At some point during any move, the question arises of the volume of belongings to be moved. The mover, for his part, needs to estimate the volume of your furniture and boxes in order to make a commercial proposal and draw up a moving estimate. As for you, you may need the information to choose a vehicle of the right size for your needs if you're moving alone and rent a truck, with or without driver. An estimate of the volume of your move is therefore essential, no matter how you move. Today, there are a number of different ways of doing this. Here's an overview of existing solutions to help you quickly calculate the volume of your belongings to be moved.
The volume of belongings to be moved is a key element in the management of a move.
On the mover's side, it makes it possible to assess the resources and technical means required to :
Along with the distance separating your departure and arrival points, the volume of a move is therefore an essential element in estimating the price of your future move and drawing up an estimate.
On your side, it's a decisive criterion when choosing a truck to rent. You can also use this data to make online estimates and request a quote. So, before launching the project, you need to think about the method you're going to use to determine this volume.
There are several ways of determining the volume of belongings to be considered for a move: from mathematical formulas to volume calculators, not forgetting the nature of the dwelling.
You can, of course, apply the mathematical formula you learned in class to calculate the volume of each piece of furniture one by one. As a reminder, it's width x length x height. In this case, you'd better measure in meters to obtain cubic meters.
This is obviously laborious, and does not reflect the volume of the furniture after dismantling. What's more, you also have to take into account the items stored in the furniture, which will have to be boxed up. Undoubtedly, there won't be many candidates for this exercise.
More simply than with the mathematical formula, you can also use the average surface area of a dwelling or the number of rooms to deduce an approximate volume.
This method is based on average ratios observed in homes that have already been moved. Here is a table showing the average volume of goods to be moved as a function of the surface area of a dwelling:
| Number of rooms |
Number of pieces other |
Total number of parts |
Surface area average in m² |
Estimated of goods |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 m2 | 8 m3 |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 45 m2 | 14 m3 |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | 65 m2 | 20 m3 |
| 2 | 2 | 4 | 85 m2 | 26 m3 |
| 3 | 2 | 5 | 115 m2 | 35 m3 |
| 4 | 2 | 6 | 140 m2 | 42 m3 |
| 5 | 2 | 7 | 160 m2 | 48 m3 |
| 5 | 3 | 8 | 185 m2 | 56 m3 |
| 6 | 3 | 9 | 210 m2 | 63 m3 |
| 7 | 3 | 10 | 230 m2 | 69 m3 |
Important note: these values for calculating the volume to be moved are averages. They do not take into account the many particularities of housing in France.
Another method is to take an inventory of your furniture and use it in conjunction with a volume calculator. Today, you can find online tools that will give you an estimate of the volume of your possessions by specifying the number of beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, chandeliers...
Beware: these calculators are practical, but more or less reliable, and should be used with caution. Make sure you also take into account the volume of boxes.
If you call on the services of Gentlemen du déménagement, the volume estimate is carried out in two stages:
This enables our teams to refine the estimated volume obtained from the surface area of the home alone. In our opinion, this is essential for good management of the move, and for setting a price that's as close to reality as possible.
Whatever method you use, you should always allow for a margin of maneuver to avoid having to make several trips, especially if the distance to be covered is considerable. Moving companies have a great deal of experience in this type of estimation. If you don't want to lose too much time due to an incorrect estimate of your needs, opt for the professional solution. Our teams are at your disposal to work with you to establish the volume of your furniture and boxes to be moved, in order to offer you an estimate or the rental of a truck with the appropriate volume. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information.