Removals firm - recommendations?

[HamAndPlaques]

I'm about to start getting quotes to move us from our two-bed house in London to the West Midlands. Does anyone have any recommendations? Would a midlands firm be a better choice (and cheaper)?

Any recommendations (or cautionary tales) much appreciated.

Bishops Move.

I think they have branches all over the UK.

We moved from the SE to the Midlands a few months ago.

It was much cheaper to have a local firm than one from the Midlands. They came and did a lot of the donkey work the day before the move which wouldn't have been so practical if they'd come down from The Midlands (would have had to pay for them to do an overnight stay).

We used Arnold Self. Good price and the guys who moved us were very nice and helpful.

Have a look at Bournes - they did my move in to store (STILL in store, STILL waiting to buy a new house). They were a load cheaper than other large firms - I had a full pack with windows taken out to get my sofas out (which was very traumatic), and they were quite a lot cheaper than other big firms. I used them after 2 recommendations from friends (who have also done international moves with them). They were very calm and dealt with all the if's and buts and maybes of moving stuff, and supplied several quotes accordingly. They will quote for self pack / part pack too. I highly recommend them. I was on my own for the day of the move and they were ace. I moved a huge 2 bed house and garden furniture with them and I was very happy.

I'll second bishops. We've used them twice (well, had them back a third time to move a sofa bed upstairs!). In between times we used a local family firm, a couple of hundred cheaper but a definite difference in service. The bishops blokes are very calm, seem very experienced and nothing is a drama. We used their packing service the second time, nothing broken or damaged.

The admin/office side is a bit rubbish, though.

James Removals in SE London. They were fantastic. Used their full packing and moving service.

If you're west London then I'd recommend Paul Jackson removals (who I found through mumsnet). Amazingly cheap for the service and a very small friendly company. They packed and moved us for about £600 all in and no complaints.