Serendipity Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 Hi We are in the process of de-cluttering, sorting, ebaying, giving away and boxing up our possessions, as going to be moving to Sydney in October. We haven't yet contacted any shipping companies but I've looked through previous posts for suggestions, recommendations etc and will get onto that this week. In terms of packing - do we pack our own boxes? Does the company we go with then open, check and re-pack all our stuff? Do they usually supply boxes? if we go with a 'container', is it basically a large crate that we would load boxes into? So if we were taking a few items of furniture, would be load them in and put stuff around? and can we fill drawers/ cupboards etc. And finally - how on earth do we estimate the size of container? We have a lot of flat pack stuff but will probably take a few items of furniture (settee's, coffee table, wooden cupboard, mattresses, a couple of chests of drawers etc) so we aren't starting from scratch. My husband is getting a relocation package with his new job, so we're hoping to hear this week what exactly that will be, and whether it includes shipping costs. we're hopeful of that! I'm trying to get rid of as much clutter as possible but its amazing how much stuff we still need as a family of four!! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 (edited) If the company will pay relocation costs then stop worrying, call a company in to walk around your house and do a quote for the full service! You can pack your own boxes or let the company pack for you. You can use your own boxes or buy boxes from them. Proper removalist boxes are standard sizes which means they will stack better, but you can get them from any self storage company. Remember they're going to be stacked on top of each other so you want sturdy ones, don't be tempted by the cheaper ones you can get at stationery shops. If you pack yourself, no they do not open and repack them. Obviously they won't cover for breakage if you've packed stuff yourself, since they don't know how well you've packed it. If you're looking at something like a Movecube, the only way to be really sure everything will fit is to mark off a corner of a room and pack it as if you were packing the Movecube. Edited August 21, 2016 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzukiscottie Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 Get the shippers in to give you a quote. They will tell you what you need and will give various options for packing. We went with a complete end to end package. They came in, packed everything in boxes, loaded the container, delivered it all at the other end, and unpacked most stuff too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirstyLP Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 HiIn terms of packing - do we pack our own boxes? Does the company we go with then open, check and re-pack all our stuff? Normally the removal company will pack them, especially if your husbands company does include shipping. If you do want to pack any yourself you'll likely be asked to leave them open for inspection, the crew will then check they have been packed sufficiently and that nothing has been included that shouldn't be for customs inspection purposes and can add them to the inventory. Do they usually supply boxes? if we go with a 'container', is it basically a large crate that we would load boxes into? So if we were taking a few items of furniture, would be load them in and put stuff around? and can we fill drawers/ cupboards etc. Box supply depends on the company you use, some include them and will deliver in advance, some allow you to buy them as an added extra, if they are doing the packing for you they will always bring all the packing materials along to do that. Container depends on how much you're shipping. If you're having a full container this is a big metal container about the size of a single garage, the crew will load these as effectively as possible, using all available space to make sure everything fits/your'e not wasting space and to make sure the load moves around as little as possible in transit to avoid risk of damage. If you're having an less than container load shipment which is a smaller amount of items then these are loaded (again, usually by the removals crew) into a wooden crate that will be loaded with other customers crates into a big shipping container. And finally - how on earth do we estimate the size of container? We have a lot of flat pack stuff but will probably take a few items of furniture (settee's, coffee table, wooden cupboard, mattresses, a couple of chests of drawers etc) so we aren't starting from scratch. A 20ft shipping container is about the size of a small garage and can hold about 1050 cubic feet of belongings. The best and most accurate way is to have your shortlisted shipping companies come round and give you a free, no obligation quote - they will do the volume check for you and tell you the size of container and best method of shipment for you. If you want to get a preliminary idea before you know about your husbands relocation package some removals companies have self survey forms or volume calculators on their websites, our shipping volume calculator is here if that helps. hope that helps, and good luck with the decluttering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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