When our clients inquire about Algarve removals to Portugal, the image that springs to mind is one of smooth roads and rapid delivery. What we see in practice involves far more complexity, particularly in the countryside of Portugal, where the remoteness of the areas poses particular hurdles before the removal truck even reaches the site.
With the number of deliveries we undertake at Movers International to inland areas each year, we have seen over the years that rural accessibility is far from a mere detail. In fact, it plays an integral role in planning a furniture relocation.
Understanding the access challenges
The Portuguese countryside has a quaint network of rural roads, but the reality is that such roads aren’t necessarily built for the modern means of transportation used today. When considering country addresses compared to city addresses, the country properties tend to have:
● Narrow country lanes that do not allow the passage of two vehicles
● Steep gradients and sharp curves
● Low obstacles, such as trees or overhead wires
● Unpaved driveways and limited space to turn
● Routes that are not visible or correct on mapping applications
In the absence of knowledge about these constraints, the delivery van may be left stuck, delayed, or even be required to unload its contents far off from the property.
How do we handle rural deliveries?
Before any move, involving moving furniture to Portugal, and particularly to rural areas, we make thorough assessments of access. We begin with a set of questions many of our customers fail to ask:
● What is the surface and width of the access road?
● Are there gates, steps, or narrow entrances?
● How is the property located in relation to the nearest vehicular access point?
● Are there any local conditions, times of year, or events which could impact timing?
Using satellite and street-level imagery, local maps, and on-site surveys when necessary, we piece together a detailed project. Sometimes we arrange for smaller shuttle trucks to deliver goods from a narrow access point to a front entrance. Sometimes we coordinate delivery times to avoid local traffic or festival dates to prevent the closure of narrow lanes.
Tailoring unloading and handling
The rural Portuguese houses may have features which do not exist in city relocations, such as internal courtyards, narrow staircases, sloping floors, and fragile facades. These items require the preparation of special packaging, and sometimes disassembling larger pieces before departure from the UK.
Timing is also considered. During the warmest months of the year, we allow time when it is cooler. In the colder months, we budget additional time when it is wet.
Experience makes the difference
These are the kinds of details that make rural deliveries work smoothly. Here at Movers International, we don’t merely move furniture for you. We think of every step of the process so you don’t have to worry if this will cause a delay in the delivery of your furniture or if this will affect the delivery of your furniture at all.
If you’re thinking of moving to the countryside in Portugal and would like straight talking and specific advice based on your property’s access arrangements, get in touch with us.