Moving home requires a lot of preparation. You've got to plan everything out, like the moving date, where your budget is going and the actual journey. You've also got to get a hold of all of the packing and moving supplies like the boxes, packing paper, snacks and moving blankets if your journey is a long one. One of the most important parts of the process however is the moving company.

Moving companies are essentially your ticket to a stress free move. They'll take so much of the hard work off your hands. They'll handle the loading, heavy lifting and the transport – so you don't have to worry about any of that. Some will also help with the packing and dis-assembly and re-assembly of your larger, flat packed goods. So if you're planning a move to or from the N4 post code area, hiring a removal company N4 is something you really should consider. That being said, you'll have to figure some things out before you hire one of these companies

Which type is for you?

There's a moving company to suit every type of move, all sizes, and all budgets, and you've got to figure out which one best suits your move. It all boils down to these three types; You could hire a courier service, a man and van company, or a professional removal firm.

A courier service is essentially a specialised postal service, and as a result only really suitable for the smallest of moves – I'm talking one or two moving boxes. They're ideal for a student move, or for a temporary one. Size restrictions aside, a courier service is cheap, dependable and reliable – it just requires a specific type of move to be effective.

A man and van company is the 'what you see is what you get' option. It's just one man and his van. Think of it as a higher capacity courier service – they're fairly bare bones in terms of services, but most importantly the same is said about the cost. If your move is of a medium size, a man and van company is definitely worth a look. It's also ideal for those on a limited budget.

And finally, we've got the professional N4 removal firms, which tend to be more up market. They're more expensive, but you get a lot for your money. You'll get everything that a man and van mover will offer you, but with added security. For higher budget moves, this is definitely the one to go for.

How to find the one to hire

Once you've figured out which type is for you, you'll have to shop around for the right individual company. It's a fairly simple process; first, look around your local area and note down all that meet your criteria; the ones that tout the services that you need.

Then do some more in depth research – look around the Internet for customer review web sites for guidance. The ones that are worth your time are the ones with good reviews, so keep your eyes peeled. If the company is not covered, ask around for advice from people you know. If they've moved recently or if they know someone who's moved recently, they will also be able to point you in the right direction.

Only after all of this should you be asking for a price estimate. But before you think about that you'll have to make a few estimates of your own. How much stuff are you planning to take, and how far are you planning to travel? If you've got these pieces of information to hand, the companies of choice will have no excuse but to give you an accurate estimate.

So, there you have it – you shouldn't be rushed into hiring a moving company, only after thorough research should you enter into a contract with one. An N4 move shouldn't be taken lightly, after all.