As I type this we've got a moving company doing an estimate to ship our stuff from South UK to Toronto (by boat). Any guesses on how much the estimate is for 250 cubic feet?

Hi
Don't just get the one quote....the cost will vary considerably from company to company. We are shipping out a 40' container which is about 2000 cubic feet and we have opted for The Moving Partnership who undercut everyone else for the business. What is also worth bearing in mind is that a lot of the big companies are affiliated with certain shipping companies and will not 'search the market for best prices...but go with their affiliation.

Try not to concentrate too much on the shipping line...but on the company coming to do your packing. I am a firm believer that if it is packed really well, it will minimise any breakages.

250 Cubic feet, is not a lot to ship, if you have the volume correct. The smallest container is 20' and holds approx 1000 cubic feet. It might be an idea to look at a shared container, called groupage, so you share with other shipments. Can work out cost effective but you will not find it the quickest method as you have a certain waiting time for loads to be consolidated this end and then divided up the other end.

Have a chat with some airlines to find out their freight costs...I suspect they will be quite expensive though.

Our estimate were between £5900 - £9300. We have negotiated a deal of £5333 for a 40' UK - Toronto then onward to Windsor Ontario. Hope this helps. Ask your companies if they will negotiate on price.....in light of other comparable companies.
lol
Stef

Hi Stef

Thanks for your advice there. All very much noted.

We've got 3 other companies coming to quote, with these guys were the first to visit.

You are right. 250cuft isn't much. reason being - we're not sending any furniture whatsoever. This move has been on the cards for 5 years, so any furniture we currently have has been bought second hand, cheap new, or off of ebay. So, for the sake of another half dozen or so boxes, everything is packed up already and is currently in our spare room

The guy that came earlier did mention that it would be groupage, on account of the small volume. Our stuff will be going via Southampton to Toronto to Barrie.

I take it that you guys shipped pretty much your whole house ... sofas, chairs, dining, beds and what not.

Thanks again, Stef.

Wayne

Hi
Yes it will be the complete house...will probably ship it all first week in June...providing this house sells between now and then We upgraded all our furniture when the boys were at an age to appreciate better things. We will have a much bigger house in Canada...so have more than we need here ...in the garage..... and two dining tables and 20 chairs.....

We are hoping the house sells before we have to ship the furniture...or this house will look like we have taken up squatting...mattresses on the floor....odd dining set, no picture...no ornaments......just a lot of floor space
lol
Stef

Dubbed

No idea for Toronto from UK but worth getting a quote from Elite Shipping

http://www.eliteshipping.co.uk/

They will quote you for whatever you want to take...partial loads, full loads etc

They quoted us last week for a 20' container 1000 cubic feet from our house in Derbyshire to Halifax Docks, Nova Scotia £1685 (two weeks by truck and sea)

They told us they have a partner in Halifax who would do the Halifax Docks to Truro (45 mins) for about £265 ish

We used EVL 6 weeks ago.. couldnt fault them one bit. Everything arrived as planned and no breakages etc..

Give them a call and ask for Marion.. she was great


Top Cat

Nice one! Cheers, guys.

Stef - I wrongly assumed that you were in Canada already. Sorry! Good luck for your move, and house sale. My wife and I land on June 4th ... 5 weeks! Guh.

JD - Thank you for the link. We will definitely get in touch with them.

TC - Again, thank you. Who/what is EVL?

W

EVL.. think it is European Van Lines.. Just like to pass on our experiences with them.. we spent months debating over shippers and were still not happy that all wold go well until it arrive d at our house..lol..

Details are :

Unit 6, Lakeside Industrial Estate, Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 0ED, England
Tel: 44 1753 561490 Fax: 44 1753 680018 Email: [email protected]

We self packed and saved 2,500 pounds.. we bought bubble wrap and that large cling film and it was a life saver..

They were fantastic whilst we were in the UK.. The rep here ( in Calgary) called us to say it had left Liverpool docks and again to say it was on the ship and sent us the tracking info and ship details. He called again to say it was in Montreal and then that it was in Calgary..

Excellent service.. All in All 5 weeks to the day

Good Luck to you all

So, the best quote we got was £1633 + insuance at 3% of the items shipped.

Not too bad, I think.

Hi Dubbed

good quote....who was that with may I ask and is it self load/unpack?

Yes, JD, that info would have been useful. Sorry.

The quote is from Anglo Pacific. We've got 250 cu/ft of boxes and stuff. There is no furniture in that other than a chunky coffee table that I can't let go, and a 32" LCD tv. These will be wrapped and packed by the moving company.

So, these guys will load all items to a Luton type truck. Drive that from Salisbury to Southampton (we think, at this stage), boat from there to Canada/Toronto and from there to Barrie, and unload at our address.

Not too bad.

Edit: all self packed

Hi
Did you realise that you do not have to insure all of the items you ship? We are going to insure the named large items, like Three piece suites, beds TV's and some furniture...so that we limit our costs but will be able to replace essential items in the event of losing the load.

Did you also realise that if you opt for NO insurance, that if the ship founders and then needs to be subject to salvage...they could chase all the consumers with goods on the vessel for a portion of those salvage cost, which could run into thousands of pounds each. Having a small amount of Marine Insurance will cover you against those losses.....so I have been told by shippers.

We plan to insure around £10k so limiting our cost to approx £300.
Hope this helps
Stef

We were only charged 3500 pounds all in. Lord only knows how you could save 2,500 by self packing - doesn't leave must cost for shipping

Hi Wayne, Just looking through the threads for shipping, and noticed your going to Barrie beginning of June. We (me, hubby, and two children 5yrs and 8yrs) have booked our flights for June 30th, after much deliberating we think we have decided on Barrie. We went there just over 4years ago, as we haven't been else where in Ontario we thought this would be the best option. If you have any info about Barrie you could share with us it would be much appreciated.

Cheers Mel

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Hi Mel I'll be in touch soon.