What’s the difference between the best movers in London and the rest? The answer is that the very top tier of moving companies are full-service movers.

As the name suggests, full-service movers handle everything. To do so, a company must be a repository for expertise in multiple fields, and must also maintain an extensive network of contacts, both within the city and beyond its limits. The level of service offered is simply not comparable to that offered by movers who simply pack and unpack a truck.

For complicated moves to and from luxury homes involving valuable items and the need for discretion, it is highly advisable to use full-service movers. London is a difficult enough place to move house without making the process any more challenging.

Here are ten things to look for when engaging a full-service mover.

Experience and reputation

Experience is paramount in many professions, and moving is no exception. Look for companies with a history of operating in the area to (or from) which you are moving. Local knowledge is vital for movers. In London, especially, one part of the city can present significantly different challenges to another. Reputable companies will be proud to share the testimony of their clients; beware of companies with multiple five-star online ratings but no written reviews.

Comprehensive insurance

Any mover should insure the items they are moving, but the value of items like artwork and antiques often exceeds the replacement value offered under the policies used by high street moving companies. One option in such cases is for the client to purchase a separate policy, but a full-service mover will offer its own comprehensive insurance for such items, and will also work with clients to ensure that all items are covered to their full replacement value.

Fair and transparent pricing

While full-service movers generally command higher fees than competitors that offer less comprehensive service, they should not cost exorbitant amounts of money. A reputable company will provide a detailed quote based on a transparent pricing structure. The quote should set out clear explanations of the services it offers, along with an itemised outline of the fees for each service. Avoid companies that are less than straightforward about their prices and/or incorporate open-ended additional fees into their quotes.

Comprehensive start-to-finish management of the process

A move starts long before the day the truck arrives, and the job of a full-service company can continue well after move day is over. The process begins with an initial consultation, during which the company and client will discuss the scope of the services required. Once a quote is provided and agreed, the company and client will work together to formulate a plan that encompasses any or all of the following stages: preparation, packing, storage, transport, unloading, and post-move services like installation of artwork and assembly of furniture.

Expertise in handling high-value items

Handling high-value items is an art in itself, and such items should only be entrusted to a company that has demonstrated that it has the relevant skills and expertise to move them. The company should work with the client to formulate a clear plan for how such objects are to be kept safe while being packed, loaded, transported, unloaded and installed.

Expert packing services

Similarly, packing and crating high-value items is also a highly skilled and specialised process, and one best left to professionals. Full-service movers will work with their clients to design and construct custom-built crates for such items—such crating solutions serve both to protect the items in question, and to optimise the weight and volume of the packages. Professional packers are also well-versed in the use of appropriate packaging materials, such as acid-free paper for books and photographs and high-quality bubble-wrap for fragile objects.

Safe and secure transportation

Valuable items are at their most vulnerable while in transit. The bumping and jarring of road transport can easily damage fragile items if they are not suitably packed and protected, and removal trucks in wealthy neighbourhoods can also make for tempting targets for thieves.

Full-service removal companies have many measures to ensure the security of client belongings, from temperature and humidity-controlled vehicles to real-time tracking devices to ensure that the location of items is known at all times. They will also ensure that trucks are never left unmanned and items are never left unattended.

Secure storage facilities

Clients’ possessions often require secure short- or long-term storage over the course of a move. A full-service company should maintain its own storage facilities, rather than relying on commercial self-storage complexes. A specialised storage facility should have state-of-the-art systems for security, fire protection and climate control, along with any other [] dictated by the local climate and geography.

Customised services for individual needs

Every client has their own needs, and every move is unique. Full-service moving companies are well-versed in accommodating clients’ needs and planning around whatever specialised services their clients require. A reputable company should relish the challenge of formulating creative solutions for their clients.

A stress-free experience

Ultimately, the entire point of engaging a full-service mover is to make the moving process as seamless and stress-free as possible. A client should be able to entrust a full-service moving company with the responsibility for managing their move and be confident that when the day comes, their valuables will be moved with care, consideration and expertise.