so it’s always best to call in the professionals for winter moves.
Driving conditions – just like with the above, poor weather conditions can make driving hazardous. This is especially concerning for those carrying a full load of heavy furniture and boxes. Again, it’s best to rely on the experts, with their expertise and winter-ready vehicles and equipment.
For London removals at any time of the year or to book in your winter move, simply call Kiwi Movers on 020 8877 9682* for a quick quote.
Packing to move house is something of an art form. It requires careful planning and a good deal of organisation, otherwise you could end up moving many more boxes and bags than necessary. Worse still, you could face the hassle and expense of breakages due to improperly packed items.
If today’s the day you tackle the packing of the kitchen, you’re in for a real challenge. Not only is your kitchen the fullest room of the house in terms of stored items, but it’s also full of breakables.
How to pack your kitchen – 8 essential tips
We’ve put together some essential packing tips to help make the job easier…
De-clutter
This is one of the most important packing tips for any room. Don’t move what you don’t need, or you’re only making work for yourself. Before packing, have a good old sort out. Send unwanted items to the charity shop, tip or pop them online and sell them. Et voilà! There’s far less to move.
Put essentials to one side
Don’t make the mistake of packing absolutely everything, only to find that you can’t find a kettle or mug to have a brew in the first few days of unpacking in your new place. Put these items to one side, to be packed in their own accessible box.
Choose strong boxes – but not too large!
The temptation with a large box is to overfill it, which means a super heavy box that is likely to break. Avoid such a catastrophe with small and medium boxes, ensuring they’re as durable as possible. It’s a good idea to source them from moving companies like Kiwi Movers, as we have the perfect moving boxes for the job.
Get the rest of your packing materials
As well as boxes, you’ll need newspaper or packing paper, tape and marker pens to label each box. It depends how much stuff you have, but moving an average family kitchen requires at least 10 medium, 5 large and 5 heavy duty boxes.
Sort items into designated boxes
This is a no-brainer, as it makes unpacking so much easier on the other side.
Put items inside each other
Provided you wrap everything carefully enough, this is one of the best tips to take on board when learning how to pack a kitchen. Using the space inside bowls, pans and other items can save loads of room inside your moving boxes.
Moving food
Unopened products can be wrapped and packed carefully, but anything open will need to be sealed with tape or placed in a suitable container first. It could be worth planning ahead to use up as many items as possible before moving.
Call in the professionals to move your appliances
Remove any moving parts that can be easily and safely removed, then let the Kiwi Movers team do the rest. We have experience in moving heavy and awkward items, so we can shift appliances quickly and efficiently along with the rest of your boxes and furniture.
Can’t face packing? Kiwi Movers offers a packing service, making it easier to get you into your new home. Call us on 020 8877 9682* for a quote.
Failing to pack something called an ‘open-first box’ before moving house is a rookie mistake, but we’ve all been there. In the rush and chaos of packing, we pack literally everything. Unfortunately, that usually means that in the first few days in your new home, you can’t find any of the essentials you need – not even to make a cup of tea. The kettle, your hair brush and even the toilet roll is buried at the bottom of goodness knows which box.
Think of an open-first box as a survival kit. It’ll keep you sane as you gradually unpack and find homes for all your stuff, and save you having to buy everything afresh.
Packing tips for your open-first box – what to include
Before you start packing, make yourself some lists. This not only makes your feel productive (even if you haven’t actually done anything yet) but it also organises your workload. Make a separate list for your open-first box for moving house, including essentials such as:
A couple of mugs or cups
The kettle – plus the toaster too if you like
Non-perishable food/drink such as coffee, tea bags and snacks
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Soap, shampoo and conditioner
Hairbrushes, cosmetics, deodorant and other personal hygiene items
Hairdryer
At least one change of clothing for every family member
A couple of bathroom towels
Toilet roll
Scissors, a knife, bottle opener and can opener
A torch – just in case you have to creep into the cellar to flick a fuse switch
A sponge, tea towel, washing up liquid and bin bags
A phone charger, plus chargers for other electronic devices
A set of cutlery and plates (camping or paper plates are a good idea for the first night)
Basic medicine (i.e. painkillers, hay fever tablets) plus any prescription medication.
A good way to think about your open-first box for moving house is like packing for a holiday. You need basic supplies for a short period of time. You may find you have other essentials (kid’s toys, electronic devices, books etc) that you can’t do without, even just for a night or two.
Other crucial tips include:
Your open-first box should be the last box you seal. You’ll be using all of your useful items right until the last minute, so it makes sense that you’ll pack them last.
Take your open-first box to your new home in your own vehicle. Unless you give your moving crew specific instructions to offload it separately, don’t put the box in the van with the rest of your stuff. It’ll likely get lost, or buried.
Don’t forget to label it! If the box is the same shape, size and colour as all the others, what hope have you of finding it easily if it’s not labelled?
Need help with packing or moving, or both? Simply call the Kiwi Movers team on 020 8877 9682* for a quick quote and a 100% efficient, professional and insured moving service from start to finish.
In an ideal world, you’d have many weeks to plan a house move. You could take your time de-cluttering, packing and arranging every detail of the move. Unfortunately though, life doesn’t always work like that.
Sometimes, you may need to consider moving house in a hurry. It might be that things happen unexpectedly with your house purchase or sale, or that the chain of property transactions takes a sudden leap forward. Your plans may change, and you may need to leave your rental property earlier than expected.
Packing to move house in a hurry may not be ideal, but it is doable. Follow these packing tips to pull off a full house move in a fraction of the time, with as little stress as possible:
1. Call removals companies in case of cancellations
You never know, you may just be lucky and a last-minute spot may come up when you need it. Even when all removals firms are fully booked, it’s always worth ringing up just in case. Using a removals firm can make all moves much easier, but especially if you’re moving house in a hurry. Professional movers have the transport, packing materials and expertise to make the day as hassle-free as possible, so you’d be mad not to use them if you have the budget and a cancellation space becomes available.
Call Kiwi Movers on 020 366 89726 to check for cancellations or to enquire about a short notice move.
2. Make a checklist
Now, it’s time to think about packing. Tackling such a large job can seem overwhelming, but not if you break it down into manageable chunks. It’s up to you how you sort jobs, whether it’s room-by-room or in priority order.
3. Get rid of unnecessary stuff – and be ruthless
Moving house in a hurry is much, much easier if you have less stuff to shift. The last-minute rush can actually be a blessing in disguise, as it forces you to be more decisive about things you’ve been meaning to get rid of. If you don’t use it, get rid of it. You can donate to charity or simply send to the tip.
4. Organise everything into piles
If you’re packing to move house in a hurry, it can make it much easier to organise everything into piles before you put it into boxes. You can sort based on similar items and which will be easier to pack together, as well as things you’re getting rid of. It’s ok to have a ‘maybe’ pile! Once you have your piles, you can see more clearly how much stuff you have and how many boxes you’ll need.
5. Bring in reinforcements
In an emergency, like moving house in a hurry, call on friends and family to help out. If they’re available, they won’t mind. Get them packing those piles you’ve made into boxes, disassembling large pieces of furniture and cleaning rooms – just make sure you’ve got refreshments on hand as a reward for their hard work.
Kiwi Movers can help with moves of all kinds, and it’s always worth giving us a call on 020 366 89726 in case of last-minute cancellations.
