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A bright, airy English living room set up for a house move, with labelled cardboard boxes and a clipboard, tape measure and pen on the coffee table.

FAQ

Free Home Survey Questions Answered: What Happens When We Visit

A quick, no-obligation look at your home so we can give you an accurate fixed price. Here is what the survey covers and why it makes your quote reliable.

By Connor, Owner - Marley Moves

Before we quote your move, we like to see it. A survey is simply a proper look at what needs moving, so the fixed price we send you holds up on the day with no surprises. It costs nothing, there is no obligation, and it is the difference between a rough guess over the phone and a number you can trust. Here are the questions people ask us most about it.

What is a removal survey?

A survey is a proper look at everything that needs to move, so we can price your house removal accurately. We go through the furniture, the boxes, anything large or fragile, and how we will load and unload at both ends. It replaces a rough phone guess with a number based on what is actually there.

Do I need a survey to move house?

Not for every move. If you are shifting a flat or a single room, a quick chat and a few photos are usually enough. For a three or four bedroom house, a survey earns its keep, because the little things add up: a loft full of boxes, a piano, a shed that has not been opened in years. It only takes a few minutes and it protects you from a quote that changes later.

What does the surveyor actually look at?

Three things, mostly. First, the volume, so we know the right van and crew for the job. Second, the tricky items: wardrobes that come apart, glass tables, appliances, anything heavy or valuable. Third, access at both ends, so parking, stairs, narrow lanes and low doorways. Once we have seen those, there are no nasty surprises on the day.

How long does a home survey take?

Not long. We are respectful of your time and we do not need to open every drawer. A walk through the rooms, a look at the access and a quick note of anything special is usually all it takes. You carry on with your day while we work out the price.

Can you survey my move by video instead of visiting?

Yes. If a home visit is awkward, we can do it over a video call, or you can send us photos and a room list over WhatsApp. It is the same result, an accurate fixed price, done in whatever way suits you. We are based in Shaftesbury and cover Sherborne and the surrounding towns, so an in person visit is easy to arrange for a bigger move if you would rather we came to you.

Is the survey free, and am I tied into anything?

It is completely free and there is no obligation at all. We survey plenty of homes for people who are still deciding, or comparing us against another firm. You get your fixed written price and you are under no pressure to book. If it is not right for you, that is fine.

How does the survey make my quote more accurate?

Because we are pricing what we can see, not what we are guessing. A survey lets us send you a fixed written quote, usually within the hour, that already accounts for the volume, the awkward items and the access. That is why a surveyed quote so rarely moves between the estimate and the final invoice. When you are ready, get your fixed quote and we will arrange a look at your move, at home or over video.

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Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9PX
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