The cheapest quote is not always the best one. We see it regularly at Alltime Removals: a customer in Dunstable or Luton books the lowest price, then calls us to step in when the crew fails to show or the van turns out to be half the size the job needed. A quote is not just a number. It is a plan, and the detail behind it tells you whether the company has actually thought about your move.
We are a family firm based in Houghton Regis, MoveAssured approved, AIM and RHA members, and rated 4.8 stars on Reallymoving. We have been building survey-led quotes for customers across Bedfordshire since 2002. This guide walks you through what a proper quote should contain, the questions worth asking before you sign anything, and the warning signs that a low number is hiding something.
What Should Be Included in a Removal Quote?
A proper removal quote is built on detail. It is not a guess, it is a plan. Here is what you should expect to see.
Inventory and volume. The company should have asked for a detailed list of what is moving: number of bedrooms, kitchen appliances, furniture, boxes and breakables. This tells them how much space they need and how long the job will take.
Transport costs. The quote should cover the van, fuel and mileage. Moving 50 miles costs more than moving 5, and a good quote makes that clear.
Labour. How many people will the job need, and for how long? A typical house move takes eight to ten hours with two or three crew. Your quote should reflect that.
Packing materials and services. If you have asked for packing help, the quote should itemise boxes, wrapping, tape and labour. If you are using your own boxes, the quote should say so.
Extras. Furniture dismantling and reassembly, protective covers, or access issues like narrow stairs and lift bookings all cost extra. They should be listed separately so nothing surprises you on the day.
VAT. The quote should show whether VAT is included or added on top.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Removal Company
Before you decide, ask these questions.
How long have you been trading? Alltime Removals has been trading since 2002, over 23 years of moves across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Ask any company for a specific founding year, not a vague “years of experience” line.
Are you insured? Accidents happen. Ask about their cover and what it includes. A professional firm carries insurance for accidental damage in transit.
Will the same team do the full job? Some companies use different crews for packing and moving. Others keep the same people from start to finish, which usually means fewer things get lost between stages.
Is it a fixed price or an estimate? If it is an estimate, ask what could push the cost up. You want to know the most you might pay.
Can you provide references or reviews? A company that does good work will be happy to point you to recent customers or verified reviews.
Do you offer what I actually need? If you need storage, dismantling or special handling for antiques, confirm they offer it and that it is in the quote.
Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Some quotes are red flags. Here is what to watch for.
A quote with no detail. A single line and a total price is a guess, not a plan. If a company cannot tell you what is included and how the cost breaks down, that is a warning sign, not a bargain.
A price far below the others. If two quotes are similar and one is much lower, ask why. Common reasons include hidden extras added on the day, fewer crew than the job needs, or a company that quotes low and renegotiates once your belongings are on the van.
No mention of insurance. If they do not talk about insurance, they may not have it. That is your possessions at risk.
Unwillingness to survey. Professional firms visit your home, or do a video survey, to measure and plan. A price given over the phone with no survey is guesswork.
Vague payment terms. Do they want a large payment upfront? Are you protected if they cancel? A professional company puts clear terms in writing.
Why Experience, Insurance and Service Matter
You are not just paying for a van and two people. You are paying for knowledge, care and protection.
Experience means they have handled your type of move before. A firm that has done thousands of house moves knows how to load a van properly, protect furniture, and get bulky items down tight stairs. They spot problems and solve them before they become disasters.
Insurance protects your possessions if something goes wrong. A firm that carries proper cover has invested in its business and takes responsibility.
Service is what you notice on the day. Our crews reassemble beds first at the new property so the family can sleep in their own home on the first night. They have watered plants kept in storage and worked through the rain to keep a job on schedule. That is what good service looks like in practice: a crew that solves problems before you even notice them.
How to Compare Value, Not Just Price
Value is not the same as price. Here is how to tell the difference.
Add up the true cost. A lower headline price is not always a lower total. If one quote includes full packing and another does not, add the cost of doing it yourself or booking packing separately. Compare what is actually covered, not just the number at the bottom. Our packing service is priced per job, so ask for it to be quoted alongside your removal to see the combined cost clearly.
Factor in the time saved. If a company can pack your house in a day and it would take you a week, that is time you get back. That has real value.
Look at what is protected. One quote might include protective covers and careful handling of breakables. Another might not. If you have antiques or expensive pieces, that protection is worth paying for.
Read the reviews. Look at feedback from real customers. Did the company turn up on time? Did anything break? Reviews tell you the true value behind the price.
If you are weighing up the whole move, our guides on the most stressful parts of moving house and how to declutter before a house move both help you plan before you book.
Final Checklist Before Booking
Before you sign anything, run through this list:
- The quote includes a detailed inventory of your items
- Transport, labour and any extras are clearly itemised
- The company is insured and can prove it
- The price is fixed, or you understand exactly what might change it
- Payment terms are clear and fair
- You have the company’s full contact details
- You have read at least two customer reviews
- The company has a verifiable trading history with a founding year
- The next steps, including access details and timing, are agreed in writing
- If your move is in the LU, MK, HP or WD postcodes, the company knows the local access conditions, as permit zones, estate roads and town-centre loading bays all vary and need planning in advance
Getting quotes is the first step. Choosing the right company is the next. If you would like a clear, survey-led quote with no surprises on the day, request a quote from Alltime Removals and we will visit, take a full inventory, and come back with a fixed price.
You can also read more about our domestic removals, packing service and storage options, or get in touch with the team with any questions.
FAQ’s
A quote is a fixed price for the job. An estimate is a best guess, and the final cost might be higher. Always ask which one you are getting. For anything but the smallest move, a survey-based quote is far more reliable than an estimate over the phone.
Getting three quotes gives you a sense of the market price and lets you compare what is included. If all three are similar, you know the price is fair. If one is much lower, ask why before you book.
It should not, if you got a proper quote. But if you add items or change the scope, costs can shift, which is why it helps to agree everything in writing beforehand. A company that springs extra charges on the day without warning is showing you poor service.
You can ask. Most firms build in a small margin, but a professional company quotes fairly and sticks to it. If they drop the price instantly, it suggests the original quote was padded.
Aim for four to six weeks before your move. That gives you time to compare, ask questions and book a good team. If you are moving sooner, some firms may still have availability, but you will have fewer choices.