If you are moving abroad and need a reliable removals company to ensure your move goes ahead smoothly, get in contact with Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Storage today!
Many people are choosing to move abroad due to an increasing range of opportunities and experiences abroad, and it is made easier by today's transport system being so accessible. Whether you are moving your business overseas, studying abroad or simply starting a new life somewhere new - we can help make sure your move goes ahead as smoothly as possible. We have many agents worldwide in over 200 countries who are all ready to help with your move. Your goods are closely tracked from the start of their journey, through customs and right up until they are safely unpacked at your new location. We are more than happy to set up all of your belongings so you can start your new life straight away.
We are made up of a fully qualified and insured team who have been in the industry for many years. We have the expertise to safely transport all of your belongings to your new destination, prioritising their safety. When you first enquire, we get to know your exact requirements and can adjust our service to suit your needs. The customer always comes first - we put your needs first so that you have a fantastic experience working with us. Over many years, we have grown into a renowned company with an outstanding reputation for providing reliable removals for international moves - just try us!
We get to know your requirements and create a detailed plan as to which transport methods suit your move best. We have access to transport your goods via road, air and shipping - whichever may be most efficient. We even offer a packing service where our fully trained team will safely pack your belongings, only using the best tools and materials. If you prefer to pack your goods yourself, we recommend taking advantage of our high quality packing materials and tools which are available to be purchased at our shop. We offer various sized cartons, tissue paper, plain paper, bubble wrap and 2" vinyl tape. We are happy to unpack your goods at your new location if you require. We also offer portable wardrobe cartons so your clothes stay clean and crease free on their travels.
We can also help with commercial international moves if you are moving your business abroad. We provide A3 plastic stacking crates for files, dollies and trucks which cater for all offices. We can dismantle and reassemble any furniture you may require. We have many storage options available for all of our clients - we offer warehouse containers or storage rooms - whichever suits you. On depository, a full inventory will be taken of all of your goods. Then, you will be charged by the day so you only pay for the time you use the storage space. We work flexibly, 7 days a week and are available weekends and bank holidays should you require.
In our many years we've been established as a removal company, we are lucky to have built a loyal client base. One of our happy customers is Andrew, who moved to Thailand with the help of our services:
"Dear Mark, Thank you for the excellent way that you transported all my belongings from Eastbourne to Sakon Nakhon, Thailand. Everything arrived in good condition and exactly in the timeframe that you had told me. The delivery company accepted that I changed the delivery address without any hassle so everything was delivered to my new home. The guys who delivered were excellent. They were very polite and courteous and spoke excellent English. I can thoroughly recommend your service which, for me, was efficient and worry free."
Read more customer testimonials on our reviews page.
For reliable service which prioritises customer service at affordable prices, get in touch with a member of our friendly team today - call 01323 848 008 or complete the form at the top of this page.
Most of our Tunbridge Wells work falls into one of three property categories. Tile-hung Victorian and Edwardian terraces on the older streets, where the move-out involves narrow staircases, sash windows that need protecting, and original mantelpieces that we wrap individually. Post-war semis and detached homes on the mid-century estates — wider doors, garages that often function as overflow loft space, and gardens that have accumulated sheds, greenhouses and outdoor furniture. And modern detached new-builds, where the move is faster but the inventory is usually bigger thanks to the bonus rooms and double garages.
Whichever of those three describes your Tunbridge Wells home, the survey covers the same ground: room-by-room walk, photo of every awkward corner, and a written, itemised quote within 48 hours. We don’t quote off a phone call for anything bigger than a one-bedroom flat — phone quotes too often miss the loft, the under-stair cupboard or the shed, and the price moves on move day. A proper survey is free, takes 30 to 45 minutes, and means the price you see is the price you pay.
Our daily routes out of the Lower Dicker depot put Tunbridge Wells within standard half-day or full-day reach, depending on inventory size and the destination address. A typical Tunbridge Wells pickup with a Sussex or Surrey delivery completes in a single day, including pad-wrapping at the load and unwrapping at the unload. The lorry leaves Lower Dicker in time to be on your driveway ten minutes before the stated load time — we don’t make customers wait around at 6am for a 7am scheduled start.
For chain-day moves out of Tunbridge Wells the timings matter and we plan the schedule from the keys-release time backwards. For longer-distance UK moves — to the Midlands, the West Country, the north — we generally split the day across two crews if the inventory exceeds a single lorry. Anything heading overseas from Tunbridge Wells routes through our customs-controlled holding bay at the depot, where the container is loaded after a final inventory check.
The Tunbridge Wells quote process runs in five practical steps. First, a phone or web enquiry — tell us the address and the rough move date and we’ll suggest a survey slot. Second, the survey itself: either in-home (30 to 45 minutes) or over a video call. Both produce the same paperwork. Third, the written quote, emailed within 48 hours, itemised by line — pad-wrap, transport, packing materials, insurance, any specialist handling — so you can see what every cost line covers.
Fourth, the deposit and date hold: typically 20-25% on confirmation, fully protected under the British Association of Removers’ Advance Payment Guarantee. Fifth, the move itself — uniformed crew, our own lorry, no agency labour, blankets washed between jobs, and a written inventory at handover. None of this is unusual but it’s worth saying because a meaningful minority of removal firms across Kent cut corners on at least one of those steps.
Most Tunbridge Wells moves use one of three packing options. Full pack — our crews pack everything in the house the day before move day, using removal-grade cartons and tissue. Fragile-only pack — we handle the kitchen, the display cabinets, the framed art, the mirrors, the lamps, and the customer packs the easy stuff (books, clothing, linen, garage). Self-pack with materials supplied — we drop off cartons, tape, bubble and tissue, and you do it yourself with our written room-by-room guide.
Where the dates don’t line up (the sale completes a fortnight before the purchase, the chain slips, or the new property isn’t ready), we hold the load at our A22 depot in steel strong-rooms with 24-hour CCTV. Short-term storage between contracts is charged by the week; longer-term storage is invoiced monthly. For Tunbridge Wells customers needing self-access self-storage, the ground floor of the depot is fitted for that — individual digital-entry doors and 24/7 access via a key fob.
After the move, we come back to collect empty cartons free of charge if you’re within standard delivery range. We also offer an unpack service for customers who prefer the new home set up by us — particularly common for older customers and white-glove relocations.
For end-of-month dates in the May–September peak, six to ten weeks ahead. Mid-week, mid-month dates can sometimes be booked two to three weeks ahead. The earlier you book, the more choice of slot and crew you’ll have.
Yes — typically 20–25% of the quoted price on booking, with the balance payable on the day of completion. All deposits are protected under the British Association of Removers’ Advance Payment Guarantee.
Crew time, our own lorry, fuel, pad-wrap (industry-grade blankets washed between jobs), basic transit insurance and labour. Packing materials, fragile-only or full packing service, and any specialist handling (piano, antiques, art, marble) are quoted separately so you see the price of each.
Yes — full British Association of Removers members and audited annually, including the BS 8564 international removal standard. Our membership number and current audit dates are on the BAR site.
Sometimes — depends on the date and the inventory size. Smaller jobs can often be slotted in within a week. Larger 3- and 4-bed moves usually need at least two weeks’ notice so we can crew correctly.
Yes — FIDI-network shipments to over 200 countries. International moves route through our customs-controlled holding bay at the A22 depot, where the container is loaded after a final inventory check. We don’t sub-contract international work to third-party brokers.