Moving everything you own can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are relocating to a different country many miles away. There are so many things to think about – your possessions, the journey, paperwork. Using a removal company can make things easier, but only if you choose a reliable firm. Here is some advice on finding the perfect removal company for your international move…
Get a break-down of costs
Always look at multiple removal companies before choosing one to go with, so you can compare their offers. You should ask for a break-down of costs which will often include: packing services, international shipping costs, pick-up and drop-off services, storage if this is needed and unpacking services.
Try looking for companies that specialise in international moves rather than local ones as they may not be experienced. On the British Association of Removers website, you can find qualified and approved firms that can to do removals to Europe and countries outside of the continent.
If you want to save some money, have a look at our article on how to keep costs down when moving abroad .
Arrange a survey of your home and possessions
Removal companies will usually do a survey of your home and possessions to provide accurate calculations of the costs and to help them plan the job. They will assess the size, amount and value of your things, check for any access issues and discuss the different options with you.
Discuss different freight options
An experienced removal company should talk about the different ways to ship your possessions to your new home abroad. Depending on where you are moving, there are three different freight options you could choose: road, air and sea shipping. The removal company you choose should be able to work out the best options for you, which could include a mixture of all three.
Insure your move
When you have decided what removal company to use, check whether they will insure your goods internationally. A lot of companies will factor in insurance into your breakdown of costs, but it might be a good idea to have a look elsewhere. You might find a better deal with an insurer that specialises in international moves. Also, insuring your goods with a different company means that if you need to make a claim, it will be handled impartially by a company that is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We take pride in how we manage claims, and we try to ensure there is no undue delay – get a quote from us today .
Another important note is to insure your goods for the true replacement value at your destination. If you insure them for less than the value, you may save money on reduced premiums; but when you claim, you may not get the full amount.
Moving abroad can be stressful, but removal companies do all the hard work for you so you can focus on your new life in a new country.