I was going to be a rockstar…
… from age 10 I was in bands and songwriting, even signed to Warners and got a gold disc – but having kids meant I needed a ‘proper job’.
In 2006 I bought a van on credit card and ran Google ads for a London Man And Van Service, expecting to hate it, but I loved meeting people, doing physical work and earning steady money.
As a reputation for great service spread I added tour crew used to hard work and time pressure, and within a few years we were London’s highest 5 Star rated ‘Man And Van’ company on Google.
But I had 3 young kids with another due, and was trying to be a dad while running a business on the road – calls, emails, invoices, scheduling… I desperately needed technological help…
I’ll skip the gory details but it took 6 years, 3 failed attempts and more money than I could afford to finally launch Relōku.
Meanwhile Amazon had reset expectations of fast delivery, comparison sites put removals standards in a downward spiral, and tech companies eyed the industry to ‘Uber-ise’ it.
But rather than letting just anyone with a van join us, then paying them poorly and relying on high turnover of staff, we focussed on building an in-house team of professional driver and porters while creating technology toward an efficient, economical and sustainable logistics industry.
Service industries depend on great people, and we incentivise with respectable work and pay, not reducing drivers to a commodity.
So, our tech is modern but our ethos is old… happy staff = great service = happy customers.
We aspire to offer Relōku drivers flexibility, support, train and career opportunities to earn respectably and feel proud of their work, so Relōku customers can be delighted by a simple, convenient and dependable moving service.
Paul – Founder
Get In Touch
FAQ
What service does Relōku provide?
Relōku supplies vehicles with helpful, friendly, insured drivers and porters to relocate anything from a single item to a full house removal – to your door, when you want, for as long as you need.
You can have as much assistance as required, and travel with the driver to your destination.
Our unique technology shows real time availibility and accurate quotes, then tracks, monitors and measures the time and distance of your job, charging the exact amount used at the end – no 2 hour minimums, no hidden extras, no vague timings or costs… just a reliable, transparent, and convenient service.
How does it work?
Use the online quote section to get price estimates and check availability.
Choose the van and amount of help required, and book the date you need online.
You’ll then get text and email confirmation with everything you need to know, including updates and real-time driver tracking information before the move.
What should I use the service for?
Whenever you need anything moved from one place to another, Relōku can help – from a single box to multiple van loads.
Think of it like a taxi service – with some muscle – for your belongings!
Examples:
For domestic use
– moving home or flat
– transporting large items like a fridge, sofa, mattress, table and chairs, etc.
– collecting purchases from stores like Ikea or Currys
– delivering an oversized eBay purchase
– taking items to a storage unit or recycling centre
– lifting heavy items between rooms in your property
For business use
– moving office
– archiving boxes of business files to storage
– moving stock between stores
– transporting promotional material to an exhibition
How do you say the name, and what’s with the little line?
It’s pronounced ‘ree-LOW-koo’… a bit like a shortened, stylised ‘relocate you’.
The line above the O is called a macron which indicates a long or accented vowel.
But honestly we just like how it looks – not just because stressing the O makes it sound more melodic, but also because it looks like a wheel with a carrying platform above it…
What hours do you operate?
Technically we never close as our drivers work all hours but instant availability varies depending on time and day or week.
For example, it’s usually very busy on Saturday at 9am but very quiet at 2am on a Tuesday morning…
The booking system will show the nearest available options if you need something moved immediately or offer specific time slots when booking in advance.
Why shouldn’t I just use a courier?
Of course you can, provided that you meet the following requirements….
– you don’t need to travel with the van
– your items are small enough
– you dont need any help lifting and carrying
– you don’t mind your stuff going in with other peoples
– it doesn’t matter if it arrives in a few days
– you can provide accurate weights and dimensions for each item
– you can wrap, protect and box each piece you’re moving
– you can print labels for each individual thing you need moved…
If so then of course try a courier, it could be slightly cheaper! *
But if it’s too big, or you need help to lift and carry, or you need a direct route, or you need to travel with the van, or want a same day drop off… then Relōku can help!
* (That said, before you actually book a courier please check our ‘pool’ option, which is halfway between our full direct service and a standard courier service… it’s a fairly revolutionary way to get ‘courier type’ loads moved, especially if it’s more than a single item.)
What is your ‘pool’ option?
(Note – pool option not available in all areas yet)
During the booking process our technology will notice if your load fits certain criteria and where applicable will offer the ‘pool’ option – meaning we collect your goods while en-route between jobs or addresses, much like a courier, although (unlike a courier) we will still help lift and carry, and will usually deliver the same day.
These are discounted trips, perfect if you dont need an empty vehicle fully dedicated to your load.
It also allows us to optimise empty space in a huge range of vehicles including cars, scooters, bikes etc. for greater efficiency and economy, all while reducing road use, waste and pollution.
