Why choose 1st Choice Removals, a family-run removals company in Dorset
1st Choice Removals is a family-run removals and storage company based at Canford Business Park near Wimborne, moving homes and businesses since 1990. Every UK move is carried out by our own full-time, uniformed crews, and we are members of the British Association of Removers with the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee.
Our story: a family business since 1990
1st Choice Removals was founded in 1990 by father and son Alan and Richard Vaughan. They started with a single 3.5-tonne lorry in Canford Magna, just outside Wimborne, and a lot of experience between them.
The next generation joined along the way, and the business is still run by the same family today. Chris and Fiona look after removals, while Alan and Richard run the storage side.
Our history in brief
- 1969: Alan begins his career in removals.
- 1985: Richard joins the removals trade.
- 1990: Alan and Richard found 1st Choice Removals with one 3.5-tonne lorry in Canford Magna.
- 2003: Fiona joins the business.
- 2006: Chris joins the business.
- 2011: We become members of the British Association of Removers (BAR).
- Today: Chris and Fiona run removals, Alan and Richard run storage, and we move homes and businesses across Dorset, the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Our own crews, not agency staff
Every UK move is carried out by full-time, uniformed members of our own team. We do not use agency staff, so the people who arrive on your moving day are trained by us and work to our standards.
It also means continuity. Many of our customers come back to us years later for their next move, and we like to think the crews are a big part of that. You can read what they say on our reviews page.
How we protect your home and belongings
We treat both your old and new homes with care. On every move we use:
- Heavy-duty sheeting on floors and carpets
- Padding for banisters, doors and door frames
- Proper wrapping for fragile items, with extra protection for glass, antiques and artwork
Your goods are fully insured while in transit. For awkward or valuable pieces we also offer specialist removals, including pianos and bespoke wooden crates.
Protected by the British Association of Removers
We have been members of the British Association of Removers since 2011, which means we follow its code of practice. We also offer the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee, which protects money you pay in advance for an inland domestic move.
We hold an operator licence for the UK and Europe. Fiona and Chris hold International Certificates of Professional Competence, and Fiona also holds a BTEC in Customs Export and Import Procedures. See our accreditations for more detail.
Everything you need under one roof
Because we are a full-service company, you can arrange your whole move with one team:
- Home removals and business removals
- European removals and worldwide moves, surveyed, planned and managed by us, with trusted partner removal firms carrying out European transport and partner agents handling customs clearance and delivery at worldwide destinations
- Storage: around 1,000 containerised units across 4 local sites, for short or long periods
- A full packing service and packing materials sold individually
- Unpacking, and furniture dismantling and reassembly, as optional extras charged on top of your quote
Moving abroad? We can also introduce you to our currency partner, Regency FX, through our currency exchange service.
How your move works
- Free home visit. In a BH postcode or DT11, book a free home visit and one of our moving consultants visits for free. From anywhere else, Get an online quote with short room videos or photos from your phone.
- Written quote. You get a clear quote by email based on what you are actually moving, which you can accept online.
- Packing. If you choose our packing service, our team packs and labels everything before moving day. Unpacking at the other end is an optional extra, charged on top.
- Moving day. The crew protects the property, loads carefully and keeps you informed.
- Delivery. We place furniture and boxes in the rooms you choose and reassemble anything we took apart.
Ready to talk? Contact us or call 01202 570970.
Your questions answered
Is 1st Choice Removals a family business?
Yes. 1st Choice Removals was founded in 1990 by father and son Alan and Richard Vaughan, starting with one 3.5-tonne lorry in Canford Magna. Fiona joined in 2003 and Chris in 2006. Today Chris and Fiona run the removals side of the business and Alan and Richard run storage, so the company is still owned and run by the same family.
Do you use agency staff or subcontractors on moves?
No. Every UK move is carried out by full-time, uniformed 1st Choice crews who are trained by us, and we do not use agency staff. European moves are carried out with trusted partner removal firms. This means the people handling your belongings know our methods for protecting property and wrapping fragile items, and they are accountable to the family who run the business.
Where is 1st Choice Removals based?
We are based at Unit 11, Canford Business Park, Magna Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3BT, between Wimborne, Poole and Bournemouth. We carry out local moves across the area, including Christchurch, Ferndown, Broadstone, Verwood, Ringwood and Blandford, as well as moves across the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Are my belongings insured during the move?
Yes. Moves with 1st Choice Removals are fully insured for goods in transit. If you are shipping belongings abroad by sea, please note that marine insurance must be arranged by you, the customer. We are happy to explain what this involves when we survey your move and prepare your quote.
What is the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee?
It is a scheme from the British Association of Removers that protects money you pay in advance for an inland domestic move. If a BAR member cannot carry out your move after you have paid, the scheme is designed to protect that payment. We have been BAR members since 2011 and offer the guarantee to our domestic customers.
Can you move me abroad as well as locally?
Yes. As well as local house moves, we move people to France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland, and worldwide to places such as Australia, the USA, Canada, South Africa and Dubai. We survey, plan and manage European moves, with trusted partner removal firms carrying out the transport, and worldwide moves, with partner agents handling customs clearance and delivery.