I am just looking at options regarding our belongings.

We have had a hardcore declutter over the past few months in preparation for a move but always anticipated we would just sell everything here and buy when we got to the other end but now looking at removals / one way van hire.

One way van hire doesn't look too easy to come by but I'll continue searching. I have requested an online quote from Luke Bros but wondered if anyone had used them?

TIA

We used Luker Bros but it was a few years ago- they were excellent and a frequent sight around Switzerland with their gold van with a trailer attached.
They came around to my house in the UK and packed several items up.Nothing was broken at all and I remember when they were unpacking they kept calling me M'aam.
We were very happy with them but as I said it was a few years ago!

We used Pearson's, who were good value and I was very happy with the service at the UK end, although they were very late arriving at our Swiss address and the depot didn't call to let us know.

There were quite a few firms operating out of Yorkshire though, so keep googling. Part-load hire is usually cheapest - the firm take your stuff away and put it in storage in the UK until they have a lorry load, then bring it all over at once. We went with Pearson's because they were doing a CH run more-or-less weekly, while another firm gave a cheaper quote but couldn't guarantee they'd do a run in less than a month.

Thanks

A few mixed reviews for LB on here!! Yes I guess finding someone up here would be a better bet!

Luke from Bros?? .......... aahhhhhh ...

I had a client who used Luker Bros. I would not recommend them. The packing, delivery and unpacking were fine. Apparently something was forgotten back in the UK, not a big item, the contents of a drawer. Luker Bros. said it was the client's fault for not checking to see if everything was empty.

I have used movers who pack up my clients' homes when the clients have already left. Most movers have a system to check that all has been packed which should have been.

There was absolutely no willingness on the part of Luker Bros. to see that these items would be delivered to the client.

I would recommend Pearson's. I have seen how hard their crew work. It was a really hot day and my clients' flat was on the 3rd floor with no lift. It doesn't get much worse than that.

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I used them many years ago, but I found them really helpful and they did a great job for us.

A few things that I think are important when asking for a quote - even more so if working with a limited budget.

1. Packing - I always end up packing a lot of boxes myself (we've always had some left from previous move). Professional packers are keen to maximize volume as the quote received is just that, final volume determines the price. I also prefer to know where some things are, and that like is packed with like - helps with the unpacking. It can be useful to have glasswear etc "professionally packed" if you want it covered by the mover's insurance (ask the company)

2. Unpacking - aside from emptying the goods off the van and putting furniture close to where one thinks it will go, we have never used this aspect, despite it having been included in the contracted service. Most of our moves were part of an international industry job and the bill just got sent to the accounts office. It takes me a good week to reorient myself in a new house/kitchen before
I can decide where things should go. Most companies will come back by to collect empty boxes later, or a surprising number of people look for them on EF.

The first time we moved from CH to UK the company contracted Abels, and I wasn't prepared to be called Madam I very quickly assured them first names would be fine, as I don't "do" Mrs either, and particularly if one is spending the better part of 1-2 days with the people packing. Abels did all of our moves over the next 12 years, and things were always fine - friendly, efficient, careful. The last move to CH was contracted to a removals firm that has people who put on different shirts depending on what company is doing the move (OHs firm had a new business manager who decided to ditch Abels as UK-centric) so one day they might be working for Bishops, and on another Allied or Pickwick, etc. It was quite a disaster from beginning to end...

I have just been soliciting quotes to have a table tennis table (standard size folds in half to rather compact squareish shape) moved from UK to CH that belongs to my son - Even as a partial load with no specific dates the lowest I was quoted was £675 Ricardo here I come

I got a quote from them back in January and they quoted some £5000 for a 3 bedroom house! Yikes!! The fee included storage for 8 weeks, and the associated insurance.

In the end we rented a van and did it ourselves (read got the father in law to do it ;o)), and it costed us about half that price! Mind you, we had an interesting time at the customs, but that was because of the type of van we used, so if you are using a Luton-type van, you may just avoid the hassle we went through.

Pickford have been helpful but want to come and see me to quote. 2 local companies are going to give a very rough quote on part load and direct. I have used a removals company once before when my hubby and I sold 2 houses and moved here and we did all our own packing and dismantling so I would want to do that again and rebuild at the other end. It would be muscle and motors we would mainly need

It's really a case of deciding what is going to be easiest and most cost effective (obvs) given that we would take basics and not much else. We also have the dogs too which is why hubby and his friends were thinking Luton van and combine the drive to take our stuff and the pooches rather than shell out to fly them.

I can't seem to see a Luton van one way hire but my hubby and his mate are up for a road trip so we could look at them driving over with the dogs then his friend taking it back after a few days setting up ready for us coming a few week later.....

Clumsy Maman: what fund did you have at customs?! Care to share so we can avoid!!

That is not a bad idea. Another plan is look for a mover in Switzerland who is sending a truck to the UK and needs to get it back. Empty makes no sense so it is win-win for everyone.

As far as the dogs...I would definitely avoid shelling out what it costs to have a canine legally shipped from UK. I tried to search DFDS to see if it is allowed to take pets on Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry, but not having traveled from "the North" to CH (French part) don't know if this would save time/driving through to Chunnel etc. An overnight ferry can provide a much needed rest after a long drive, or would allow you to leave in evening and have full day to drive.

After moving from UK to CH w/o dog, <2yrs later I found myself living p/t in both places with dog. The solution for me has been the Stena line ferry from Hoek von Holland to Harwich, as from there I can catch train to Cambridge. From HvH, I catch train to Schiphol and fly onward within Schengen - no problem with dog. Stena charges £15 for the dog in their kennel, CCTV to watch from cabin is usually a bit amusing. Norwegian Airlines charges €40 for dog as baggage, and my experience has been that they take just as good care w/my fluffball as SAS, KLM, Swiss who charge at least double or 3-4x that price.

Hull would be closer for us. I got a quote for a large transit van for 5 days and that's £300..plus petrol and ferry/Chunnel/tolls....I would much rather drive them than fly them...they're both 9 yrs old....can't imagine even a short flight will be very pleasant....

That sounds like a very good price (just watch the speed limit signs once you get to CH or it could be a less-good deal. Check with Clumsy-maman as I know she and family recently did the self-move option, so can give good tips reaperwork etc. You've probably already thought of this but make sure you have right insurance for driving vehicle on "Continent".

I don't think my dog minds the flying, but lugging the crate on and off trains is a bit annoying. I've even had, more than once, someone from ground crew come and find me on plane (economy, no special treatment expected) to tell me they had offered him some water and given him a treat. Good thing, as he does think the in-flight snack service is a bit. rubbish

If your dogs are anything like ours, as soon as you stop the car and get out they will want to as well.

If the dogs are in good health, flying should not be a problem. Have they flown before? Are they used to being in a crate? These are some other things to think about.

You can take dogs on the Hull to Zeebrugge or Rotterdam crossing. They have special kernels for them during the crossing I think.

I had good luck with this company in finding empty trucks willing to pick up a load going home:

http://www.etbrokers-removals.com/

Definitely drop them a line to get a comparison. They were willing to offer quotes without visiting, based on my estimation of the load. They basically put the bids out to reverse auction, and in a couple days they come back to you with the lowest number.

Thanks

I have a quote for a Luton van for £650 all in with the European insurance etc. would just need to fill up and hit the road (plus the obvious additional costs). That would be having it delivered to my home and hire from Monday morning to Friday morning then it would be picked up here again after they returned.

We drove our dogs from Sheffield to Zürich via the channel tunnel, with an overnight stay in the Calais Ibis. It worked well and meant the dogs were with us the whole time (€6 extra per dog in the hotel, and they stayed in the room) which saved them a lot of anxiety. They really enjoyed stopping off every couple of hours in a new place to have a good sniff.