Long-distance removals: your questions answered

Moving a long way is daunting for one simple reason: everything you own is loaded onto a single lorry and driven hundreds of miles to a place you may not know well yet. This page answers the questions we hear most about long-distance moves, from what actually counts as one, to how we quote, pack and store for a journey across the country.

What counts as a long-distance removal?

There is no official line, but in the UK a long-distance removal usually means a move of roughly 100 miles or more, or one that crosses several counties. A move from Dorset up to Scotland counts, and so does London down to the South West. The label matters less than the planning: longer distances mean more drive time, an earlier start and tighter loading, all of which we factor in from the outset.

Do you cover long-distance moves, or only local ones?

Both. We handle local house removals across Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, and we also take on long-distance home moves anywhere in the UK, including to and from London. Whether you are moving across the county or across the country, the same family-run team plans and runs the job. You can read more on our long-distance removals page.

Does the same crew handle the whole long-distance move?

Yes. Our own experienced in-house crew loads the van, drives it and unloads at the other end, start to finish, so there is no handover partway through your move. The people who carefully wrap your belongings in Shaftesbury are the same people who set them down in your new home, however far away that is. One team, one point of contact, the whole way.

What does a long-distance removal cost?

Several things shape the price: the distance and drive time involved, the volume of belongings you are moving, whether you would like us to do the packing, and how easy access is at both ends, such as parking, stairs or narrow lanes. Specialist items like pianos add to it too. Rather than guess, we give you a fixed written quote. Our cost and quotes guide explains the drivers in more detail, or you can request a quote now.

How do I get a quote for a long-distance move?

Tell us where you are moving from and to and a few details about the property, and we send a fixed written quote within the hour. For a faraway home we do not always need an in-person visit: a short video survey or a set of photos lets us see the rooms, the access and the larger items, so we can quote accurately without anyone travelling. Start your quote here.

Can you pack everything for a long-distance move?

Yes. Full packing is available as part of your move, and it is well worth considering on a long-distance job, where everything has to stay secure over hundreds of miles of motorway. We bring the materials, wrap and box your belongings room by room, and label everything so unpacking at the other end is straightforward. You can add it when you book your house removal.

Can you store our belongings if completion dates don't line up on a long-distance move?

Yes, and it is more common than you might think on long chains, where the dates at each end do not always meet. We can arrange storage between collection and delivery, so a gap of a few days does not bring your move to a halt. Our storage when moving house guide walks through how it fits around the rest of the move.