iakiak

We're in the early stages of thinking about moving back to the UK from US and wanted to get a rough idea of how much everything would cost.
Cost would factor how much / when we move.
Has anyone done any kind of relocation of US to UK recently?
What were the costs?

Thanks

KK

Pipmeister

We were given three quotes - all around the $8k mark for a full container pick up from Houston to the UK. That didn't include any packing or item insurance but did include delivery to the roadside of our UK address

TexasPenguin

A 20ft self load container door to door from Texas to Milton Keynes cost us around $5,300 with UpackWeship.

Pipmeister

Ours was a 40ft. With then loading it, just not packing.

But this sounds like a good deal. Are you actually allowed to load a container yourself? How does the shipping company sign off on the contents?

TexasPenguin

Yes you are allowed to load and seal the container yourself.
You supply a very detailed list of each package, box etc.
Customs may open it if they are suspicious of anything (in which case you know because the seal will be changed).
It does save you a ton of money if you have the time to deal with the listing and packing.

Sally Redux

$8,000-odd for a 20ft container door-to-door Los Angeles to Birmingham (inc. packing but excl. insurance).

iakiak

Thanks for the replies.
So how much stuff can you actually fit in a 20ft container?

Sally Redux

Not a whole houseful. We brought about 1/3 of our stuff I'd say.

Pipmeister

When I moved to the US I used a 20ft. I brought my sofa, two arm chairs, tons of kitchen stuff,100's of CD and Albums, office furniture, TV (yes, I know), all hifi and speakers, and then...my recording studio - which took up about half of the room.

So no beds or wardrobes etc. But that was just me. Now we are a family of three.

To be honest We are going back somewhat lighter the other way this time - although we are taking our sleepnumber bed.

Sally Redux

The best thing really is to get a few companies out to look at the job.

iakiak

Thanks.
Sally, yeah we're going to get quotes but we're still really early stages and wanted to get a rough gauge of things.
Wanted to see if we had to get mentally prepared for letting go of all our lovely Ikea furniture ;p

Sally Redux

We brought some good old IKEA stuff back.

Mummy in the foothills

We used Rainier overseas shipping, they have a branch in Fremont, we didn't have enough to fill a 20 footer but filled a lift van, they were very nice and professional we took all our stuff boxed with shipping lists to the warehouse. The manager even gave us a tour when the stuff was all packed. It was like a game of tetris watching them maneuver it all into the crate.
It even arrived early in the UK. We use them again.

Sally Redux

I contacted them on your recommendation, subsequently used them and found them excellent. Very straightforward.