[Kathy]

Hi all :)

We are moving off to NZ in February and have had a few quotes from removal firms. We will need a 20 ft container to send over the contents of our 3 bed house. Quotes range from about £3,300 - £3,600 door to door from Hampshire to Queenstown (plus insurance). But I was wondering if anyone has opted to organise their own shipping of a container, by packing themselves etc? If so I was wondering what problems they may have faced? Whether they felt it was worth doing?

Any information you have will be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Kathy :)

[Jo_b]

Hi Kathy,

Have a look at my post at http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=105664#post105664

I've done the DIY route, and so far so good - should get our stuff on 12th Jan. Much much cheaper - MSC were suggesting a whole container would cost under two grand (1600 pounds I think).

Jo

[veronica]

Try doing a forum search on this as it has been covered before.

[CarolineReid]

I'm doing it myself because of the exhorbitant charges of removal companies.
I got several quotes from different sea freight forwarders, who will pick up, consolidate the boxes, and pu tthe consignment into a shared container. You can expect them to arrange customs clearance, for which they will charge a separate fee, and they will even find NZ trasportation to your final destination if required.
I am sending between 8 and 10 cubic meteres, and it's costing me just under £1000, compared to the £2500 -£3500 I was quoted previously!

Suggestions (having done this before):

Use new boxes, without too much printing on the outside - it's easier for everyone to spot your box numbers and name and generally looks more professional when it goes through customs the other end.

Number each box clearly, with your name, and a very brief description of what's inside.

Have several copies of the inventory, broken down in detail, by box number. It's sometimes a good idea to put a box inventory in a sealed envelope on the outside of the box for customs to access easily.

On your inventory if you are sending anything that has been in contact with the earth/animals etc.- specify that it has been washed/disinfected or whatever. This is where the professional movers rely on their reputation, and as a lone shipper you don't have one!


I am sending my stuff to be palletised and consolidated by a local company before pick-up by the shippers, to ensure I can see it shrink-wrapped

[Hannah]

Some costs to bear in mind if self shipping. For example, you will have to pay for packing materials and wrap all of your stuff in a way that suitable for shipping to reduce damage from moisture etc. Not as simple as just moving a few miles up road!
Also, the container turns up at your house and you have 3 hrs to load - you will need help loading, and you will need also to find a way of getting the furniture up on to the container (which is raised off the ground when parked up). Also issues of collection/delivery at other end.
We investigated this route thoroughly and worked out that it would only cost us an extra £600 to get packers in and sit back and watch (although we are packing boxes ourselves, saving £300). Although quoted £1900 for a container (sole use, 20 foot) we had to add packing materials, paying mates to help, transportation at other end etc. Realistically we felt we were taking on a lot of hassle for a relatively little saving in the grand scheme of things. Also, having 2 kids, we felt we could do without the stress. I have no regrets so far (our shippers arrive in a few days). We've packed boxes at our leisure but don't have to worry about the bigger issues. We've got enough stress in our lives at the moment. if we'd opted for self shipping i suspect other half and i would have split up by now!!!!!!
hannah

[StevieD]

Hannah, love your strapline!! :laugh

[Kathy]

Thank you all for your helpful comments and suggestions....really kind of you. I must admit to waivering a little on whether to do it ourselves, or just let someone else organise everything to do with the removal of house stuff. Mostly because as each day passes I think of something else that needs to be done.

Thanks again, I shall get to some more research.

Kathy

[methane_minor]

Dear Kathy,

I agree with Hannah, just getting quotes in. Everyone is trying to save some money when moving but I think a divorce would certainly be on the cards if I suggested to hubby we move it all ourselves. (which means I point and nag and he does the work :D

Let us know how you get on x

[Kathy]

Dear Kathy,

I agree with Hannah, just getting quotes in. Everyone is trying to save some money when moving but I think a divorce would certainly be on the cards if I suggested to hubby we move it all ourselves. (which means I point and nag and he does the work :D

Let us know how you get on x


Hi,

Thanks for your message. You are right Hannah has made some very good points.

Also, funnily enough, my hubby is not too happy with the DIY move, so I think we will be opting for one of the quotes we got from removal firms. I guess it is a big weight off! :D

I am just re-reading through all the fine print... We are thinking of going with 'White & Co', they are using 'The Moving Co' the other side. Hmmmmm........decisions decisions!

Kathy :)

[gil]

Kathy, we used John Mason Uk-side and they also use The Moving Company. Our stuff arrived on Thursday, as promised, little MAF inspection Friday afternoon and so far so good! TMC guys worked very hard and noticeably, didn't stop for tea every half an hour. Thye were good blokes and kept up a lively banter which amused us!

Good luck with your move, if I'd had to pack as well as everything els,e it would have been too much :yes

Gil

[pinkpiggy]

Hi Kathy

I can't vouch for moves to NZ as we're still in the UK, but we used White & Co. to move from England to Scotland and they were really great. They spent a day packing, a day driving to Scotland and a third day (morning) unpacking. The only thing they damaged was a metal computer desk, which they dented, but they paid up on the insurance with no arguments.

I haven't had a quote from them yet for NZ but will certainly be getting one.

[Kathy]

Kathy, we used John Mason Uk-side and they also use The Moving Company. Our stuff arrived on Thursday, as promised, little MAF inspection Friday afternoon and so far so good! TMC guys worked very hard and noticeably, didn't stop for tea every half an hour. Thye were good blokes and kept up a lively banter which amused us!

Good luck with your move, if I'd had to pack as well as everything els,e it would have been too much :yes

Gil


Thanks Gil :)

Very glad to hear your things arrived safely! Thanks for the good wishes, much appreciated.

[Kathy]

Hi Kathy

I can't vouch for moves to NZ as we're still in the UK, but we used White & Co. to move from England to Scotland and they were really great. They spent a day packing, a day driving to Scotland and a third day (morning) unpacking. The only thing they damaged was a metal computer desk, which they dented, but they paid up on the insurance with no arguments.

I haven't had a quote from them yet for NZ but will certainly be getting one.


Thanks for the message pinkpiggy, I am glad to hear you had a good experience using White & Co. I am booking them tomorrow....oops today, I'm up late as usual! Good luck with your quote. :)