5) Not being ready for van on day.

Communicating with Removal firms:-

1) Paying too much for a remover's own insurance cover. Get your own, it will be cheaper and more effective (for personal items). You may wish to take up a removers insurance, but don't accept heavy pressure. 2) Moving things you don't need and later throw away.

3) Booking a part-load...then changing date so remover's schedule collapses.

4) Not seeking right size of firm, and when you do, not then phoning around sufficently to find one whose travel schedules coincide with yours:- Whereas large firms may be expensive, smallest may or may not have enough enquiries to organise a part load.

5) Failing to consider or describe problems of access at either end, or failing to organise immediate access at delivery end. Examples include narrow walled driveways, road repairs, known parking congeston, stopping for lunch when you've got only keys(!)

You can read advice on small moves, packing and insurance, at www.student-movers-forum.com. Also listed are suitable small move/partload specialist removers.See:-removal companies.