House removals in Poole and Bournemouth
1st Choice Removals provides house removals in Poole, Bournemouth and across Dorset, from one-bedroom flats to large family homes. Our family-run business has moved local households since 1990 with full-time, uniformed crews, free home visits and full goods-in-transit insurance.
Home removals for every kind of move
Whether you are leaving a seafront flat in Bournemouth, a family house in Broadstone or a bungalow in Ferndown, we plan the move around your home and your dates. We move first-time buyers, growing families, people downsizing and landlords clearing between tenants.
We also move single items, such as a piano or a heavy wardrobe, without a full house move. For valuable or awkward pieces, see our specialist removals page.
Start with a free home visit
Every house move starts with a free home visit, with absolutely no obligation. We visit across all BH postcodes and DT11, and one of our moving consultants will walk round with you to see what is going, what is staying, and what needs special care. It usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes, and you book it at Book your free home visit, where you pick a free time slot.
We check:
- Access at both properties, including stairs, lifts and narrow hallways
- Parking for the lorry and any restrictions on your road
- Large or fragile items that need extra protection
- Whether you want packing, storage or both
You then get a quote by email based on what we have actually seen, which you can accept online.
Packing: as much or as little as you like
Some customers want every box packed for them; others only want help with the china and the pictures. Our packing service can be tailored to either.
If you prefer to pack yourself, we sell packing materials individually, so you buy only the boxes, tape and wrapping you need. Our packing guide has tips from our crews.
Unpacking at your new home and furniture dismantling and reassembly are available as optional extras, charged on top of your quote.
On moving day
Our full-time, uniformed crew arrive and protect your home before anything moves:
- Heavy-duty sheeting on floors and carpets
- Padding on banisters, doors and door frames
- Fragile items properly wrapped before they leave the house
Everything is loaded, carried and unloaded by 1st Choice staff, never agency workers. Your belongings are fully insured for goods in transit from start to finish.
Local know-how for Poole and Bournemouth
Moving in the BCP area has its own quirks. Flats along the cliff tops and in the town centres often have shared entrances, lifts or limited loading space, and many older streets in areas like Westbourne, Parkstone and Southbourne are narrow with residents' parking.
Where a lorry needs space on a controlled road, you may need a parking suspension from BCP Council, and we will tell you at the survey if we think you need one. Moving elsewhere in Dorset, the same applies through Dorset Council. For local detail, see our Poole and Bournemouth pages.
Storage when your dates do not line up
Chains break and completion dates slip. If you need to be out before you can move in, we can collect your belongings, keep them in our containerised storage and deliver them to your new home when you are ready. We have around 1,000 storage units across 4 local sites, for short or long term storage.
Why choose 1st Choice for your house move
- Family-run since 1990, today run by Chris and Fiona
- Member of the British Association of Removers since 2011
- BAR Advance Payment Guarantee on inland domestic moves
- Our own full-time, uniformed crews
- Over 100 written customer reviews
Planning ahead? Our moving house checklist covers the weeks before the big day.
Your questions answered
How much do house removals in Poole and Bournemouth cost?
There is no set price because every home is different. The cost depends on the volume of furniture and boxes, access at both addresses, the distance, and whether you need packing or storage. 1st Choice Removals gives a free, no-obligation quote after a free home visit, so you know exactly what is included.
How long does a house removal take?
Most local house moves in the Poole and Bournemouth area are completed in a single day, although larger homes or moves that include packing can take longer. We confirm how long your move should take after the survey, once we know the size of the home, the access and whether you want us to pack. The plan is agreed with you before moving day.
Do you move flats with no lift?
Yes. Flats with stairs and no lift are common along the Bournemouth and Poole coast, and we plan for them at the survey. We look at the stairwell, landings and doorways, decide what needs dismantling or extra protection, and make sure the crew is the right size for the job. Tell us about any access restrictions set by your building management.
Will I need a parking permit for the removal lorry?
It depends on your road. On controlled or busy streets in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, you may need to request a parking suspension from BCP Council so the lorry can park close to your door. Elsewhere in Dorset this is handled by Dorset Council. We point out any likely parking problems during the survey so you have time to arrange it.
Can you move just a few items rather than a full house?
Yes. As well as full house removals, we move smaller loads and single items, such as a piano, a sofa or a few pieces of furniture going to a family member. Every job is still carried out by our own uniformed crew and fully insured for goods in transit. Call 01202 570970 and tell us what you need moving.
What happens if my completion date changes?
Let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to move your date. If you have to leave your old home before you can get into the new one, we can store your belongings in our containerised storage and deliver them when you are ready. This keeps everything with one company rather than two.
Is my money protected if I pay in advance?
Yes, for inland domestic moves. 1st Choice Removals has been a member of the British Association of Removers since 2011 and offers the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee. This protects money you pay in advance for your removal. Ask us about it when you accept your quote and we will explain how it applies to your move.
Do you unpack and reassemble furniture?
Yes, both are available as optional extras, charged on top of your quote. Unpacking at your new home and dismantling and reassembling furniture, such as beds and wardrobes, can be added to your house move. Tell us at your free home visit what you would like and we will include it in your written quote.