Start with the same facts for every mover
A useful removals survey gives each company the same picture of the job. Record collection and delivery addresses, your date or date range, and whether those dates are confirmed. If you are waiting for keys, say so. Separate facts from questions so nobody has to guess what is agreed.
Walk through every space
List the furniture and boxes in each room. Then check cupboards, the loft, shed, garage and outdoor space. Include items you are still deciding about and mark the uncertainty. For boxes, distinguish packed boxes you have counted from an estimate of what you still need. Update the estimate as you pack.
Explain the awkward parts
Highlight large, heavy or fragile items. Record dimensions where they will help a mover assess a doorway, stair turn or lift. Say whether furniture may need dismantling and ask who will do it. Photos can help explain the space, but do not replace the written information or the mover’s own assessment.
Record access at both ends
Include floors, stairs, lift availability, walking distance and where a van could realistically stop. Ask the building contact about lift bookings or access restrictions. Keep parking arrangements as a question until the responsible person confirms them. A clear inventory alone does not describe how it will reach the van.
Review before sharing
Check what help you want with packing, dismantling, reassembly or storage. Review the saved version before sharing it and ask the company to confirm what its quote includes. A survey describes the work; it does not reserve a date or guarantee a price. If your plans change, tell the mover and agree whether it needs a new version.
Build your Move Pack to keep your survey together, save your progress and share a reviewed version with a removal company you choose.