Removal company for long-distance move - based here or there?

[holmessweetholmes]

Any recommendations? I'm going to be moving from Oxfordshire to Cumbria in a couple of months' time (3 bed detached) and am beginning to think about removals. Do I pick a Cumbria firm (on the basis that they will possibly be cheaper) or an Oxfordshire one (because they'll get here faster to move us, will be near enough to come and do a quote etc.)? Either way, I presume we'll be paying a lot more than for a local move? Any advice welcome - thanks!

I moved out of london to berkshire (I appreciate that's not the kind of distance you're talking about!) and chose a firm local to Berkshire. It seemed to make sense - that way, when they finish moving your stuff, they can just go home... Rather than have to do a loooong journey back.

I'd worry that a far-away-from-the-destination firm of movers would rush things, so they could finish in time to do the long drive home.

We're looking at local to here, which is what we did last time. Partly because I can get personal recommendations and I am expecting them to be cheaper. No harm in calling both and seeing what they say?

What happened last time was they came the day before and loaded up the van then kept it in secure storage overnight. The next morning they collected the bed and then drove to new house for just after lunch. So they had time to unload and get back. (It wasn't quite as far as Cumbria though)

Local to where you are now. Then they can do most of the donkey work easily on the day or two before moving day.

Thanks all - that's pretty much what I suspected. Will try and get some recommendations!