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...
Very friendly, jovial, nothing was too much trouble
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Quotes from a few companies - found on internet
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
8/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Timing was convenient
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very friendly, jovial, nothing was too much trouble
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I was very satisfied with your service
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?
Everything went perfectly
They carried out the work in a calm, helpful and professional manner
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We used Britannia for a previous move and the service was excellent
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?
As above; previous excellent experience across the board: booking, survey, communication and the physical move was all fantastically carried out
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
In a highly stressful situation, they carried out the work in a calm, helpful and professional manner. The team had excellent interpersonal skills and made at least one aspect of the move a little easier.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I cannot think of any particular points to improve.
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 best endorsement would be that if we were to move again (which we won't), I would not hesitate to engage Britannia Goodwins.
Great team, worked hard all day and always with a smile
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Google
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?
Competitive price, flexibility and easy to work with
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Great team, worked hard all day and always with a smile
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Reminder text/email the day before the move to confirm you are coming.
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?
No
Professional, friendly and you delivered on your promises
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Used your services before
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?
Previous experience from using yourselves and also the way my enquiry was dealt with. Professional, friendly and you delivered on your promises.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
I had 2 moves. One from my father's property on the 25/6 and into storage and then on the 12/7. Gareth and Jack were simply outstanding on the 25/6. It was a very hot day and they had to carry all the items down 8 flights of stairs as unable to use the lift. They were organised, friendly, really hard working and respectful of the property. 10/10. I therefore was very pleased to see that they had been allocated to me on the 12/7 along with John. Once again outstanding service. Hard working, fast, nothing was too much trouble. Polite and respectful and also patient when I decided I wanted a piece of furniture moved ..again. I cannot praise the team enough. They are a credit to Britannia Goodwins and made my move a lot more bearable and funny at times which lightened the whole stress of moving. If I ever move again (long shot !) then I will want the same team.. Simply the Best! Please pass on my gratitude to them all and in particular Gareth and Jack who had the tough job of the stairs!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Nothing.... outstanding!
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
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