Then you’re looking at the big 3 — Biddulphs International, Pickfords and Stuttaford Van Lines. These are not only the biggest removal companies in the country but also some of the oldest. But does this make them the best? Let’s find out.
Biddulphs International has been moving families across South Africa for 95 years. Founded in 1928 in Harare, Biddulphs International has passed through 4 generations of ownership to become South Africa’s largest independent moving company.
Biddulphs International has expanded to 17 branches across South Africa, 3 in Zimbabwe and 1 in Botswana, with a fleet of over 180 motive units, which carry out 95% of the company's distribution. And according to HelloPeter, Biddulphs is also ranked an impressive 9th for removals in South Africa.
Biddulphs International offers a range of moving services:
Local and long-distance moving: Domestic removals include packing and unpacking, secure transportation, storage, insurance, South African relocation assistance and special care for special items.
International moving: Their international moving services offer clients different shipping options, including sea freight (either a full container load or groupage), air freight (where delivery often takes 1-4 days) or land freight where applicable.
Business moving: Having moved thousands of small to medium-sized enterprises, they have ample experience in relocating corporate offices.
Commercial distribution: Biddulphs offers professional logistics services, using its countrywide distribution network and cross border distribution to assist in the movement of consumer goods.
Storage solutions: You can choose sizes of 6x3 metre and 9x3 metre units which are insulated and have internal lighting located in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein.
Pet Transport: Biddulphs will relocate your pet both nationally and internationally.
Vehicle transport: Biddulphs will transport your vehicle both nationally and internationally.
Packing: With its own training centre in Johannesburg accredited by the Transport Education and Training Authority, Biddulphs trains each of its employees in packing, porting and loading.
Insurance: Biddulphs offers comprehensive insurance for both domestic and international moves.
Biddulph Internationals recommends moving mid-month or in other off-peak periods, where its rates are up to a third lower than at the end of the month. With over 400,000 international moves and 2.5 million domestic moves, Biddulphs International secures its spot as one of the biggest removal companies in the country.
Pickfords boast more than 100 years of experience, establishing themselves as a household name for removal services in South Africa and worldwide.
Pickfords has been operating in South Africa since 1904 and has built up an extensive network of offices and branches locally and abroad through their affiliation with the Allied Pickfords network.
Allied Pickfords is one of the largest removal services providers worldwide, consisting of over 800 offices.
Here’s a list of Pickfords' services:
Local moves
International moves
Office moves
Corporate relocations
Storage
Domestic and international insurance
While it may be one of the largest moving companies in South Africa, it’s not one of the most reputable, ranked only 42nd on HelloPeter for removals in South Africa, their customer service needs work to help improve reviews.
Stuttaford Van Lines is the oldest furniture removal company in Southern Africa, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the largest moving companies in the country when it’s had so much time to build its network.
Stuttaford’s history goes back to 1857, when it delivered furniture for Cape Town’s first department store.
And over 160 years later, Stuttaford has evolved into a modern, multi-national moving company with the largest fleet and network in South Africa — 15 000 moves per year, 300 experienced professionals and 14 branches across South Africa and even further into Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and Mozambique.
Stuttaford’s services include:
National move: From small towns to big cities, down the road or long distances, Stuttaford’s wide network can transport your goods anywhere in the country.
International move: Stuttaford not only moves your furniture overseas but helps you relocate with assistance from its sister relocations division.
Storage: Storage solutions offer a range of options, including classic storage, mobile storage and self-storage.
Drop n Go: This is an affordable option for small moves across the country where you simply drop off at one of the Stuttaford branches and collect it at your destination branch in 14 days.
Transport vehicles: Transport your car, boat, motorcycle or recreational vehicle across the country or even overseas.
Transport pets: Stuttaford’s pet transportation services help organise transportation and kennelling of your pet for a stress-free journey.
Fine art packing: Their fine art moving process encompasses everything from planning and scheduling, fine art packing and loading to compiling inventory reports, delivery and unpacking.
Move and relocation management: Stuttaford’s move management concept has been carefully honed to provide you, your company and the transferee with a user-friendly, technology-based South African relocation solution.
Office removal: This is a specialist service that operates under Sandton Office Removals and is offered by all branches, dedicated to the professional removal and storage of office furniture and effects.
Packing materials: Stuttaford offers a wide range of packing materials, with its cartons designed to add extra protection.
When trying to figure out if Stuttaford Van Lines is a good, reliable moving company, it’s important to note that it comes just above Pickfords at #41 for removals in South Africa, according to HelloPeter.
A: While the bigger multinationals always offer exceptional service and moving experiences, smaller local moving companies do so too. It's a good idea to get multiple quotes and check reviews for trusted local moving companies before booking.
A: It's true that bigger moving companies often have fixed pricing, and getting quotes from local movers can help you get a better price. This is because local moving companies operate within your area already and don't need to add additional travel costs.
A: You can get quotes from different moving companies online by visiting their websites or go to Wise Move to get multiple quotes from the top moving companies in South Africa.
These moving companies might be the largest in South Africa, but how do you know you’re getting the best deal? Looking to make your next big move and want one of South Africa’s most trusted and affordable movers on your side?
Get a quote right nowwith Wise Move to guarantee the most cost-effective options!
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