Removal costs for a 1 bedroom flat
Despite millions of us living in flats, many home moving sites are geared towards houses, leading you to wonder, 'how much will my move cost?' As experts, we're here to help.
Moving from a one-bedroom flat should be straightforward. After all, it's a lot less space than a two-bedroom house. However, the reality is that moving is always a hassle - regardless of how big or small your home is, and costs can play on your mind - especially in the current economic climate.
For some, moving is a stressful experience where things get done at the last minute. Others struggle to find the time to pack, clean and hire a van in advance.
In all cases, hiring a professional removal company or man and van is almost always worth considering. Hiring experienced removers comes with the promise of several advantages. First, they will be well organised and help you plan your moving day, even down to recommending a leaving time and arranging storage if necessary.
Professionals will also have the right equipment for the job, including tools, specialist equipment, a big enough vehicle and the insurance to drive it legally. But, crucially, a removal company can also offer the experience - and extra hands - to ensure that your moving day goes off without a hitch.
With enough forewarning, a good company can handle several flights of stairs, awkward corners or poor parking conditions - but let your movers know well ahead of time.
Lastly, professional removers usually offer more-than-adequate insurance coverage to protect your belongings in transport.
Removal costs for moving a flat
The average removal cost for a one-bedroom flat in the UK is £400 - £500 (+VAT). However, AnyVan flat moving costs can start from as little as £59. If you go for a packing service for your flat move, the price could increase by up to £200.
While this may sound like a lot, remembering how expensive and stressful a self-move can be is worth remembering; packing and transport will not be free, though there are several ways to get free moving boxes. Even a one-bedroom flat can have more than its fair share of furniture, clothes and other knick-knacks. Plus, you must hire and insure a van if you don’t have a car available.
In other words, there are better options than self-moves.
That said, there are still plenty of ways to reduce the cost of a professional move. But, unfortunately, most of them require proper planning and a dash of know-how.
How can you make your move easier?
Here are some ways you can save money on your flat removal;
Plan and gather materials
Make a list of everything you need to pack to help avoid a last-minute rush. Doing so helps prevent a great deal of stress, lets you track progress, and saves you from having to pay for a professional packing service - something which would otherwise increase your moving costs.
That said, it is still worth packing well, which means getting sturdy boxes, durable packing tape and enough cushioning materials to protect your valuables.
Remember that there are a few possessions you may only be able to do with, such as toiletries, work clothes, phone chargers and so on. Packing these last, ideally in a clearly marked box, is a good idea, and consider travelling to your new home with them in your car.
Book the removers in advance
Professional removers often find their schedules filling up quickly, especially on weekends and during summer. Because of this, it can be a good idea to book your removal service as soon as possible, once you know your moving date. Not only will this ensure that you can get a time slot to suit you, but it should also allow you to avoid late fees.
Book your service on a weekday - ideally after rush hour - which should ensure the journey to your new home is quick and painless. Depending on your destination, you may find parking easier too.
As you are only moving from a one-bed flat, consider hiring a man and van service, as they're often cheaper than a removal company. With AnyVan, you can receive instant man and van costs from as little as £26.
Any awkward furniture?
Depending on whether you have oversized, delicate or valuable furniture, your removers may need to bring specific packing materials, specialist equipment or even a different-sized van to the usual Luton van. Be sure to warn them if necessary (believe us when we say no remover will thank you if they turn up at your house and find a piano-shaped surprise).
While you are at it, be sure to let them know if they will have access to an elevator and if there are any awkward corners or parking issues. Offering as much detail as possible ahead of time goes a long way towards ensuring the risk of things going wrong decreases.
Cut down on your belongings
The less you pack, the cheaper - and more straightforward - the entire process will be. For example, you could donate your clothing via a charity bag, sell your furniture and electronics online or even 'freecycle' them.
Equally, if your new home is unfurnished, replace your belongings similarly. Again, heading to freecycling sites, such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, can offer low-cost ways of making your house a home.
Just be sure to check the quality of any items you find and the reputation of the user giving them away. If they have poor reviews or feedback, it may not be worth accepting a freebie. And, if you need a hand getting your new items back home, we may know just the right people.
Compare removal quotes to save on your moving costs
As is often the case when buying something, it can pay to shop around. By comparing the prices of several different companies before choosing your company - and then exploring their online reviews - you can better understand how your move should go.
The old lesson of getting what you pay for applies here: going with a branded and experienced firm will be much safer than a stranger you've found on Facebook with a white van.
To ensure that the quotes are accurate, be accurate about when the move will take place, how far you need to travel and how much you are taking with you. Unwelcome variations could mean unexpected fees, so being thorough is critical.
However, choosing based on price alone is never a good idea. Before deciding, check the reviews posted by each candidate's previous customers. Remember, you want a company that offers excellent value for money, keeps to its schedules and does a great job with packing and unpacking.
One final thing to remember when searching for quotes is to rely on something other than the average prices you find online because there can be a great deal of regional variation regarding prices in the UK. Hiring a remover can cost more in certain parts of the country, particularly London and the south.
If you want an accurate idea of an excellent price for removers, get an instant quote from AnyVan for our Removal Services or Man and Van.
Ready to get your move started?
At AnyVan, we're here to help people move anything, anywhere. Have you been searching for a reliable, low-cost way to move your one-bedroom flat? If so, you're in the right place.
We've already helped over eight million people move throughout the UK, and we'd love to help you too.