Frequently asked questions

As the premier provider of removals, storage, and packing solutions in Kent, we receive many questions from past and present customers regarding the house moving process.

To help save you time, we have put together some of the more regular queries – the ones that we end up answering two or three times a week – along with our answers.

Domestic removals services

These are the most common questions concerning our domestic removals services.

How far in advance do I need to book my moving date?

We always say, the earlier the better. On occasion (if, for example, we’ve had a last-minute cancellation) we can offer you removal slot with shorter notice but, in order to avoid disappointment and to guarantee our attendance, we would recommend that you give us between six- and eight-weeks’ notice of your move date but this is not always practical so come and talk to us.

Do I need to disassemble my furniture, or will your movers do it?

If you want us to dismantle your furniture at one end and put it together at the other, then we are happy to do so. However, since we run our removals on a very strict timescale, you need to let us know that you need this service when you first make the booking. If we arrive without any prior warning to find that your beds, wardrobes, and so on are still in one piece, it can severely impact on our schedule for the day and may incure an additional cost.

Do I need to arrange a parking permit for the removal van?

This is something you will have to take up with the council. Kent is a large county and the regulations governing on-street parking by large vehicles are different from one street to the next. Unless you know for definite that parking permits are not required, we suggest phoning the council to confirm, as failure to get permission may result in the move being cancelled.

How long will the removals process take on the day?

If everything is boxed up, dismantled, and ready to go, we would expect an average house’s worth of personal belongings to be loaded onto one of our removal vans with in three to four hours. We’d expect a similar time for unloading at the other end, too. Beyond that, the rest of the time will depend on the distance between the two houses, and the state of the traffic (and, to a lesser extent, the weather) on the day in question.

Are my belongings insured throughout the process?

Your belongings are fully insured under our business policy for the duration of time that we are in control of them. What this means, in practical terms, is as follows: from the moment we lift one of your belongings to put it on the van, to the moment we place it down in the room indicated at your new home, it will be covered for accidental damage and loss, as well as fire and theft. Outside of this time – for instance, while it is being packed or unpacked – responsibility for cover will lie with you and your home contents insurance.

International removals services

These are the most common questions concerning our international removals services.

How does your international removals service work?

It’s much the same as a domestic removals process. We will help you to pack your belongings, if required (see below), and load them onto one of our removal vans to take it all away. Where it differs, is that instead of taking them to a new property on the UK mainland, we will take it to a shipping port, where it will be loaded into a shipping container and transported to your new destination country. From there, one of our international business partners will pick up the job, and deliver your belongings safe and sound, direct to your new home. These partners are hand-picked from reputable removal companies in the region who share the same values and exhibit the same professionalism as we do here at S W Leach & Sons.

How much notice do I need to give for an international move?

The more notice you can give us the better, even more so than we would ask for with our domestic home move solutions. Understandably, there is a lot more to arrange with an international move in terms of logistics, so it benefits all of us if we have adequate time to arrange all of that in. Realistically, we would hope for 10 to 12 weeks’ notice.

Will I need customs documentation?

Almost certainly. Fortunately, with our decades in the international removals business, we have plenty of experience in the various forms and so on that need to be completed. Our team will be able to obtain them for you, and give you help in filling them in, as well as in labelling your various boxes of belongings.

Storage services

These are the most common questions concerning our storage services

Is there a minimum amount of time I have to keep my belongings in storage for?

Not at all. S W Leach & Sons has a variety of storage solutions available to our Kent clients, including both long- and short-term packages, so we will be able to accommodate you, no matter how brief or extended the period might be.

Can I change the length of my storage term midway through?

you can change the length of your storage, just keep us informed whether you need a longer or a shorter period. 

Do I need to bring my belongings to the storage facility myself?

 One of the advantages of a removals company with its own storage facility is that we have our own fleet of removals vehicles that can do the job for you.

Will my items be safe in your storage facility?

We pride ourselves on the effectiveness of our storage facility’s security system. A top-of-the-range CCTV surveillance system constantly monitors all of our storage units on a 24/7 basis, ensuring that all of your belongings will be as safe in our hands as they would be in your own home.

Will my items be insured whilst in your storage facility?

Of course: our storage facility is fully covered in the event of fire, theft, and accidental damage, coverage that extends to your belongings for the period of time that they are held with us.

Will I have access to my items during the time that they are in storage?

We can recover some items you inadvertently placed in storage or items you may need at a later date but depending on the amount of work involve may incure some costs.

Are your storage solutions for domestic customers only?

A S W Leach & Sons, we do not discriminate between domestic and commercial customers. If you need a storage space to keep your archived documents, or any non-perishable stock for the foreseeable future, you’re welcome to use one of ours. Don’t forget, we offer great rates for long-term storage packages.

Packing services

These are the most common questions concerning our packing services.

Do I really need a packing service?

It’s normally a question of want rather than need. Many of our customers tell us that it’s the packing prior to a move that fills them with dread the most, and we can’t blame them for that. If you feel you can do it by yourself, then feel free. Just make sure everything is packed safely and securely in time for Moving Day.

I can handle most of the packing, I just need help with a few bits. Can you help me?

Certainly. Whilst most packing is a matter of shoving stuff into boxes, every now and then you come across a more valuable or delicate piece that requires care. If it puts your mind at rest, leave these few bits to us to handle with our customary care and professionalism.

Will you only pack for a removals job?

As well as helping your pack for a house move, we’re also happy to help you when packing stuff up to place into our storage facility.

Are my items insured during the packing process?

yes they are insured while our staff are on-site and safely packing your belongings into boxes.

What do I need to have ready before you start packing?

We will bring the packing materials, so simply point us at the stuff you need packing away. Please be aware that we provide a quick and efficient service, with everything packed away safely and securely for transit. However, we are not able to sort or separate any of your belongings. If you want to have a throw out, do it before we get there!

I’m planning on packing myself. Can you tell me where I can find good quality boxes?

You can get them from us! Even if you don’t avail yourself of our packing service, you can certainly take advantage of the high-quality materials we have on offer, including boxes, tape, and bubble wrap.

We hope these Frequently Asked Questions have helped you answer your own removals queries. If not, give S W Leach & Sons a call today on
01622 882 070 and speak to a member of our team.