Container Relocations

There are different types of property removal services depending on the scale and distance over which the household or office is supposed to move. In light of this, there are various means of carrying out the project. In the case of short to medium distance property surface relocations i.e. items are not travelling by sea or air, the vehicle of choice is usually a van or truck of the appropriate size and load capacity. However, if the contents of a home or office is supposed to be relocated over long distances, perhaps the most suitable option is to use a container relocation service.

What is a container relocation service?

In its basics, a container relocation service is similar to any other property removal service, though the technical means and vehicles used are different to normal removals. This type of service still uses a truck though the truck is larger and heavier and has more hauling capacity as it needs to move around a standard sized shipping container, housing all the items destined for removal. In order to streamline the removal process, and meet container shipping requirements, items and equipment are loaded and transported in a standard sized shipping container. There are five internationally recognised sizes of containers, though the two most widely used sizes are:

• 20 foot shipping containers (1160 cubic feet of cargo space);
• 40 foot shipping containers (2360 cubic feet of cargo space);

Loading items inside shipping containers creates what’s known in logistics as containerised cargo, making the transportation process much more efficient and less expensive.

Advantages of using container removal services

Companies offering container removals in London usually customise the service as per individual requirements, making the removal process even more convenient. One of the key advantages of using a container for a long distance removal is fewer costs, and keeping costs to a minimum is essential when it comes to long distance property relocations.

• Professional container removal companies will allow for one container per customer – a good option when you don’t want sharing a container with another customer. No part-loading means that customer belongings are packed, loaded and transported from A to B, without any re-handling or re-arranging along the way.
• Specialised container removal companies usually offer short or long term storage for the containerised cargo – a suitable option when the property needs to be vacated prior to actual shipping date of items.
• Shipping containers provide extra safety for items during transit – shipping containers are made of heavy duty steel, and if items are packed and arranged properly inside the container, there is very little chance of damage to valuables inside the container (when handled and transported properly, of course).

Packing and loading of items inside a shipping container is a specific process, and may also require proper weight distribution across the length and height of the container. It is advisable to let the removal company technicians handle the packing and stacking of items as this will ensure a safe trip, and prevent damage to valuables. Most good container removal companies in London offer packing and loading as part of the relocation service.