Removals and storage frequently asked questions

Our removals and storage facilities are on Lower Station Road in Gillingham, Dorset, close to Shaftesbury.

Our location gives us convenient access to customers throughout North Dorset, South Somerset and South Wiltshire. We also carry out long-distance moves across the UK and arrange international removals.

We regularly carry out removals throughout Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, including Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Sherborne, Blandford Forum, Salisbury, Warminster, Wincanton, Frome and Yeovil.

We also complete moves to and from London and other destinations throughout the UK. Contact us with your collection and delivery postcodes, and we will confirm how we can help.

Johnsons of Shaftesbury was established in 1855 and has been helping families and businesses move for more than 170 years.

Our experience is supported by detailed local knowledge, professional removals teams and a comprehensive range of packing, storage and relocation services.

Yes. Johnsons of Shaftesbury is a member of the British Association of Removers, commonly known as BAR.

BAR members must meet recognised professional standards and follow an approved code of practice. Qualifying advance payments are also protected by the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee, subject to the scheme’s terms and conditions.

The cost of a UK house move can vary because every move is different. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all price or an average figure, we assess each relocation based on its specific logistics and requirements.

Factors such as access at both properties, the size and volume of the move, whether packing is needed, the distance travelled and any specialist items can all influence the overall cost.

Once we have a clear understanding of your move — usually through a survey or video call — we can provide an accurate, tailored quotation with no obligation.

Contact us to arrange a convenient time to discuss or survey your move.

The main factors that can affect the cost of a house move include:

• The size and volume of the move
• The distance between the properties
• Access and parking at both addresses
• The number of removals staff required
• The size and number of vehicles needed
• Professional packing and unpacking
• Packing materials
• Storage requirements
• Stairs, lifts and difficult access
• Pianos, antiques and other specialist items
• The proposed moving date

Providing complete and accurate information during the survey helps us plan the move correctly and prepare a reliable quotation.

We recommend arranging a removals survey approximately 4–6 weeks before your intended moving date.

A common mistake is waiting until after contracts have been exchanged. By that stage, popular dates may already be fully booked and there may be less time to arrange packing, parking, storage or specialist services.

You do not need to have a confirmed completion date before requesting a quotation. It is sensible to start the process as soon as your move looks likely, such as when your property is on the market, you have accepted an offer or you have had an offer accepted on your next home.

Obtaining a quotation early gives you:

• A clearer understanding of the likely cost
• More choice of available moving dates
• Time to compare removals companies
• Time to arrange packing or storage
• The opportunity to identify access or parking issues
• Less pressure once contracts have been exchanged

Your moving date can remain provisional until the details become clearer.

The best way to receive an accurate quotation is to provide complete information about your belongings, both properties and the services you require.

We will usually need to know:

• The collection and delivery addresses
• The size of each property
• What needs to be moved
• Access and parking arrangements
• Your approximate moving date
• Whether packing is required
• Whether storage is required
• Details of specialist, heavy or valuable items
• Any stairs, lifts or narrow doorways

For a full household move, we will normally recommend a survey at your property

For most full household moves, we recommend completing a survey so that we can properly assess the volume of belongings, access, parking and any specialist requirements.

The survey may be carried out at your property or by video call, depending on the size and complexity of the move.

A survey helps us determine:

• The size and volume of the move
• The number of staff required
• The most suitable vehicle or vehicles
• Access and parking requirements
• Whether packing services are needed
• Whether specialist handling is required
• Whether storage may be needed

For a smaller move, we may be able to prepare a quotation from a detailed inventory, photographs and the information you provide.

Your written quotation will explain the work included in the agreed price.

Depending on your requirements, this may include:

• Loading your belongings
• Transport to the destination
• Unloading at the new property
• Professional packing
• Packing materials
• Unpacking
• Storage
• Specialist-item handling
• Additional collection or delivery addresses

Anything not specifically included in the quotation may be charged separately. Read the quotation and terms and conditions carefully and ask us about anything that is unclear before booking.

The price may need to change if the work is different from the information used to prepare the original quotation.

This could happen if:

• There are more belongings than originally declared
• Packing or storage is added
• The moving addresses change
• Access is more difficult than described
• The vehicle cannot park close to the property
• Additional collection or delivery addresses are added
• There are unexpected delays
• Work is requested outside the agreed hours
• Specialist equipment or additional staff are required

Tell us about any changes as early as possible so that we can update the moving plan and explain any effect on the price.

We recommend starting the quotation and survey process around 4–6 weeks before your intended moving date.

Once you have received and accepted your quotation, booking as early as possible gives you the best chance of securing your preferred date. Fridays, month-end dates and dates during particularly busy periods can fill quickly.

You do not need to wait until exchange of contracts before requesting a quotation. Contacting us earlier gives you more time to plan and allows us to discuss provisional dates while your property transaction progresses.

Yes. You can request a quotation and complete your removals survey before your completion date is confirmed.

Tell us your approximate timescale and that the moving date remains provisional. We can prepare the quotation and discuss likely availability while your transaction progresses.

Contact us as soon as your date becomes clearer so that we can check availability.

Often, yes. We regularly receive enquiries from customers whose dates have changed unexpectedly or who need to move at short notice.

Whether we can help will depend on the availability of our removals teams, vehicles and any additional services you require. At some times, we may be able to accommodate a last-minute move. During particularly busy periods, our teams may already be fully booked.

Contact us as soon as possible with:

• Your preferred moving date
• The collection and delivery addresses
• The size of the properties
• An outline of what needs to be moved
• Any packing or storage requirements
• Details of difficult access or specialist items

We will assess the requirements and tell you honestly what we can arrange.

The time required depends on the volume of belongings, access at both properties, travelling distance, crew size and whether packing or storage is involved.

A small local move may take a few hours. A larger household or long-distance move may take a full day or be planned over more than one day.

After completing your survey, we will provide a realistic moving plan and expected schedule.

Tell us as soon as you become aware of a possible delay.

We will work with you where reasonably possible, but additional waiting time may result in extra charges. If delivery cannot take place that day, your belongings may need to be placed into storage and delivered when the property becomes available.

Discuss the possibility of completion-day delays with us before booking so that you understand the available options and any applicable charges.

Contact us as soon as your circumstances change.

We will check whether your removal can be moved to another date. This will depend on the availability of our teams and vehicles, and postponement charges may apply in accordance with our terms and conditions.

Where necessary, we may also be able to place your belongings into storage until your new property is ready.

We provide:

• Full household removals
• Local removals
• Long-distance UK removals
• Small removals
• Man-and-van services
• Office and business moves
• Professional packing and unpacking
• Container storage
• Self-storage
• Piano and specialist-item removals
• International removals and shipping

Every move is assessed individually so that we can recommend an appropriate team, vehicle and combination of services.

Yes. We carry out long-distance removals throughout the UK, including moves to and from London.

For longer journeys, we will plan the collection and delivery arrangements with you. Depending on the distance, volume and access, the move may be completed over more than one day.

Yes. We regularly help customers relocate from London and other parts of the UK to Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Using a removals company based near your destination can be particularly helpful when you need local knowledge, storage or a later redelivery service.

Provide both postcodes when requesting your quotation so that we can assess the route, timings and vehicle requirements.

Yes. Our smaller-moves service is suitable for:

• Studio flats
• Single rooms
• Student moves
• Furniture collections
• Individual items
• Small office moves
• Customers moving a limited number of belongings

You receive professional loading, transport and unloading with a crew and vehicle appropriate to the job.

Yes. We may be able to help with individual items, furniture purchases, auction collections and small loads.

Tell us what needs to be moved, its dimensions, the collection and delivery addresses and any access restrictions. This helps us confirm the right vehicle, number of staff and equipment.

Yes. We organise office and commercial relocations throughout Dorset and across the UK.

We plan each move around the way the business operates, with the aim of reducing disruption and downtime. Depending on the project, services may include:

• Move planning
• Office furniture relocation
• Packing and labelling
• Inventories
• Storage
• Records and equipment relocation
• IT-related moving assistance
• Weekend or overnight moving

Contact us early so that we can understand your business requirements and prepare a detailed plan.

Yes. We arrange international removals by road and sea, including full-load and part-load services.

We can also provide professional packing and guidance throughout the moving process. International requirements vary according to the destination, so contact us early to discuss:

• Transport options
• Export packing
• Expected timescales
• Customs documentation
• Restricted goods
• Delivery arrangements
• Insurance

You remain responsible for obtaining the necessary permits, licences and customs documents unless another arrangement has been agreed in writing.

Yes. We provide professional packing and unpacking services for household, business and international moves.

You can ask us to pack the entire property or only selected fragile, valuable or difficult items. The work and materials included will be detailed in your quotation.

Professional packing can be particularly worthwhile if:

• You have limited time
• You are moving a large household
• You own fragile or valuable belongings
• You are moving overseas
• Your belongings are going into storage
• You want to reduce the work and stress before moving day

Experienced packers use suitable materials and methods and ensure that boxes are packed, protected and labelled appropriately.

Yes. We can provide strong boxes and suitable packing materials for customers who prefer to pack themselves.

Depending on your needs, materials may include:

• Moving boxes
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Tape
• Protective wrapping
• Wardrobe cartons
• Specialist packing materials

Ask us about the materials available when arranging your move.

Yes. You are welcome to pack your own belongings.

Use strong boxes, wrap fragile items carefully, avoid making boxes too heavy and label each box with its contents and destination room.

Please be aware that different insurance or liability conditions may apply to boxes packed by the customer. Read the relevant terms and insurance documents before moving day.

Yes. Washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances should be disconnected, drained and ready to move before the removals team arrives.

Fridges and freezers should be emptied, cleaned and fully defrosted. Appliances, hoses and garden equipment should be dry and free from residual water, fuel or oil.

Unless specifically agreed in writing, our removals staff do not disconnect or reconnect appliances, fixtures, fittings or equipment.

Keep essential, valuable and important belongings with you rather than placing them on the removals vehicle.

These may include:

• Passports
• Money and bank cards
• Jewellery and watches
• Medication
• Keys
• Mobile phones
• Laptops and portable devices
• Property and legal documents
• Moving and insurance paperwork
• Essential overnight items

You may also want to keep chargers, refreshments, toiletries and basic cleaning supplies readily available.

Yes. This is one of the most common reasons customers use our storage services.

We can collect your belongings from your existing property, place them into storage and return them when your new home is ready. Storage can be useful if:

• Completion dates do not match
• A property chain is delayed
• Building work overruns
• You are moving in stages
• You are downsizing
• You are temporarily living elsewhere

Using the same company for removals and storage helps reduce unnecessary handling and makes the process easier to coordinate.

Container storage is generally best when you are storing most or all of a household and do not need regular access.

Your belongings are loaded into storage containers, inventoried, sealed and stored at our facility. When you are ready, the containers can be transported to your new home for unloading.

Self-storage is more suitable if you want to visit your storage space and access, add or remove belongings more regularly.

The amount of space required depends on the volume, shape and type of belongings being stored.

Our traditional wooden storage containers measure approximately 8 feet × 5 feet × 7 feet and provide more than 250 cubic feet of storage space.

We can assess your belongings and estimate the number of containers or size of self-storage unit required. A proper assessment helps ensure you are not paying for substantially more or less space than you need.

Yes. If your chain breaks or completion is delayed, we may be able to collect your belongings and place them into storage.

Once your new property is ready, we can arrange redelivery. This provides a practical solution when you need to leave your existing property but cannot move directly into the next one.

Access arrangements depend on the storage option you select.

Self-storage is designed for more regular access. Container storage may require advance notice so that the relevant container can be made available, and handling or access charges may apply.

Tell us how often you expect to access your belongings so that we can recommend the most suitable storage option.

Yes. We provide specialist removals for upright and grand pianos, antiques, artwork and other delicate, valuable or unusually heavy belongings.

Please identify these items during the quotation process. This allows us to plan:

• The correct number of staff
• Specialist handling equipment
• Protective packing
• Access requirements
• Storage arrangements
• Appropriate insurance or liability options

Photographs, measurements and valuations may be requested for certain items.

Yes. Our teams regularly handle properties with:

• Narrow country lanes
• Restricted parking
• Small lifts
• No lift access
• Narrow staircases
• Tight doorways
• Long carrying distances
• Vehicle restrictions

Tell us about access issues during your survey. Photographs and measurements may be helpful.

In some situations, a smaller shuttle vehicle, additional staff, specialist equipment or extra time may be required.

Furniture dismantling and reassembly are not automatically included.

Where appropriate, specific dismantling or reassembly work may be agreed in writing and included in your quotation. Unless this has been confirmed, furniture should be dismantled and ready before the removals team arrives.

Our standard service does not include disconnecting or reconnecting appliances, fixtures or fittings.

Customers are responsible for arranging suitable, legal parking close to both properties and for paying any required permit or suspension charges.

Check the parking arrangements well before moving day. Tell us if either property has:

• Permit-controlled parking
• Loading restrictions
• Narrow roads
• Double yellow lines
• Restricted access
• Long distances between the entrance and parking area

If the vehicle cannot park close to the property, the move may take longer and additional charges may apply.

Certain dangerous, prohibited or unsuitable belongings cannot normally be accepted for removal or storage.

These include:

• Gas bottles
• Fuels and oils
• Paints
• Explosives
• Firearms and ammunition
• Illegal or stolen goods
• Perishable food
• Animals
• Plants
• Goods likely to cause contamination or attract pests
• Goods requiring controlled environmental conditions
• Items requiring licences or special permissions

Jewellery, money, passports, deeds, important documents, medication, mobile phones and portable computers should normally remain with you.

Tell us before moving day if you are uncertain about a particular item.

Insurance is not automatically included unless it is specifically stated in your quotation.

We can arrange insurance for your benefit upon request. Any arranged insurance is separate from the removals contract and is subject to:

• The insurer’s policy terms
• Declared values
• Policy exclusions
• Applicable excesses
• Payment of the required premium

Our contractual liability for loss or damage is limited under our terms and conditions. Please read your quotation, the insurance summary and the full terms carefully before booking.

The protection applying to boxes packed by the customer may differ from the protection applying to items professionally packed by us.

Poorly packed or inadequately protected belongings can be difficult to assess in the event of damage. Check the insurance policy and terms and conditions before deciding whether to pack fragile or valuable belongings yourself.

Tell the team leader as soon as you notice a problem and record it on the delivery paperwork where possible.

You should also notify our office in writing as soon as the loss or damage is discovered. Detailed claims should normally be submitted within seven days of delivery so that the circumstances can be properly investigated.

The applicable requirements and time limits are set out in the terms and conditions and any insurance policy arranged for the move.

Look for an established company that offers:

• A proper removals survey
• A detailed written quotation
• Clear terms and conditions
• Suitable insurance arrangements
• A physical business address
• Independently published customer reviews
• Professional vehicles and equipment
• Experienced removals teams
• Membership of a recognised trade association

A professional company should ask detailed questions about your belongings, access, destination and moving dates before providing a quotation.

A BAR member must meet recognised professional standards and follow an approved code of practice.

BAR membership also provides access to an independent dispute-resolution process. Qualifying advance payments may be protected under the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee, subject to the scheme’s terms.

Johnsons of Shaftesbury combines more than 170 years of removals experience with local knowledge and a complete range of moving and storage services.

We provide:

• Home removals
• Small moves
• Long-distance removals
• Office relocations
• Packing and unpacking
• Container storage
• Self-storage
• Piano and specialist removals
• International removals

Our BAR membership, established local presence and broad range of services mean that customers can arrange their removal, packing and storage through one experienced company.