Removal companies

The short answer

Removal firms price mainly on volume of belongings, access at both properties, distance and whether they pack for you. A one-bedroom flat move within Edinburgh typically costs less than a family house move to East Lothian. Getting two or three like-for-like quotes, based on a shared inventory, is the most reliable way to compare, since verbal estimates over the phone can vary widely once a survey is done.

How removal firms price a job

Most firms quote on a combination of van size, crew numbers, hours on site and mileage. A short local move with easy parking is priced very differently from a long-distance move up several flights with no lift, even if the volume of belongings is similar.

Some firms offer a fixed price after an in-person or video survey, while others charge hourly with a minimum call-out. Fixed pricing is usually easier to budget against, but hourly rates can work out cheaper for small, straightforward moves.

What pushes the price up

Stairs with no lift, long carries from the van to the front door, narrow closes in tenement buildings, and awkward large items such as pianos or wardrobes that need dismantling all add time and cost. Firms will usually ask about these factors before quoting.

• Number of floors and whether there is a working lift
• Distance between the parking spot and the front door
• Whether packing materials and packing labour are included
• Timing — weekends and month-end dates are often busier

Comparing quotes fairly

Ask each firm to quote against the same inventory and access details so the comparison is genuinely like for like. Check what is covered by insurance, whether there is a minimum charge, and what happens if the date of entry moves.

What it usually costs

Indicative ranges only, to help you judge a quote. They are not an estimate for your property — only the business doing the work can give you that.

• Local move, one-bedroom flat: roughly £250–£450
• Local move, three-bedroom house: roughly £500–£900
• Long-distance moves (e.g. Edinburgh to further afield): often priced per hour plus mileage, commonly £600–£1,200
• Full packing service added to a removal: typically an extra £150–£400 depending on volume

What to do, in order

1. 1List rooms and rough volume of belongings for an accurate quote
2. 2Get two or three quotes based on the same inventory
3. 3Ask about access at both properties, including stairs and parking
4. 4Check what insurance cover is included for damage in transit
5. 5Confirm the cancellation or rescheduling policy
6. 6Book once the date of entry is firm

Local detail for the Lothians

• Many New Town and Old Town tenement flats have no lift and steep common stairs, which some firms treat as a separate pricing factor
• A parking suspension from City of Edinburgh Council may be needed if there is no dedicated space near the entrance, particularly in controlled parking zones
• Removal firms serving rural East Lothian sometimes factor in longer single-track approach roads when quoting for time on site
• Firms covering commuter towns such as Livingston or Linlithgow can usually offer more flexible weekday slots than central Edinburgh crews in peak season

Common questions

Should I choose the cheapest quote?

Not automatically. Check what is included — packing materials, insurance, disassembly of furniture — since a low headline price sometimes excludes items others quote as standard.

What happens if my date of entry changes?

Most firms will try to move your booking, but late changes close to a popular date can be harder to accommodate, so tell them as soon as you know.

Related pages

• Moving home checklist

  A week-by-week plan covering everything from instructing a solicitor to collecting the keys.

• Packing and materials

  How to pack efficiently, what materials you actually need, and where to get boxes cheaply.

• Storage during a move

  What to do when your dates don't align, from short-term self-storage to removal firm holding.