Unless you intend to start your new life from scratch you will need to find an international removal company to transport your possessions to your new home in Canada. We take a look at the costs you can expect to face, and how you could save some money on the big move.
For many, the act of moving their belongings over 3,000 miles from the UK to Canada is one of the primary concerns when planning their move. It is undoubtedly a significant cost, but keeping your treasured possessions intact is a sound investment, plus it will mean fewer items to buy once you get there.
While moves to Europe can be carried out over land, sea or air, crossing the Atlantic with a container-load of furniture, clothes, toys etc. is normally done by sea, and this extra time should be factored into your plans.
You will need to ensure that your removal company is a reliable, professional firm with sufficient insurance
What it will cost
For any move the cost is based on the distance being covered and the volumetric weight of the items being moved. A quick internet search will provide numerous companies that perform this service. Do a bit of research and ask for testimonials to ensure that your removal company is a reliable, professional firm with sufficient insurance. Calculating the cost, the contents of a two-bedroom flat should comfortably fit into a 20’ container and shipped, via sea, to Canada for around £3,100 – £4,800 in three to five weeks. The east coast of Canada would be at the lower end of the range and the west more expensive.
However, if you are coming from a smaller place, or were able to reduce the amount of belongings to the equivalent of a one-bedroom flat, then air transportation would become a possibility. This is, of course, much quicker. The items could be at your new Canadian address within 8-10 days, but it comes at a cost: £5,500 to £7,800 as an estimate.
Your stuff arrives in Canada!
Keeping the cost down
If you make a significant dent in the amount of space needed to ship your possessions then a shared container could become a possibility.
There is not much you can do about the distance, so the only variable you have control over is weight. Re-evaluate what you are planning on taking with you to Canada, being ruthless and cutting items you can live without will bring your cost down. There are many books that can help you decide what you want to take with you, for example the Marie Kondo system of discarding anything that doesn’t “spark joy”. Also, you can sell these items creating a bit of capital you can use in Canada to purchase new stuff.
If you make a significant dent in the amount of space needed to ship your possessions then a shared container could become a possibility. This is where a 20’ or 40’ container is shared amongst people in similar positions, which would cut the cost significantly. However, you would need to factor in more time as the removal firm coordinates the move with several parties. Many have found this to be a good option as it is quite surprising how much you can fit into just a 20’ container, and it would be a shame not to fill it and end up wasting money on space you don’t really need.
The Canada Buying Guide takes you through each stage of the property buying process, with practical recommendations from our experts who have been through the process themselves. The guide will help you to:
