Local and UK Removals
We offer a range of removal services from local collections/deliveries through to deliveries nationally, to Europe and Internationally. We can also offer back load removals which utilise the vehicles when travelling back to our base empty.
At F. SMITH & SON, in order for us to personalise each removal, it may be necessary to arrange for one of our Surveyors to visit you at home. During our visit we will inform you of the range of services that we offer and discuss with you what services you require. In order for the surveyor to complete our removal survey form, he/she will enquire as to which items are to be moved and which are staying or being disposed of. If there are any items of particular value, they should be pointed out to the surveyor so that extra care and attention can be taken when they are being moved.
Alongside creating an inventory of the goods that need to be moved, the surveyor will take into account a whole range of other criteria, such as:
- What packing materials will be needed, if any? See price list for materials that we stock.
- Is a packing service required, if so, which one?
- Glass and china and similar breakables only.
- Or a Full packing service.
- Is there a requirement for an export wrapping service to protect valuable or delicate furniture?
- Are there any items of furniture that require specialist tools and sometimes additional staff to move, i.e. Grand Pianos
- What access is there for parking the removal vehicle at the collection and delivery addresses? Access can be inhibited by narrow
roads, overhanging trees, other parked vehicles and tight turnings. If the access is known to be difficult then we can make alternative
arrangements so to fulfil our commitment to you, this can be done by:
- Using a variety of smaller vehicles.
- Increasing the numbers of staff.
- Is there any storage required? See containerised storage.
- What is the distance between the collection and delivery addresses? This will have a major impact on the schedule of work.
Packing Materials
We supply a whole range of packing materials - see price list for materials that we stock. These materials are charged separately from the removal charge, but will be discounted from their individual prices if sold as a bundle. This bundle will be generated by our surveyor when he/she views your property. It will be an estimate of the materials required in order to completely pack the contents that are being moved.
It is not imperative that you use the materials that we can supply, but experience shows that these materials are the best for the job at hand, so it is well recommended that you do take advantage of the bundle at a reduced price.
Packing Service
Packing can seem a daunting and tedious task and as a result you may feel that you are never going to get all your goods packed in time for your move. This is where we can be of assistance. It can take our staff only one day to fully pack (with care and precision), a property of bed-sit size through to a 7/8 bedroom house. In comparison it may take you three to four days to fully pack, if not longer.
We offer both a full or part packing service, which we usually carry out prior to the removal day. Alternatively if you have the time, we can provide all the necessary packing materials, so you can pack all your possessions. See our price list for details.
If we are doing the packing for you, then all you need to do is sit back and let our staff carefully and efficiently pack all your possessions. The only thing that we would ask for you to do is to separate any items that you need for overnight, or that you would like to take with you on the removal day so that it does not get packed. Safe places for items are usually on any bed, in a bathroom or labelled in a corner of a room.
If you had planned to do the packing yourself and for any reason you are unable to do so, then there is no need to panic. Just contact us and we will aim to get staff over a day or so before the move or extra staff on the day of the move can finish it off for you. Please try and give us advance notice so that we can have the correct packing materials and staff to carry this out for you properly. The cost of the move will need to be adjusted accordingly.
Protection and special packing requirements
If you have any item of particular sentimental / financial value that you want to take with you, make sure that it has been pointed out to the estimator, as they can discuss the means of transporting and protecting the item in question. Our trained staff can export wrap any item of furniture to protect it from the time it leaves your house to the point of unwrap in your new home. This is also a good method of protecting furniture should you require any decorating at your new home, as the furniture will be fully sealed, hence protecting it against any dust or paint.
Upholstered sofa covers are used as standard on all of our removals, protecting your upholstery against any snagging, tearing or marking. These also help protect woodwork from damage as these items of furniture can sometimes be a little awkward when moving.
Specialist moving
We are experienced with moving / storing pianos of all sizes, which can be part of your normal removal or can be undertaken as a single
item removal.
Movement is done using special equipment and the appropriate vehicle with either a tail-lift or side loading ramps. All our
vehicles carry skates, barrows, and piano wheels. This gives us the ability to move other heavy items such as safes and large plant pots with
minimal effort and risk of damage to the items.
Storage
There are many reasons that clients look to put goods in store. Whatever the reason, we can discuss with you what your requirements are and quote to store some or all of your goods. See Containerised Storage for additional information.
National Removals
If you have chosen to relocate out of the area, depending on the distance between the two addresses it may be necessary to carry out the removal over several days. If this is the case, the estimator will advise you of the proposed schedule for your removal either during the home visit or detailed on the quotation itself. In these circumstances we will try and plan the removal around your requirements in the most cost effective and efficient way. This suggested timetable will be one that causes the least amount of disruption to you without penalising you with extra charges.
