Our accreditations: BAR member removals company in Dorset
1st Choice Removals has been a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) since 2011 and offers the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee on inland domestic moves. We are certified to BS EN 12522, the European standard for removal services for private customers. We also hold an operator licence for the UK and Europe, and our directors hold International Certificates of Professional Competence. We are also members of the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), so you have independent help if a complaint cannot be settled with us.
British Association of Removers member since 2011
We joined the British Association of Removers (BAR) in 2011. BAR is the trade association for professional removers in the UK, and members agree to follow its code of practice.
For you, that means a remover that is answerable to an industry body as well as to its own customers.
Click the BAR badge to check our membership on the BAR website:
BAR Advance Payment Guarantee
The BAR Advance Payment Guarantee protects money you pay in advance for your move. If a BAR member cannot complete your removal after you have paid, for example because the company stops trading, the scheme is there to protect your advance payment.
The guarantee applies to inland domestic moves only.
More information: bar.co.uk/advanced-payment-guarantee (BAR telephone 01923 699480).
Certified to BS EN 12522, the European removals standard
BS EN 12522 is the European standard for furniture removal services for private individuals. It sets out how a removal should be run from start to finish, not just on moving day.
The standard covers:
- Before your move: how enquiries are handled, the survey of your belongings and a clear written quotation.
- People and equipment: trained, competent staff, suitable and well-maintained vehicles, and the right packing materials and handling equipment.
- Your contract and protection: clear terms, insurance and liability information, and a fair procedure for claims.
- Moving day: carrying out the removal as agreed, with health and safety procedures in place.
- After your move: asking for your feedback, handling any complaints properly and using what we learn to improve.
Companies certified to BS EN 12522 are checked by an independent certification body, with regular audits to keep the certificate. The standard was updated in a new edition at the end of 2024, with stronger quality management requirements.
Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman member
We are members of the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), an independent ombudsman scheme. If you ever have a complaint about your move that we have not been able to put right between us, you can refer it to the FHIO for an independent review.
You can find out more at www.fhio.org or by calling the FHIO on 0333 241 3209. Most issues are sorted out quickly by talking to us first, so please call 01202 570970 or email admin@1stchoiceremovals.net if anything is not right.
Operator licence for the UK and Europe
We hold an operator licence for the UK and Europe, a credential that reflects our standing as a professional haulier. Our European removals are surveyed, planned and managed by 1st Choice, with the European transport carried out by trusted partner removal firms.
Certificates of professional competence
Fiona and Chris, who run removals day to day, both hold International Certificates of Professional Competence.
Fiona also holds a BTEC in Customs Export and Import Procedures, which helps when a move involves paperwork for customs, such as moves to Europe or worldwide.
What this means for your move
- Your advance payment on an inland domestic move is protected by the BAR guarantee
- Your goods are fully insured while in transit
- If a complaint cannot be settled with us, you have an independent ombudsman, the FHIO, to turn to
- Your UK move is carried out by full-time, uniformed 1st Choice crews, not agency staff
- The people planning your move are qualified to run international transport
Find out more about the family behind the business on our why choose us page, or contact us for a free survey.
Your questions answered
Is 1st Choice Removals a member of the British Association of Removers?
Yes. 1st Choice Removals has been a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) since 2011. BAR is the UK trade association for professional removers, and its members follow a code of practice. Membership also means we can offer customers the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee on inland domestic moves.
What does the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee cover?
The BAR Advance Payment Guarantee protects money you pay in advance for an inland domestic move with a BAR member. If the company cannot carry out the move after you have paid, the scheme is designed to protect that advance payment. It applies to inland domestic moves only, so check with us how your own move is protected.
Does the Advance Payment Guarantee cover moves abroad?
No. The BAR Advance Payment Guarantee applies to inland domestic moves only. If you are moving overseas with us, we will explain the terms of your move clearly in your quote. For shipments by sea, marine insurance must be arranged by the customer themselves, and we can talk you through what to look for.
Is 1st Choice Removals a member of an ombudsman scheme?
Yes. We are members of the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO). If you have a complaint about your move that we have not been able to resolve with you, you can refer it to the FHIO for an independent review. Visit www.fhio.org or call 0333 241 3209.
Does 1st Choice Removals hold an operator licence?
Yes. We hold an operator licence for the UK and Europe. Fiona and Chris hold International Certificates of Professional Competence, and Fiona holds a BTEC in Customs Export and Import Procedures. For European moves we survey, plan and manage the move, and the transport is carried out with trusted partner removal firms.
Why does choosing an accredited remover matter?
An accredited remover is answerable to a trade body as well as to you. With a BAR member you get a company that follows a code of practice and, for inland domestic moves, can offer protection for money paid in advance. It is a simple way to check you are dealing with an established, professional business.
What is BS EN 12522?
BS EN 12522 is the European standard for furniture removal services for private individuals. It covers the whole move: the survey and written quotation, trained staff, suitable vehicles and equipment, insurance and claims, carrying out the removal, and handling feedback and complaints afterwards. 1st Choice Removals is certified to BS EN 12522.
Why does BS EN 12522 certification matter when choosing a removal company?
It shows a removal company works to a recognised quality standard that is checked by independent audit, rather than just saying it does a good job. Combined with our BAR membership and the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee on inland domestic moves, it gives you clear standards and protection for your move.