Moving house is stressful enough without wondering whether the van turning up on the day is being run by a proper, accountable business. It’s a question worth asking more than ever this year: the British Association of Removers recently took its concerns to Westminster, warning that rising fuel costs, insurance premiums and increases to the National Minimum Wage, Employers’ National Insurance and business rates are putting real pressure on the sector — much of which is made up of small, local operators.

For homeowners, that pressure has a knock-on effect. When costs get tight, corners can get cut — insurance lapses, staff aren’t properly trained, or a firm simply isn’t around to answer the phone if something goes wrong on moving day. That’s precisely why it pays to check who you’re booking with, not just what they quote.

Look for membership of a recognised trade body, ask whether your belongings are covered by goods-in-transit insurance, and get a written quote that spells out exactly what’s included — packing, dismantling furniture, storage if you need it. A firm that’s happy to answer these questions clearly, without hesitation, is usually one that takes the job seriously.

It’s also worth asking how long a company has been trading locally. Removals firms that have served the same area for years tend to know the practicalities that matter on the day — narrow Suffolk lanes, parking restrictions in Ipswich town centre, awkward staircases in period properties — and that local knowledge often makes the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one.

T. Humphrey Removals have been providing removals across Ipswich and Suffolk for over 20 years, so if you’ve got a move coming up, it’s worth getting in touch for a quote at thumphrey-removals.co.uk/.