Think You’re Ready to Move? Here’s What Really Happens at a Removals Survey (And What Most People Forget)
If you’ve never booked a removals survey, you’re probably wondering what’s the point.
“Can’t you just get a quote over the phone? Isn’t it just a quick glance around?”
Short answer: no.
A removals survey is how we stop moving day from turning into a disaster. It’s how we plan, prepare, and make sure nothing gets missed — not the attic, not the shed, not the 14 potted plants you forgot to mention.
Let’s break down exactly what happens when one of our team turns up.
What Actually Is a Removals Survey?
It’s not a valuation, and we’re not there to judge your taste in furniture.
A removals survey is where one of our trained estimators comes to your property to:
- Check what you need moved — not just inside the house but everywhere.
- Look at access points, parking, stairs, and entryways.
- Flag anything tricky or fragile that needs special handling.
- Help you plan your move better, faster, and cheaper.
And yes — it’s 100% free.
What Do We Look At? (More Than You Think)
Here’s what we assess during your removals survey:
Inside Your Home:
- Rooms: Every room is assessed for furniture, volume, and anything requiring dismantling.
- Loft / Attic: If there are items stored here, let us know — especially if access is via ladder. We’ll assess how to safely remove them.
- Cupboards & Built-ins: Overstuffed wardrobes or understairs cupboards often hold more than expected — we plan for that too.
- Delicate/valuable items: Glass cabinets, mirrors, electronics, or anything irreplaceable — we’ll plan safe handling.
Outside Spaces:
- Garden furniture: Tables, chairs, parasols, BBQs — all these need wrapping, lifting, and space in the van.
- Sheds: Tools, bikes, ladders, and stored boxes often hide in here. Let us take a look.
- Greenhouse/plants: We’ll ask about fragile pots, planters, or water features that need careful handling.
- Garage contents: Bikes, gym gear, freezers — garages are often more full than they look.
✅ Why it matters: Every single one of these items needs to be accounted for. Miss just a few, and suddenly your “1 van job” becomes 2 — or worse, something gets left behind.
Access & Property Layout:
We also inspect:
- Parking: Is it a permit-only road? Double yellows? Will we be walking a long distance to the van?
- Stairs and lifts: Tight staircases or slow lifts can drastically affect timing and crew numbers.
- Narrow doors or awkward angles: Especially for sofas, beds, or oversized wardrobes.
- Weather concerns: Muddy access, loose gravel, or steep drives get noted so we can prep accordingly.
What We’ll Ask You (So You’re Not Caught Off Guard)
Our team will ask questions like:
❓ What are you taking vs leaving?
That includes built-in furniture, fixtures, and garden features.
❓ Have you arranged parking or permits?
Swindon’s permit zones and narrow lanes can make or break loading time.
❓ Are there any unusual or high-value items?
Pianos, artwork, aquariums — we’ll need extra manpower or wrapping.
❓ Are you packing yourself or need help?
This impacts time, materials, and van space — massively. Try Our packing services
❓ Do you need storage?
We offer secure, local Storage in Swindon — ideal if you’re not moving in the same day.
✅ Be honest. The more we know, the better we can plan.
What You’ll Get After the Survey
Within 24–48 hours after your removals survey, we’ll send:
- A fixed, transparent quote (no vague “from £…” stuff)
- A breakdown of what’s included (van size, number of crew, insurance)
- Dates we’re available
- Optional extras (packing, dismantling, storage)
- Contact details for your dedicated move coordinator
No pushy sales. Just real info.
Common Misconceptions We Clear Up All the Time
- “You don’t need to see everything, right?”
We do. The attic, shed, garden furniture, and even what’s under the bed. - “You’ll just bring extra space anyway?”
Vans are booked based on volume. Guess wrong, and we might need two trips — or a bigger van we didn’t bring. - “I’ll just throw stuff away before the move.”
Great — just tell us what’s staying and what’s definitely going. We can’t guess.
Final Thoughts
A removals survey isn’t a hassle — it’s a smart move.
It protects you from hidden costs. It helps us avoid problems. And it guarantees your move is smooth from start to finish.
Don’t leave it to guesswork.
📞 Book your free removals survey with A. Luckes & Son today. No stress, no surprises — just a proper plan from Swindon’s most experienced removals team.
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