Getting a removals quote through Home: how it works

Moving house involves enough decisions that the removals process can easily get pushed to the last minute. Sort it earlier than that: good firms book up quickly at peak times, and a quote tells you the full cost of the move before you are committed to a date. If you have not mapped out the rest of the timeline yet, the moving checklist between offer accepted and completion is a good place to start.

Home has a removals marketplace built into the platform. Here is how it works and what to expect.

What the marketplace does

When you are in the process of buying or renting through Home, or when you search for your new address, you can request removals quotes directly from your account. You provide some basic details about your move: current address, destination, approximate volume of belongings, and your target moving date.

Those details are passed to removals firms who cover your route. You receive quotes back through the platform, so the conversation and comparison happen in one place rather than across several different websites and phone calls.

What firms need to give you an accurate quote

The more specific you can be, the more accurate the quote. Key details that affect the price include:

• Volume of belongings (number of rooms is a rough guide, but awkward items like pianos, large wardrobes, and garden equipment matter)
• Access at both ends (parking, stairs, lifts, distance from the van to the door)
• Whether you need packing services or just transportation
• Date flexibility (midweek moves are usually cheaper than Fridays and end-of-month dates)

If you are not sure on volume, a rough estimate is fine at the initial quote stage. Most firms will want to confirm details before the booking is final.

What happens after you receive quotes

Quotes come back with the firm's name, pricing, and any key terms. You can review them, ask follow-up questions through the platform, and confirm your booking when you are ready. Payment and the formal contract are between you and the removals firm directly.

Home does not take a cut from the price you pay. The firms in the marketplace have agreed to be listed and pay a referral fee to Home, which means the price you see is the price you would expect to pay regardless of how you found them.

When to request a quote

As soon as you have an exchange date, or even a realistic estimate of it, is a good time to start. Request quotes through Home early in spring and summer to check firm availability, as popular firms book up quickly. December and January moves typically offer more choice.

If your moving date shifts, contact the firm directly as early as possible. Most will accommodate date changes if they have availability, but last-minute changes during busy periods are harder to absorb.

What if you are renting?

The marketplace works the same way whether you are buying or renting. If you have found a property through homes to rent, you can request quotes once you have a move-in date confirmed with your landlord or letting agent. More on how that search works in renting through Home. Once you have a moving date, it is also worth checking broadband availability at the new address: switchover delays are a common source of the first week's admin, and checking broadband before you move covers what to look for.

Moving is one of the more logistically demanding things most people do. Sorting the quotes and the booking early removes at least one variable from an otherwise full schedule.