What to Watch Out For in 2026

Let’s be honest — hiring a removal company requires a lot of trust. You’re handing over every single thing you own to a team of strangers, on one of the most stressful days of your life. The vast majority of professional movers are completely legitimate and do a brilliant job. But there are bad actors out there, and knowing what to look for can save you from a genuinely horrible experience.

This isn’t scaremongering. It’s just the stuff you should know before you sign anything or hand over a deposit.

1. The Quote Seems Unbelievably Cheap

This is the big one. If a removal company quotes you significantly less than everyone else — we’re talking 40–60% below the going rate — that’s not a bargain. That’s a warning sign.

Scammers deliberately provide estimates well below market rate to secure your business, only to dramatically increase costs on moving day when your belongings are already loaded on the truck. By that point, you’re in a very difficult position. Your furniture is in their van, you’ve got a completion to get to, and suddenly there’s a whole new set of “additional charges” you weren’t told about.

Genuine, professional removal companies have real overheads — staff wages, insurance, fuel, vehicle maintenance. They cannot sustainably undercut the market by half. If the price looks too good to be true, trust that instinct.

A fair, transparent quote is exactly what you should expect. You can see what house removals in Manchester realistically cost and check SmartyMoves’ pricing page to give yourself a sensible benchmark before you compare quotes.

2. They Won’t Come and See Your Home First

Any reputable removal company will want to do a proper survey of your home before giving you a firm quote — either in person or via a detailed video walkthrough. A common tactic of shady movers is to offer to take inventory over the phone without ever seeing the items in your home.

Why does this matter? Because without seeing your belongings, any quote they give you is essentially meaningless. It gives them an excuse to add charges on moving day — “oh, we didn’t realise you had that much” — and leaves you with no written protection.

If a company won’t visit, or gives you a firm “all-in” price over the phone after a two-minute conversation, walk away.

3. No Written Quote or Contract

Verbal quotes are worthless. If anything goes wrong, you have no proof of what was agreed. A legitimate removal company will always provide a written, itemised quote and a proper service agreement before the move begins.

Watch out for red-flag phrases hidden in the fine print: “Estimate subject to change” means your quote will almost certainly increase. “Estimates are nonbinding” means the initial price was a lowball tactic.

Read everything before you sign. If the contract is vague, incomplete, or they pressure you to sign quickly without reading it — that’s your cue to leave.

4. They Ask for a Large Upfront Deposit (Especially in Cash)

It’s perfectly normal for a removal company to ask for a small deposit to secure your booking. But if the company requests a large deposit, or only takes cash, this could be a sign of a moving scam.

Reputable movers typically collect payment after packing is complete or just before the move. If a company demands a large cash deposit well in advance, that’s a significant red flag.

Cash payments also remove your ability to dispute charges through your bank. Always use a traceable payment method — credit card, bank transfer — so you have recourse if things go wrong.

5. No Physical Address, No Verifiable Online Presence

A reputable company will always have a verified business address, phone number, and professional website. If these things are missing, it is better to avoid selecting that particular company.

Search for them. Google the company name alongside words like “reviews” and “complaints.” Check Google reviews, Trustpilot, and Which? Trusted Traders. If you can’t find any mention of a company online, that’s probably a complete scam. An established professional moving company will have an easy-to-find website and numerous positive reviews from satisfied customers.

Also be wary of companies that seem to change their name frequently — this is a common tactic to bury negative reviews and complaints. A business with nothing to hide doesn’t need to keep reinventing itself.

6. They’re Impossible to Get Hold Of

When you call a moving company during regular business hours and they never answer, that’s a red flag. They may have given you a fake phone number, or they could be hiding from other customers.

Good communication before your move is a strong indicator of good service on the day. If getting a straight answer feels like pulling teeth — vague responses, different staff saying different things, emails that go unanswered for days — that’s a sign of how the whole experience will go.

When you contact SmartyMoves, you’ll speak to a real person who knows your move. That kind of responsiveness isn’t just nice to have — it’s a sign of a company that actually cares about getting it right.

7. Unmarked Vans and No Company Identification

Professional removal companies turn up in branded, well-maintained vehicles. When movers show up in unmarked or rundown trucks, it can be a sign that they’re operating under the radar.

The crew should be in uniform, able to identify themselves, and the company name should be clearly visible on the van. If someone turns up in a battered transit with no branding and introduces themselves only with a first name — you’d be right to feel uneasy.

8. Suspiciously Glowing Reviews (That Don’t Quite Ring True)

Fake reviews are increasingly common across all industries, and the removals sector is no exception. A brand-new account with only one review, or one that posts glowing feedback for multiple unrelated companies, is a red flag. Genuine profiles usually have a mix of reviews, different dates, and sometimes even photos. Watch for sudden spikes of five-star ratings in a short period, and be cautious of reviews that sound more like an ad than a personal story.

It’s also worth paying attention to the middle-ground reviews — the 3-star and 4-star ones — as these tend to be the most honest and balanced. Look for reviews that mention specific details: names of crew members, how a problem was handled, what the van was like. Vague enthusiasm without any real detail is often a telltale sign of fabrication.

9. High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Aggressive sales tactics are a major red flag. Warning signs include salespeople who appear unannounced, demand immediate signatures, or claim “limited-time offers” that expire within hours. Professional movers respect customer decision-making processes and provide detailed information without applying pressure.

You should never feel rushed into booking a removal company. A good company knows their service speaks for itself. If someone is pushing you to commit right now, before you’ve had a chance to get other quotes or read the contract properly, something is off.

10. No Insurance — or Vague Promises About Coverage

Every professional removal company should carry goods-in-transit insurance. This protects your belongings if something is damaged or lost during the move. If a company can’t clearly tell you what their insurance covers — or brushes off the question — that’s a serious problem.

Beware of movers who promise their insurance covers everything. Standard coverage can be quite minimal, reimbursing based on the weight of your belongings rather than their actual value. Always ask specifically: what are you covered for, and up to what value?

If you have valuable or specialist items — a piano, artwork, antique furniture — make sure to ask about additional coverage. You can find out how SmartyMoves handles specialist items like piano moves and furniture dismantling to understand the level of care that should be standard.

So What Should a Good Removal Company Look Like?

Now that we’ve covered the red flags, here’s what the green flags look like:

They visit your home (or do a proper video survey) before quoting
The quote is written, itemised, and clearly explained
They’re easy to reach and communication is consistent
They have verifiable reviews across multiple platforms
Their vehicles are branded and well-maintained
They’re upfront about insurance, deposit requirements, and T&Cs
They don’t pressure you or offer prices that make no logical sense

That’s the standard you should hold every company to — regardless of whether you’re booking a local house removal across town or a long-distance move across the country.

Moving in or Around Manchester?

If you’re moving in Greater Manchester, you deserve a removal company you can actually trust. SmartyMoves covers the full area — from Manchester city centre and Salford to Trafford, Stockport, Chorlton, Didsbury, Wilmslow, and Wythenshawe. You can see the full list of areas covered here.

Every quote is written and itemised. Every move is handled by a proper, insured team. And the pricing is transparent from the start — no nasty surprises on the day.

The Bottom Line

Moving is already stressful enough without discovering halfway through the day that you’ve hired the wrong company. Take the time to check reviews, ask the right questions, get everything in writing, and trust your gut if something feels off.

If you’re ready to get a straightforward, honest quote from a company that does things properly, get in touch with SmartyMoves or request a free quote online. No pressure, no hidden fees — just a clear answer on what your move will cost.

Related reading: How Much Do Home Removals Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide) — a full breakdown of what you should expect to pay, by property size and distance.

Red Flags With Moving Companies