What Happens During a Removals Survey – What to Expect (2025 Guide)
What Happens During a Removals Survey – What to Expect (2025 Guide)
Moving house?
It’s exciting… until it’s overwhelming.
There’s a lot to deal with—boxes, timelines, access, van sizes, paperwork, and more.
But if you want to take control of the chaos, there’s one step that makes everything easier:
A removals survey.
If you’re working with OIS Removals, that’s exactly where we start.
It’s simple, detailed, and the difference between a smooth day or total mayhem.
Let’s walk through it—step by step.
What Is a Removals Survey?
Think of it as a moving audit.
We come in and assess:
- Everything you need moved
- Where you’re moving from and to
- Any fragile or specialist ite
- What needs disassembling
- Whether you’ll pack or need help with that too with our packing services
- How we access the property (stairs, lifts, parking, etc.)
- If you need any tempory short term Storage
This survey gives you a proper fixed quote—no guesswork.
And it gives us the info to plan your move down to the last box.
Why Do We Do It?
Because no two homes are the same.
A third-floor flat in Clapham needs different planning than a 4-bed in Wimbledon with lofts, sheds, and garden furniture.
Missing that info leads to delays, costs, or not enough manpower.
We’ve built our reputation on doing it properly from day one.
During the survey, we:
- Spot the risks before they cause problems
- Avoid surprise add-ons
- Plan your move for speed and safety
- Bring the right crew and kit
Step-by-Step: From First Call to Move Day
1. First Contact
You reach out via our contact page or by phone.
We book in a free removals survey at a time that suits you.
You can choose:
- In-person survey (ideal for local moves)
- Virtual video survey (great if you’re in-between homes or pressed for time)
2. We Schedule the Survey
We agree a time slot and confirm all the key details.
You don’t need to tidy or stage anything—we need to see it as-is.
Surveys take:
- 20–30 mins for smaller homes or flats
- Up to 1 hour for larger homes with lofts, garages, or garden buildings
3. The Walkthrough: What We’re Looking At
We move room by room and check:
Furniture + contents
We log what’s going, what’s staying, and what needs special care—like mirrors, TVs, pianos, or antiques.
Packing needs
Will you pack yourself? Need a full or part-packing service?
This affects the crew size, materials, and timing.
Access + obstacles
We note stairs, narrow hallways, parking, red routes, and permits—especially important in London.
Storage requirements
If there’s a gap between homes, we offer secure local storage.
4. Don’t Forget the Hidden Spaces
These often catch people out:
Lofts, sheds, garages, summerhouses
They’re full of:
- Garden tools
- DIY kits
- Bikes and outdoor furniture
- Boxes from the last move that never got opened
These spaces can add a van load or more—and that changes the plan.
We’ll ask:
- Is the loft safe to access?
- Are you taking garden tools, bins, planters?
- Do sheds or garages need clearing?
👉 We once cleared a “small shed” in Tooting that held a rowing machine, 3 wardrobes, 5 bikes and 20 boxes!
Because we knew ahead of time, we added another mover and van—finished before 3PM.
5. You Get a Clear, Fixed Quote
Within 24–48 hours, we send a quote that includes:
- Full service breakdown
- Optional packing/unpacking
- Team size
- Van sizes
- Any storage needs
- Insurance options
- Timing estimates
No surprise charges. No vague costs.
Clients often tell us:
“This was the most detailed and professional quote we received.”
6. You Book the Move
You say yes.
We confirm the moving date, prep the team, and deliver packing materials (if needed).
You also get a move coordinator you can contact directly.
7. Moving Day Arrives
Here’s how the day plays out:
- Crew arrives early, briefed, ready
- Fragile items wrapped with care
- Furniture protected and safely carried
- Everything placed in the correct rooms at the new home
No confusion. No last-minute panic.
Why These Details Matter
We ask for access info, fragile items, and packing plans for a reason:
If we don’t know it, we can’t plan for it.
So we prefer to over-prepare and over-deliver.
Real Story: Removals from Wimbledon to Earlsfield
The Khan family moved from a 4-bed in Wimbledon to a townhouse in Earlsfield.
Thanks to the survey, we spotted:
- Spiral staircase needing padding
- Fragile art that needed special wrap
- Two bunk beds requiring full dismantling
On the day?
- Extra padding delivered
- Furniture reassembled at new place
- Artwork arrived without a scratch
FAQs
Q: Do I really need a survey for a small move?
A: Absolutely. Even studio flats can have access or timing issues we need to see.
Q: Is the survey free?
A: Yes. 100% free and no obligation.
Q: What if things change after the survey?
A: Just let us know. We’re flexible as long as you keep us updated.
Final Thought
A removals survey might seem small.
But it’s the foundation of a move that’s on time, on budget, and completely stress-free.
👉 Book your removals survey now
Let OIS Removals do the hard part—so you don’t have to.
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