A removal survey is how a removal company works out exactly what you are moving, how long it will take and what it will cost. It is the step between asking for a quote and booking your move, and it has more effect on how smoothly moving day goes than almost anything else you do beforehand. A thorough survey means the right van, the right crew and a quote that doesn’t change on the day.
This guide explains the different types of survey, what happens during each one, how to prepare, and what affects your quote afterwards. It is written from the removals side, based on over 20 years of surveying and moving homes across St Albans, Hertfordshire and London.
| Quick answer During a removal survey, a surveyor looks at everything you plan to move, either in person or over a live video call. They note the volume of furniture and boxes, any large or fragile items, and access at both properties, then use that to work out the van size, crew and time needed. The survey is usually free and takes well under an hour for a typical home. To get an accurate quote, show every room, cupboard, loft, garage and garden space. |
1. Why do removal companies need a survey?
A removal quote is based on four things: how much you are moving, how difficult it is to move, how far it is going and what extra services you need. A survey is the only reliable way to measure the first two.
Without one, the company is guessing. A guess that is too low means an undersized van, a second trip or an extra charge on moving day. A guess that is too high means you pay for space and time you don’t use. Both are avoidable.
The survey also flags problems early: a sofa that won’t fit up the stairs at the new flat, a road with no parking outside, or a piano nobody mentioned. Finding these out a week before the move is a minor adjustment. Finding them out on the day is expensive and stressful.
2. What types of removal survey are there?
Most removal companies offer several ways to survey your home. The right one depends on the size of the move and how much time you have.
| Survey type | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
| In-home survey | A surveyor visits and walks round the property with you | Large homes, difficult access, specialist or high-value items | Needs a time when you are home |
| Live video survey | You walk the surveyor round on a video call using your phone or tablet | Most flats and family homes; fast and flexible | Needs good signal, good light and every space shown |
| Recorded video or photos | You film or photograph each room and send it over, often on WhatsApp | Small moves, or when you can’t schedule a call | Easy to miss a cupboard or loft when filming alone |
| Item list by phone or email | You describe or list what you are moving | Single items and very small moves | Least accurate for a full house move |
For most house moves, a live video survey gives nearly the same accuracy as a visit, with far less disruption. A home visit is still worth it for very large homes or moves with awkward access.
3. What happens during a video survey?
A live video survey follows a simple route through your home. Here is what to expect:
- Book a time. Choose a slot when you are at the property, in daylight if possible, with your phone or tablet charged.
- Start outside. Show the front of the property, the road and where a van could park. Access affects the crew and time needed.
- Walk room by room. Pan slowly around each room, showing all the furniture you are taking.
- Open storage spaces. Wardrobes, fitted cupboards, under-stairs storage and kitchen cupboards. These hold more than people expect.
- Don’t forget the extras. Loft, garage, shed, greenhouse and garden. Outdoor items are among the most commonly missed.
- Point out what stays. Anything you are leaving, selling or giving away, so it isn’t counted.
- Flag special items. Antiques, artwork, large mirrors, pianos, gym equipment or anything that needs dismantling.
- Ask your questions. Dates, packing, storage and anything you are unsure about.
After the call, the surveyor works out the volume and sends your quote.
4. What happens during an in-home survey?
An in-home survey covers the same ground, but the surveyor sees everything first hand. They will usually walk through each room with you, measure any items that might be tight on stairs or through doorways, check access and parking, and talk through which services you need. Because they can see the building itself, an in-home survey is better at spotting things like narrow staircases, low ceilings or fragile flooring.
Either way, the survey is also your chance to judge the company. A good surveyor asks detailed questions, explains how they have worked out the quote, and is clear about what is and isn’t included.
5. How should you prepare for a removal survey?
Ten minutes of preparation makes the survey faster and the quote more accurate:
- Decide what is going. Sort out what you are selling, donating or throwing away before the survey, not after.
- List what the surveyor can’t see. Items in a storage unit, at a relative’s house, or already boxed up in the loft.
- Know the new property. Floor level, lift access, parking and anything unusual about the entrance. A floor plan or listing photos help.
- Note any access issues at both ends. Narrow roads, permit parking, long drives, steep steps or restricted loading times.
- Know your key dates. Your completion date, or target date, and whether contracts are exchanged.
- Decide which services you want. Packing, dismantling and reassembly, or storage if there is a gap between homes.
If your move-out and move-in dates may not match, read our guide on the gap between moving out and moving in before the survey, so you can ask about storage at the same time.
6. What will the surveyor ask you?
| Question | Why they ask |
| Where are you moving to, and how far? | Distance affects fuel, travel time and whether the move fits into one day |
| What floor is the new property on, and is there a lift? | Stairs add time and may need more crew |
| Where can the van park at each address? | A long carry from the van adds time; some roads need a parking permit |
| When do you need to move? | Busy dates, such as Fridays and month ends, book up first |
| Do you want us to pack? | Packing is often done the day before and needs its own crew time |
| Is anything particularly fragile or valuable? | Some items need extra protection or specialist handling |
| Does anything need taking apart? | Beds, wardrobes and tables need dismantling and reassembly time |
| Do you need storage? | Storage changes the move into two separate jobs |
7. What affects your removal quote after the survey?
Two quotes for the same house can differ, and it is usually because of the factors below. Knowing them helps you compare quotes properly.
| Factor | How it affects the quote |
| Volume of belongings | Decides the van size and number of trips; the biggest single factor |
| Access at both properties | Stairs, no lift, long carries and parking restrictions all add time |
| Distance | Longer moves add travel time and fuel, and may need an early start |
| Packing | Full packing adds crew time and materials; packing yourself saves on both |
| Dismantling and reassembly | Beds, wardrobes and large tables add time at both ends |
| Specialist items | Antiques, pianos, large mirrors and artwork may need extra crew or protection |
| Storage | Adds a second move and the storage itself |
| Date and timing | Popular dates and very early starts can affect availability |
If you are moving antiques or high-value furniture, mention them at the start of the survey. Our furniture removals team handles dismantling, reassembly and delicate pieces.
8. What are the warning signs when getting removal quotes?
Most removal companies are straightforward. A few habits are worth being cautious about:
- A full house quote with no survey at all. If nobody has seen or asked about your belongings in detail, the price is a guess and may change on the day.
- No written quote. A quote should be written down, with what is included, so there is no dispute later.
- No clear answer on insurance. Ask what cover is in place and what it includes.
- A price far below everyone else’s. It often means something has been left out, such as packing, a second van or waiting time.
9. What happens after the survey?
You should receive a written quote that sets out the date or date range, both addresses, what is being moved, the services included and the total price. Check it matches what you discussed. If anything changes between the survey and moving day, such as extra items, a new address or different dates, tell the removal company straight away so the plan and price can be updated before the day, not on it.
Once you have a completion date, our guide to what happens on completion day explains how the move fits around key release.
10. How to book a free survey with Shaheen Express Removals
We offer free, no-obligation quotes in whichever way suits you best.
- Video call. Walk us round your home on a live call, at a time that works for you.
- In person. A visit to your home for larger or more complex moves.
- Phone or email. For smaller moves where a list of items is enough.
- WhatsApp. Send photos or a video of your home to 07903 494502 on WhatsApp and we will get back to you.
Every quote includes the options you ask about, from packing and unpacking to storage. We are rated 5.0 from 444 Google reviews, with over 20 years in removals, fully insured and DBS-checked staff. Based in St Albans, we cover Hertfordshire, Luton, Essex and London; see our house removals service for more.
| Book your free removal survey Call 07903 494502, message us on WhatsApp or request a quote online. Tell us your moving date and both addresses, and choose a video or in-person survey. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a removal survey free?
Most removal companies offer surveys free and without obligation, because the survey is how they work out an accurate quote. Shaheen Express Removals provides free quotes by phone, email, in person or by video call.
How long does a removal survey take?
For a typical flat or family home, a video or in-home survey usually takes well under an hour. Larger homes, or homes with lofts, garages and outbuildings full of items, take longer because every space needs to be seen.
Is a video survey as accurate as a home visit?
For most homes, yes, as long as you show every room, cupboard, loft, garage and outdoor space. A home visit can still be worth it for very large homes, difficult access or specialist items that need measuring.
Do I need to be at home for a removal survey?
For an in-home survey, yes, or someone who knows what is being moved. For a video survey, you need to be at the property with a phone or tablet so you can walk the surveyor through each room.
What happens if I add items after the survey?
Tell your removal company as soon as possible. Extra items can change the van size, crew size or time needed, and it is far better to adjust the quote in advance than to find out on moving day that everything does not fit.
Can I get a removal quote without a survey?
For small moves, such as a few items or a studio flat, a quote from a list or a few photos is often enough. For a full house move, a survey is strongly recommended, because quotes based on guesswork are the ones most likely to change on the day.
