Preparing to Move
Are you planning to move home or office? Here, we've compiled some of our most frequently asked questions and need-to-knows about preparing for your next move. Download our free Moving Checklist to see if you have all the important considerations covered. Then, arrange a quote and let us take care of everything.
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It is really important that we have an accurate description of how to access your property – especially if it is outside of London.
We operate on the premise that we can park our vehicle/s within 10 metres of the main entrance to your property. We need to know about anything that could delay or prevent our removal men and our vehicles from accessing your property both at the address and/or en route.
We charge £20.00 per man, per hour (plus VAT) after 6:00 pm for disruptions resulting from difficulty to access your property, unless discussed with us prior to your move.
Items stored in an attic or loft that are to be moved by us should be removed from the attic or loft prior to your move. Personal Injury and Property Damage are not covered by our insurance policy due to increased risk when working in an attic or loft.
If required, can assist you by handling items from outside the entrance to the attic or loft.
We provide one free box collection within the M25 only.
Damaged or 3rd-party boxes, used packing materials and other waste should be disposed of separately.
If you require carpet or wood floor protection at either address, please let us know in advance.
Our removal men take certain precautions when stacking boxes, disassembling furniture and storing tools in order to reduce the risk of accidents occurring. However, you are responsible for your family's safety, and arranging external care for young children may reduce additional stress for you during your move.
If you require an ‘end of tenancy’ clean or a cleaning service prior to selling your property, please contact us.
Cavendish & Country hold a Waste Carrier’s Licence and we are able to dispose of most household items. Please speak to your surveyor for any waste questions or quotations
Remember to update your address with your General Practitioner, Family Practice and/or Dental Clinic; or register with a new one nearby.
Reducing perishables that you keep on hand to a minimum during your move can avoid excessive waste resulting from food spoiling during periods without refrigeration. If required, we can supply a cooler box in which to store remaining frozen goods during your move.
Cavendish & Country are able to provide a Handyman Service for Pre-Move and Post-Move issues. Should you require this service, please contact your surveyor.
We will do everything possible to accommodate you should disruptions resulting from incomplete renovation or redecoration works prevent us from completing your move safely or to schedule. We can assist by placing your items in secure storage until redelivery on an agreed date.
We charge a variable rate for storage solutions and we may adjust your quote according to the storage volume and holding duration. This is an unusual situation however we will try to offer the best possible solution for you.
You must inform us of your intent to make a claim by writing to us within seven days from the final day of your move. You can send us an email or submit our fill in our contact form.
If Keys or access to your new property are delayed through no fault of our ow, beyond 2pm, there will be a waiting charge to pay. Therefore, to avoid these costs we highly recommend opting for our Late key Waiver. Please ask your surveyor for more details.
We need to know about any items to be moved that you acquire after the time of your booking confirmation. We may charge a fee or adjust your quote for additional vehicle and/or storage space required.
We recommend notifying neighbours of your planned moving dates in order for them to be aware of potential disruptions caused by the presence and activity of our removal men, prepaid parking suspensions, activity of removal vehicles, etc.
We may request ticketing and removal of vehicles occupying parking suspensions intended for use by our vehicles.
Unless you have chosen to self-pack, our removal men will pack everything agreed at the time of your booking confirmation – they cannot inspect every individual sundry item. Things for you to do before we pack:
- Locate, consolidate and keep all keys to the property;
- Locate consolidate and keep cash, cards, wallets, passports, and other important documents that you may need during your move;
- Pre-pack overnight bags or suitcases containing clothing, toiletries, and sundry items that should not be packed with your other items, and place them on beds; and
- Pre-pack and keep in your kitchen a labelled "Survival Kit", a box containing other essential items that you will need access to during your move. Common examples include basic minimum kitchenware, tea and coffee, kettle, hygiene rolls, light bulbs, device chargers, and items for children.
We will arrange parking suspensions on your behalf unless you ask us not to. Should we agree to use visitor parking permits on the 1st day of a move we will need you to arrange this for us with your local council.If there are no parking restrictions in place outside your property then this might be a good time to ask a favour from a friendly neighbour to reserve some space. Any parking tickets we incur which are beyond our control will be invoiced to you following the move.
Remember to visit your post office and arrange to redirect any mail.
Large pots over 50KG, those made of stone or kitchen sinks, which have been planted will need to be emptied before we can move them. Although our men are very strong we have to be careful to stay within the permitted gross vehicle weights ad pots full of earth/plants and trees can quickly push you over the legal weight limits! If you have particularly large and heavy pots that cannot be emptied we can get a quote for a more suitable vehicle to transport them for you.
This may be the first time you’ve moved in a number of years or you may find it difficult to find the time to get your house and life ready to move. If you would like admin and project management help, we recommend one stop organisers who will leave no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring you are ready for move day. Contact Ashley on 07966 270 325 or at www.onestoporganisers.co.uk.
If you have any special requests during the move or any concerns at all, please do feel free to ask. We are here to help and take the stress out of your move!
Speak to all your utility providers including gas, electricity, water, telephone and TV to close your accounts, and make sure you take all meter readings on the day of the move.
Every move we do is unique and the price is dependent on what you are moving, where from, where to and the type of move you require. For every enquiry we receive we will arrange a visit from one of our surveyors to your home to professionally assess your move and provide a no obligation quotation. We provide a cubic measurement for the size of the move, which allows us to make sure that you have the correct manpower and vehicles for the move.
This will depend on the size of the property and the distance that you are moving but most moves take between 1-3 days. During our survey we will of course clarify this for you. On the day of the move we aim to complete the move by 5.00pm and staff the job accordingly (this is dependent on gaining access to your new property on time).
Full Packing
Our professionally trained packers will carefully pack all items within your home. This includes all fragile items such as glass and china as well as books, clothes and other miscellaneous objects. Should you have any specialist items of bespoke furniture or gym equipment that require the manufacturers help we will advise.
Fragile Packing
We will deliver boxes prior to your move for you to pack non-fragile items. On arrival we will concentrate on packing the contents of your kitchen, pictures, lamps, mirrors and other designated fragile items.
Export Packing
We are able to provide a specialist Export Packing service for clients moving overseas or for those moves which involve particularly fragile items. We use a specialist material called Furni-Guard as well as producing bespoke crates to fit all manner of items from Sculptures and works of Art to Chandeliers and Pianos. Should you be concerned about any particular item in your home, then please discuss this with us so that we can provide a suitable solution.
Flat surface Unpack
Our unpacking service is becoming more and more popular with our clients and involves unpacking all boxes and placing on flat surfaces for you to put away. The service also includes removing all packaging materials and disposing responsibly for which we hold a valid waste licence. This service would normally take place on the day after your move. Please note that a successful unpack, to a large degree, depends on your interaction with our team during the process.
We are able to arrange Removal and General Insurance cover up to £250,000. Your surveyor will advise how our insurance covers you.
We will arrange all parking suspensions on your behalf and add the council charges to your invoice. Most moves require two or three bays to be suspended at your current address. Sometimes we can use a parking suspension at your new address, which has been paid for by your vendors. If this is not the case we would ask you to advise us so we can arrange for you. Please note that most councils require a minimum of 10 working days notice for requesting a parking suspension not including the current day so please give us plenty of notice.
We will reassemble beds, sofas and tables as a standard part of the move. If you require us to reassemble wardrobes, gym equipment and any other complex items we will need to agree this prior to the move.
White goods need to be 'un-plumbed’ and ready for transport. Should you require assistance or a Handyman Service please contact our office or discuss with your surveyor.
Yes. We can offer both the lock and leave private storage room style in Wandsworth or long term container storage held in purpose built secure warehouses outside London. Whether you have a delayed completion of a few weeks or require something more long term and equally cost effective, we can help. Please contact us for further details.
We ask that you prepare an overnight bag for you and your family including clothes, toiletries and any essential medicines. These bags can be left on your beds and our men will not pack them away. We recommend that you prepare an essentials bag including any documents relating to your move, phone chargers, keys etc. Please note that jewellery is not covered under our insurance so please pack and store safely prior to our arrival.
Yes. We have plenty of experience in moves of this nature and can provide a furniture hoist to complete the job. Should you require a window frame to be taken out we can arrange for a handyman to complete this work for you.
This is a question we are regularly asked! Whilst tipping is not a requirement of the job, you may feel that you would like to reward the men for a job well done we are sure they would be most appreciative. This is entirely at your discretion.
All claims must be notified in writing or via email within seven days of the last day of your move. If the claim is not reported to us within this timescale, then you will not be able to claim from ourselves or our insurers. We will then send you an insurance claim form and advise our Broker of your intention to claim. In order for the claim to be assessed, we require you to complete, in as much detail as possible, not only the claim form itself but also submit photos of any damage and any receipts and/or quotes for repair. Please note that our insurance policy is an indemnity policy and there is a £50.00 excess per claim.
We will provide one free box collection (within the M25 only) once you have unpacked. Please cut the tape, flat pack the boxes and store in a warm dry place ready for our team to collect from you. We are unable to collect bubble-wrap, paper, tape or any other unwanted items.
