When to contact removal companies (and any recommendations?)

[Gemma77]

We are hoping (with every finger and limb crossed!) that we will be exchanging contracts at some time in May and if we are lucky completing in time for the may half term holidays at the end of May.

At what point should we start speaking to removal companies?

Should we wait until we have a clearer idea of when we are looking to exchange? Or would that not give them enough notice if we then complete just a week later? I'm guessing they will not hold the date for very long, especially if we are looking at a half term week when I expect it will be a busy period for most removal companies!

We are going to pack ourselves (need to have a serious clear out anyway and need to try and keep costs down).

We are in Berkshire so if anyone has any recommendations on good removal companies I would love to hear about them!

Thanks mumsnetters!

[MrsJamin]

Good idea to get some quotes in, we had one preferred one (these guys in Reading) but they weren't free on the moving day so got another company to match price. Important to ask how big the van is and how many people will be loading / unloading.

[specialsubject]

get in touch with them now - it is nearly May! They are well used to the uncertainty about dates, so you make an approximate booking and keep them posted. Prices go up in the busy weeks so you need to get quotes and make arrangements now.

also make sure that you can cancel at no cost should things fall through.

[HauntedNoddyCar]

Get quotes now. Ask about cancellation fees and insurance. As soon as you have a rough date they can pencil you in and keep you advised of any other bookings. When you are ready to exchange you need to be very sure they can do your date.

We were pencilled in with one firm who took a firm booking two days before we were expecting to exchange which meant they couldn't do ours. Fortunately I'd also been talking to another company who were able to do it so we booked them with cancellation insurance.