Removals
Find a removal company for your move abroad
Moving overseas isn’t quite the same as moving house in the same country (understatement!). For a start, there’s this big, wet area called ‘the ocean’ to cross!
International transport options for moving your worldly goods are by sea, road or air; or a combination of all three.
If you are moving to another continent the bulk of your possessions will travel to your new home by container ship. This slow voyage means that you are without most of your belongings for quite some time. Depending on where you’re heading this could be about two months, possibly more.
Air freight is expensive and is charged by weight and volume. However, it may be worth sending a few items this way so they arrive before your shipment. This is not guaranteed though!
Sending all your possessions by road is only really feasible if you’re moving within one continent!
Choosing a removal company
You need to find a removal company that is professional and organized at assisting international relocations. If you are not on a relocation package that includes the services of a specific removal company, you’ll need to find your own. Here are some pointers to help you make this decision.
Plan ahead – Start researching as soon as you know you are moving overseas as the process can take time. Once you start asking for quotes, you may be given an estimate first. To get a true, accurate quote, the company needs to send an assessor to your home to calculate precisely how much needs to be packed. If you’re getting several quotes, this process alone will take time.
Shop around – For peace of mind, choose a company that belongs to one of these associations as they are bound by codes of conduct: The British Association of Removers or The National Guild of Removers and Storers. Different countries will offer similar associations or governing bodies.
Get in touch with at least three removal companies for quotes. What you are looking for is confidence in their abilities, professionalism, friendliness, and efficiency. Find out what their services include.
Get recommendations – The best way to choose a removal company is to have friends and colleagues recommend one. If this isn’t possible, go with your instincts. You will be trusting all your worldly goods to these people, so you need to have confidence in them.
Insurance – A good removal company includes insurance to cover against loss or damage during transit, so ensure this is included before making your booking. It’s also wise to contact your own home contents insurer to find out if your policy will cover your contents while they are being packed.
Don’t pack it yourself
Consider choosing a removal company that includes a packing service. It’s not too expensive and can save a huge amount of stress, time, and energy that’s best spent elsewhere. Insurance is often cheaper if the company packs your items themselves. Plus they are professional packers and can squeeze far more into a box than you can.
