The British Association of Removers (BAR) is the UK’s oldest trade association for the removals industry, founded in 1901. It sets strict standards for members, covering everything from cancellation terms to vehicle quality, to ensure a professional, reliable service.
While many reputable movers aren’t BAR members, choosing a removal company that is can give you extra peace of mind and protection. Always removal company reviews and the company’s credentials before booking.
What Does the British Association of Removers Mean for You?
The British Association of Removers (BAR) is a way of verifying if a removal company is of a professional standard. Some of the best moving companies are BAR members. To become a BAR member, a removal company has to prove that they can meet the high standards of existing members.
All members are audited annually and must meet the membership criteria. They must also work to the BAR Code of Practice, approved by Trading Standards. This protects consumer interests including providing financial assurances for your moving day in case something goes wrong. "People that use our Members for removals or store
age do so in the knowledge that they can expect complete transparency in all their dealings with the Member and will receive a high level of service throughout," states BAR.
They also assure customers with regards to financial implications, you are protected by BAR’s Advanced Payment Guarantee; "In the rare event that your mover experiences financial difficulties and is unable to carry out your move, that advanced payment will be protected by BAR." They also offer a free and independent Dispute Resolution Service if there is a dispute with your removal company.
British Association of Removers Code of Practice
Every independent trade association will usually have a particular Code of Practice that is tailored to their personal business and members. Below is a run-down of the key points of the BAR Code of Practice so that you know what to expect from BAR members and their services:
Members must provide a clear price and timeline for the move.
Members’ adverts must be clear.
Insurance must be offered as standard.
Members should provide relevant advice and information to the customer free of charge prior to, during and after the move.
Companies should ensure that all staff are sensitive to the needs of, and offer additional help to vulnerable customers.
All staff employed, contracted or hired by the Member shall be presentable, polite and reliable.
Liability must be explained, as the rights for making claims and cancelling the move.
Members must have responsive and user-friendly procedures in place for dealing with complaints.
All vehicles, warehouses and staff must meet the high standards set.
How Can BAR Help if Something Goes Wrong?
Thanks to the Code of Practice, you’ll be reimbursed if the move is cancelled more than 10 days before the agreed date if you’ve arranged a move with a BAR member. In the event your move is cancelled less than 10 days before the moving date, you will be refunded 150%.
If the removal company cannot pay the 150% or do the work on the day, the Advanced Payment Guarantee scheme ensures the work is done by another member or that the money is refunded in full.
If the code of conduct isn’t met, or if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to turn to the BAR to resolve any issues and deal with any removal disputes. If the issue cannot be resolved by BAR, it can be referred to an independent scheme called Alternative Dispute Resolution to ensure a fair outcome.
Can You Trust Non-BAR Members?
There are many legitimate removal companies that are not BAR members. Every professional removal company will have their own Terms & Conditions that staff will have to follow. The main factor you should look for in a mover is whether the company is insured.
At Compare My Move, we have a full verification scheme in place for new removal partners. We check that they’re a legitimate trading company with clear Terms & Conditions that are available to customers. Every partner must be fully insured and we ask for evidence of Goods in Transit Insurance and Public Liability Insurance as standard.
The Compare My Move code of practice ensures that:
Our removal partners contact customers within 48 hours
Companies perform a home survey where possible
Companies provide a comprehensive quotation.
Staff are trained and monitored professional staff
They have insurance in place to cover the true value of customer belongings
What Other Accredited Bodies Are There?
There are also many other accreditation schemes and bodies that offer similar codes of conduct as the British Association of Removers.
Compare My Move trust the BAR to such a degree that members of both organisations can skip our own stringent verification process when becoming a partner, due to the high level of standards that they are set to. This is also the case for members of the Association of Independent Movers (AIM) and Move Assured.
Other Trade Associations include:
The Road Haulage Association (R.H.A)
Federation of European Moving Associations (FEDEMAC)
The International Federation of International Movers (FIDI)
British Standard Quality Assured (BSI)
For removal companies that also offer storage solutions, they may also be members of The Self Storage Association (SSA).
Comparing Trusted Removal Companies
We hope this guide has helped you understand what the British Association of Removers is and how their members can help you by providing a high-quality removals service. Whether you’re looking for a BAR member or another legitimate removals company, it is important to always compare removal companies before hiring one.
Simply fill out our quick and easy form and you’ll be connected with up to 6 trusted removal firms in your local area. Get moving with a Compare My Move partner today.
