How To Choose A Removal Company For An International Move
Whether you're moving to Europe or to another continent across the globe, when you're moving abroad there's so much you need to plan, coordinate, and arrange. While moving your belongings to your new home in another country is a critical part of your move, it most likely isn't your only focus during this stressful time. Because of this, picking the right company for your international move is crucial to the success of your move abroad.
Carefully selecting the company for your international relocation is a key factor to ensuring your belongings arrive in your new country safely, with only normal customs duties and charges. An expert international removal company will help your move abroad be as stress-free as possible.
Even if you don't choose Britannia Goodwins International Removals & Storage for your move abroad (but we really hope you do!), it is important to know what to look for in the removal company you choose for your international move.
What's their international removal experience?
International removals are very different from local and national moves, and require specialist knowledge of customs and duty, in addition to specialist export wrapping for your goods. Each requires experience and knowledge to ensure not only are your goods packed well and according to the requirements of your new country, but also so that they arrive safely through customs at your destination and at the door to your new home. Ask any removal company you speak with about your move abroad about their previous international moves and find out how knowledgeable they are about your destination and the procedures to move there. Also ask if their staff have had any specialist training on export wrapping, as this is a specialist skill that needs to be learned and is different than simply packing your items to avoid breakage in transport.
Are they accredited?
Is your international mover a member of FIDI? Are they a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR)? Both FIDI and the BAR insist on minimum standards for removal companies, and will help should something go wrong. It is also worth checking if your removal company is ISO certified, keeping to international standards of quality for both their business and customers.
Who works for them?
Are their staff experienced in export packing and international removals? Are they trained on an ongoing basis? Reputable international removal companies provide ongoing training for their staff to keep their skills at top level and to ensure they're knowledgable on the latest techniques.
Make sure they perform a CRB check (at minimum) on their employees. With an international move, you'll need to fill in customs paperwork and you'll normally need to provide a copy of your passport to the removal company - make sure your private information is in safe hands.
What kind of packing material do they use?
It may seem like a basic question, or even something you've never considered before. However, a quality international mover will only use high specification packing material for your move abroad. The items you're moving abroad are of great value to you - emotionally and financially - and your international removal company should also want your household goods to arrive at your new home in good condition.
What's the company's health?
We don't mean if the people working there are ill with the flu, rather, you should check if the company have a long history of trading and a stable financial profile? Do they have long-term employees on staff? The knowledge and experience gained over the years is invaluable when it comes to your overseas move - especially when creating relationships with partners overseas.
Do they offer the services you need - both in the UK and at your destination abroad?
Choose a removal company that has solid, long-standing connections with partners overseas - feel free to ask your chosen company about these. A good company will be happy to tell you about their plans for your removal, especially once your goods have left the UK.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage can help your overseas move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 01785 251161 and speaking with one of our Stafford and Cheshire removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
The guys were so friendly and professional
I just wanted to send an email to say thank you so much for the help in moving, the guys were absolutely fantastic and we were all packed, moved and unpacked within 2 and a half hours!
The guys were so friendly and professional and really did help out a hopeless female!
I have recommended you guys to my friend who is moving so she will be calling you shortly.
Once again many thanks for everything!
Best wishes
Sophie O’BrienEnthusiastic, positive and professional
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Google reviews
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Great google reviews
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Fantastic. Tyler and the team (and there were many over the three days) were positive and professional throughout. They dealt with a nervous buyer with great empathy and always tried to put me at ease. They were enthusiastic, positive and professional. Thank you so much.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Possibly with the quote acceptance online. It was somewhat confusing. However, when I phoned up with my queries, Catherine was amazing and sorted it all out for me.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Brilliant
They were polite and professional throughout and took the stress away from us on moving day
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Contact details - Google.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Needed to move house and was seemed the best company to do so.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The team were absolutely fantastic. They were polite and professional throughout and took the stress away from us on moving day. They took care of everything and even found our son’s Christmas elves which was a huge help and helped settle our son into our new house.
How would you rate our communication?
8/10
How can we improve our service?
Think there are a few things pre-move day that would help.
- A general email to say what to expect, perhaps a video that shows what will happen. Moving house is stressful enough and this would’ve helped take the edge off.
- A text message to confirm what time the team is arriving, potentially with the team member names included - we feel this would be a nice personalised touch.
BUT - on the actual day the team were brilliant and should be praised for their efforts.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
John, Rob, Tyler and Anthony were brilliant, we really hope they are praised by their Management. We will recommend to anyone else moving home due to these 4 gentlemen.
The overall experience at a time of stress was good
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommended by two people who used your company.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Because of others experience
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very pleasant. Courteous, helpful guys
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
Not sure
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
The overall experience at a time of stress was good
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Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.
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