Long distance relocation -removals options

[BigFishFace]

We’re leaving the SE in the very near future and I’m trying to work out if it makes more sense to employ a removals firm down here or one 200 miles away in our new town. The journey takes about 5 hours to drive so I’m guessing this would be a 2 day job (maybe 3).

Does anyone have any insight into what might work best or what to look for when researching removal firms?

I did the same move SE to North (5 hours) and employed a firm local to me in the SE (Abels to be precise)

They china packed and loaded Day 1 & 1/4 of Day 2 drove North at 10am and had me unpacked by 7pm. I can't remember if they then stayed locally or just drove home, but think they must have stayed locally to comply with driving hours rules.

Extremely efficient and very highly recommended !!

Thanks Flyingsouthwiththeswallows

I’ve got very small kids so eager to make this as smooth as possible!

We had one from where we are moving to (sale fell through on exchange, removals were already booked. Nightmare)

The reason for us was that where we are moving to is very rural, so local knowledge is a must.

They were going to drive down and pack and load on day 1, then drive to new location day 2 and reload into smaller vehicle. Then unload day 3.

We relocated a fair distance so it was done over 2 days.

Day 1 - completion day, came and packed everything into the van, drove it 4 hours to compound in or near new location.

Dh and I drove our cars to the new house and had a blow up mattress and our bedding in the boot. Ds1 was kindly taken by my Mum to look after.

Day 2 - 8.30am the van turns up and unloads all our things.

Bonus was they weren't moving us in whilst it was dark and gave us a good portion of the day to start unpacking.

It was Pickfords. We have moved since but with much more stuff so that was a 3 day move, days 1 and 2 were packing the van but our stuff was going into storage. Day 3 of the move happened much later.

You should get a cheaper rate if your removals firm can get a backload. Try a couple of companies in the area you’re moving to as well as ones local to where you are now.