Bearded Bros has been quoting and running moves out of our Springfield Road depot in Brighton since 2013, with more than 10,000 moves on the books. The question we get asked more than any other is what's included in a removals quote, and what isn't. You are not alone if you have ever wondered the same. It is the single most common source of confusion when families and businesses around Brighton, Hove and the wider East and West Sussex area start ringing round for prices. Two quotes can look almost identical on paper and end up hundreds of pounds apart on moving day, simply because one of them quietly assumes you are doing the packing and the other doesn't.
This guide walks you through a proper removals quote checklist: what every reputable removals firm should put in writing, the bits that vary from company to company, and the extras that catch people out. Use it as a side-by-side comparison sheet the next time you are weighing up two quotes, or just to sense-check the one you already have.
Strip it back, and a clear quote answers six basic questions. If any of these are vague, ask before you sign anything.
Collection and delivery addresses, including full postcodes. A quote written without specific addresses is a guess, not a quote.
Estimated volume or inventory basis. Reputable removal companies measure your move in cubic feet or cubic metres, or work from an itemised inventory. You should see one or the other on the paperwork, not just "approximate household contents".
Crew size and vehicle size. The quote should state how many people are coming and what vehicle is being sent. A two-person team and a 3.5-tonne Luton is a very different job to a four-person crew and a 7.5-tonne truck, and the price reflects that.
The time window and schedule assumptions. Look for a stated arrival window, an estimate of the working hours included, and a clear note on whether the move is being completed in a single day or split across two.
Access notes for both ends. This is where surprises live. The quote should reference any stairs, the presence of a lift (and whether it fits a sofa), parking distance from the front door, permit requirements, narrow lanes and any restricted access. If the surveyor never asked about parking at your destination, that is a red flag.
The next layer of the quote is where genuine differences appear. With Bearded Bros, you can choose how much you want us to do. That ranges from a full pack-and-move where the Bros wrap, box and transport everything, right down to a labour-only crew on the day. Other removals firms work the same way, but the inclusions can differ, so check what your quote covers.
Packing service. Some quotes include a full professional pack the day before your move. Others quote on the assumption that everything is already boxed by the time the crew arrives. The price difference is usually meaningful, so make sure you are comparing the same thing.
Packing materials and boxes. Confirm whether boxes, tape, paper and wrapping are included, supplied at extra cost, or expected to come from you. If you would rather buy your own and crack on, our box shop sells boxes, bubble wrap, tape, mattress covers and reusable plastic crates by the half-day or full week.
Furniture dismantling and reassembly. Beds, wardrobes, garden trampolines and flat-pack desks all need to come apart. A good quote spells out exactly which items the crew will dismantle and reassemble, and which are being moved as-is.
Specialist or unusual items. Pianos, antiques, safes, gym equipment and large garden items often need different equipment or extra crew. If you have anything that falls into that category, make sure it is named on the quote rather than buried in "household contents".
These are the moving quote questions that catch people out on the day. None of them are sneaky on the part of a decent firm. They are real costs that depend on what actually happens during the move. The trick is to ask about them before you book, so there are no surprises.
Long carries. If the lorry cannot park within a sensible distance of your front door, the crew will be carrying goods further. Some companies build a flat distance into their price; others charge by the metre beyond a threshold.
Waiting time. If completion is delayed and the crew is sitting outside with a loaded truck, that time is sometimes chargeable after a grace period. Find out what the grace period is and the rate after.
Additional stops. Picking up a sofa from a relative, dropping the boot of paperwork at storage on the way through. Extra stops add time and sometimes mileage. They are usually fine, just confirm the cost.
Storage and redelivery. If your move involves a gap between completion dates, ask whether storage is quoted as part of the package or separately, and whether redelivery from storage is a flat fee or charged again as a fresh move.
Weekend or short-notice moves. Saturday moves and last-minute bookings sometimes carry a premium, especially in peak season between May and September. The quote should make any uplift clear.
The fastest way to compare two removal company quotes is to lay them side by side and check three things.
First, like-for-like scope. Are both companies pricing on the same volume, the same packing arrangement and the same crew size? If one quote assumes you are packing and the other does not, the cheaper one is not actually cheaper.
Second, what is excluded. A reasonable quote will name its exclusions clearly, usually things like gas cylinders, flammable liquids and hazardous goods, plus anything specialist that wasn't surveyed. If a quote has no exclusions listed at all, that is a sign corners are being cut on the paperwork.
Third, reviews and reliability. Price matters, but so does whether the firm is going to turn up on time with the right kit. Look for written customer feedback rather than star ratings alone, because the recurring words are what tell you the truth. With Bearded Bros, you'll see "polite, courteous, diligent and hardworking", "super helpful, friendly and quick" and "efficient, reliable and friendly" cropping up across hundreds of Google reviews and our Checkatrade profile, which is the kind of consistency that tends to predict a smooth moving day.
We don't think a removals quote should feel like a maths exam. After more than a decade moving people across Brighton, Hove and the South Coast, we know what information actually changes the price and what doesn't, so we cut the rest out.
You can request a quote three ways: in person if you are local and prefer face-to-face, by video walkthrough on your phone if your diary is busier than ours, or by sending photos and a list. Whichever route you pick, the office team aims to come back to you with a written quote within the next working day. The quote will name the crew size, the vehicle, the inclusions and the exclusions, all in plain English, with no surprise extras buried at the bottom.
If you would like a written quote from a real person rather than an algorithm, get in touch and we'll get one over by the next working day.
Have a question first? Drop us a line!
Q: How do I get an accurate removals quote remotely?
A: The most accurate remote quote comes from a short video walkthrough on your phone, opening every wardrobe, cupboard and the loft, and walking the surveyor through any garage or shed. Photos and a written inventory are a fine second option for smaller moves. The more the office team can see, the closer the written quote will be to the final invoice.
Q: What details should I send (photos, list of items, access notes)?
A: Send room-by-room photos including inside cupboards and wardrobes, an inventory of any large or specialist items (pianos, safes, gym kit, oversized art), and a few notes on access at both ends. That means number of floors, lift availability, parking distance from the front door and any permit zones. Postcodes for both addresses are essential.
Q: Is packing included in a removals quote?
A: Not always. Some quotes include a full professional pack the day before your move; others assume you are packing yourself. Always check the wording. With Bearded Bros, packing is offered as a clear add-on so you can see exactly what it costs and decide whether you'd rather DIY with materials from our box shop.
Q: What can cause the final price to change?
A: The most common reasons are a bigger inventory than what was surveyed, longer carries because the lorry couldn't park close to the door, waiting time caused by delayed completions, and last-minute additional stops. A clearly written quote will explain how each of these is handled before the move, so you know in advance.
Q: How far in advance should I request a quote?
A: For weekday moves outside peak season, two to three weeks' notice is usually plenty. For Friday and Saturday moves between May and September, four to six weeks gives you the best chance of getting your preferred date. Ask sooner rather than later. An early quote can be held while you sort the legal side.
Q: Should I choose the cheapest quote?
A: Not without checking what is in it. The cheapest removal company quote is often cheap because something is missing, whether that's packing, the right crew size, insurance cover or an honest read of the access. Compare like for like, ask any removals firm for proof of Goods in Transit and Public Liability cover, and read the recent reviews before deciding.
