A busy start for storage in 2009

The first Quarter of 2009 in particular has been very busy for our team.
The credit crunch seems to have driven a wide variety of folks into needing self storage, for a wide range of reasons.

We have seen a large number of people moving away from the UK, often because they have lost their job. Some are emigrating at least semi-permanently, some are just going back-packing around the world - doing the trip they always wanted to do but never got the chance.
A significant proportion of new customers are coming to us because they are trying to save money on storage - often, customers are storing with one of the big-brand (and big-price) storage companies, and have realised that they can save over half their storage rent just by giving us a call.

Sadly, we've also seen a few customers coming our way because they can't afford the rent or the mortgage, and so have had to downsize for a while. Thankfully, there aren't too many of these at the moment.

February seems a bit quieter so far. Perhaps the panic just before and after Christmas has abated, and we're all just settling down to a long grind of a recession. Let's hope March brings out the sun and a bit of optimism!

Find more information on www.removalcosts.co.uk

More Brits move down-under

More people than ever before are moving to Australia according to a current removal specialist survey.
The survey tracks the relocation trends of over 7000 customers moving overseas each year. The survey reveals that more and more people are planning to escape the dismal British weather and economy to find a better lifestyle in Australia. The report shows that a 31% increase in people moving to Australia in 2008 compared to 2007.
The picturesque beauty of the Queensland coastline is certainly ticking the right boxes for Brits as the territory is the number one relocation destination for the second year running.
Other areas of Australia showed a marked increase in popularity. The survey showed a 44% increase in people moving to Adelaide and a 42% increase in people moving to Melbourne.
A spokesperson says, that the survey has revealed that Queensland is our most popular destination in Australia I am sure the quality of life, sunnier climate and diverse job opportunities play a part in the relocation decision!
The survey also notes that customers are taking slightly smaller volumes of household effects when they move to their new life in Australia. Even though there are more moves taking place, emigrating individuals and families are paring down the amount of goods they take with them.
The Removal Supermarket provides a range of services and support for individuals and families relocating to Australia. Groupage destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

Find more information on www.removalcosts.co.uk

Moving your own belongings 'could cause injury'

New figures have revealed that two-fifths of minor injuries that resulted in people taking three or more days off work were caused by handling, lifting or carrying.

Those who are moving from rented accommodation to a studio or one-bedroom flat can often choose to shift their belongings themselves but this could cause an injury if they are not properly trained.

However, movers could still save money by using a man with a van instead of a large removals company, according to The Removal Supermarket, who make it easy to get free quotes from a number of companies in the local area.

Phil Grace, liability risk manager for Norwich Union, says: "The first step to reducing risk is to consider whether manual handling can be avoided."

Movers will need to ensure that the service they use is insured and that the van can carry the largest items.

Man and van companies can be just as reliable, providing adequate research is done and the right questions are asked.

For more information please visit www.removalcosts.co.uk

Removal firm brings in container-based system

It has been reported that a well known removal company has brought in a container-based system for domestic removals.

The system is widely used in Europe and has been introduced into the UK using a trio of DAF CF85 drawbar outfits, according to Easier.

A removal company in the south-west, has bought 12 CT boxes and will be using them out of its head office in Truro, as well as depots in Exeter and Bristol.

The CT box system is said to use an ISO container that is 25-feet long compared to the standard 20, while at 9.5 feet the box is also 18 inches higher - combining to create a volume of 1,625 cubic feet.

This volume is 42 per cent more than a standard container and also significantly bigger than conventional removal containers.

Mark Lane, the company's managing director, says that the implementation of an automatic gearbox will help to cut driver tiredness and also reduce clutch wear and tear.

Movers looking for a removals quote can get up to 30 per cent off by visiting our enquiry page. Please visit www.removalcosts.co.uk

Moving Offices - Different For Every Type of Office

Moving involves a lot of stress. However, some offices are easier to move. If you only have a small office that consist of a bunch of files, a computer and an office desk then moving your office can typically be accomplished in a day. It is a different story for big offices though.

How Fast Should the Move Take?
It would generally depend on the type of office you are moving. For instance, if you have a small medical practice it might be simpler than if you have an entire lab to move as well. Your small medical practice could only have a few files and a little furniture to move. This would take a day or two to move.

On the other hand, if the office also has some lab equipment it will be more complicated. Certain permits may be required for owning and moving some of your equipment. If you have hazardous materials, you need to be more careful in transporting them so as not to damage or injure your things and your employees and other people exposed to it. Zoning laws apply to veterinary practices too.

What to Do to Facilitate Faster and an Easier Removals

What most companies do is they hire a removals company to help them with the move. Removals companies will know how to pack their things better and faster. Of course, the company needs to instruct them about their files and their equipment too.

One thing companies should focus on first though is to choose the right removals company. Most files are confidential so the company should make sure that this will not be compromised.

If your office has special equipment and hazardous materials, you should choose the company that has experience in moving such items. This way, you will be assured that they will know what to do and how to handle your things.

Nevertheless, you should allow the removals company to do their work well. You must understand that delicate items require care in moving. If you have many things to move it will take more things to organize, pack, move and unload.

To avoid misunderstanding, you should ask the removals company how long it would take for them to move everything. You also have to tell them in detail all the things that need to be moved too. Of course, the removals company should coordinate with your office too to schedule each phase of the move. This will make the move easier, smoother and faster as well.

Doing the Move by Phase
A regular office would actually benefit from a move. It’s because you will get to clean up your files. This will give you are reason to organize when you move to your new office. Still, it will only be beneficial if you do the move in an organized manner.

Many offices move to new offices that are furnished already. This way, they will have less to transport. It would also be so much faster to settle in. Of course, when there is some very equipment, it becomes more complicated.

For more information please visit www.removalcosts.co.uk

Moving home with your children

Moving house can be a stressful life event for a family to go through. But while parents are preoccupied with getting all the packing done or cancelling the bills, children may be worrying about quite different things; like everything they will be leaving behind, a familiar home, school, and their friends.
Sally Gimson, Campaigns Manager at the Family and Parenting Institute, explains: "Childhood is full of change and new experiences hence children are used to adapting to new things, but it is important for parents to talk to children and prepare them for the move and explain why they are doing it.
"Some families move to have a bigger house or one with a garden and others even move to be near a good school, but parents almost always want to be in an area where they can do the best for their children."
The nature of moving house can mean that arrangements before the move are rushed and the children's needs can easily be pushed to one side. It's important that children are clear about what is going on and are given time to get used to the idea. Above all, try to make the move fun.
Take your children to see the new house, meet the new neighbours and explore the new surroundings. Take a photo of them outside their new home which can be made into change of address cards for their friends. If you let them pack a box of their own possessions, they can help to put it into the removal van and unpack it themselves in the new house. This will give them a sense of being part of the process.
It's important to understand your child's positive and negative feelings and reassure them that it's normal to feel anxious as well as excited. Young children may be settled into a school, nursery or playgroup where they've made friends with their peers, as well as the teachers. They may play with the children living next door, or have relatives they see regularly. They are likely to have a 'best friend' and have got to know a babysitter and local shopkeepers.
Older children will have friends at school or college who are an important part of their lives, as well as teachers and other adults they look up to. They will have favourite meeting places, local clubs, cinemas and shops. And even more important, they may have to face the prospect of leaving a girlfriend or boyfriend behind.
Be sure to allow your children to say goodbye to their old home properly. Help them make a scrapbook of the old area and fill it with pictures of friends, their school, places they like and photographs of their old house. In the lead up to the big day, try to keep routines and other daily living habits as normal as possible. By treating what can be a traumatic life event sensitively, you can help them move on and settle into their new surroundings more quickly.
Some of the stress associated with moving comes from the 'newness' of things. So make sure that a child's bedroom is the first to be sorted out, with as many familiar items as possible. It's also a good idea to involve your children in plans to decorate their own room.
If distance allows, arrange for old friends to come and visit. This can help to give your child confidence by making an adventure of showing off the new house and exploring the new surroundings.
Children can find the idea of making new friends one of the most daunting factors of moving home, so try to hook into the community as quickly as possible. Ask neighbours to help to introduce your child to other children who live locally and find out about local clubs or organisations that your child can join.
By talking, and more importantly, listening to your child, any worries they may have about their new life are more likely to be solved and, before you know it, they will have settled down to enjoy the next phase in your family's journey.

For more information please go to www.removalcosts.co.uk

Relocating to the US is a 'wise financial move

It has been suggested that anyone who is moving to the US is picking a good time to buy property there. Jonathan Sloane, communications director at NYC & Company, says that the number of Brits living or working in New York City is on the rise. He believes that now is "a good time to buy as property prices are significantly lower than they were 12 to 18 months ago". Movers who are relocating across the Atlantic can receive advice about storage and shipping costs from www.removalcosts.co.uk international removal experts, who can also provide advice on shipment tracking and timescales, as well as customs and legal requirements. Dave Isley, head of Natwest International Personal Banking, says that a growing number of employment opportunities and the prospect of a better standard of living are fuelling overseas moves. People aged between 25 and 44 are more likely to migrate to places such as the US, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Common mistakes people make when moving out

What is this? I didn’t know it would be this much!

It’s a sad fact that so many people are dumbfounded when they finally see their moving bill. Many do not expect these charges, and feel they’ve been cheated when what they really were was careless in putting a rein on their removal costs.

If you’re moving out, and don’t want to be the person asking this question, then here are some tips on what NOT to do when you’re moving out:

1. Including needless clutter.

So many people opt to include all the stuff they have at home when doing a move, even the things they don’t need which is both silly and very impractical. Leave all the things you don’t need or do not foresee using when you move.

You may also consider leaving very old appliances behind, as buying a new one might save not just on moving costs, but on energy costs in the long run as well. The same goes with furniture you’re not going to use. Why don’t you just sell it beforehand instead of taking it with you? Donating old stuff to charity also helps, and you’ll be doing a good deed too.

2. Not being pragmatic and objective.

Ask yourself “How much stuff do I really have?” Many people make the mistake of underestimating how much they’re going to bring with them, and thus assume that their budget will only be such and such amount, only to be surprised once the bill comes in.

3. Being lazy.

Why hire help if you can do it yourself? Unless you’re an invalid or have some sort of medical condition that prohibits you from heavy lifting, why not consider carrying your stuff yourself? What’s more, you can also just hire a van and drive yourself instead of hiring a whole crew to do everything for you.

Of course, if you ever decide to go this way, then you WILL need a lot of time to prepare, so be sure to allot the appropriate time in your schedule. Also, you should try to calculate your savings based on the value you attach to doing the work yourself as opposed to hiring.

4. Not canvassing.

Shop around for the best price, and don’t be afraid to haggle. It’s not a matter of pride, it’s just you being practical and trying to get as much value from your money as possible. Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.

Removals need not be difficult and expensive. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll surely have a stress-free move. To find a professional removal company you need to contact at least two removal companies.

Get the Right Type of Moving Quote

While going through these quotes, you may notice that there are actually two types of moving quotes to choose from. One is known as the binding quote which are legally bound to be as they are and in case the customer subscribes to it, the moving company will no longer charge other fees from what was stipulated in the said quote. Meanwhile, a non-binding quote may be close approximations of the total fee you will eventually pay. However, this does not mean that non-binding quotes are more expensive that the former. There are times when binding quotes are actually more expensive.

More information please visit www.removalcosts.co.uk

Landlords 'could pay removal costs

It has been claimed that landlords could offer to pay for removal services in order to secure the best tenants.

Chris Jenkins, manager of Clarity Commercial, says that landlords need to come up with creative incentives that will make their property stand out from the crowd in the current market.

He suggests offering to fund the moving costs for tenants or providing free bus passes for out-of-the-way properties as ways to find good tenants.

Mr Jenkins says that a free removal service "is a genuinely useful incentive".
"Good incentives to offer are ones that remove an up-front or lump sum cost for the tenant," he adds.In December 2008 the average monthly rent in the UK was £568, which is less than the typical £646 paid in November 2008 and considerably down on the £820 that was paid on average in December 2007, according to Rent right's Residential Rental Price Index

For more information visit www.removalcosts.co.uk

Removal Industry Issued With New Code Of Practice

In February The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approved a new code of practice for members of the British Association of Removers (BAR).Aiming to guarantee a high quality of service and financial protection for people moving home, the code, is currently the only one approved by the OFT for the UK removals industry.

All BAR members are required to follow the code, which will dictate the standard of service customers will have to receive. This ensures the quality of the materials used, the standards of warehouses and vehicles, staff-training requirements and procedures in the event of something going wrong during the moving process.

The code requires BAR moving companies to ensure their promotional literature gives an accurate description of services provided, to provide customers with a clear timetable and price for the work carried out, as well as explaining their liability for loss or damage.
The code also states that, if a moving company cancels a removal less than 10 days before the agreed date it must refund 150% of the fee.

For more information please visit: www.removalcosts.co.uk

Most common question asked - Why are Removal Companies so expensive?

We hear this statement so often. Overall this is an unfair expression and you must look at the broader picture. Remember we also often hear the phrase "I moved everything myself last time, never again!".

The price of moving is made up of many components and there is no such thing as the average move. Be very wary of the websites that have started to appear with a price for the average house move, you will either be paying too much from the beginning, or there will be extra hidden costs. Because of the logistics of moving house a removal crew can only usually manage one move a day. Two porters and a driver are the usual combination and this can be anything from an 8-16 hour day depending on distance travelling i.e. delays with traffic jams. Their wages have to be paid, let's say £5 per hour and £7 for the driver. So that is already anything between £136 and £272. You then have to take into account the vehicle costs which can be thousands of pounds plus running costs and on top of this there is fuel. A decent sized removal vehicle will only manage 8-12 mpg which works out 50-60p per mile. You also have to take into account maintenance, tax, insurance premiums, initial cost of the vehicles used. The office staff, boxes, equipment used transit blankets for example, estimators visit and all the training the porters have had before they arrive to move you. Maybe this is a lot of money if you think you are able to do it yourself, but in general, a DIY move is only really suitable for small 1 bedroom houses or flats.

For more information please visit www.removalcosts.co.uk