Removals in London: finding a firm

London has a truckload of removals firms, so how do you find a good one? Our guide to finding London's best removals companies is here to do the heavy lifting for you.

Bishops Move
They’ve been shunting people’s gear all over London since 1854, and true to their name moved the latest Archbishop of Canterbury into Lambeth Palace. Founded in Pimlico (next time you pull into Victoria Station look up on the right to see their vintage Victorian signage) they’re now truly international, working as far afield as Gibraltar and New Zealand.
0800 107 8422. www.bishopsmove.com.

Fast Forward Group
Established since 1979 and still using their original mantra of 'You never realise how much stuff you have until... it comes to moving it all', Fast Forward provide a range of removals and storage room services for homes and offices. FFG is still an independent company, with friendly staff and an online quotation service, and covers everything from small moves to full properties. 0800 45 49 53. www.ffg123.com.

Alexanders Group
No job is too big (they’ve tackled stately homes, embassies, schools and even factories), but stay true to their roots as a small, husband-and-wife founded enterprise who go the extra mile to ensure a stress-free moving experience. Storage units also available.
0333 800 2323. www.alexandersremovals.co.uk. 

Movers Not Shakers
More than just a rock-solid pun, Movers Not Shakers have grown from a rudimentary man-and-van outfit to a six-truck, fourteen-man squad in just over a decade, thanks to satisfied customers and enthusiastic word of mouth reviews. They offer an hourly-rate service for smaller jobs, and pride themselves on the loyalty of their longstanding team, guaranteeing you a dependable, friendly service.
020 7630 9005. www.moversnotshakers.co.uk. 

Aussie Man and Van
This flexible firm from Down Under will shift your property at the drop of a hat, even on a next day basis, even overnight or on Sundays. Their in-house clean team make end-of-tenancy dusting a doddle, and don’t assume they’re a simple man and van operation; Aussie recently relocated an entire fireplace from the Vatican to a Microsoft exec’s Holland Park mansion. Strewth!
020 3405 2000. www.aussiegroup.co.uk. 

Rogers Removals
Dennis Rogers left the Navy in 1969, and bought a van to sell fruit and veg door to door. People kept asking him to shift furniture instead, and the rest (a fleet of eleven removal trucks later) is history. Ninety-percent of their work is in North London, where they regularly help celebs (Liam Gallagher, Damian Lewis, Robert Pires) get about, but they can work further afield. Storage available, at short notice for when crises happen.
020 8368 7779. www.rogersremovals.co.uk.