How to Choose a Removals Company in Kent
Choosing a removals company in Kent is not a decision to make on price alone. Getting it right means understanding what accreditations to look for, which questions to ask before signing anything, and what separates a firm with real local experience from one that quotes before it has surveyed your property. Stranks Removals and Storage has been moving Kent families since 1941, holding full BAR membership with the BAR Advanced Payment scheme and BS EN 12522 certification, one of the few independent Kent removers to hold that standard. This guide walks you through what matters, what to check and what to avoid.
or call 0800 0195 525.
Why the Right Choice Matters for a Kent Move
Kent’s road network, from the M20 and A20 corridors through to the coastal routes into Folkestone and Dover, means local knowledge genuinely affects how a move day runs. A firm that operates regularly in the county knows which roads are tight at 8am, where parking permits are needed near Canterbury or Folkestone’s old town, and how to plan a route that does not eat into your day.
Stranks Removals and Storage has operated from its Ashford depot since 1941, covering , , , , , Dover, Tenterden and Romney Marsh as well as long-distance moves across the UK and Europe. That depth of local experience is worth asking any firm about before you commit.
What to Check Before You Book
BAR Membership
The British Association of Removers (BAR) is the trade body that sets professional standards for UK removals firms. BAR members carry public liability insurance, hold a deposit protection scheme under the BAR Advanced Payment Logo, and agree to a code of practice. If a firm is not BAR-accredited, your deposit has no formal protection if they fail to show or go under before the move.
Stranks holds full BAR membership and the BAR Advanced Payment Logo. The firm is also certified to BS EN 12522, the British Standard for furniture removal services, which audits process, training, vehicles and storage. It is significantly rarer than basic BAR membership and worth asking any firm whether they hold it.
Insurance
All reputable removals firms carry goods-in-transit insurance and public liability cover. Ask the firm to confirm the level of cover and whether it applies to your full inventory. Check whether fragile items, antiques or high-value goods require separate declaration. A firm with nothing to hide answers these questions without hesitation. It is how Stranks has approached every job since 1941 — insurance terms confirmed at the survey, before anything is signed.
Reviews and Reputation
Look beyond the star rating and read a spread of reviews across platforms. Checkatrade, Referenceline, Google and Sirelo all carry independently verified removals reviews. A pattern of consistent, specific feedback from completed jobs is a stronger signal than a high average score from a small sample.
Stranks holds a 9.7 from 380 reviews on Referenceline since 2007, 98% recommending the firm. It is also Checkatrade certified and a member of the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman. [VERIFY COUNT BEFORE PUBLISH]
Local Experience
A firm based in Kent, running regular routes through the county, will handle your move differently from a national operator dispatching a subcontracted crew. Ask how long they have been trading in your area, whether they own their vehicles, and how many staff will be on your job. Firms with their own fleet and employed team carry more accountability than those relying on agency labour.
Stranks runs 4 trucks and 5 vans from a single Ashford depot, with 17 staff on the team. No subcontracting.
Storage Options
If there is a gap between leaving your current home and getting into the new one, you need a firm that offers reliable short or long-term storage. Check whether the facility is owned by the removals firm or outsourced, whether containers are individually sealed, and what the access terms are.
Stranks operates a 13,000 sq ft owned warehouse at Wotton Trading Estate in Ashford, with capacity for up to 250 storage containers. if you need flexible cover around your move.
Packing Services
Full packing, partial packing and fragile-only packing are all available from professional removals firms. Using a firm’s own packers means your goods are covered under their insurance from the point of packing. DIY packing can void cover on items that arrive damaged. Ask the firm clearly what the insurance position is depending on who packs each item.
Learn more about available for Kent moves.
Getting Quotes
Get at least two or three written quotes before committing. A reputable firm will survey your property, in person or by video call, before quoting. A quote given without a survey is rarely a reliable one. The price that holds on the day is the one based on what was actually seen at both addresses.
When comparing quotes, check what is included: packing materials, furniture dismantle and reassembly, storage, multiple collection addresses and whether VAT is shown separately.
Hidden Costs and Red Flags
Ask these questions before signing anything:
- Is VAT included in the quoted price?
- Is there a charge if the completion date changes?
- What happens if the job takes longer than estimated?
- Is there a charge for stairs, long carries or parking restrictions?
- Are fuel surcharges included or separate?
Red flags: no physical address or depot, no written quote, a large cash deposit requested with no payment protection, reviews that all appear within a short window, and no verifiable accreditation.
How to Choose a Removals Company in Kent: The Full Checklist
Use this table when comparing firms before you book.
| What to check | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| BAR membership | Are you a full BAR member? Do you hold the BAR Advanced Payment Logo? |
| Insurance | What level of goods-in-transit cover do you carry? Does it cover antiques or high-value items? |
| Reviews | Can you point me to independently verified reviews? |
| Fleet and staff | Do you own your vehicles? Will you use your own employed staff? |
| Survey | Do you carry out a property survey before quoting? |
| Quote detail | Is VAT included? What is and is not covered? |
| Storage | Do you have your own storage facility? What are the access terms? |
| Packing | Do you offer full, partial or fragile-only packing? How does this affect insurance? |
| Hidden costs | Are there charges for stairs, parking restrictions or date changes? |
| Accreditations | Are you BAR-accredited? Do you hold BS EN 12522? |
Areas Covered for Kent Removals
Stranks Removals and Storage operates from Ashford and covers moves across the county. The most common areas for Kent removals enquiries are , , , and . The team also covers Dover, Tenterden and Romney Marsh from the same Ashford depot.
Get a Quote for Your Kent Move
If you are ready to take the next step, from Stranks Removals and Storage or call 0800 0195 525. You can also browse related pages below.
FAQ’s
BAR (British Association of Removers) membership means the firm has agreed to a code of practice, carries required insurance, and holds a deposit protection scheme. If a BAR-accredited firm goes into administration before your move, your deposit is protected under the BAR Advanced Payment scheme. Non-BAR firms carry no equivalent guarantee for your prepayment. See how Stranks is accredited
Yes, for the start of the job at minimum. You or a nominated person needs to be present to confirm the inventory, sign off on access and check that everything is loaded correctly. The same applies at the new property for the delivery leg.
For most Kent moves, six to eight weeks ahead is a comfortable window. For moves in the summer months, school holiday periods, or at the end of the month when completions cluster, ten to twelve weeks out gives you more choice of date. Get in touch as soon as you have a confirmed or provisional date.
BS EN 12522 is the British Standard for furniture removal services. It audits a firm's processes, staff training, vehicle standards and storage facilities against a defined benchmark. It goes further than BAR membership alone and is held by relatively few independent UK removals companies. Stranks holds BS EN 12522 certification alongside full BAR membership.
A fair quote follows a proper survey of what needs moving, either in person or by video call. It should be itemised, show VAT separately, and set out what is and is not included. If a firm quotes by phone without asking about access, floor count or volume of goods, the figure is unlikely to hold on the day. Get a written quote from Stranks
Yes. Stranks handles full European removals and international relocations from the Ashford depot. Proximity to the Channel ports at Folkestone and Dover is a practical advantage on European routes. Get in touch for a quote on European or long-distance moves.
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