Timeframe for moving with professionals?

We've done a number of moves in the States over the years with professional (Mayflower, North American, etc) movers. We have always learned to add an additional 7-10 days to each "estimate" in terms of how long it will take to get our things. On our last move from Texas to Ohio, the movers promised to have our items in about 14 days. Realistically, it ended up being 3 weeks from the point of loading the truck until delivery of our things.

In any case, what sorts of time frames have you experienced if you've used professional movers for your relocation abroad? A few cold calls around have given me estimates of anywhere from taking 4 weeks up to over 2 months until we receive our items after a move to the U.K.  I know there's additional issues of having our items clearing customs and working with essentially two different "removal" companies. But what have your experiences been with professionals?

I am moving from the westside of Cleveland to the Midlands.  I am working with Marina at Sterling International--she is excellent and extremely efficient.  Packers come tomorrow and the container arrives and is loaded on Thursday.  Then container goes by rail to New York and is booked on a ship departing May 25 with estimated arrival in Felixstowe on June 12.  Container is estimated to arrive at residence around June 17. 

I had three estimates from local moving companies who work with international movers.  I liked two out of three local movers, but Sterling's quote was less and the quality of personal service was higher. 

I hope this helps. 

Thank you for your response! Nice to see another Clevelander around!

We actually had about 4 different moving companies over to provide estimates. Ultimately, it's my husband's university that will be making the decision for us regarding movers, but most have given us a 6 week window to ship and receive our items. Of course this may change depending on our exact date of booking (we're still waiting on visa approval) but they assured us that there is an extremely competitive market at the moment for shipping 20ft containers.

Thanks again!

Case, Cleveland State?

Would you like an update once the container arrives at DH's home? 

My local company is Berman who represent Atlas in the US.  So far they have been fantastic.  Today the furniture and boxes are loaded either into a truck or the 20' container--not sure which to expect.  And yes, it's a very competitive market.

Case, Cleveland State?

Would you like an update once the container arrives at DH's home? 

Neither Case, nor CSU. He's on a bit of a sabbatical year. We moved from Texas to spend the year with my family before heading on to the U.K.

And yes, please keep me updated with your shipment. I'd love to hear what the exact shipping time has been for you! Many thanks again And best of luck with your move!

Lovely for you both; will keep you updated.

Wow lots of Clevelanders moving to the UK.

Here's the report on my moving experience.  Container was loaded in Ohio on May 13, taken somewhere to be weighed and then taken to a rail terminal where it was loaded on a train destined to a shipyard in New York.  Container left New York on May 25, due to arrive in Southhampton June 12 rather that Felixstowe.  June 12 was an estimated date.  I am not sure what day the container ship arrived, but it was after June 12. 

Container arrived at UK home on June 17 and was unloaded.  Everything was in perfect order.  The UK agent and porters were super.  I've never had such and easy move.  I can highly recommend Sterling International.

Woodlily, I am excited to hear about Sterling International.  I am sitting with 4 quotes in front of me after many.  My top two are Sterling and Rainier.  Rainier is a bit less expensive. 

I looked in this forum thread for recommendations if anyone here had used either of the two, Sterling and Rainier, so this helps!  Did Sterling come out and do an in home estimate for you?  Was their quote close to what your final figure was if you don't mind me asking?

Is there anyone here who has used Rainier?  Feedback if so?  Any others that used Sterling? 

I am so afraid of getting hit with major costs after all said and done as you research all the horror stories on movingscam.com.

Any input?

The cost was less than the cost I was quoted by the estimator from the local moving company who packs your goods and loads then into the container.  You must have an in home estimate as the one you may have taken online was only a very lose ballpark figure.  A person needs to look at the size of the furniture, etc. that you plan to ship for a more accurate estimate.  The final cost is determined by the actual weight of the loaded.  By then it's too late to back out!  The man who came from the local moving company to estimate said he's usually fairly accurate and he tends to estimate on the high side.  I think that's better because you are less likely to have an unpleasant surprise when you receive your final quote.  You will also have to pay for insurance which is rather expensive.