That’s where house clearance comes to the rescue. A team comes to your property, removes everything you don’t want, and makes sure it’s all donated, recycled, or disposed of properly and sustainably. Let’s walk through how it all works, and what you can expect to pay.

The difference between house clearance and removals

People often ring us asking for removals when they mean a clearance, which is fair enough; the words are much the same to most people. As services, the difference is that removals get your belongings moved into a new space, like a home or office. House clearance takes things away for good, and deals with them so you don’t have to.

A clearance can cover the whole house, a shed, garage or loft, or a partial house clearance, where you just want the big furniture gone, or one room emptied. As long as your instructions are clear, anything is possible.

How do I get house clearance services? What does the process look like?

Step one: getting a quote

Everything starts with a conversation with your chosen company about what’s in the house. They should want to know the size of the property, roughly how full it is, whether there are stairs or tricky access, and if there’s anything awkward like a piano, a heavy wardrobe or white goods that need disconnecting.

Most companies, us included, will ask for a few photos or pop round to have a look. It’s not us being nosy. It’s how we make sure your quote is fixed and fair. If a company won’t tell you what’s included and what isn’t, keep looking. Too often, people’s quotes change on the day, sometimes with no clear explanation. To do your bit in preventing that, be as transparent as possible.

Step two: sorting what stays, and where things go

A house clearance goes far more smoothly when the decisions have been made before the van arrives. The simplest system is four piles: keep, donate, sell, dispose.

Check drawers, coat pockets, biscuit tins and the backs of cupboards before anything leaves. Paperwork, jewellery, photos and passports have a habit of hiding in odd places, and once a van has gone to the recycling centre, there’s no getting anything back. Put anything you’re keeping in one room if you can, or stick an obvious note on it. Try to have everything that needs to go easily accessible.

If you’re finding all of this a bit of a faff, our guide to decluttering your home breaks it into manageable chunks, and there’s a separate piece on getting rid of unwanted items sustainably if you’d like to rehome some of it yourself first.

Step three: clearance day

On the day, the team turns up, walks round with you and makes sure they’re on the same page with what is being taken. Then, they crack on with lifting, dismantling and loading: beds and wardrobes are taken apart, fridges and washing machines are disconnected, and everything is carried out to the van.

You are welcome to help out if you want to speed up the process, but you don’t have to, nor do you have to be present at all. Lots of people hand over a key to an estate agent or a neighbour and stay on the end of the phone. Lots more want to be there to say goodbye and make sure things go smoothly, especially if the clearance has emotional weight.

How long a house clearance takes will obviously depend on the scale of it. A single room might be an hour or two. A full three-bedroom house may take all day. You are welcome to ask for a time estimate alongside your quote.

Is there anything a house clearance company can’t take?

People can be (rightfully) worried about getting left with a big pile of leftovers that the team couldn’t or didn’t want to deal with. Thankfully, there’s not much we can’t take, and any company worth their salt won’t leave you in that situation.

We can’t take:

• Paint
• Chemicals
• Petrol and gas canisters
• Anything hazardous
• Garden waste or rubble

To get rid of those things, you’ll need to take a trip to your local tip. The Bristol Waste reuse and recycling centres will take the hazardous bits by appointment.

What if I only need a few large items (e.g. furniture) cleared?

If you’re in Bristol, the council’s bulky item collection is often the best solution for getting rid of one or two large things.

What happens to stuff removed during a house clearance?

Good news here: far less of it goes to landfill than you might think. Anything in decent nick is donated to charity or passed on through community reuse schemes. Metal, wood, textiles and electricals get separated out and recycled. Whatever is left goes to a licensed waste site.

One thing to be aware of: under the householder’s duty of care, you’re responsible for making sure your waste ends up in the right place. If a cowboy clearer takes your old sofa and dumps it in a lay-by, any fine for that is unfortunately on you. So before you book anyone, ask for their waste carrier registration number and check it on the Environment Agency’s public register. We’re registered waste carriers, and any company doing the job properly will be able to show you the same.

How much does a house clearance cost?

Naturally, cost depends on how much there is and how long it’ll take. Every quote we put together starts with the same question: how many van loads and team members does this job need? On top of the volume, there are disposal fees for things like mattresses, fridges and TVs, which cost money to process. Stairs, long carries, and dismantling all add extra time.

If there are items with real resale value, some companies will factor that in, so let them know that cabinet is an antique, and not just some old IKEA storage. Make sure disposal is included in any quote (some companies love to catch people out with this) and be wary of anyone who seems too cheap.

Clearing a home after someone has died

A good share of the house clearances we do are for families who have lost someone, and we understand that watching everything go can be emotional. There’s no rush from our end. Take out the things you want to keep first, at your own pace, and only book the clearance when you’re ready. A good clearance team will have encountered these situations before and will treat you with patience and respect.

Who pays for house clearance after a death?

If the estate is going through probate, check with the executor or solicitor before anything is cleared, because the contents count as part of the estate. The cost of a probate house clearance normally comes out of the value of the estate, not your own pocket. If you’re still working through the paperwork, GOV.UK’s what to do after a death page covers the official steps in one place, including the Tell Us Once service.

On the day, tell the team if there’s anything you’d like handled with particular care, or set aside after all. They will be happy to accommodate you.

Getting ready for the day

A few small jobs done beforehand make the day go quicker, and perhaps cheaper, too:

• Make sure you have somewhere for the van to park. If it can’t get near the door, everything takes longer.
• Switch the freezer off the night before, and empty it and the fridge.
• Keep everything that you don’t want taken away separate from what you do, to avoid mistakes.
• Have a last look in drawers, pockets and under beds.
• Let the neighbours know there’ll be a van outside for a while, if needed.

Once the house is empty, you might want it cleaned before it’s handed back or put on the market. We have professional cleaners as well as clearers and removers, and are happy to offer a bundled service.

Need a hand with a clearance in Bristol?

Whether it’s one room or a whole house, we’ve been doing house clearances in Bristol for nearly two decades, and we can bundle in cleaning, packing or removals if you need them. We are fully insured and registered as waste carriers and go the extra mile to make sure everything is recycled or rehomed as sustainably as possible.

Get in touch, send us a few photos and we’ll put together a simple, fixed quote. Use our contact form, or give us a bell on 0117 902 5985.

The post Everything You Need to Know About House Clearance appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

You need to tell anyone who sends you post, takes money from you, or has a legal reason to know where you live. So if you’ve got a move coming up, let’s go through that list, by order of urgency.

Your council, at both ends

When it comes to council tax, you need to tell:

1. Your current council, so that they can close the account and refund anything you’ve overpaid,
2. Your new council, so they can set up your bill.

Both are free and take a few minutes through your local council’s website. Sort it before you go if you can, because closing an account is a much easier conversation than untangling a bill that’s been chasing you at an address you left three months ago.

Your insurance companies

Home and contents insurance is tied to a specific building, so your cover doesn’t simply follow you to the new place. Give your insurer your move date before you go, and ask what’s covered while everything is in transit.

Car insurance is priced by postcode too, and forgetting to update it can leave you driving on a policy that wouldn’t pay out.

Your bank and card companies

Updating your address with your bank is a five minute job in an app, but a credit card statement landing at your old address is a real fraud risk, and lenders look at your address history whenever you apply for anything. Do your savings accounts and your mortgage provider at the same time, and don’t forget the more occasional-use cards.

Gas, electricity and water

Contact your gas and electricity suppliers a couple of weeks before you move, tell them the date of the move, and then give them a closing meter reading on the day itself. Most suppliers want that reading within 48 hours, so take a photo of each meter before you leave and you’ll have a timestamp if anyone queries the final bill. It’s one of the jobs our removal teams see people forget most often.

Then, when you’re at the other end of the move, do the same. Take pictures of the meters as soon as you get the keys, and sort out who supplies the property. Ofgem has a guide to help you work out which company you’ve inherited. Water is handled the same way.

With broadband specifically, we recommend you set things in motion a couple of week before you move: The home has no risk of going without water or electricity, but it might miss out on Wi-Fi if a transfer goes wrong or engineers are fully booked.

DVLA, for your driving licence and your logbook

Not telling DVLA when your address changes can land you a fine of up to £1,000. Updating it online is free and takes minutes, so there’s no reason to leave it sitting on the list. If you own a vehicle, your V5C logbook is a separate job.

Your TV licence and the electoral roll

TV Licensing will move your licence across to the new address without charging you again, so don’t start a fresh one; update what you’ve got.

Registering to vote at your new address is free and takes about five minutes, and it helps your credit file, too.

Your GP, dentist and vet

Register with a GP practice near your new home fairly soon after you move home, especially if anyone in the house has repeat prescriptions. Same for a dentist, and for a vet: don’t leave it until you need an emergency appointment.

Schools, childcare and your employer

If you’re moving with children, schools or childcare providers need your new address and contact details early, because school admissions and transport arrangements can hinge on where you live. Employers and payroll should know too, along with any pension providers.

Royal Mail, for a redirect

Royal Mail’s mail redirection service is the safety net for anything you’ve missed (and there will be something!). You can set it up for three, six or twelve months, starting at around £45, and you’ll need to allow at least five working days before you want it to begin.

Every letter that arrives redirected is a company you haven’t got round to yet, so treat the pile as your address checklist. Once the redirection ends, that post goes back to your old address and whoever lives there now.

Friends and family

This one you’re sure to remember, but we had to include it. Start with your inner circle and work out, so you don’t get any birthday cards lost in the mail.

When we recommend to tell people about your move

• Three to four weeks pre-move: banks, card companies, insurance companies, employer, broadband
• Two weeks pre-move: council tax at both ends, gas and electricity, water, Royal Mail redirect
• Moving week: meter readings, GP and school registrations
• First fortnight post-move: driving licence, V5C, electoral roll, TV licence, subscriptions

Moving soon?

Getting the admin done in the fortnight before you move means you can spend moving day focused on… well, the move, and not how you’ll live without internet for a week.

If you’d rather hand over the heavy end of it, we’ve been moving people in and around Bristol for nearly 20 years and can take on as much or as little as you need, from packing to the move itself. Get in touch for a free, fair quote, give us a ring on 0117 902 5985, or find out more about our removal services.

The post Who To Notify When Moving House: Your Change of Address Checklist appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

Label boxes for the room, not just the contents

“Miscellaneous” and “stuff” are not helpful labels. Neither is a box that just says “kitchen”, really. Is it delicate crockery, or bulky appliances? That will change how we treat it and where we put it at the end.

If something is fragile, make that very clear on multiple sides of the box. And if a box needs to go in the van last because you’ll need it first when you arrive at your new home, tell us that too.

The room, rough contents and any handling notes all mean we’re not stopping to ask you where everything goes, and nothing fragile ends up at the bottom of a stack because we didn’t know.

Arrange parking before we arrive

If we can’t get the van close to the front door, every item has to travel further, and that time adds up fast. Loading and unloading is already the most physically demanding part of the job, so the last thing anyone wants is a long carry from a van parked halfway down the street.

If you’re in a residential area, put cones or bins out the night before to hold a space. Some councils (including Bristol, Bath, and North Somerset) allow you to apply for a temporary parking suspension for moving day, which is useful if access is tight. And if you’re in a flat with a car park or a shared driveway, let your neighbours know in advance. Most people are accommodating if you ask, but holdups happen when nobody knew to expect a lorry.

Don’t forget to do the same thing at the other end, if you can!

Defrost the freezer the night before

If we had a pound for every frosted freezer we’ve arrived to… It’s one of the most commonly forgotten jobs in the whole move, and it’s not something you can rush.

A freezer that hasn’t been defrosted can’t be safely transported, and even if it could, you’d be dealing with a puddle of water at the other end. Switch it off the evening before, put towels down, and have somewhere for the food to go, whether that’s a cool box, a neighbour’s freezer, or accepting that some of it won’t survive the move. It’s a small job that causes a big problem when it’s left too late.

Tell us about anything awkward in advance

…Not when we’re standing in the hallway looking at it.

A piano, a safe, a wardrobe that won’t come apart, a staircase with a bend in it, a narrow doorway: all of these are manageable. But they’re much more so when your removals company knows about them before the day, so they can bring the right equipment and the right number of people.

Dismantled furniture is another one. We’re happy to help with that, but if you want us to take beds apart and reassemble them, that needs to be agreed in advance. A quick conversation when you book, or a message the week before, makes a real difference.

Keep high-value and fragile items separate

Jewellery, passports, laptops, sentimental items, anything irreplaceable: these shouldn’t go on the van unless you absolutely can’t avoid it. We have insurance, but some things are priceless. Pack them separately, keep them with you in the car, and don’t leave them in a box labelled “bedroom” for us to load without knowing what’s inside.

Professional removals teams handle fragile items carefully all day long. But a removal van is a van, and the road between your old house and your new one is not a controlled environment. Things shift. The less that’s at risk, the better, and you’ll feel more at ease knowing your most important things are with you.

If there’s a piece of furniture that’s precious to you, or something that’s already a bit fragile, tell us before we start.

Quick tips

• Take your meter readings the night before. Gas, electricity, water. A photo of each gives you a timestamp, and it saves a lot of back and forth with suppliers later. While we’re on the topic, make sure your energy supply and contract is sorted in both homes.
• Charge your phone overnight. On a moving day you’ll be on it constantly, coordinating with us, the estate agent, and whoever’s waiting at the other end. If you can’t do that, it’ll be a nightmare.
• If you’ve got a lot of plants, particularly large ones, mention it when you book. They can’t be stacked like boxes and need floor space in the van, so it helps to know about them in advance. We’ve got a guide to moving plants here, so you can make sure they get through the journey unscathed.
• Find out where your stopcock is at the old place, and ask where it is at the new one when you pick up the keys. If a pipe causes trouble on moving day, you’ll want to know straight away.
• Have a key for every lock before the day starts, including the front door, back door, garage, and any outbuildings. And make sure you’ve tested them beforehand.
• Pack a moving day essentials bag and put it somewhere we can’t accidentally load it. There’s a full list of what you might want to include here, but phone charger, soap, toilet roll, and any documents you need on the day is a good start.

Ready when you are

A smooth moving day for us (and you) is the result of someone spending a couple of hours the evening before just getting things in order. Parking sorted, freezer on, boxes labelled, awkward bits relayed. None of it is complicated, but all of it matters.

If you’re looking for a friendly removals team that will handle the day with care and keep you in the loop from start to finish, get in touch. We’re happy to talk through the details of your move and put a fair quote together. Call us on 01179025985, or drop us a line at [email protected].

The post What Removal Teams Wish More People Did Before Moving Day appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

Plan and prepare your route first

Measuring doorways before you try to wrestle a wardrobe through them sounds obvious, but it’s the kind of thing that goes out the window when moving day arrives and the adrenaline kicks in. Take five minutes before you start to walk the route each heavy piece will take: through which door, around which corner, down which set of stairs.

If something won’t fit upright, work out whether it can go on its side before you get it halfway down the hallway. Remove drawers, shelves, and anything else that adds weight or shifts the balance. The lighter and more manageable you can make a piece before it’s off the ground, the better. And don’t forget to clear your path. Boxes left in a corridor and slippery rugs are hazards, especially if both your hands are full and you can’t see your feet.

How to lift without hurting yourself

Back injuries are by far one of the most common moving day problems and they’re almost always avoidable. The British Chiropractic Association’s guidance has a few recommendations when it comes to lifting safely:

• Bend at the knees, not the waist, to put the weight onto your legs, rather than your lower back. They can take weight much better (after all, they’re keeping the rest of you upright 24/7).
• Keep the load close to your body. The further out you hold something, the more strain it puts on your spine, the less grip you have on it, and the more it can throw off your balance.
• Keep your back straight and your core engaged throughout the lift. To engage your core, tighten your stomach area, like you would when you cough.
• Never twist at the waist while carrying something heavy. If you need to turn, move your feet instead.
• Lift and lower slowly and with control. Never rush.

If something feels too heavy to handle, don’t risk it. Put it down and get another pair of hands.

If you have chronic pain, a disability, or a physical limitation

The standard advice around bending your knees and keeping your core engaged assumes a body that can do both without issue, but that isn’t the reality for some people. If you have a chronic condition, joint problems, a bad back, or limited mobility, moving heavy furniture can cause a setback that outlasts the move by weeks.

Be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t do safely; there’s no shame in sitting out the heavy lifting entirely and directing from the doorway instead. If you’re moving with others, let them know about your limitations before the day so nobody ends up in an awkward position mid-carry, or judges you if you stand out.

Above all, don’t try and go at it alone. Some friends, or a removals team who knows what they’re doing, will get everything moved without you having to put your body on the line.

How do you carry heavy loads and furniture?

Different pieces need different approaches, and getting it wrong or not adapting your approach to the item is when things often go sideways.

• Sofas: Can almost always be stood on one end to get through doorways. If that still doesn’t work, many have easily unscrewable legs. Have one person guide from the front, and one from the back, and communicate clearly about every turn.
• Wardrobes: Should be emptied completely before you attempt to move them. If it’s too tall to go through a doorway upright, it may need to come apart. Thankfully, many flat-pack wardrobes are built to be disassembled.
• Fridges and freezers: Make sure they are fully defrosted and, of course, empty. They should always be transported upright, as lying them flat can damage the compressor. Once you’re at your new home, let the fridge stand for a couple of hours before switching it back on.
• Bed frames: More awkward than heavy. Take them apart where you can, label or bag the fixings immediately so they don’t vanish into a box, and carry the panels flat, not upright, so they don’t flex and crack.

What if a piece of furniture won’t fit through narrower spaces?

First, strip the piece back as far as it’ll go: legs off, doors off their hinges, drawers out. Then try again.

Then consider the angle. Furniture movers use a technique called the hook and pivot, where you rotate a piece through a doorway in a slow arc rather than trying to push it straight through. It takes patience and a bit of coordination, but it works for sofas and larger chairs more often than not.

If you’ve exhausted those options and the piece still won’t budge, it may need to leave through a window, or unfortunately, not at all.

When to hand it over

Some things need more than two people and a bit of caution. They need a team, proper equipment, and the kind of experience that comes from doing it every day. If you’ve got a piano, a large American fridge, a solid oak dining table, or anything else that gives you pause, listen to that hesitation; it’s there to keep you safe.

Our removals team handles over 70,000 tonnes a year, so we know how to handle heavy and awkward items safely and efficiently. If you’d like a free quote, get in touch and our friendly team will take it from there.

The right tools make a big difference

You don’t need a lot of equipment, but a few things will make moving heavy items much easier and safer.

Furniture sliders (found easily online for under a tenner) are one of the most underrated bits of kit going. Placed under the legs or corners of heavy pieces, they let you glide furniture across hard floors rather than lifting and carrying the full weight. On a carpet, you’ll want sliders made for softer surfaces, so check before you buy.

Moving blankets protect both the furniture, and your walls and door frames. Wrap them around corners and edges that are likely to catch, and they’ll absorb the knocks that would otherwise leave a mark.

Good gloves will give you a solid grip and protect your hands, which take a real beating on moving day.

Packing and protecting furniture for the move

Heavy items don’t just need careful handling in the home; they need protection in the van too. Unsecured furniture moves in transit, and can cause real damage to your belongings if it falls in the wrong direction.

Wrap corners and surfaces that could catch or scratch with moving blankets or bubble wrap before loading. Use straps to secure heavy pieces against the van wall so they can’t move, and stack strategically: heavy items go low and against the cab end of the van, whilst lighter and more fragile things should go on top, or towards the back.

If you have a van removals team helping you, they will take care of all of this, Most reputable companies have goods in transit and public liability insurance.

Get it done without the drama

Moving is a stressful endeavour, we won’t pretend otherwise, but carrying furniture is one thing you just can’t rush. Slow down, communicate clearly with the other movers, and don’t try to be heroes about it. Most injuries and damage happen in a moment of trying to take on too much in eagerness to get the job done. If you’re unlucky, you’ll suffer the consequences of that poor decision for life, so safety truly is paramount here.

If you’d rather hand the heavy work over to someone who does it for a living, we’re here, and can handle any or all aspects of your move, from packing and moving to cleaning. With nearly 20 years in the business and over a thousand happy customers a year, we know how to get even the trickiest pieces from A to B with minimal faff, so give us a ring on 01179025985 or drop us an email at [email protected] for a free and fair quote.

The post How to Move, Lift, and Pack Heavy Furniture Without Hurting Yourself appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

So if you’re renting in England and a move is on the cards, let’s go through what’s different now, and how it affects you.

Notice periods on rented properties are now two months

Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies are gone. All tenancies in the private rented sector, including existing ones, have converted to rolling periodic tenancies, and if you want to leave, two months’ notice is all you need to give. No fixed end date to wait for, no complicated notice clauses to unpick.

Two months sounds like plenty of time, and it can be, but once you’re in it and juggling a big move on top of your daily life, it’ll fly by. Getting removals booked early is the first thing to sort, because slots fill in fast. After that, get a proper declutter in, because the less you’re moving, the quicker and cheaper it’ll be. Then you need to leave plenty of time to pack.

How to plan your move within the 2-month period

In our experience, most people underestimate almost every step. The declutter alone, done properly, takes a weekend. Packing a typical family home, even with good organisation, can easily run to a week of evenings, and that’s before you’ve chased up references for the new place, arranged a meter reading, or worked out what to do with old furniture. Map it backwards from your notice end date and it gets tighter than you’d expect, but two months with a solid plan should be comfortably doable.

And don’t underestimate the end-of-tenancy clean. Too often, people leave it until two days before key handover when energy is at its lowest. That’s when corners get cut and deposits get docked. If you’re concerned about this, our guide to what landlords expect from your end of tenancy clean covers how to go about it in an organised way, and what people most commonly miss.

But what if you are evicted under the new Renters’ Rights Act?

If you’re on the receiving end of a notice rather than giving one, the Act changes your rights significantly. Section 21 no-fault evictions are gone. A private landlord can no longer ask you to leave a privately rented property without a reason backed by legal grounds (for example, selling the property, significant rent arrears, or anti-social behaviour), and they must issue a Section 8 notice citing that.

The notice period for that is normally 4 months, which gives people a lot more time to find a new home and get things in order than before. If you’ve recently moved into somewhere new, there’s also a rule that a landlord can’t seek possession back in the first 12 months of the tenancy, except under specific grounds, giving you some baseline certainty. But if you do receive a Section 8 notice and you want to know where you stand and what to do, homelessness charity Shelter has laid out all of the specifics.

Bridging a gap between properties

One thing that will never change is the struggle to get two tenancies to line up. Whether or not you’re leaving on your terms, there’s often a few days or more where your belongings need to go somewhere while you wait for the new place to be ready. If that’s you, we’ve written a guide to renting a storage unit when moving home, without it being a logistical headache.

A note for landlords planning a move

If you’re a landlord who needs a property back, the end of Section 21 means building your timeline around Section 8 grounds. We recommend reading the GOV.UK overview on the changes under the Renters’ Rights Act for landlords, if you haven’t already.

If you’re coordinating a sale, a refurbishment, or a move-in for yourself or a family member, factor that window in when you’re talking to a removal company about dates. Leaving it until the notice period is nearly up will mean fewer options and more stress on everyone involved.

Don’t leave it all to the last week

Whether you’ve got two months or four, the same principle applies: moving is more manageable when you plan ahead, because trust us, every step of the process takes longer than you think. If something crops up with the new property, you don’t want to be scrambling at the final hour.

But we know things happen to the best of us, so if you’re caught out, we’ve got some rapid-fire tips for packing in a hurry.

We’ve been helping thousands of people in and around Bristol settle into their new homes with confidence for nearly 20 years. If you’ve got a move coming up, get in touch. Our friendly team will talk through what you need and when, and provide you with a free, competitive quote.

The post Moving House in 2026: What’s Different for Renters Now appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

If you’ve never rented one before, it can feel like yet another unfamiliar task to add to your no doubt lengthy list, but thankfully, it’s not complicated. Below is a complete guide to storage: how to choose the right unit for you, what you can expect to spend, and green (and red) flags to watch out for.

Do you actually need a storage unit for your move?

If your moving dates line up and you’re going straight from one home to another, then you can get away without a unit. But if you’ve got a gap, having somewhere safe to store your belongings takes a lot of pressure off. And if you’re downsizing homes but aren’t ready to part with anything yet, storage can buy you time to make those big decisions around what stays and what goes.

That said, less stuff means less to store, so we do recommend decluttering as much as you can before your move. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, we have a guide to help you through it.

Short-term vs long-term storage rental

A few weeks to a couple of months on a rolling contract would be considered a short-term rental. Facilities offer this as standard because it suits most house moves, which count for 40% of all storage rentals. If you’re going to be away for a while, going through a major renovation, or the move has run into complications, most providers offer better rates for longer commitments.

Before you sign anything, check the notice period. Some facilities need a month’s notice to end a rental, while others are more flexible.

What size unit do you need?

Unit size is the most common thing to get wrong when renting storage for the first time. Too small and you’re back to square one, but too big, and you’re paying for air. Most companies offer a range of sizes, and a good one should be happy to advise you based on what you’re moving. As a guide:

• 25 sq ft unit: About the size of a large wardrobe. Good for boxes, a bike, seasonal kit, or a few smaller pieces of furniture.
• 50 sq ft unit: Normally suitable for the contents of a one-bedroom flat.
• 75-100 sq ft unit: The size of a small garage. Should fit the contents of a two-bedroom or possibly three-bedroom home.

Take these numbers as a rough guide, as what you need will depend on how much clutter and furniture you have. If you’re not sure always err on the bigger end. If you want to talk it through with someone before you book anything, feel free to drop us a message.

What should you look for when choosing a storage facility?

When looking at storage solutions, it’s tempting to default to the nearest one, which is understandable when you’ve got a hundred other things to sort. Location is a big factor, to be sure, but you can save your future self a lot of hassle by doing a few other checks first.

Access

In a perfect world, you drop off all your things, and don’t think about them until you need to move them again. In practice, you’ll almost certainly need to get back in for something you packed away too early, possibly multiple times. To prepare for this, have a look at how access to the unit works on a day-to-day basis. Some facilities have 24/7 access, but some have set open hours.

Access inside the unit itself matters too, and this is another good reason to size up your unit: having a bit of space to move between the boxes saves you tearing out the whole place to reach something in the back.

Conditions

Standard units are fine for furniture, boxes, and most household items, but if you’re storing anything valuable or delicate (instruments, documents, artwork, or electronics), don’t underestimate the damage damp can do over time. Ask the facility if they have any climate-controlled storage options to prevent this.

Security

A good storage service will have CCTV, individual unit locks, and controlled access to the site as a bare minimum. Some also have alarmed units or 24/7 on-site staff.

Also, check whether your home contents insurance covers items in storage, because many policies don’t. Many storage companies offer separate insurance for this.

How much does a storage unit cost?

Prices will vary depending on the unit size, duration of the rental, the facility location, and any add-ons. You might pay anywhere from around £20 to £30 a week for a small unit, up to £80 to £120 or more for a larger one. Facilities in city centres tend to be at the higher end.

To get your money’s worth, request quotes from two or three storage companies, and get clear on what’s included. It’s common for facilities to have admin fees, minimum term rental periods, or insurance requirements that are tucked away in the fine print.

What can and can’t go in storage

Most household contents are absolutely fine, and restrictions are mostly common-sense in the interests of safety. They include:

• Anything flammable, including fuel, paint, or gas canisters.
• Food or perishables.
• Plants or anything living.
• Hazardous or illegal items.
• Vehicles with fuel in them, unless the facility specifically allows it.

If you’re not sure about something specific, just ask. Any decent storage company will give you a straight answer. But if it’s not on this list, and you can’t think of a reason it’d be dangerous, it is most likely fine.

Can removal companies handle storage?

Most removal companies are just that, but some can liaise with storage or offer multi-service package deals. We work in partnership with Access Self Storage Bristol, which means we can arrange storage alongside our removal and/or packing services without you having to co-ordinate three different companies. Your things go from your old home into storage and then into the new one, all handled by the same reliable team.

For moves with a gap in the middle, an all-in-one approach like this can take a lot of admin off your plate, and it guarantees nothing getting left in limbo whilst you wait for two different companies to get in sync, especially in the event of a cancellation or reschedule.

Storage sorted, wherever your move takes you

Like most things in a house move, storage goes a lot more smoothly when you’ve handled and planned it ahead of time. Make sure you’re booked in for the right size and duration, check access and security, and read the terms before you commit.

Bristol Van Removals are partnered with a central facility with alarmed rooms, 24-hour CCTV, dual alarm systems, and individual access codes on every unit.

Whether you need it for six days or six months, booking is straightforward and we can even arrange remote access. We can pack everything up, drive it straight to the unit, and even offload it for you. Give us a ring on 01179025985, or drop us a line at [email protected] for a competitive, no-obligation quote.

The post A Guide to Renting a Storage Unit when Moving Home appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

Then you look at the bags teetering by the door and think, “right… where does all this actually go?”

Luckily for the planet, you’d be surprised how much you can avoid turning taking to the tip. So, whether you’re decluttering before a move, or just having a spring clean, here’s how to responsibly dispose of things, keep it eco friendly, and save money at the same time.

Where should you take items in good condition?

If something still works, fits, or looks presentable, there’s almost always someone who’ll be glad to take it off your hands.

Charity shops

Donating to charity is the obvious first stop. Most have drop-off points, and some offer collection services for larger items.

To save the volunteers a job, make sure you clean items, first, and bag them by type if you can. It’s also worth giving them a quick ring if you’re planning to drop off a lot. Some branches have limited space, and you don’t want to lug three boxes of bric-a-brac across town just to be told they’re full.

Lastly, be aware that most shops can’t accept electricals unless they’ve been PAT tested, and there are fire safety label rules they have to follow.

Community groups and buy-nothing schemes

Local community groups, Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, and buy-nothing pages are brilliant for anything the charity shops can’t take. Bits like lamps and humidifiers can be gone the same day. You won’t have to worry about whether a shop has space out back, but you will need to arrange collection times.

To avoid it turning into weeks of back-and-forth messages, make sure you include all of the info someone might need in the listing, including measurements. And be honest about the condition.

Shelters, women’s refuges, and community centres

If you have spare essentials like bedding, towels, warm clothing, and toiletries, these places will often be grateful to take them off your hands directly. Just make sure to ring ahead and check they can accept it.

Libraries of Things

Libraries of Things are a nifty concept. Picture a normal library, but instead of books you can borrow… well, pretty much anything. Drills, carpet cleaners, folding beds, sewing machines, and the list goes on. If someone can get temporary use out of it, a Library of Things will accept it. It helps keep items in circulation, and everyone saves money on things that would normally gather dust.

What should you do with things that are broken or past their best?

Just because something’s worn out doesn’t mean it needs a trip to the tip. A lot of materials can still be recycled or repurposed if you know where to take them.

Textiles and clothing

Not everything is nice enough to donate items to a charity shop, and that’s alright. Ripped jeans, odd socks, and threadbare towels can all be recycled through textile banks. Most supermarket car parks have them, and they accept items regardless of condition. The fabric gets sorted and either turned into industrial rags or broken down for new materials.

Electrical items and batteries

Electrical items should never go in the household bin. They can cause fires when they get crushed in waste processing. You can read more about how to safely dispose of these things here, but most councils run collection services for electricals, and many supermarkets have drop-off points.

Larger electricals like washing machines can be collected by your local council for a small fee. Some retailers also offer a take-back service when you buy a replacement.

Furniture that’s seen better days

If the chair is wobbling beyond repair or the wardrobe is held together by hope and a screw, it’s time to let them go. Council bulky waste collection is your best bet for bits like this, but it costs £20-£40 for a few items, depending on your council.

Some recycling centres will take wooden furniture and metal frames to process or recycle as scrap. Try calling your local one and seeing what they can take off your hands.

How do you handle a big clear out without a car?

Not everyone has access to a car or the time to make multiple trip tips.

If you are clearing a whole house following bereavement, don’t have the physical capacity to move heavy furniture around, or you just need a bit taken off your plate, a house clearance service makes life a lot easier.

You’ll get a professional team at your door who will take care of everything you’ve marked for disposal, and sort it responsibly. Anything that can be donated will be, recyclables go to the responsible place, and the rest is properly disposed of.

We’ve been handling clearances for nearly two decades, and are the trusted choice in Bristol. Get in touch at [email protected] or 01179025985 for a free quote, or just some advice. And if you’re moving out, we can bundle cleaning, packing, or removal services in as well, so you can get from house to house without lifting a finger.

Is it worth selling items instead of donating them?

If you’ve got time and some of your items have decent resale value, selling can help offset the other moving or disposal costs. Designer clothing, working electronics, quality furniture, and collectables tend to be sold quickly on eBay, Vinted, or Facebook Marketplace.

But on the flip side, it can be a faff. You’ve got to photograph things, write descriptions, answer questions, and arrange collections. If an item is only worth £5, you may as well save yourself the hassle. And be realistic about what you can get for it. That IKEA bookshelf might have cost £80 new, but if there are a dozen others listed locally for £20, that’s the market.

What can’t be donated or recycled?

Most things can find a home somewhere, but some things genuinely do need to be binned, including anything that is:

• Mouldy, damp, or pest-damaged
• Heavily stained or unclean
• Broken in an unsafe way
• Used cosmetics and toiletries
• Sharp

Also, hazardous waste like paint, chemicals, and some DIY or craft waste are unsafe to throw in any old bin and will need special handling through your local recycling centre.

Making space, not waste

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s just to make good choices without bending over backwards or overcomplicating things. With a bit of recycling or donating, you can clear your space, help others, and keep perfectly good stuff out of landfill.

If you’re decluttering before a move, accounting for disposal early in your timeline avoids rushed decisions and defaulting to easy (but unsustainable) options. But if the whole thing has gotten away from you and you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s when to call in an extra pair of hands.

Whether it’s clearance, cleaning, packing, or removals, we can do it all at a competitive cost. Get in touch today for a free quote, and save your weekend from trip tips and charity runs.

The post How to (Sustainably) Get Rid of Unwanted Items After a Clear Out appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

We believe the best way to tackle mammoth efforts is to break them down, so in the spirit of that, we’ve split the spring clean into three steps: decluttering, the clean itself, and (coming in next month’s blog) what to do with things you’ve decided to part with. 

What do we actually mean when we say “spring clean”? 

A big spring clean is not you scrubbing grout with a toothbrush while on a 50-hour workweek between school runs; it’s just a manageable reset to make your day-to-day life feel easier and less cluttered. The point is to reduce stress in your life, not increase your workload. 

It’s best to handle it in two phases: decluttering first, then the cleaning itself. Keep those things separate, and it’ll be much more manageable when you’re not trying to clean around random tat.  

Where should you start if your home feels overwhelming? 

The start trips a lot of people up, but it’s not out of laziness. It’s because the job looks so big your brain just goes “nope” and suddenly you’re making a cup of tea and wiping the sides instead because that feels safer. 

Try to avoid looking at the whole house and just focus on one room at a time. Pick the mess that’s been irritating you the most; the clutter you keep meaning to deal with, but never quite do. Set a timer for 20 minutes, and just clear that one area. Not the whole room. Not every cupboard. Just that one patch.  

Stick anything that belongs elsewhere or that you don’t know what to do with in a basket or a bag to sort out later, so you’re not wandering around the house putting one item away at a time and getting sidetracked by other jobs. And remember, for now you’re only removing clutter and putting things back where they belong. Leave the wiping and scrubbing for later. The key is to keep everything contained.  

When the timer goes off, stop. Have a look at the space. Doesn’t it feel better now? With luck, that little win is the momentum you need to spur you on.  

How to decide what to keep and what to part with? 

When every object in your home comes with its own story, it’s easy to feel like everything is important and worth holding on to. But that age-old phrase is true: a cluttered space is a cluttered mind. There’s no sense in keeping something just in case it comes in handy one day.  

So, get a few big bags or boxes, keep them handy, and label them: 

• Keep 

• Donate 

• Recycle 

• Bin 

Then pick things up one by one and put them straight into one of those. Try not to make lots of little piles “to deal with later”. Later never comes, and you’ll only end up shuffling the same stuff around again tomorrow. 

If you get stuck, ask yourself: would I pack this if I was moving house next month? If you wouldn’t pay to move it, you probably don’t need to store it. 

Before you recycle something, make sure you know what can be recycled.  

And if you’ve got a smaller space but there’s plenty that you genuinely need to hang onto, consider how you can make the space and storage you have more efficient. We’ve got a guide on just that here. 

What if you’re decluttering because you’re moving? 

If you’re doing a spring clean because you’ve got a move coming up, you’re doing yourself a massive favour. The less you own, the less you have to pack. The less you pack, the quicker and cheaper the moving day. And the less you unpack at the other end, the sooner your new place starts to feel like home 

It also makes the final clean much easier, which matters if you’re handing keys over on a deadline and you’d like your deposit back without a debate. 

For a room-by-room breakdown, have a look at last month’s blog for how to coordinate a clean worthy of a moveout. 

And if it’s all a bit much and you’re pressed for time, there’s no shame in handing the cleaning over to someone else. We’ve been cleaning homes for nearly 20 years, and we’ve seen and cleaned it all in that time. If you want to avoid the last-minute panic-polish, give us a call at 01179025985 or get in touch via our form, and we’ll sort it. 

What comes after decluttering? 

Once the clutter has gone, the cleaning stops feeling like you’re doing everything twice. You can actually get to the surfaces without moving the same pile from one end of the table to the other just so you can wipe underneath it. 

Once again, the best approach is breaking it down by room, and better yet, by height. Think about it: what point is there in cleaning the floors, only to brush dust and debris all over it?  

Even if you’re short on time, it’s best to do a proper job over a longer period, rather than have a chaotic half-clean. All that will do is leave you tired and having to do it all again that much sooner.  

While you’re at it, get a window open, even if it’s still a bit chilly out. Fresh air makes the whole job feel more invigorating and ensures you’re not breathing in all the dust and cleaning products.  

And you don’t always need to reach for the heavy-duty stuff. You’d be shocked how much some warm soapy water, vinegar, and bicarb can get through (more on how to get the most out of them here!).  

Top tips for a stress-free spring clean 

A spring clean goes best when you treat it like a few small jobs, not one huge campaign: 

• Keep the clean short and sustainable. An hour you actually do is better than four hours you keep putting off. 

• Put a basket on the stairs or by the door for things that belong elsewhere, then go through it at the end of the days’ work. 

• Make sure you’re using the right tool for the job (and that you have all the tools to begin with). The less effort you have to put into scrubbing, the quicker and easier you’ll get the job done. 

• Leave the floors until last; dust, fluff, and crumbs travel downwards as you clean, so if you start with the floor, you’ll only have to do it again at the end. 

A calmer home, one job at a time 

You don’t need to turn your spring clean into a marathon. Take it one thing at a time and build from there. You’ll have the momentum to see it through before you know it. Remember: the goal is to make life easier, so don’t make your life harder trying to achieve it. 

If you’re overwhelmed, or want to save yourself some time, we can take the stress out of cleaning your home. With over 1,000 happy customers a year, we pride ourselves on being quick yet thorough. If that sounds like what you need give us a ring on 01179025985, or email [email protected] for a competitive quote that fits your needs.   

The post The Big Spring Clean: How to Declutter Your Home  appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

We’ll be the first to admit that carrying out a move is a mammoth effort, even before you throw in worries about deposit deductions. You can do everything right with the move itself, but if you don’t deep clean to a high standard, that can be a lot of money lost.

But moves run on a tight schedule, and cleaning is one of the last jobs left when energy is low and stress is high. A bit of planning will go a long way if you want to reduce the risks of deposit deductions and hand the keys back with confidence.

Let’s walk through what landlords and letting agents actually expect, where people most often get caught out, and how to leave the property in the same condition it was handed to you (fair wear and tear aside).

What is an end of tenancy clean, and why does it matter?

An end of tenancy clean is all about meeting the standard set out in your tenancy agreement and matching the original inventory as closely as possible. Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into effect, this has been enforced, so you don’t need to clean something if it’s not clean on the inventory.  If you don’t have one, contact your landlord or letting agent to request it ASAP. It’s the only proof of the state of the property when you moved in, and landlords and agents compare the property to it at check-out.

Overall, they expect the property to be clean and ready for the next tenant, allowing for normal wear and tear. Scuffed paint from furniture moving is one thing, but grease in the oven is quite another.

Why are landlords and letting agents so strict?

Most rental properties turn around quickly. There is often only a short gap between tenants, and delays can hold everything up. That’s why everything is held to such a high standard, and why cleaning issues are one of the most common causes of deposit disputes (which are usually handled through a deposit protection scheme).

Before you start…

Cleaning the property always takes longer than expected, especially when you are also packing and moving. Take that into account when you’re scheduling it in. 

Make sure you’ve got all the cleaning supplies you need to hand, to avoid unnecessary trips to the shops. The essentials are:

• Cloths
• Gloves
• A scraper
• A duster
• A dustpan and brush and/or sweeper
• A vacuum
• A mop
• Bin bags
• Sprays: mould, grease, limescale, wall, glass, wood, general-purpose

Start high and work down. Dust high-up areas like curtain rails, then work on surfaces, then floors. That way, you don’t end up mopping the floor only to find it dirty again.

What does an end of tenancy clean look like, room by room?

Kitchens and Bathrooms

These two get the closest look because they are generally the rooms that require the most work. Agents will open cupboards and drawers, check the oven, hob and extractor for grease, and look for limescale and mould around taps, plugholes, grout and sealant, and shower heads.

Make sure you tackle all of these hidden areas. It’s worth checking the washing machine drawer and seal too, because residue and mould can build up even if the rest of the kitchen looks spotless.

Living Rooms and Bedrooms

Living rooms and bedrooms are more straightforward. Give skirting boards a wipe, run a cloth over light switches and sockets, wipe down and clear out any furniture that’s part of the house, and clean the interior of the windows.

High Traffic Areas

High traffic areas like hallways and stairs show marks quickly, especially on corners and bannisters, so spot clean those. And make sure you don’t forget doors, including door frames and handles.

If your tenancy agreement mentions having clean carpets, plan that in, and note that many cleaning companies don’t include professional carpet cleaning.

This is a good starting point, but if you want a full breakdown, a free downloadable tenancy cleaning checklist will be coming soon to our resources. You can keep on your phone or stick on the fridge to refer back to as you work.

What are the most common end of tenancy cleaning mistakes?

Without a doubt, the biggest mistake people make is not allocating enough time. If it’s just you doing the job, expect anything from a few hours for a small flat to a few days for a big house.

 Take into account the pace you normally do chores at, and don’t expect miracles out of yourself; that’ll only lead to more stress when time is tight. And never leave it until the day of the handover; give yourself plenty of insurance time for hiccups or things you forgot.

When it comes to specific bits that are missed, the oven and extractor fan are commonly done to a subpar standard, and bathroom limescale and grout is often left behind. Also make sure you don’t forget the insides of cupboards, drawers and seals of white goods, behind things like radiators and toilets, and anywhere else that you can’t normally see. Out of sight is not out of mind as far as your inspector is concerned, but if you do all of this, you’ve done a better job than most!

Beyond that, it’s the little things that give away a half-hearted clean. Sticky skirting boards and doors, fingerprints on switches and sockets, crumbs in drawers, and odours all add up quickly, but are easy to fix.

Should you clean yourself or hire a professional end of tenancy clean?

If you are in a small flat, you’ve kept on top of things throughout the tenancy, and you have a day either side of moving, DIY won’t be a problem. Where people start to struggle is when times are tight and the space is larger. If you’re juggling work, kids, packing, and a same-day key handover, professional cleaning can be a huge weight off your shoulders (or if you’re moving house last-minute).

A professional end of tenancy cleaning service is built around the inventory standard, so it focuses on what letting agents actually check and what your documents show the condition should be.

A lot of people don’t realise this, but there’s plenty of companies, us included, that can deliver cleaning, moving, and even packing as an all-in-one service, helping cut down on admin and eliminating any worries of delays or overlaps. 

At Bristol Van Removals, we know that everyone has their own requirements and time constraints, so we take great pride in delivering a bespoke, considerate service. If you want true peace of mind that your move is in good hands, give us a ring at 01179025985, or email us at [email protected], and we’ll provide a fair, no-obligation quote. 

How to protect your deposit after the clean

Even if you leave your home spick and span, there is always the chance something is disputed, and if it is, you’ll be glad to have done a bit of admin. As you finish each room, take clear photos of everything as proof of how you left it. If you use professional cleaning services, keep the receipt of that. 

If you’ve completed your clean, but you’re not sure if it’s good enough, get in touch with the letting agent. Some of them are more than happy to have a look and flag any issues they see, giving you a chance to fix them.

Remember; tenants and landlords are on the same page. They would much rather receive the home in optimal condition than skim off your deposit.

A confident send-off

Plan ahead, work methodically, and give yourself more time than you think you need, and you’ll avoid a world of stress.

If you’ve got your hands full with the rest of the move, or want to save yourself some time, get in touch. With 18 years’ experience under our belts, we’ve truly seen it all. We can talk through your move and clean, and put together a simple quote that fits around your schedule. And if you’d like an all-in-one service, we can put that together for you too, so you needn’t lift a finger. 

The post Moving Out? Here’s What Landlords Expect from Your End-of-Tenancy Clean appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.

If you’ve ever tried to keep on top of Christmas, work, school concerts and visits from relatives, you will know that adding a house move into the mix is a big ask. The good news is that moving in the busy holiday period can feel pretty stress free with some careful planning and a bit of help.

We spend a lot of December in and out of people’s homes, so here are our top tips if you plan to move around Christmas.

Is the festive period a good time of year to move?

For most people, Christmas already has a full calendar of family gatherings, school holidays and work rotas even before a house move is thrown in. 

That said, the holiday season can be the perfect time for people who want to avoid taking extra annual leave. Children are often off school, friends or family are around to help, and you can enjoy your first Christmas in the new place and kick the new year off with a truly fresh start. The trade-off is less daylight, more traffic, and winter weather to think about.

Sorting your moving date around festive plans

Sit down with a calendar and mark up any family gatherings, school or end-of-term events, or work deadlines. Look for a gap where you can focus on the move rather than running from one thing to another. When you know roughly when you are aiming for, speak to your removal company early. December dates can book up quickly, especially at weekends. And check the weather forecast before you lock anything in, so you have a rough idea of how winter might affect your journey. 

Packing and organising for a Christmas move

Nobody wants to arrive at their new house only to realise the decorations are somewhere at the back of the lorry. Pack for the holiday season as its own little project. Put together a separate festive box, and pop in a small tree or a simple decoration, a few favourite mugs, hot chocolate, basic cutlery and plates, and any special presents that you are worried about. Make sure you pack decorations carefully, as they are delicate! We’ve written a guide on specifically this.

Staying organised is what stops everything turning into a minute rush on moving day. Create a dedicated “moving zone” in the corner of your house and keep all tape, pens and packing materials there. 

When you pack, aim for one room at a time and start with things you won’t need unpacked urgently. If you want more detailed tips for the moving process, We’ve got plenty of guides on decluttering before a move and on staying organised in smaller spaces. 

It’s also a grand idea to create a proper essentials box for the moving day itself. Kettle, tea, phone chargers, toilet roll, cleaning spray, bin bags, warm jumpers and blankets, and your most important documents all earn their place. If you are moving with children, you can also add a few familiar toys or bedtime books to help them settle into your new home.

How will winter weather effect moving house?

Dark mornings and icy roads are part of the festive season, so it is worth planning for them. Before the team arrives, clear your driveway and steps of any leaves, frost or snow. Grit or cat litter on the ground can help stop slips. Inside, old sheets or dust covers over floors protect against mud and melted ice.

If you are driving between properties yourself, leave extra time. It can take much longer to stop in icy or snowy conditions. Main roads are usually treated first, so they are a better bet. The Met Office and National Highways both share live updates and advice on travelling safely in winter weather, which are worth a quick check before you set off. Rain is the same story, and we’ve written plenty of tips for how to prepare for a move in rainy weather.

Think about the house too. Make sure you know how the heating works ahead of time, so you don’t end up shivering and condensating while puzzling over the boiler. Staying warm is important for everyone’s wellbeing, especially if you have young children, older relatives or anyone with health conditions.

If the forecast is looking rough, keep in touch with your removals company. We move in all sorts of conditions, but sometimes timings need to be tweaked to keep everyone safe.

Letting yourself settle into your new home

Once the move is done, give yourself permission to slow down. There’s no prize for getting every box emptied on the first evening. Take breaks, enjoy a walk in your new neighbourhood, and use the holiday season to get used to your new space.

If you hit a point where you’d like some extra hands, it might be time to rope us in. Let us know the when and what, and we’ll sort a simple quote and a cheery team to turn up on the day.

And if you remember only one thing from all of this, let it be this: a bit of careful planning now makes a huge difference later. Pick a moving date that works with your December plans, protect yourself against winter weather, keep that labelled box of essentials close by, and you will be in a great position to enjoy your first Christmas in your new home, rather than battling a last minute rush.

The post What are the Best Tips for Moving over the Festive Period? appeared first on Bristol Van Removals.