The Ultimate Home Removals Guide in Bristol & Bath
Moving home is something most people dread: it’s exhausting, uncertain, and immensely stressful. In fact, research by Just Move In found that around 52% of people rank moving home among life’s most stressful events - outranking even the stress of having a baby, getting married, or facing a job interview!
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right planning and knowing exactly what lies ahead, you can take the sting out of moving home. In this Ultimate Step-by-Step Home Removals Guide, we’ve gathered everything we’ve learned over decades in the removal business and home removals business to help you avoid the most common pitfalls.
Why do we go to such lengths? Because this is our speciality, and it’s what sets Painless Removals apart. We don’t just carry your furniture from A to B - we do everything in our power to make your move truly painless.
Table of Contents
- Start planning your Home Removal early
- What is the best time for a home removal?
- Should You Do It Yourself, or Hire a Home Removals Company in Bristol?
- Which Home Removals Company should I choose?
- What the Pack? - Download our Free Packing Guide
- Furniture Disassembly
- Tips for Lifting Heavy Items Safely
- Moving with a Dog, a Cat, or Any Pet
- What to check in your new home?
Start planning your Home Removal early
Time can become your worst enemy when you rush. We recommend you begin planning as early as possible. Start sorting your belongings and decluttering at least 6-8 weeks before moving day. Moving is easier (and cheaper) when you have less stuff and this gives you time to decide what to keep and to find new homes for items you no longer need - whether by selling, gifting to friends, or donating to charity - instead of showeling everything into a skip at the last minute.
Be ruthless: the more you purge now, the less you have to move, unpack, and organize later. This is especially important if you’re moving into a smaller space or doing an expensive long-distance move.
But also be careful: sorting through your things can be unexpectedly emotional. It’s far better to allow yourself moments to reflect on memories than to pack mechanically.
Painless Removals' Advice: If you’re unsure about certain sentimental items, take advantage of our short-term storage. Once you’re settled in your new home, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you truly need. If you haven’t missed an item after a month or two, you can donate it without regret; if you do, you’ll be glad you saved it and avoided an unreparable mistake.
A home removal on the narrow streets of Bedminster, Bristol
What is the best time for a home removal?
If you're looking to save money on your home removal, planning ahead by 6-8 weeks is always the best idea. However, just as important as that is choosing your moving date wisely. Essentially, our advice is this: try to move when others aren't.
According to the HomeOwners Alliance, Friday is by far the most popular day for moving homes. This seems obvious, as people want the full weekend to get settled in and minimise the amount of time they need to take off work.
However, Fridays are also synonymous with significant traffic jams as people head out of the city for the weekend. Many public services tend to close earlier, and naturally, due to this high demand, it's often the most expensive day for removal companies.
The busiest days for a home removal according to Reallymoving removals quotes data
Funnily enough, research from Compare My Move shows that the busiest month for home removals actually varies across the United Kingdom. For instance, people in Scotland tend to prefer May for their moves, but here in Bristol and the wider South West, August consistently proves to be the most popular choice.
This is precisely why we recommend considering almost any other time of year if you have the flexibility.
Just think about it: while many the other months from April right through to the end of October offer generally more pleasant weather, you really don't want to be tackling a home removal in the scorching heatwaves we sometimes get. You don't want to lift heavy when even Chew Valley Lake looks rather parched and even making a simple stroll to College Green feel like an ordeal!
July, August and September are typically the busiest months for home removals, so we recommend avoiding these peak times if your schedule allows.
And let's not forget the impact of holiday seasons. You'll definitely want your solicitor, estate agent, and banker to be readily available at their offices when you're finalising your move, and that's often harder during peak vacation times.
Painless Removals' Advice: Our general advice is to avoid Fridays and August if possible, and prioritise less busy periods of the year instead. Doing so can not only save you a great deal of hassle, but simply shifting your moving date by a few days within the same week could potentially save you a significant 10-15% on your removal cost alone!
Moving homes in Redland, Bristol
Should You Do It Yourself, or Hire a Home Removals Company in Bristol?
Hire a removal van and do it yourself?
There isn't a single "right" answer to this question, as it truly depends on your individual circumstances.
If you've got a few friends willing to lend a hand, and you have plenty of time on your hands to do a few trips with a van, then handling the move yourself can certainly be a viable option. Honestly, getting boxes from A to B isn't exactly rocket science, and hiring a van can be considerably cheaper than booking a full home removal service. However, you'll need someone with the appropriate licence (and experience!) to drive a larger van, a few strong pairs of hands to help with the heavy lifting, and a lot of patience, as you'll likely have to do multiple round trips.
While it's undoubtedly the cheapest option, it's also often the most hassle, and there's a greater chance that inexperienced handling could lead to damage to your cherished belongings.
Listen to some incredible removals horror stories on BBC!
What About a "Man with a Van" Service?
Hiring a man with a van in Bristol can solve half the problem. The driver will have a proper licence, and they should also have some experience. Just be sure to thoroughly vet the service, as unfortunately, many of the home removal horror stories you hear tend to happen in this particular area.
Because virtually anyone can buy or rent a van and simply start a removals business without any formal requirements, there are, regrettably, many unprofessional or even unscrupulous service providers out there.
We often hear tales of teams agreeing to a price, only to demand an extra 30-50% on the spot when the client is vulnerable and in a difficult position. Other common issues include failing to arrive on time (or at all), and damaging goods without proper insurance.
Of course, this isn't true of all "man with a van" services, but it's definitely worth double-checking any provider very carefully. Look for good reviews, clear pricing, and proof of proper insurance.
Painless Removals' Advice: You don't always need our full removal services. If you have a group of fit and strong friends, and you're comfortable driving a van, then doing it yourself can absolutely be an option if you wish. Similarly, you can take your time to find a dependable "man with a van" company in Bristol.
However, we recommend using our professional home removals services if you want to be completely sure that everything will be handled smoothly and expertly, and if you're looking for a company to support you every step of the way.
Our van in a home removal at Harbourside, Bristol
Which Home Removals Company should I choose?
Choose a Reliable Removals Company in Advance
Removal firms in Bristol - and in most cities - book up weeks or even months ahead. If you wait too long, you may face higher fees or no availability at all. Save yourself money and stress, and contact at least three dependable removals companies a good six to eight weeks before your move. This will help you secure better prices and ensure greater availability.
What to Look for in a Removals Company
You might think, 'Why pay more when the job only takes a few hours?' But if you focus solely on price, you risk turning your move into a nightmare.
Different companies charge different rates for good reasons. You don’t want to end up with a team that lacks proper insurance, trained staff, or a solid work ethic. Before you decide, read customer reviews, note any complaints, and avoid simply choosing the cheapest quote.
You’re relocating the heart of your life - this is one decision worth taking your time over.
Never accept a home removal quote without proper assessment!
A home removals assessment can be done either in person or online. It's truly the best – and often the only reliable – way to ensure that all your belongings will comfortably fit into the quoted vehicles!
It's vital that you never accept a quote from a removals company that hasn't conducted a thorough assessment of your belongings. This can be either an in-person visit or an online survey, but trust us, you'll want to avoid the dreadful surprise of finding your possessions won't fit into the booked vans! Imagine leaving some of your cherished items on the pavement - it's both heartbreaking and completely avoidable.
At Painless Removals, we always insist on a professional assessment. Unlike us, our clients have likely only moved once or twice in their lives, making it difficult for them to accurately estimate their true needs. Most people underestimate the volume of their belongings because they've never had to box everything up before. Realising you don't have enough space to transport your entire life can be incredibly stressful.
You can easily prevent this with a 15-minute assessment, which most reputable companies will happily provide for free. Don't try to skip this step, as the cost you might pay later could be far, far greater!
Always ask about your removals company's insurance
Hopefully, you'll never need it, but should there be an unforeseen mishap during the moving process and something gets damaged, it's absolutely vital that they have comprehensive coverage.
Additionally, remember to ask about specialist equipment such as padded bags, dedicated boxes for glassware, and sturdy crates. If a removals company doesn't offer these, we strongly advise looking elsewhere.
Packing and moving in Yate, a Bristol suburb
A secret tip to save money on a long-distance home removal
Do you want to hear our secret tip to save money on a long-distance home removal?
Many people aren't aware of this, but it's entirely logical:
you're not limited to choosing removals companies solely from your current city.
You can also consider companies based in your destination city, or even those located somewhere along your route.
Why is this? Imagine a local removals company from your current neighbourhood. After they've unloaded your belongings, they'll need to drive all the way back to their home base. This is effectively the same journey distance as if they first travelled to your origin address and then finished their work in their own city – they're doing the round trip regardless.
If you hire a removals company from your destination area, or even somewhere conveniently situated on the journey, they will cover the same distance, just in the opposite direction.
For example, if you're moving from London to Bristol, it's definitely worth getting quotes not just from London-based removal companies, but also from those in Bristol, Reading, and Swindon. While they'll all cover a similar travel distance, the cost of living outside of London is generally lower, which often means they can offer a better price.
What the Pack? - Download our Free Packing Guide
We've put together a comprehensive home removals packing guide that you can download and read for free, and we definitely recommend using it for your move!
Here are some essential tips for packing for your home removal, in a nutshell:
- Use Sturdy Boxes & Pack Smartly: We recommend using robust, sturdy boxes. Crucially, don't pack them right up to the brim – overfilled boxes are much harder to transport and are more prone to damage. Always place heavier items at the bottom and distribute the weight evenly to prevent them from toppling over.
- Label Everything Clearly: Always take the time to label your boxes with the room they belong to. This makes it instantly evident where they should go in your new home, saving you significant time and hassle when you're looking for your belongings later.
- Prepare an Essentials Box: Pack a dedicated "essentials box" with items you'll need straight away. This might include toiletries, a change of clothes, phone/laptop chargers, prescriptions, pet supplies, baby gear, and anything else you can't live without for a day or two. This box should be the very last one loaded into the van and the first one you unload.
- Have a Toolbox & Cleaning Box Ready: Keep a separate toolbox and cleaning box easily accessible. Your toolbox should contain all the necessary screwdrivers, a hammer, nails, tape, and a flashlight. For your cleaning box, have detergents, mops, cloths, bin bags, disinfectant spray, and a dustpan and brush ready for immediate use upon arrival.
- Dismantle Furniture Carefully: If possible, dismantle your furniture. Crucially, keep all screws and fixings in a sealed bag securely taped to the corresponding item. Remember that the width of doors and corridors in your new place might be different from your old one, so disassembling larger items can prevent frustrating logistical issues.
- Handle Plants with Care: If moving plants, cut back on watering in the days leading up to the move, cover the soil, and transport potted and hanging plants in open-top boxes. It's vital to remember that we can't pack plants on top of each other, so you'll need to account for extra space in the van for them.
- Protect Your Electronics: For transporting electronics without damaging them, ideally use their original packaging. More realistically, specialist padded bags offer excellent protection. Always pack cables and peripherals separately, and make sure to label them clearly as you dismantle each device. And, perhaps most importantly, never forget to back up all your data first!
Disassembling a table near Oldfield Park station in Bath
Furniture Disassembly
When planning your move, one of the first things to consider is what furniture can go in one piece and what absolutely needs to be dismantled. Broadly, there are two types of items: those that simply won't fit through the door, and others that are just far more convenient to transport when disassembled.
Start by measuring the doors and corridors in both your old and new homes. Plan for all potential bottlenecks to ensure a clear path from the room to the moving van. Even if an item could theoretically fit, if there isn't enough space to securely manoeuvre it through narrow parts, it might still be better to disassemble the furniture to avoid any damage.
There are also certain items that we always recommend dismantling, regardless of whether they'd technically fit. For example, you should remove the legs of an LCD TV, or take apart any non-standard furniture that has protruding parts. This also applies to particularly valuable items like a grandfather clock, or very heavy pieces such as gym equipment. The extra time you spend carefully disassembling these items truly pays dividends by making them easier, more convenient, and, crucially, safer to move during your home removal.
How to Disassemble Your Furniture:
- Try to Find the Manual: In many cases, furniture can have hidden screws and bolts. If you don't know where they are, you could easily end up breaking panels. The manual can also contain important notes or warnings about what to pay attention to during the process.
- Always Take Care of the Bolts and Screws: There are few things more frustrating during a home removal than losing parts of disassembled items! To avoid this, put all screws and bolts into a plastic bag, clearly write the item's name on it, and then either store it in a designated box or, if practical, securely tape it directly to the corresponding piece of furniture.
- Know When to Ask for Help: If you don't have insurance, do not attempt to disassemble high-value items yourself. One wrong move can cause serious damage, and you wouldn't be covered. If you own antiques or other extremely valuable pieces, always leave it to the professionals. The potential loss could be far greater than any money you might save.
Our colleagues moving home in Clifton, Bristol
Tips for Lifting Heavy Items Safely
While Painless Removals aims to make your big move as 'painless' as possible by handling the heavy lifting, you might still find yourself needing to shift things around once the removal team has left, or even before they arrive. When moving large items, it's incredibly useful to know these tips to help prevent accidents or injuries. Back issues and other muscle strains are unfortunately very common if you don't take proper care when lifting heavy objects.
- Always Warm-Up First: Before you start moving heavy items around your home, it's crucial to warm up your muscles. Focus on stretching your back, shoulders, knees, legs, and arms. You can find plenty of warm-up routines online, but the key is to choose one that effectively stretches all these critical areas. Doing so can significantly reduce your risk of injury.
- Avoid Bending From Your Back: One of the most common mistakes when lifting heavy items is bending too much at the waist. Lifting with your back can lead to muscles being pulled, strained, or even severely injured. Instead, focus on lifting with your knees, keeping your back straight and upright. This technique is fundamental for safe lifting. If you feel you genuinely lack the strength for this, please see our final tip.
- Keep the Object Below Your Shoulders: It might seem intuitive to lift an object to shoulder height or even above, thinking it gives you more leverage or a better view. However, this places considerable stress on your back and shoulders, significantly increasing your risk of pain and injury. Always ensure that you keep the object below your shoulders when lifting anything heavy.
- Look Forward, Maintain Good Posture: Excellent posture is essential when lifting heavy objects. As you lift, ensure your back remains straight, your chest is upright, and your core is engaged. Always look forward towards your destination, never down at the object you're lifting. Keep the item as close to your body as possible, maintaining that strong, stable posture. This simple approach minimises the risk of injury significantly.
- Don't Be Too Proud – Ask for Help: If you're concerned you might be overstretching yourself, don't hesitate to call for assistance. Ask a friend, family member, or neighbour to help you lift the object. Having an extra pair of hands can make all the difference, ensuring you (and they!) aren't laid up for the week with a back injury! However, if you're still worried about lifting it properly even with help, it's definitely worth considering hiring a moving specialist.
By keeping these tips in mind, you'll find that moving heavy items is nowhere near as daunting as you might have thought. But, as mentioned, if you have any concerns about potential injury to yourself or others, always call in the professionals; they're there for a reason.
Moving with a Dog, a Cat, or Any Pet
Pets are wonderful companions, but we know they can add an extra layer of complexity to a home removal. The good news is, with a little planning, you can significantly reduce the stress for both you and your beloved animals.
Keep Them Away From the Action
We totally understand that your pets are well-behaved, intelligent, and truly part of the family. However, they aren't prepared for the chaos of a house move, nor is a removals team qualified to look after them. While you know your pets are friendly and peaceful, our movers might have allergies or even be afraid of animals. For everyone's comfort and safety, it's best to keep your pets separated from the main moving activity as much as possible – perhaps in a quiet, secure room or at a friend's house.
Transporting Belongings and Animals Are Two Different Specialisms
It's tempting to ask us to simply bring Bongo or Milo along in the van, but even for the shortest distances, a professional home removals company simply won't transport pets. While 99 times out of 100 nothing might go wrong, that one unpredictable time is something neither of us is prepared for. You must always make your own arrangements for the transportation of your pets, or hire a specialist pet transport service.
Pack a Pet Essentials Bag
You definitely don't want to be frantically digging through dozens of identical brown boxes to find that one chew toy you know will calm your dog down! Having a dedicated pet essentials bag will save you time, energy, and a lot of stress. Make sure it contains enough food, water, favourite toys, medications, and any comfort items. Always have plenty of food and water readily available, especially if you're undertaking a long-distance move.
Your home removal is done: what to check in your new home?
Electricity & Gas Meter: Note your meter readings on day one—take clear photos of both the digital display and meter serial numbers. Submit these immediately to your supplier (e.g. Octopus Energy, Bristol Energy) and keep a timestamped copy for your records.
Water Meter: Read your water meter (usually in the cellar or airing cupboard) and alert Bristol Water (for BS postcodes) or Wessex Water (for BA postcodes). This prevents being billed for the previous occupier’s usage.
Alarms & Smoke Detectors: Test all smoke, carbon-monoxide and security alarms in each room. Replace any expired batteries and register your detectors with the local fire authority.
Locks & Access Control: Check every external door and window: ensure multi-point locks on UPVC doors work smoothly, and that keys for sash-window locks in Georgian properties (e.g. Bath’s Royal Crescent) turn without sticking. If you inherited a wired alarm (common in Bristol new-builds), confirm your code works and that the panel by the front door is live.
Under-Sink & Toilet Seals: Inspect beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks for fresh drips, and flush each toilet to check for slow-fill or seepage at the base.
Radiators & Boiler: Bleed radiators to remove trapped air and look for damp patches around the boiler (often in loft-space cupboards in Clifton homes).
External Checks: After the first heavy rain, walk your perimeter to spot gutter overflows or pooling at drain outlets.
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