Apex Group Removals & Storage
HIRING A MOVER

How to Check a Removal Company Is Legitimate (Full Checklist)

Ten minutes of due diligence saves £2,000 and a lorry full of belongings. Here's the exact process our own team uses.
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HIRING A MOVER6 MIN READ

Rogue movers rarely last more than 12 months, because their Companies House record and reviews catch up with them. Ten minutes of checking exposes almost all of them.

The 10-minute legitimacy check

  1. Companies House. Search the trading name at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Look for an active registration, at least 2 years old, with filed accounts.
  2. Registered office matches the website. A firm claiming a UK address that resolves to a serviced office in another country is a red flag.
  3. Insurance certificates. Ask for public liability + goods-in-transit PDFs by email. Real ones arrive within minutes.
  4. VAT registration. Any UK removals firm turning over more than £90k is VAT registered — check the number online.
  5. Google Business profile. Physical branch, phone number, hundreds of reviews with a natural distribution.
  6. Trustpilot. Read the most recent 10 reviews, not just the top ones.
  7. Named coordinator + crew. A firm that names them upfront rarely subcontracts.
  8. Website contact page. A real firm publishes a contact page with landline, email and address.
  9. Payment method. Bank transfer or card only. Never cash upfront.
  10. Written complaints procedure. Apex publishes ours here.

Signs a firm is a booking-broker, not a mover

Booking-brokers take your deposit, then post the job to the lowest bidder on the day. Warning signs: national-sounding brand with no physical branch, prices well below market, no named crew, generic van livery.

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

Where do I check if a removal company is registered?
Search the trading name at Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk). A legitimate firm has an active registration, filed accounts, and a real registered office address matching its website.
Do removal companies need a licence in the UK?
There is no dedicated "removals licence" in the UK. Firms operating vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need an Operator's Licence from the DVSA, and every firm should carry public liability and goods-in-transit insurance. Ask for both certificates.
How do I report a rogue removal company?
Report to Citizens Advice consumer service (0808 223 1133) and Trading Standards. If threats or theft are involved, report to the police. If you paid by card, contact your bank about a chargeback within 120 days.

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