The biggest consideration most people have when moving is the cost. You want cheap removals but you also want efficient removals too.

Removals, packing, storage, insurance

You can save money by packing your belongings yourself, so that all the removal men have to do is turn up, load your packed boxes onto their truck, and drive them to your new home.

Just be aware that the removal company might not insure you for breakages if you decide to do it this way. But remember that you can always take out a separate insurance policy with an insurance company if you are willing to do the extra work yourself. It might actually work out cheaper.

Removal companies in the UK vary in size from small family businesses to huge international organisations, each one is going to quote you a slightly different price, it is just a matter of how long you are prepared to spend on the telephone finding different quotes.

And remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best, what you really need is a well established company with a good reputation for customer service.

Many companies offer storage services as-well as packing facilities so you can store some of your belongings while you get settled in, this might be really useful to you, but remember to check the price first as the UK has loads of independent storage companies that might actually work out cheaper.

Safety

A good piece of advice when moving in the UK is to be organised. Many people now complain that Great Britain has become the ‘health and safety’ capital of the world, so if the removal people show up and they can’t gain access safely and easily to your property they might refuse to move your belongings.

Make sure that all your entrances and corridors are clear and well lit, and remember that they cannot move flammable substances, such as gas bottles, paraffin or old tins of paint for insurance purposes.

Man and Van

If you are on a tight budget then you might find that this a better option for you. The UK is full of independent removal men who advertise themselves as ‘Man and Van’ in either the local press or in the shop windows of newsagents on the local high street.

Because this is an independent operator they are likely to be open to negotiation on the price. However, many will not be equipped to do large scale removals as they tend to drive regular sized vans rather than the bigger trucks used by removals companies.

But Man and Van is a very popular way of moving house in the UK, particularly amongst the young single generation who are more likely to be renting in cities and have fewer possessions than bigger families. But remember that if you do it this way you will probably have to help loading and unloading the van, as well as making sure that all your belongings are packed before the driver arrives.

By John Hillman

To be listed here click

USEFUL WORDS

Shipping Methods

Airmail – a fast service for letters and parcels, usually for up to about 30kg, to any destination in the world

Motorcycle messenger – a very fast service for sending smaller items in the same city or region.  Items are collected from your home or office

Courier – fastest and most reliable service to all destinations.  Collection service usually available

Sea freight – economical and reliable service for very large overseas shipments

Airfreight – fast and reliable service for large shipments overseas

Preparing to Move

pack / unpack = put clothes and other belongings into containers for transportation

dismantle furniture = take apart so that it is in separate pieces

disconnect electrical equipment = remove from supply of water, gas or electricity

strip beds = remove all sheets, blankets and pillows

safeguard personal effects = protect from loss or damage important items such as jewellery and documents

GRAMMAR SPOT

Superlatives

When we compare two or more things and say that one thing is more than all the others we use a superlative construction: the fastest, the most efficient

Add the + -est to:

one syllable adjectives/adverbs: wide -> the widest

A courier offers the fastest service.

Add the –iest to:
two syllable adjectives ending in –y: heavy -> the heaviest

Airmail is the easiest service to use for sending letters and parcels.

Add the most / the least to:

two or more syllable adjectives/adverbs: expensive -> the most  / the least expensive
Couriers are the most reliable way to send goods to all destinations.

Some adjectives/adverbs are irregular:

good/well -> the best
A motorcycle messenger is the best way to send documents within the same city.

bad/badly -> the worst

Sea freight is the worst choice if you need your goods to arrive quickly.