WELCOME TO MATTHEW JAMES Matthew De-Machen Matthew De-Machen, Managing Director of Matthew James Global Relocations, is not your average removals man. In fact he s not your average managing director either. From a very young age he has been fascinated by vehicles and entered the moving industry as a teenager to provide an outlet for his interest. As his company grew his passion never waned. On the contrary, his obsession with beautiful machinery developed into a similarly all-embracing crusade for perfection in everything he and his company does. It is this dedication to excellence that has made his company successful and his vehicle fleet the talk of the moving industry both in the UK and throughout Europe. The detailing on Matthew s vehicles bears testimony to his compulsion for perfection and provides a window into the care with which he runs his whole business. All right is not good enough: it s either perfect, or it s no good at all. This principle runs through Matthew s business like a watermark. Inspiration flows down from the top and everyone who works at the company understands. Service quality is everything. Second best is unacceptable. It s serendipity: a coming together of skill, passion and belief that has built a unique company of people who know what excellence looks like, and are determined to let it shine through everything they do. PROUD WINNERS OF Truckstar 2012 The Movers and Storers Show Packer of the Year 2013 The Movers and Storers Truck Show 2014 ACCREDITATIONS ACHIEVED IN 2014 QAS International ISO 9001 Transport for London FORS silver ACCREDITATION ACHIEVED IN 2015 The International Association of Movers (IAM) Matthew s childhood dream has come true. Not only can he indulge his love of trucks, he has used this passion to build a successful business and his drive for perfection to provide an exceptional European and UK relocations service for some of the world s most demanding corporations.
MOVING HOME IS NOT ONLY ABOUT TRANSPORT, IT S ABOUT PEOPLE Matthew James is a family business that prides itself on providing excellent service for its customers. Of course when you first consider moving your home in the UK, to Europe or to another continent, your first consideration may be cost, but that s just part of it. When you move home you do more than just move location, you change your life completely. Even if you only move to the next town, you have new friends, schools, jobs and opportunities. It s an important decision and an emotional experience. There is the potential for lots to go wrong; it s our job to make sure nothing does. Right from the start we ll use our experience to guide you, advise you, and help to make the hard decisions easy. This brochure describes our services, but as you browse through the pages for UK moving, international moving, or storage, always bear in mind it s not what you do, it s how you do it that really matters. We are members of the British Association of Removers whose strict membership criteria ensures we are both professionally and legally compliant; we trade under terms and conditions that are approved by the UK s Trading Standards Institute; our company has been accredited to ISO 9001; and we are proud to have been assessed to the FORS silver Standard (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme).
When quality really matters... UK MOVING - THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE Whether you are moving a whole house or just a few precious things, whether they are going across the street or around the world, we ll take the same care, door to door. If you are not used to moving house, and most people are not, the whole thing can seem a bit baffling. There is so much to do and never enough time in which to do it. That s where we come in. At Matthew James it s our job to do the thinking for you. We ll use our 25 years experience to help you plan your move, we offer all the services you may require including packing and labelling, we move everything to your new home, and can even help you to unpack and re-assemble everything at the other end. It s moving the traditional way the way it should be done. Whether you are moving a whole house or just a few precious things, whether they are going across the street or around the world, we ll take the same care, door to door. INSURANCE Your consignment is automatically covered up to 50,000 for total loss in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as a fire or flood. In addition to this your consignment will be covered on a limited liability basis of 40 per item. In addition to the standard terms above we offer a variety of increased cover insurance options and can arrange bespoke packages to suit your every requirement. This can include new for old arrangements and can be provided whether you are moving locally or internationally.
PACKING SERVICES We offer a part or full packing service; or we can just supply you with the materials you need to pack things yourself and we will include these in your quotation. We also provide an export wrapping service for international or high value items. FRAGILE/PART PACKING SERVICE If you just need help to pack your fragile items - glass, china, pictures and mirrors - our fragile packing service is for you. We usually do this the day before your removal using specialist materials such as flo-pack, bubble wrap, tissue paper, tape and a variety of different sized boxes. The boxes will then be marked so that everything can be placed correctly in your new home. If requested we can make individual crates to protect valuable pictures or fine art on the journey. FULL PACKING SERVICE With our full packing service, we ll pack everything for you so you can relax and let us do the hard work. We usually do the packing the day before your moving day. We ll use a variety of different-sized boxes, all of the highest quality: small ones for books, medium ones for china, tall ones for lamps and lightweight items, etc. We also use tape, tissue, bubble wrap, and flo-pack to protect everything perfectly. The boxes will be clearly labelled and placed in the correct rooms in your new home. All packing materials are included in your estimate when you move with Matthew James.
STORAGE We offer storage in London, Barcelona, Madrid and Estepona. Our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and have sophisticated alarm systems. CONTAINERISED STORAGE Containerised storage is fast, safe, economic and keeps handling to a minimum. Unlike conventional or self storage, your goods are only handled twice: into a sealed container at your door; out of the container at your new home. The container is not opened and your goods will not be handled again at the warehouse, no matter how long they stay with us. We understand that the things you store with us are precious to you otherwise you wouldn t be storing them. We treat everything with the highest level of care, just as you would yourself. All our storage facilities are fully insured for your peace of mind. We offer storage in London, Barcelona, Madrid and Estepona. Our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and have sophisticated alarm systems. SELF STORAGE If you advise us when you would like to bring your items into store we will make sure we have empty containers waiting for you ready to be loaded. The containers will then be sealed and stored away until you are ready to collect them. While they are in our warehouse your personal effects will be insured against total loss; additional insurance can be arranged depending on your requirements. Our containers are 5ft x 7ft x 8ft. You can use as many containers as you need from as little as one day onwards. The longer you require storage the more competitive the cost will be. We also offer an extensive range of packing materials for sale at affordable prices. ARCHIVE STORAGE Our archive storage service provides safe storage for your important documents to help you release valuable space in your office. You can have as many storage boxes as you need. While in store all your boxes can be made accessible to you and at no time are racking shelves shared. We can also arrange a regular collection and delivery service for your files to help keep your working space clear. When your old files are no longer required, we can arrange for them to be securely shredded in line with your document management policy. If you have props or PR equipment we can store them for you and make them available whenever they are required or we can deliver them straight to your event if you prefer.
UK AND LOCAL DOMESTIC RELOCATIONS Everything we do is tailored to your needs whether you are moving across the street or across the country. Our domestic moving service ranges from a small flat to a large stately home. Our company originally provided small domestic relocation services for residents of Chislehurst and the surrounding areas. Even today, local relocations remain a large part of our work with around 75% of our work coming from recommendations. Typical moves range from a one-day, local removal up to a large, complex move taking a week or more. Everything we do is tailored to your needs whether you are moving across the street or across the country. We are proud members of BAR (British Association of Removers). You can also check what our customers say about us at www.referenceline.com. WHAT YOUR ESTIMATE INCLUDES Hanging wardrobe boxes Tailor-made padded sofa covers Plastic mattress covers Boxes, paper and tape Carpet protectors Trained, trustworthy and uniformed staff The reassurance of the British Association of Removers Modern, clean, reliable, bespoke-built removal vehicles Only use a BAR registered company.
EUROPEAN RELOCATIONS To and from the UK, France and Spain weekly. Fortnightly departures to all other European destinations. In 1989, early in our company s history, we started relocating clients abroad. In 2002 we opened our first Spanish depot on the Costa del Sol, followed by Madrid in 2011 and Barcelona in 2012. We currently have a weekly service to and from the UK, France and Spain, and can provide dedicated services depending on your exact requirements. We deliver to all European locations regularly. Our drivers have a minimum of five years European experience. Our expertise, know-how, local knowledge and specialist vehicles make us the obvious choice for moving throughout Europe. We are proud to be BAR International Associates (British Association of Removers); our service has been assessed to ISO 9001; and we are members of IAM (International Association of Movers), the world s largest trade association for the global moving industry. COMPARING OUR QUOTATION We believe that no other company can provide a comparable quotation that will match our quality of service. Your removal estimate will include: Full detailed numbered inventory provided at collection Flat screen TV boxes All fabric items such as beds, sofas and mattresses will be wrapped in high quality, purpose made plastic covers for full protection from dirt and dust VEHICLE TRANSPORTATION Unlike car transporters, our vehicle transportation service ensures that your vehicles are enclosed, securely strapped down and then sectioned off, preventing stone chips, other road damage, or tampering by inquisitive passers-by. Our expertise, know-how, local knowledge and specialist vehicles make us the obvious choice for moving throughout Europe. We can also transport your household effects and vehicles together in one of our purpose-built vehicles. We currently transport vehicles throughout the UK, Europe and internationally. As well as conventional vehicles we ship anything from classic cars, 4x4s, motorbikes, off road bikes, jet skis, small boats, quad bikes, road bikes, MPVs and vans.
INTERNATIONAL RELOCATIONS Our international moving service ranges from a small flat to a large stately home. Shipping abroad can be complex with each country s customs requirements and local regulations being different. The precise cost for shipping or air freight will depend on the exact size (and sometimes the weight) of your consignment. We recommend air freight if you require your effects promptly. If you wish to ship most or all of your household effects we recommend the use of a dedicated container. For smaller shipments, we recommend our part load (groupage) service as the most practical and cost effective option. The exact price will depend on the cubic capacity, container size, and service required. Part loads will be returned to our warehouse for consolidation and loading. SERVICES AVAILABLE Complete door to door service Export wrapping and packing services Unpacking and re-assembly services International shipping inventory Dedicated and groupage consignments Customs clearance assistance Bespoke crating for fragile and delicate items International deep sea insurance cover Our export packing service provides a detailed inventory for customs and is suitable for use with all risk marine insurance cover. Full load containers can be loaded directly at your home if the access allows. Our export packing service provides a detailed inventory for customs and is suitable for use with all risk marine insurance cover.
ANTIQUES AND FINE ART CASE MAKING SERVICE We understand that moving fine art requires the highest level of care at every point in the move so that your valuable items are protected. From oil paintings to sculptures and statues, our removal teams know how to move art collections safely and will work with you to ensure that every aspect of the move is handled with precision and the utmost care. You will need to let our representative know at the time of your survey if you will be moving fine art or other high value items. Special arrangements may be necessary to ensure that your collection will reach its destination safely. SERVICES AVAILABLE Bespoke crate making service Extra insurance for high value items PACKING YOUR FINE ART COLLECTION Different kinds of art require different packing techniques. We recommend wooden crating for the most valuable artwork including paintings, sculptures and statues. Crates can be custom built to the required size to protect these items during transportation. Oil paintings, for example, need to be handled with extra care and protected using the correct materials. Prior to crating, the front of your oil painting will be covered in acid-free glassine paper, to protect it from moisture and dust. Once your art is crated, it is ready to be moved. Upon arrival at destination, your art collection will be unloaded at your new home. We can provide a rehanging service if required. From oil paintings to sculptures and statues, our removal teams know how to move art collections safely.
FULL DESTINATION SERVICES Arriving in style. You relied on us to do the work for you when you left your old home, so why not let us take the strain when you arrive too by selecting our full destination service. If you choose a full destination service, when your consignment arrives we will unwrap your furniture and position it for you to make you feel at home straight away. If we dismantled furniture for the removal (such as beds, wardrobes, tables, etc.) we ll reassemble it for you so it can be used immediately. SERVICES INCLUDED Unwrapping of all furniture Removal of debris Re-assembly of furniture Placing furniture as directed We will even vacuum your floors on request All the cartons will be unpacked and the contents placed on surfaces ready for you to pack away into cupboards and drawers. If you don t want all the cartons unpacked, we ll place the remainder in the right rooms making it easy for you to do later. We ll take all the rubbish away and will even push the vacuum cleaner around before we leave. Perfect! When you arrive at your new home there is so much for you to do. Why not let us do as much as we can to help you, so you have more time to relax, settle in and explore your new surroundings. When your consignment arrives we will unwrap your furniture and position it for you to make you feel at home straight away.
TESTIMONIALS Our reputation is your recommendation. Thank you to the team who moved my furniture on 27 April. Move from Carrer del Baladre 19, Javea, Spain to the UK This e-mail is sent to express both my wife s and my appreciation of the work undertaken by your team when they packed and loaded our goods in Spain two weeks ago. It is not my intent to be overly fulsome in my praise, but rather to commend them, not only for their effort, but also for the manner and courtesy in the way they undertook the job. George and Stewart worked extremely hard and for long hours without break for the best part of three days and they did so in a very professional and competent manner. We had to leave them for the last few hours of the job in order to attend a meeting with the Notary and thereafter complete the sale transaction with the purchasers of our property. When we returned the packing had been completed on time and the house left clean and tidy. In every sense George and Stewart were the best kind of ambassadors for your company and because of their efforts we have sung the praises of Matthew James to our friends and colleagues and will continue to do so. We would be most grateful if you would ensure this e-mail is forwarded internally amongst the senior management of Matthew James and also that George and Stewart are given sight of it themselves. Dear Paul I am writing to say how impressed I and my wife have been with the service of Matthew James, from the initial welcome and contact through you, to the guys who came to pack and collect in Spain, and finally to the two very polite and helpful young people who delivered our goods in England. We have used other removal companies in the past, but if we ever have to globe-trot again, we shall definitely use you, and shall recommend you without hesitation. Kind Regards, Yours Sincerely, Nicholas R M Chappell Dear Jill, My husband and I would like to pass on our appreciation for the hard work of Tony, Leon and Lee who made our move on Wednesday go smoothly and most importantly stress free. They were helpful and professional throughout the day and despite the temperatures, did not stop until the job was completed. My Husband and I were astonished and impressed at how hard they worked and how committed they were to providing an excellent service. They are assets to your company and we would not hesitate in recommending Matthew James to friends and family. Please pass on our gratitude. Kind Regards, Jo and Richard Smallwood Hi Jill Would just like to say thank you for an excellent service for packing yesterday and the removal today. We didn t get to know all the operatives involved, but would like to thank them all for their hard work and kind attention. Our praises particularly go to Sean and Matt who were absolutely fantastic and a very calming influence. They couldn t do enough to help and make sure the move went smoothly. I can certainly say they are an asset to your company and would not hesitate in recommending your services. Please thank Matt and Sean for their kind attention and your services overall from first contact to the last box we couldn t have done it without you all! With Kind Regards, Fiona Brooks I can t speak too highly of the three-man team. They were punctual, courteous and good natured. All were helpful and kind and they went out of their way to oblige and I am most grateful for their help. I am most impressed with the high standard of service given by Matthew James. Best Wishes for your help and patience in answering all my queries prior to the move. Sincerely Joan H Winfield Good evening, We meant to send this as soon as we moved in, but getting re-connected to the internet took a while. We just wanted to say thank you very much to everyone at Matthew James who helped to move us from Felton Lea to Brenda Court on 25th November. We were very grateful to the three people who spent the day with us and proved to be very helpful. We have not yet returned any boxes to you. We have a few unpacked, but, as we have found several unexpected things which need doing, we have unpacked very little. As soon as we have enough empty boxes to make a collection, we will let you know. With best wishes Judith Brand With best regards, Yours Sincerely, Keith Armstrong
ACCREDITATIONS We are very proud of the accreditations we have achieved. Here is an explanation of what they mean. The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is an accreditation scheme that aims to improve fleet activity in London and throughout the UK and beyond. The aim of FORS is simple. One over-arching scheme that encompasses all aspects of safety, fuel efficiency, economical operations and vehicle emissions. FORS is a voluntary scheme that helps improve operators performance in each of these areas. FEDEMAC s main function is to express the concerns and needs of the moving industry on a European level and to co-ordinate national activities with European impact. Much of this work is centred on presentation of the mover s concerns and needs at the EU Parliament and Commission as well as liaising with national associations, and other trade organisations. The International Association of Movers represents more than 2,000 relocation companies in over 170 countries. More than just movers, these companies are partners and innovators in the delivery of moving, forwarding, shipping, logistics and related services. IAM affiliation increasingly signifies strength, trust, diversity, ethics, reliability and accountability. For over 100 years, the British Association of Removers (BAR) has been the recognised voice of the professional moving and storage industry in the United Kingdom. Choosing a BAR Member will ensure your move goes smoothly with added peace of mind that comes from using a reputable, professional and safe remover, and in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you ve got someone to turn to. ISO 9001 sets out the steps necessary to adopt a quality management system. It is designed to help organisations ensure they meet the needs and expectations of both customers and other interested parties, based on internationally recognised quality management principles set out by the International Standards Organisation (ISO). The Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) is facilitated self-regulation. It aims to bolster consumer protection and improve customer service standards by: The approval and promotion of codes of practice and setting out the principles of effective customer service. Recognising approved traders by allowing them to display the TSI approved code logo. MATTHEW S ADVICE ON CHOOSING YOUR MOVER We ve all done it. You get a moving date, you re a bit short of time, so you choose a moving company you found on the Internet that s available on the day. Then it all goes wrong. But it doesn t have to be that way. Here are a few words of wisdom I ve learned during the last 25 years to help you make the right choice of mover and avoid the moving day blues. Firstly, start early. You don t need to wait until you have a completion date to look for your mover. Start your research as soon as you know you are going to move, that way you can avoid a rushed decision later. Choose only companies that are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR). BAR members work to a strict Code of Practice that is approved by the Trading Standards Institute and is the only official trade association in the UK. Get them to confirm in writing that they will do the work themselves and not subcontract to a non-bar company it does happen! Look out for companies with ISO 9001. This shows their administration standards are quality audited ensuring a consistent standard throughout the business and in line with internationally accepted Standards. If you arrange a quotation online make sure you include everything in the inventory. It s very easy to forget some items or underestimate the number of boxes you will need. Make sure you know exactly what is included, and what is not. It s much better, if practical, to have a representative visit your home, properly assess the job and give you a firm quotation with full details. Watch out for hidden extras! While the assessor is there, ask questions lots of them. If the answers are vague or incomplete, maybe the company isn t as experienced as it suggests. Don t automatically look for the lowest quote. All professional movers have similar costs. If a price is cheap, there s probably something missing and it might be important. Look for reviews online, including those from www.referenceline.com where you can find the good and the bad reports. Check how long your preferred company has been in business and that it is financially stable, particularly if you will be storing your goods for a long time. Do not ask a reputable company for a special deal for cash. That s not the way the professional moving industry works. If you do pay cash you will not receive a receipt, you will not have insurance and your goods are at risk. You will be asked to pay in advance for your move but the BAR Code of Practice provides financial protection for you if the company cancels or doesn t turn up (which is very unlikely). Make sure the moving companies you invite into your home to quote have a proper contact address on their company website. Also be wary of companies with no accreditations. Finally, go to see them. All good movers are proud of their premises and vehicle fleets. They will be delighted to show you around. The moving industry is a respectable and time-honoured trade. There are many good, professional, conscientious companies around. But some are not so good. Follow these basic steps and you should be fine.
CONTACT US Head Office UK Matthew James Global Relocation Ltd Anchor Boulevard Crossways Business Park Dartford DA2 6QH 01322 251 000 info-uk@mjr.global Head Office Spain Matthew James Global Relocation SL Calle Alonso Cano 19 Poligono Industrial Estepona, Malaga 29680 Spain +34 931 84 54 94 info-spain@mjr.global For online estimates visit: www.matthewjamesremovals.com