We have had a hardcore declutter over the past few months in preparation for a move but always anticipated we would just sell everything here and buy when we got to the other end but now looking at removals / one way van hire.
One way van hire doesn't look too easy to come by but I'll continue searching. I have requested an online quote from Luke Bros but wondered if anyone had used them?
TIA
They came around to my house in the UK and packed several items up.Nothing was broken at all and I remember when they were unpacking they kept calling me M'aam.
We were very happy with them but as I said it was a few years ago!
There were quite a few firms operating out of Yorkshire though, so keep googling. Part-load hire is usually cheapest - the firm take your stuff away and put it in storage in the UK until they have a lorry load, then bring it all over at once. We went with Pearson's because they were doing a CH run more-or-less weekly, while another firm gave a cheaper quote but couldn't guarantee they'd do a run in less than a month.
A few mixed reviews for LB on here!! Yes I guess finding someone up here would be a better bet!
I have used movers who pack up my clients' homes when the clients have already left. Most movers have a system to check that all has been packed which should have been.
There was absolutely no willingness on the part of Luker Bros. to see that these items would be delivered to the client.
I would recommend Pearson's. I have seen how hard their crew work. It was a really hot day and my clients' flat was on the 3rd floor with no lift. It doesn't get much worse than that.
1. Packing - I always end up packing a lot of boxes myself (we've always had some left from previous move). Professional packers are keen to maximize volume as the quote received is just that, final volume determines the price. I also prefer to know where some things are, and that like is packed with like - helps with the unpacking. It can be useful to have glasswear etc "professionally packed" if you want it covered by the mover's insurance (ask the company)
2. Unpacking - aside from emptying the goods off the van and putting furniture close to where one thinks it will go, we have never used this aspect, despite it having been included in the contracted service. Most of our moves were part of an international industry job and the bill just got sent to the accounts office. It takes me a good week to reorient myself in a new house/kitchen before
I can decide where things should go. Most companies will come back by to collect empty boxes later, or a surprising number of people look for them on EF.
The first time we moved from CH to UK the company contracted Abels, and I wasn't prepared to be called Madam I very quickly assured them first names would be fine, as I don't "do" Mrs either, and particularly if one is spending the better part of 1-2 days with the people packing. Abels did all of our moves over the next 12 years, and things were always fine - friendly, efficient, careful. The last move to CH was contracted to a removals firm that has people who put on different shirts depending on what company is doing the move (OHs firm had a new business manager who decided to ditch Abels as UK-centric) so one day they might be working for Bishops, and on another Allied or Pickwick, etc. It was quite a disaster from beginning to end...
I have just been soliciting quotes to have a table tennis table (standard size folds in half to rather compact squareish shape) moved from UK to CH that belongs to my son - Even as a partial load with no specific dates the lowest I was quoted was £675 Ricardo here I come
In the end we rented a van and did it ourselves (read got the father in law to do it ;o)), and it costed us about half that price! Mind you, we had an interesting time at the customs, but that was because of the type of van we used, so if you are using a Luton-type van, you may just avoid the hassle we went through.
It's really a case of deciding what is going to be easiest and most cost effective (obvs) given that we would take basics and not much else. We also have the dogs too which is why hubby and his friends were thinking Luton van and combine the drive to take our stuff and the pooches rather than shell out to fly them.
I can't seem to see a Luton van one way hire but my hubby and his mate are up for a road trip so we could look at them driving over with the dogs then his friend taking it back after a few days setting up ready for us coming a few week later.....
After moving from UK to CH w/o dog, <2yrs later I found myself living p/t in both places with dog. The solution for me has been the Stena line ferry from Hoek von Holland to Harwich, as from there I can catch train to Cambridge. From HvH, I catch train to Schiphol and fly onward within Schengen - no problem with dog. Stena charges £15 for the dog in their kennel, CCTV to watch from cabin is usually a bit amusing. Norwegian Airlines charges €40 for dog as baggage, and my experience has been that they take just as good care w/my fluffball as SAS, KLM, Swiss who charge at least double or 3-4x that price.
I don't think my dog minds the flying, but lugging the crate on and off trains is a bit annoying. I've even had, more than once, someone from ground crew come and find me on plane (economy, no special treatment expected) to tell me they had offered him some water and given him a treat. Good thing, as he does think the in-flight snack service is a bit. rubbish
If the dogs are in good health, flying should not be a problem. Have they flown before? Are they used to being in a crate? These are some other things to think about.
http://www.etbrokers-removals.com/
Definitely drop them a line to get a comparison. They were willing to offer quotes without visiting, based on my estimation of the load. They basically put the bids out to reverse auction, and in a couple days they come back to you with the lowest number.
I have a quote for a Luton van for £650 all in with the European insurance etc. would just need to fill up and hit the road (plus the obvious additional costs). That would be having it delivered to my home and hire from Monday morning to Friday morning then it would be picked up here again after they returned.