International removals - any recommendations? UK to Germany

ginvzt

So, we are finally moving with my husband's new job, and it is happening quickly.

We now need to sort out the quotes for removals, and I am looking for any advice. We have sent forms to Bright Removals and Sterling, and waiting for callback from Pickfords. We will need full packing/unpacking service, as we have 4 month old twins and they take up all the time!

We also have a cat, that will be relocating to Germany as well. Any advice of the best way to get him there? I was thinking to get one of the pet moving companies to sort everything out, as I can't imagine us being able to manage our luggage, pushchair, babies, etc on the last flight from the UK. Does anyone know of any relocation companies that would be able to organise this?

We are going for a scouting trip to Germany in about aweek and hope to get accommodation sorted then, but if not, everything may need to go into short term storage...

So, any help in how to sort everything out and any recommendations on companies would be great!

UnitedSum

When I moved from Germany to the UK, I used a German company, and they did a fantastic job. However, I'm assuming they don't do removals in the opposite direction.

I can give you the name of a well-known UK company who does removals to Europe that I would not recommend - Monarch Movers. I used the whole service with them, paid a premium amount, and they did a shoddy job. (Furniture reassembled incorrectly, some damage, etc.) Customer service after the move was just about non-existent regarding these concerns. Send me a pm if you want further information.

Good luck - hope you find someone!

TopQuark

Hello OP,

I moved from the UK to Switzerland in December of last year. I work for an international organisation, who required me to get three quotes for the removal.

You will need to know the ~ volume that your possessions will take up, which is difficult to assess yourself. Thus I had surveyors come to my house for this purpose (this service is free of charge). The three companies I selected (based on a quick google search) were;

- Pickfords
- Britannia
- Excess International

Excess seemed to be very London-centric, with me having to wait a while for the surveyor to find a time to come up to me (I was in Nottingham). I found this a minor negative point. I couldn't choose much between Pickfords and Britannia at this stage. When I finally received the quotes, again these two were almost on a par, but Excess was miles more, so they were immediately out.

In the end, I chose Britannia because they had a depot close by and the person who managed my move always responded to my (many) queries quickly and professionally. On the day of the move, the two chaps who handled it were very efficient and I was happy with the service overall.

I also had a cat to move. When looking at the prices of sending him as live animal cargo, they were >£1000. I would also have needed to get him down to Heathrow, as the service was not available from my local airports. In the end, my OH (who was already in CH), drove to the UK, and we took the cat over in the car (had to show his passport at Folkestone!). It was actually much better than I expected as he slept most of the way. However, I realise that driving may not be an option for you, so my advice would be to do a lot of shopping around for this service.

Sorry for the long post, but hope it has helped a little. Good luck and bonne voyage!

TQ

UnitedSum

TopQuark wrote: »

I also had a cat to move. When looking at the prices of sending him as live animal cargo, they were >£1000. I would also have needed to get him down to Heathrow, as the service was not available from my local airports. In the end, my OH (who was already in CH), drove to the UK, and we took the cat over in the car (had to show his passport at Folkestone!). It was actually much better than I expected as he slept most of the way.

I agree with this recommendation. I travel to/from the Continent frequently and driving via the Eurotunnel is very convenient and far less expensive than flying with your pet. (And safer for the pet!) If that option is available, I'd consider it.

bowlhead99

I've used http://www.whiteandcompany.co.uk to move from UK to Channel Islands, and to USA. Some warehouse storage too. The service was friendly and efficient, and not a crazy price, so I'd recommend them.

I didn't really have any complicating factors like pets, but maybe if they didn't cover it they would have some firm they'd recommend, as it can't be uncommon; if not, just go with a different specialist for that piece. Transporting live animals is a different proposition from packing, storing and shipping a houseful of furniture, and they wouldn't go in the same container, so there is likely not much efficiency in trying to find a house mover who also moves cats. Just find a cat mover or DIY on a car ferry.

ginvzt

Thanks all! Will see what to do with the cat. We can't really drive with him, he screams in the car whenever we take him. And, besides, with two babies and two adults it has no space!

Will get I touch with Britannia straight away, thanks. We were asked for two quotes, Pickfords are coming next week.

dacouch

Try Whittles they have (Had?) the removal contract for the UK armed forces so frequently do moves backwards and forwards to Germany. I've heard many many reviews of them which range from very good to bad.

misstasty

I've moved with the forces twice to Germany and back, so would say Whites, whittles or pickfords really. Depending on the area you are going to and how much stuff you have they may even be able to get your belongings on a double wagon that is already going over. Ring around and ask. You've nothing to lose x

BritAbroad

When we relocated abroad a couple of years ago, the packing and shipping in the UK was done by Sterling, who were absolutely fantastic and did an amazing job in really tough conditions (we moved during one of the deep freeze winters and there were six-foot high frozen-solid snowdrifts in our street). I would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone - they were brilliant.