claire_b

Hi all

I'm planning on moving to Norway later this year, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this in terms of the logistics of moving my furniture. I don't have much because I live in a small one-bed apartment, so not sure of the best way to get it there.

I originally thought about selling it all here in the UK and replacing it when I get to Norway, but then I'm kind of tied here until I've gotten rid of anything (and face the possibility of living in an almost empty flat whilst waiting for someone to buy my dining table!), and I'm certain to lose money when I have to replace everything in Norway.

What's your experience of using international removals companies for small house moves? How much does it cost?

Or is it possible to rent a van here in the UK and drive over myself? My experience of renting hire cars previously is that they warn you not to drive the car outside of the UK - do you have to pay extra to do this? Is it cheaper/easier to rent the van in Norway and drive it to the UK and back, or the other way round?

Any and all advice and experience gratefully accepted!!
Thanks
Claire

skog

I'm moving to Norway next month and faced the same dilemma.

We're getting rid of most of our large furniture as I found it impossible to get a useful quote from any removal companies without providing them with exact size and weights of the shipment, so we are flying to Norway, borrowing a car, driving back to the UK and then loading up our stuff before driving back. We've found this is the cheapest and most practical option for us.

No rental company in the UK will allow you to hire a car/van from the UK and return it in Norway (annoyingly!) but am fairly sure that most rental companies will allow you to drive outside the UK so long as you return it to the same location - best to check with each company though. Car hire will likely work out cheaper in the UK.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions

kirstyp

Hi Claire,

Most major European moving companies will offer a part load service throughout Europe so should be able to give you a quote for whatever size your consignment. Basically part load will mean you share the space with other customers moving to the same destination so it's shared transport costs but you may need to be a little flexible on your dates.

Check out the BAR (overseas moving group) www.bar.co.uk or FIDI www.fidi.com websites to find some companies to contact. BAR and FIDI are the major proffesional organisations who insure their members are qualified and experienced in moving outside of the UK and independently audit movers to ensure high standards of service.

Any mover should offer a free in home move consultation so they will come out and assess the volume of goods to be moved and find out more about your requirements so they can provide an accurate quote, they'll also be able to talk you through the process and recommend the best options for you. This is the best way of getting an accurate idea of price and should be non obligatory so will allow you to weigh up your different options.

Hope that helps?

claire_b

Hi folks. Thanks a million for your feedback and info. I really do appreciate it. It's given me lots to think about... need to decide what furniture I can rid of here in the UK and what stuff I really want to take with me! I think that will help me decide whether to go for a removals company or to rent a van (or borrow one from Norway!). But cheers

Suze66

A cheap(er) place to buy furniture over here is on Finn.no it's like exchange & mart..you can find stuff being given away 'gis bort' if you write your location in you can probably pick up a few nice items near you until you're ready to buy new..or a local 'loppemarked' (flea markets...school jumble sales ) - I kitted out my first home like this..Cheaper than transporting stuff over.
Although I didn't up root myself from the UK (just came over with a suitcase 25 years ago, on a months work permit with my Norwegian fiancè)
Good luck
I'm trying to get back to the UK