Find a removal company in Portsmouth

If you don't have a driveway, or your street is in a residents' parking zone, your firm may need bays suspended so the van can park outside. Portsmouth City Council accepts house moves as a reason and charges £1 per metre per day, with a £38 minimum, and short-notice requests cost more, so ask your removal company early whether they'll arrange it.

Experienced local movers regularly deal with:

• Densely packed terraces in Southsea and Fratton with narrow roads and limited parking
• Residents' parking zones on many streets across Portsea Island
• One main route on and off the island via the M275, which can be slow at peak times
• Busy summer and September weeks when students move in and out around Southsea

It mainly depends on the size of your home and how far you're going. A one- or two-bed flat usually takes half a day to load and unload, and a three- or four-bed house takes a full day. If you've booked a packing service, most firms pack the day before, so allow two days in total.

Full packing for a three-bed home typically adds £300 to £500 to your removal quote. You can keep costs down by packing books, clothes and other easy items yourself, and leaving fragile things to the professionals.

Reputable removal firms carry goods-in-transit insurance, but the level of cover varies, so check what's included before you book. If something is damaged, tell the firm in writing as soon as you can and include photos. Most firms set a time limit for claims, so check the terms in your quote.