If you go to one of the parcel broker sites such as parcel2go.com you can enter your package details (size & weight) and get a number of quotes from different couriers with a variety of delivery options. Some will collect from your premises and a lot now allow you to drop the package off at a local convenience store which saves you waiting in for a driver.
As for recommendations as to the best courier, I really don't think it matters much. Everyone has their favourite but different people can have widely differing experiences as with most things.