RECOMMENDED COMPANIES IN THE NETHERLANDS

Jamie · Expat Focus Administrator Joined: Aug 06, 2000 Posts: 1817

When you move to a new country you may lack the local knowledge necessary to ensure you get good service and don't get ripped off by cowboys or con artists. This page is devoted entirely to companies, organisations, groups and individuals who give great service in the Netherlands and have been personally recommended by Expat Focus members. If you would like to add a recommendation to this section please note the following:

- recommendations may not be submitted for your own company or any company with which you are associated
- recommendations should be sent to admin@expatfocus.com and consist of full contact details for the company, a short description of the service offered and the reason why the company or organisation is being recommended

Please mention Expat Focus when contacting any of the companies, thank you!

GENERAL EXPAT ADVICE

Company name: ACCESS
Tel: +31 (0)20 423 3217 (Amsterdam) / +31 (0)70 346 2525 (The Hague)
Fax: +31 (0)20 423 3480 (Amsterdam)
Email: amsterdam@access-nl.org / thehague@access-nl.org
Website: http://www.access-nl.org
Services offered: Free information, advice and support for your life in the Netherlands. Services include a helpdesk (by phone and e-mail), a quarterly magazine, information booklets about various aspects of life in the Netherlands, workshops and courses, counseling and cancer support.
Location: Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam / City Hall (Atrium), Spui 70, 2511 BT The Hague
Recommended by: Agnes
Reason for recommendation: The services are both useful for newcomers and for those who have been living here for a longer period. ACCESS is staffed by volunteers. Most of them are expats themselves and know from personal experience about what you may need when you arrive in the Netherlands.

BOOK SHOPS

Company name: American Book Center
Tel: +31(0)20 625 55 37 (Amsterdam) / + 31(0)70 364 27 42 (The Hague)
Fax: +31(0)20 624 80 42 (Amsterdam) / +31(0)70 365 65 57 (The Hague)
Email: info@abc.nl / dh@abc.nl
Website: http://www.abc.nl
Services offered: A broad selection of English language books.
Location: Spui 12, 1012 XA Amsterdam / Lange Poten 23, 2511 CM The Hague
Recommended by: Agnes
Reason for recommendation: Loved by many expats.

LEGAL ADVICE

Company name: GMW Advocaten, Legal Expat Desk
Tel: +031(0)70-3615048
Email: g.boonman@gmw.nl
Website: http://www.gmw.nl/en/international-community/legal-expat-desk.html
Services offered: A lawyers firm with special knowledge of developments in the international community in the Netherlands.
Location: Scheveningseweg 52, 2517 KW The Hague
Recommended by: Agnes
Reason for recommendation: They have a personal approach. Some of the attorneys have lived and studied abroad, being fully aware of the ins and outs of the expat lifestyle from their own personal experiences.

TRANSLATORS/INTERPRETERS

Company name: Crossover Translations
Contact person: Liz Cross
Tel: +31 (0)20 6854972
Mobile: +31 (0)6 19882611
Website: http://www.crossovertranslations.nl
Services offered: Dutch to English translation, editing and interpreting services. Crossover Translations is run by Liz Cross, a native speaker of English with over 10 years of experience in translating and editing texts from Dutch into English. Liz has also worked as an interpreter since 2004.
Location: Amsterdam
Recommended by: Jamie
Reason for recommendation: Liz is highly professional, very competent and has a keen eye for detail. I have no hesitation in recommending the services of Crossover Translations to anyone (from individuals to large corporations) looking for a Dutch to English translator or interpreter.

PLUMBERS (LOODGIETERS)

Company name: Mi & Mo Loodgieters
Contact person: Mo
Mobile: +31 (0)6 22949602
Services offered: Plumbing, central heating installation and maintenance, bathroom/kitchen installation, roofing
Location: Amsterdam
Recommended by: Jamie
Reason for recommendation: Mo is a highly professional and conscientious workman and also a very nice guy. He was recommended to us by a friend when we wanted our new dishwasher plumbed in and we have since then recommended him to other friends, all of whom have been delighted by his work. Mo speaks Dutch and reasonable English.

HOME INTERIORS

Company name: Velthuis Home Interiors
Contact person: Robert Velthuis
Tel: +31 (0)20 6152242
Mobile: +31 (0)6 43081450
Website: http://www.velthuishomeinteriors.nl/
Services offered: Floors (e.g. laminate), carpets, curtains, furniture, blinds, etc.
Location: Amsterdam, service offered throughout the Netherlands
Recommended by: Jamie
Reason for recommendation: Robert Velthuis and his colleagues supplied and installed our laminate floor. The installation was incredibly fast and very professional with a great deal of care and attention being paid to our requirements. The laminate was high in quality and very reasonably priced but more importantly Robert and his colleagues were genuine, friendly and professional. Highly recommended to anyone in the Netherlands considering home interior work. Robert speaks fluent English.

RESTAURANTS AND COOKERY COURSES

Company name: Pathum Thai Restaurant
Reservations: +31 (0)20 6244936
Services offered: Thai restaurant, take away and cooking lessons!
Location: Willemsstraat 16, Jordaan, Amsterdam
Recommended by: Jamie
Reason for recommendation: This is my favourite Thai restaurant in Amsterdam - the food is delicious and the service superb. Family run, the restaurant is small but cosy. The kitchen can be seen from the main part of the restaurant and next door is another kitchen where the chef gives Thai cookery lessons. Delicious food, very reasonable prices and genuinely friendly service - highly recommended. The staff speak English, Dutch and, of course, Thai.

If you would like to add a recommendation to this section please note the following:

- recommendations may not be submitted for your own company or any company with which you are associated
- recommendations should be sent to admin@expatfocus.com and consist of full contact details for the company, a short description of the service offered and the reason why the company or organisation is being recommended

Jamie · Expat Focus Administrator Joined: Aug 06, 2000 Posts: 1817

Updated 04/02/10