For a family in Ipswich staring down a move date, the search for a removals firm usually starts the same way: a quick scroll through search results and a lot of unfamiliar names. It’s worth taking that search seriously, because the removals sector has had a genuinely tough year, and not every firm is weathering it the same way.

Industry figures from mid-2026 show more than half of removals companies reporting falling sales, with average revenue growth slipping into negative territory even as individual staff become more productive. That kind of financial pressure can tempt some operators to cut corners on training, insurance or the care taken with a customer’s belongings, which makes choosing an established, well-reviewed firm more important than ever.

Customers are responding by doing their homework. Recent research shows the large majority of people now read online reviews before booking a removals company, and well over half find their mover through a search engine rather than a recommendation. Eco-friendly packing has also grown fast in popularity, tripling in demand over recent years as households look for a greener move.

The trade’s own association has been pushing hard for higher standards across the board too, taking the sector’s challenges directly to Westminster this year to make the case for better regulation and protection for customers. It’s a reminder that a move is one of the more stressful things a household does, and the firm handling it should be one that takes the responsibility seriously.

T Humphrey Removals has been helping households across Ipswich and Suffolk move house for years, with the kind of local reputation that’s built one careful job at a time. Anyone planning a move is welcome to get a quote via thumphrey-removals.co.uk/.