Find a removal company in Reading

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. Suspensions go through Reading Borough Council and need applying for in advance, so ask your removal company early whether they'll arrange it.

Experienced local movers regularly deal with:

• Victorian terraces in Newtown, Katesgrove and East Reading with narrow stairs and residents' parking
• Limited parking outside homes in older parts of Caversham
• Town-centre traffic on the inner ring road, plus road closures over Reading Festival weekend in late August
• Busy summer and September weeks when students move near the University of Reading's Whiteknights campus

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.