Nicosia
International Removal Companies to Nicosia
Preparing for the Move
Take the time to think about what you will need in Cyprus, ranging from type of clothing to personal belongings. Planning your move can be a good opportunity to sort through all of your possessions, and throw out, give away to friends or donate to charity the things you never use or will not be practical.
Understand Pricing
The price of moving depends on the how much is being moved, the value of the goods, and the distance to be moved. If possible, ship only the truly indispensable items and try to buy when you arrive to abate some of the cost.
One of your best resources is our expat services site, Expat-Quotes, in which you can read posts by expats who live in Cyprus and request free quotes.
Before you choose a company, it is advisable to get at least three estimates in writing. This will give you an idea of average price, and allow you to compare and contrast offers.
Shipping Size
Basic shipping costs are calculated on the amount of volume (Cubic Feet) that your packed goods will take up in one of our shipping containers. Volume is calculated by multiplying the length x depth x height.
To give you an idea of size:
- Full size refrigerator/freezer : 3 feet (.91 meters) wide, 2 feet (.6 meters) deep, and 6 feet (1.8 meters) high would be 36 cubic feet (1.01940 m3)
- 20 foot (6 meters) container total cubic capacity = 1172 cubic feet (33.2 m3)
- 40 foot container (12 meters) container total cubic capacity = 2392 cubic feet (67.7 m3)
A standard 2 to 3 bedroom house or condo should fit into 1 x 20ft container. A larger 4 to 5 bedroom house needs at least one 40ft container. One benefit of a larger shipment is that the greater the overall volume for shipment.
Distance
Removal cost also depends on the point of origin and final destination. Certain regions are expensive despite a shorter distance. For instance, Europe tends to be relatively expensive to ship to. A full load from the UK to Spain can cost £5000. For comparison, a full load from the UK to Australia is £6700.
Common Additional Costs
Note that the final price is almost always more expensive than even the best estimates. Be knowledgeable about basic costs and budget more than the cost of the estimate.
- Access at collection or delivery may be difficult so a smaller van has to be brought in or hired.
- Collection or delivery on higher floors, with or without a lift. This requires extra men and additional costs.
- Parking permits may be required at collection or delivery addresses (the customer usually has to arrange these - a local council will advise if they are necessary).
- The final destination might be several hundred miles from a port.
Evaluating Shipping Options
Some basic factors in determining the best shipping method are:
- Volume - This is important for road and sea shipments
- Weight and Volume - Evaluate the weight of items for air shipments.
- Final Destination - If you are moving across the globe (e.g. from the USA to Australia), you might want to ship the majority of your personal belongings by sea container and a small portion of things you will need upon your arrival by air.
- Moving Schedule - How soon do you need to receive your personal belongings at your destination? Do you already have accommodation (temporary or permanent)? Will you need to store some items until you find permanent accommodation?
- Budget - Who is paying for your move? Your company or yourself? What is your allowance for the move?
Groupage
To save money, you can ship your items with other people's belongings. Known as "groupage", your personal belongings will be shipped with the personal belongings of one or more customers. While this offers considerable financial savings, it can take much longer. Usually, the shipment is sent a central location warehouse with later shipments being made to a country specific destination.
If your shipment is large, or cost is not an issue, direct shipping is a better option. The truck will contain your personal belongings only and will go directly to its final destination without stopping at any other warehouse.
Finding a Reputable Shipping Company
Word of mouth and personal recommendations are helpful in finding a reputable company. Many websites now have customer testimonials or Facebook pages with customer feedback. Friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family can all be a valuable resource. Ask around to find out which companies have the reputation as the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Basic Questions to Ask During Your Meeting:
- How long has your company been in business? While a new company isn't necessarily a bad choice, experience is valuable.
- What is your safety record?
- Can you put me in touch with former customers? Good tour companies should have no problem supplying references.
- What is the full company name, address, phone number, and website?
- What equipment do you provide? How many movers am I guaranteed?
- Can I see proof of your local/interstate/international moving license and insurance?
- What paperwork is necessary? Do they handle customs for all items?
- What is your cancellation and refund policy?
It is advisable to get at least three estimates in writing. A verbal agreement is not enforceable, so make sure to have the estimate and details written down. By comparing multiple estimates, you will find what an average price for your move will really be, and find a company that best matches your expectations. It will also inform you of the different offers and advantages different companies offer. This can provide you room to negotiate with the company of your choice.
After choosing a mover that fits your needs, the next steps are getting ready for your new life abroad. Be as prepared and flexible as possible because it will likely take a little bit of both. Good luck!
International Moving Resources
U.S. Department of Transportation "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move"
- MovingScam.com - Informs consumers of popular scams and provides info on how to protect yourself during a move
- Better Business Bureau - Resource for reputable businesses in the United States & Canada
- Trading Standards - Provides complaints lodged against businesses in the UK
- https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/ - A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) web site to search for motor carrier license information
Use the Recommended Service Partner tool below to compare prices and receive free quotes.
Update 1/02/2018
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