Home Moving Survey: Get an Accurate Quote and a Clear Plan Before Moving Day
Before Trunk Logistics quotes your move, we need to see exactly what is being moved, how access works at both properties, and what it will take to complete the job properly. The survey is where that happens. Carried out by trained surveyors, backed by 40+ removals staff and a fleet of 25+ vehicles. Why Choose Trunk Logistics?
A quote produced without a survey is a guess. It may look accurate but it is based on assumptions about volume, access, handling requirements, and timing that cannot be verified without seeing your move properly. When those assumptions turn out to be wrong, and they frequently do, the cost changes, the crew is wrong for the job, or problems appear on moving day that nobody planned for.
The survey removes all of that. In 15–30 minutes, your move is assessed properly, the right resources are confirmed, and your quote is fixed based on what your move actually involves.
Book Your Home Moving Survey
★4.5 on Google | ★4.8 on Trustpilot | 1,500+ Reviews | Move Assured
Phone, video, or in-person, most surveys take 15–30 minutes and give you a fixed quote, confirmed crew, and a clear plan before you commit to anything.
We’ll confirm your survey appointment and tell you exactly what to prepare
We’ll respond with honest, practical advice based on your move
What Your Home Moving Survey Covers
The survey is not just a volume check. It is the stage where your entire move is assessed, planned, and priced, so that when moving day arrives, nothing is being worked out for the first time.
We Assess Everything Being Moved
We need to see all furniture and items you want us to move, including rooms, cupboards, wardrobes, and drawers estimated as volume rather than itemised individually. We also need to be made aware of any items in the loft, garage, shed, and outdoor areas that are often the most underestimated part of any move. Contents stored out of sight that will be included in the shipment must be shown during the survey. These areas are consistently where volume is missed on moves planned without a proper assessment, and where last-minute discoveries on moving day cause delays and additional cost.
We Also Assess What Is Not Being Moved
It is equally important to confirm what is staying behind. Items being sold, donated, left with the property, or going into storage rather than to your new address all affect volume calculation, vehicle size, and crew allocation. A move assessed on the basis of everything in a property when half of it is not coming produces an inflated quote or worse, a crew and vehicle allocated for a job that turns out to be a different size entirely.
Items Needing Dismantling, Packing, Or Special Handling
Furniture that needs to be dismantled before it can be moved, items requiring reassembly at destination, fragile or high-value pieces needing additional protection, and anything heavy or awkward that requires equipment or extra crew. All of these are identified during the survey so they are planned for in advance. An item that surprises the crew on moving day because it was not flagged beforehand is the most common cause of delays, additional time, and damage risk.
Access At Both Properties
Access has a direct impact on how your move is carried out, how long it takes, and what resources are needed. Parking distance from the front door, stairs and floor levels, lifts and their dimensions, narrow hallways and tight doorways, and any restrictions on loading or unloading, all of this is assessed during the survey. If access is difficult, we plan for it in advance. If something was difficult to get into the property originally, it will be difficult to get out so this is flagged during the survey so the crew arrives with the right approach, not discovers the problem on the day.
Packing Requirements And Timeline
Whether you want full packing, partial packing, or are packing yourself, this is confirmed during the survey alongside the volume of materials required and the timing of the packing crew. Your preferred moving date or timeframe is confirmed, any fixed deadlines such as completion dates or tenancy end dates are noted, and if your dates are flexible we will identify options that improve availability or reduce cost.
What To Show The Surveyor And How To Prepare
The survey works best when everything relevant is visible and nothing significant is left out. You do not need to itemise personal belongings, we assess volume, not individual items, but we do need to see the full scope of what is moving.
Show All Rooms And Storage Areas
Walk us through every room including main living areas, bedrooms, and kitchen. Open cupboards and wardrobes so we can estimate the volume of their contents, you do not need to empty them or list individual items, just give us a realistic picture of how full they are. Take us to the loft, garage, shed, and any outdoor storage. These areas are consistently underestimated in volume assessments and are among the most common reasons a crew or vehicle turns out to be undersized on moving day.
Be Specific About What Is Not Coming
Tell us clearly about anything that will not be included in the move like furniture being left behind, items going to a skip, belongings going to a different address, or anything being sold before moving day. The cleaner the picture of what is actually moving, the more accurate the quote and the more precisely the right resources can be allocated.
Point Out Anything That Needs Special Attention
If something is large, heavy, fragile, or high-value then flag it. If furniture was brought in dismantled and reassembled inside, tell us. If a staircase has a tight turn, a doorway is narrower than standard, or a corridor restricts how items can be carried then show us. These details do not complicate the survey, they improve it. Everything flagged during the survey is planned for in advance rather than discovered on moving day.
Confirm Access At Your New Property
If possible, provide details of access at your destination property as well as your current home. Floor level, lift availability, parking restrictions, and any unusual access conditions at the delivery address all affect how the move is planned and timed. If you do not yet have full access details for the new property, share what you know and we will note what needs to be confirmed before moving day.
What Happens After Your Survey
Your Quote Is Prepared Based On What Was Actually Assessed
Once your survey is complete, your move coordinator reviews the assessment and prepares a written quotation based on the actual size and complexity of your move. We then select the correct vehicle or vehicles, the right number of crew, time required for loading, transport, and delivery, and any packing, access, or handling requirements identified during the survey. Your quote reflects your move as it was assessed, not as it was estimated from a bedroom count or a website form.
A Single Point Of Contact Manages Your Move From Survey To Delivery
Your move coordinator is your named contact from the point your survey is completed through to the day your move is delivered. You can ask questions, adjust details, confirm dates, and get clear answers about exactly how your move will be carried out, without being passed between departments or speaking to someone different every time you call. This is one of the most cited reasons clients recommend Trunk Logistics in our reviews, one person, accountable for the whole job.
Everything Is Confirmed Before Moving Day
Once your move is booked, packing is scheduled if required, crew and vehicle are allocated, and access and logistics are already planned. Nothing is being worked out on the day. The crew that arrives on moving day has been briefed on your move in advance, they know what is moving, what needs special handling, what the access conditions are at both properties, and what the plan is from collection through to delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Moving Surveys
How long does a home moving survey take?
Most surveys take between 15 and 30 minutes. Larger or more complex moves may take slightly longer if there is significant volume, multiple access conditions, or specialist items to discuss. The survey is thorough but efficient and the goal is a complete picture of your move in as little time as possible.
What survey options are available?
Trunk Logistics offers phone surveys, video surveys, and in-person surveys for properties in Essex and surrounding areas. Phone and video surveys are available for all locations and are used for the majority of moves. They are accurate and give us everything we need to quote and plan properly. In-person surveys are offered where the complexity or volume of a move makes a physical visit the most practical approach.
Is there a cost for the survey?
No. The home moving survey is complimentary. There is no charge for the survey and no obligation to proceed after you receive your quote.
Why is a surveyed quote more accurate than an online estimate?
Online calculators and room-count estimators produce figures based on assumptions such as average room sizes, standard contents, typical access conditions. Your move is not average. Volume varies significantly based on what is actually in each room, how full storage areas are, what is staying behind, and what needs special handling. Access conditions vary enormously between properties and affect both time and crew requirements. A surveyed quote is based on your specific move as it was assessed. This is why it does not change between booking and moving day.
Why do some removal companies give lower quotes before adding charges on the day?
It is a common industry practice. A low quote wins the booking. On moving day, when the crew arrives and the job turns out to be larger, more complex, or longer than the estimate suggested, additional charges are raised. By that point the client has no practical alternative and the original quote is irrelevant. Trunk Logistics does not work this way. Our quotes are based on a proper survey assessment and are fixed so what is agreed before moving day is what is charged. This is one of the most consistently cited reasons clients recommend us across our 1,500+ reviews.
What if my circumstances change after the survey?
Contact your move coordinator. Changes in volume, access conditions, dates, or packing requirements are all manageable before moving day, the earlier they are flagged the easier they are to accommodate. Last-minute changes are harder to plan for, which is why your coordinator is available as a direct contact throughout the process.
Can the survey cover storage requirements as well as the move itself?
Yes. If you need storage before, during, or after your move, whether at our Essex storage facilities or at destination, this is covered during the survey alongside your removal plan. Storage requirements are factored into your overall move plan and quoted as part of the same assessment.
Book Your Home Moving Survey Today
Rated ★4.5 on Google | ★4.8 on Trustpilot | 1,500+ Reviews | Move Assured
Phone, video, or in-person, our surveyors will assess your move properly, confirm the right crew and vehicle, and give you a fixed written quote based on what your move actually involves. No estimates, no surprises on moving day.
We’ll confirm your survey appointment and contact you to arrange a time that works for you
Message us if you need quick advice on your planned home move