Need to move at short notice in London? Call 0203 763 5900 to check availability with Aussie Man & Van. Have your collection and delivery postcodes, moving deadline and a short list of your belongings ready. If your new home is not ready, tell us that you may need temporary storage as well.
A cancelled booking, a change of moving date or an unexpected need to leave your property can leave little time to organise a removal. The first priority is to establish what needs moving, when you can access each property and which services are available. Same-day or next-day moves depend on the crew, vehicle, route and work involved; your booking and arrival arrangements must be confirmed by the team.
In this guide
- What to tell us when you call
- Your next 24–72 hours: a moving checklist
- Man and van or a larger removal?
- How to pack quickly and carefully
- Parking, access and keys
- Emergency removals and storage in London
- What affects the cost?
- Common questions about last-minute moves
What to tell us when you call about an urgent move
A clear outline helps us assess the job and discuss a suitable option. You do not need a perfect inventory before getting in touch, but please mention large furniture, fragile items and anything that may need special handling.
- Both addresses: collection and delivery postcodes, including any additional stops.
- Your deadline: the date you need to leave, any fixed handover time and whether your timing is flexible.
- The load: the rooms being moved, main furniture items and approximate number of boxes. Include anything in a loft, garage, shed or storage unit.
- Access at both ends: floor level, stairs, lift availability, narrow entrances and the distance between the property and a possible loading space.
- Preparation: what is packed, whether furniture needs dismantling and whether you need packing help or materials.
- Keys and storage: when you can enter the destination and whether that time is confirmed.
Photos of the load and difficult access points can help explain the job; ask the team how best to provide them. Tell us about changes to the inventory or access as soon as you know, so we can reassess the arrangements before the vehicle arrives.
Your next 24–72 hours: a moving checklist
If you have less than a day, work through these stages in order and delegate individual tasks where possible. Confirming transport and access comes before making every box look perfect.
First: confirm the move and the destination
- Check removal availability and explain your deadline before committing to other arrangements.
- Confirm when you must leave and when you will have keys to the next property.
- Agree the load, services, quotation and booking arrangements with the removal team.
- If you cannot move straight in, discuss storage and arrange somewhere for you, your family and pets to stay.
Next: prepare the load and access
- Make a room-by-room list and separate anything that is staying behind.
- Gather boxes and packing materials, or confirm whether packing assistance is available.
- Check loading arrangements, building access and lift bookings at both properties.
- Give helpers specific jobs: packing one room, looking after children or pets, or organising essential paperwork.
Before the team arrives
- Keep keys, medicines, documents, chargers and overnight essentials with you.
- Label boxes by destination room and keep walkways clear.
- Point out fragile pieces, items staying behind and anything added since the quotation.
- Keep your phone available and confirm who will meet the team at the destination.
Before leaving, photograph meter readings, check cupboards and arrange the agreed key handover. Use our moving-home checklist for the remaining address changes and follow-up tasks.
Man and van or a larger removal?
A small flat move, a few furniture items or a limited load may suit our London man and van service. A larger household, substantial packing requirements or awkward access may need a different vehicle and crew through our London removals service.
Describe the whole load rather than choosing a van solely by the number of bedrooms. A small property can contain bulky furniture, while stairs and long carrying distances can affect the time and crew required. The team can discuss the appropriate service once these details are clear.
How to pack quickly without creating more work
Start with belongings you will not need before moving day. Pack one room at a time and label each box as you finish it. A brief label such as “Kitchen — plates — fragile” is more useful than an unmarked box that must be reopened later.
- Use smaller sturdy boxes for heavy items such as books; avoid boxes that are too heavy to handle comfortably.
- Wrap fragile items individually and fill empty spaces so they cannot move freely inside the box.
- Keep screws and fittings in labelled bags with the relevant furniture.
- Separate essential items from the removal load, especially anything you will need if delivery is delayed.
- Ask about packing help early. It needs to be included in the available time and agreed scope of work.
A paper list or phone note is enough to start your inventory. There is no need to spend your limited preparation time setting up a new app. If an item needs dismantling or an appliance needs disconnecting, agree responsibility in advance rather than assuming the moving team can do it on arrival.
Check parking, building access and keys
In London, a loading problem can delay even a modest move. Tell the team about controlled parking, red routes, restricted loading times, height barriers and long walks from the vehicle. Check arrangements with the relevant council or building manager; short notice does not guarantee that a parking suspension or loading permission can be arranged.
Our London parking-suspension guide explains what to check. For flats, establish whether a lift must be booked and whether the building limits moving hours. Confirm who holds the keys at both ends and tell us immediately if the handover time changes.
Emergency removals and storage in London
If you must leave before your next property is ready, discuss a move into storage when you first call. The team will need to assess collection availability, the amount of space required and when you expect to need your belongings again.
Ask which London storage option suits your load and access needs. Before booking, confirm:
- The collection date and whether suitable storage space is available.
- The storage charges, applicable cover and access arrangements.
- Which items you may need during the storage period.
- How onward delivery will be arranged and charged when your new property is ready.
Keep your overnight bag, important documents, medicines and everyday essentials out of storage. Collection into storage and delivery to your new home are separate stages to plan; do not assume the second journey is included unless your quotation says so.
What affects the cost of a last-minute removal?
The price depends on the actual job: the volume of belongings, vehicle and crew, travel, access, packing and any storage required. Short notice can restrict the options available, so ask for a quotation based on your full requirements rather than relying on a general starting price.
Check whether the quotation is hourly or fixed, what it includes and how changes or delays are handled. Ask about any minimum booking period, VAT, parking or other applicable charges, packing materials, furniture dismantling and cover for your belongings. These are points to clarify, not charges that necessarily apply to every move.
For wider budgeting information, see our guide to removals and storage costs in London. Your urgent-move quotation should confirm the arrangements for your own dates and load.
Common questions about last-minute removals
Can Aussie arrange a same-day or next-day move?
Call to check. Availability depends on the vehicle, crew, route, access and amount of work required. Explain any fixed deadline and wait for confirmation of the booking and arrival arrangements.
What if my removal company cancels?
Have your inventory, addresses, access details and moving deadline ready when you contact a replacement company. Explain what is already packed and any services you still need. Confirm the new booking in writing so that the scope and timing are clear.
Can I book if my delivery address is not ready?
Tell us before booking. We can discuss whether collection into storage is a suitable available option and what will be needed to arrange onward delivery. Flag any uncertainty about keys or dates at the outset.
Do I need to finish packing before calling?
No. Call first to check availability, then explain how much packing remains. Packing assistance must be assessed and agreed as part of the job; it should not be assumed to be included.
Check availability for your London move
Call 0203 763 5900 or request a removals quote. Tell us your postcodes, deadline, approximate load and whether you need packing or temporary storage. The Aussie team can then assess what is possible and confirm a suitable plan.