Removal companies

[Anotherwriter]

Do they ALL/is it standard that they want full payment prior to the move?

I'm in the home counties and every company we have had to quote wants the full £3000 (to pack, transfer & unload) a week before the procedure starts.

A bad experience has put me off paying in full like this and I'm really nervous about it. I have a toddler, a dog and I have restricted mobility so can't do it myself.

Any advice welcome...or names of companies that allow us to keep a retainer Thankyou.

We have always paid in advance however we have always exchanged sufficiently in advance of completion to know that it is going to go ahead.

Yes, all require being paid upfront from my limited experience.
I booked one, paid a deposit, they delivered my boxes and I awaited their arrival on the day of the move. They didn't turn up....because I hadn't paid in full. They didn't ask me to. A massively stressful day made worse. We finally left the house at 7pm and off loaded at new house at 11pm.
They were #1 on a review site that was linked to their website. They weren't after I left my review and because they couldn't delete my review, they took themselves off the review site.
If you can get recommendations from people, I think that is the way to go.

Aussie man and van took disposit - and then balance was paid post move. Deposit worked out about 55%.

They were brilliant - second time I've used them and would recommend.

If the removal company is a member of the BAR (British Association of Removers) it's a standard term of their terms & conditions that all monies must be paid in advance. Some removal companies (including the removal company I work for) will happily take a card payment for the balance (less the deposit already taken to secure your requested dates) over the 'phone the day before the removal takes place. (The company I work for will call you the day before your removal is scheduled to start to collect the balance if it is not already paid in full). HTH

The well established company we used took two days to pack and remove to storage, we paid for that part and one months storage when they finished. We paid for another months storage 4weeks later. Then they delivered our furniture and we paid for that part when they finished.
I would always use a well known company and member of BAR.

Okeedoke, thankyou for all of your advice which has been a big help & made consider a few things.

For some reason I had it in my head we could pay out of the 'completion settlement' funds on the day (after) but it looks like I will pay by credit card then pay off the balance when that bill comes in.

Thanks for highlighting some things I hadn't thought of.