What is the British Association of Removers?

The British Association of Removers (BAR) is an independent trade association representing the removal industry. BAR sets high standards for professional service among its removal company members, promoting excellence and ensuring the best possible experience for customers.

BAR members must adhere to strict standards covering everything from cancellations to the quality of removal vehicles. The BAR logo is a mark of quality, providing peace of mind and protecting you from potential mishaps or careless services. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest trade association in the removal industry, with over 100 years of operation.

Although many reputable and trustworthy removal companies aren’t BAR members, companies that are BAR accredited uphold a professional standard that movers can trust. Therefore, before hiring movers, make sure to check if they are BAR members.

What Does the British Association of Removers Mean for You?

The British Association of Removers (BAR) is a trusted way to verify that a removal company meets professional standards. To become a BAR member, a removal company must demonstrate that they can uphold the high standards set by existing members.

All BAR members are audited annually and must meet strict membership criteria. They are required to follow the BAR Code of Practice, which is approved by Trading Standards. This code ensures that consumer interests are protected, including providing financial assurances for your moving day in case anything goes wrong. As BAR states, "People who use our members for removals or storage do so with the confidence that they can expect transparency and a high level of service."

BAR also offers protection for customers when it comes to financial matters. Through the Advanced Payment Guarantee, your advanced payment is protected in the rare event that your mover faces financial difficulties and cannot complete the move. Additionally, BAR provides a free and independent Dispute Resolution Service if any issues arise with your removal company.

British Association of Removers Code of Practice

Every independent trade association typically has a Code of Practice tailored to the specific needs of their members and business. Below is an overview of the key points in the BAR Code of Practice, so 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.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) monitors all BAR members to ensure the code is being followed.

How Can BAR Help if Something Goes Wrong?

Thanks to the BAR Code of Practice, you’ll be reimbursed if your move is cancelled more than 10 days before the agreed date when working with a BAR member. If the move is cancelled less than 10 days before the scheduled date, you will be refunded 150% of the cost.

If the removal company is unable to complete the move or pay the 150%, the Advanced Payment Guarantee scheme ensures that the job is carried out by another BAR member or that your payment is refunded in full.

If the Code of Practice is not met, or if any issues arise, you can turn to the BAR for help in resolving the dispute. If the problem cannot be resolved through BAR, it will be referred to an independent scheme, Alternative Dispute Resolution, to ensure a fair outcome.

Can You Trust Non-BAR Members?

While there are many legitimate removal companies that are not BAR members, every professional removal company will have their own Terms & Conditions that their staff must follow. The most important factor to consider when choosing a mover is whether the company is fully insured.

At Omni Removals, we have a comprehensive verification scheme for new removal partners. We ensure that each partner is a legitimate trading company with clear Terms & Conditions available to customers. Every partner must also be fully insured, and we request evidence of both Goods in Transit Insurance and Public Liability Insurance as standard.

The Omni Removals 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 several other accreditation schemes and bodies that offer similar codes of conduct to the British Association of Removers (BAR).

At Omni Removals, we trust the BAR so highly that members of both organizations can bypass our own rigorous verification process when becoming a partner, thanks to the high standards they adhere to. The same applies to 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, Omni Removals can help you with your search.

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 an Omni Removals partner today.