To prepare for your move, there are several steps to take:
Between the formalities, the preparation of boxes and the coordination of teams on D-day, a move is always a delicate operation. You need to be well-organized to ensure your move goes smoothly. But how can you be sure of completing the important tasks on time? What are the key stages of a move? Follow our guide to make sure you're ready on D-day.
Whether you rent or own your home, it takes at least 3 months to complete all the operations required for a move. Of course, it all depends on the size of the property, the number of occupants, and the formalities to be completed for the change of address.
Whatever the case, there's nothing to stop you from thinking ahead. In fact, it's in your best interest to do so! Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to know your new address to start preparing for your move. In fact, you can start sorting out your furniture, clothes, papers, etc. well in advance.
This will avoid moving unnecessary goods and cluttering up your new home unnecessarily. You'll also be able to reduce the cost of your move, while minimizing the time spent packing your belongings.
Rental leases generally require 3 months' notice. However, the notice period can be reduced to 1 month in certain special cases, particularly if the apartment is furnished or located in a high-stress area. To avoid double rent, it's sometimes necessary to give notice before you've even found a new place to live. In fact, available accommodation is usually let as soon as possible.
It's therefore advisable to start organizing your move as soon as you've given notice to your landlord. By planning ahead, you'll have a greater choice of movers who will draw up a quote based on your city of arrival. The estimate will then be adjusted to take into account any constraints specific to the new home: access difficulties, special parking conditions, etc.
If you've decided to buy a property, it's a good idea to organize your move as soon as you've signed the preliminary sales agreement. It usually takes 3 to 6 months to obtain the financing and draw up the deeds of sale required for the change of ownership. This is a comfortable amount of time to organize a move. The date of departure can then be specified according to the progress of the formalities.
This avoids moving unnecessary goods and reduces the cost of the move. You'll also be able to minimize the packing work and avoid cluttering up your new home unnecessarily. Take advantage of this quiet period to prepare the necessary packing materials: collect different-sized boxes, tape, labels...
A freezer can hold large volumes of food that may take a long time to consume. It's best to start as soon as possible, so you don't lose anything. And don't keep filling it with food you won't be using in the next few days. Movers are not allowed to transport foodstuffs, so your freezer will need to be emptied and defrosted before being transported.
Certain formalities linked to the move should be completed as soon as possible:
If you decide to call in a professional for your move, you need to choose your service provider to fix the moving date as soon as possible.
It's important not to wait until the last minute to pack. Here's a tip: start with the things you won't need until the big day. That way, you won't have to open the boxes to retrieve personal belongings.Be careful not to overfill boxes, especially with heavy objects, and protect fragile items with bubble wrap. When a box is full, make a note of the contents on the side to make it easier to find your way around when unpacking.
If you move house, you cannot transfer your contracts to another address. You have to close them and start a new contract at your new address. So it's best to plan ahead to make these changes and make sure you'll have electricity or gas when the time comes.
If you're entrusting the move to a professional mover, you may have already set a date for the intervention. Be sure to confirm this a little in advance to make sure of the schedule. If you're moving with the help of family and friends, contact them a little in advance to make sure they'll be available on the big day.
If you're a tenant, it's time to make an appointment for the inventory of fixtures. You should also contact the municipal services to reserve a parking space near your new home.
You need to contact the authorities a week in advance to inform them of your forthcoming move. Your mail should also be forwarded to the post office.
Remember to empty and unplug the fridge the day before to defrost it. The dishes from the last day should also be boxed up for collection the next day. Prepare your papers and keys so you're ready when you jump out of bed.
All that's left is to do the final cleaning before loading and transporting the furniture and boxes. Don't forget to read your water, electricity and gas meters before you leave. Your suppliers will ask you for the meter readings when closing your contracts.
In the case of a company, it's imperative to plan your move carefully to minimize unproductive time during the transfer of business premises. The sooner your employees get back to their desks and computers, the sooner they can get back to work. There's no standard timeframe for a company move, but you should allow a few weeks to organize the move within the company and plan the order of operations. We recommend that you use movers experienced in company moves, so that they can advise you effectively and support you throughout the process. It's also important that they are well equipped for the job. Some of your business tools or machinery may be heavy to move, or fragile and could be damaged in transit if you don't use the right protective equipment...
Normally, the selected mover will provide you with all the necessary materials: suitable boxes and tape. If you are responsible for packing your belongings, everything must be packed on D-day. Save as little as possible for D-day, so that you're always available to follow and inform the movers.
Don't forget to unhook pictures, undo curtain rods, dismantle light fittings, disconnect household appliances (electricity and water) and dismantle furniture, if this is your responsibility. By law, movers are not allowed to carry out any electrical work, unless they are specifically authorized to do so, and this is specified in the service details attached to the estimate.
Remember to set aside what you'll need for the duration of the move: your keys, your papers, cleaning products for final cleaning, water and a snack to eat, and your pets if you have any.
Moving house is often a stressful time for the family. For children, this stress will depend on the distance to their new home (will they change schools? lose their friends?) and the configuration of their new home (house/apartment, size of their bedroom, environment...).
For small children (up to primary school age), their worries mainly concern changes peripheral to the move: school, neighborhood, family organization.
It's important to reassure them that their parents will still be there, and that they'll find all their familiar objects (their bed, their toys...). Young children often find it hard to project their family cocoon into another environment. It's also very important to emphasize the positive changes linked to the move, and therefore the change of life: the school will be closer, dad will be home earlier in the evening, the house will be bigger... Take your child on a tour of the new school, the new town, the new neighborhood, so that he or she can see things for themselves.
Involve your child as much as possible in the sorting, packing and choosing of the new room. It's a way of giving them a little control over events.
For teenagers, moving house can be simpler or more complicated, depending on their personalities. The difficulty lies mainly in the loss of boyfriends and girlfriends, which can be painful for them. It's important to support them through this transition. This ordeal will be an opportunity for them to discover that friendships can be maintained despite geographical distance.
On D-day, we advise you to arrange childcare so that your children don't interfere with the movers' work, and so that you are fully available to follow the move.
Please note: no animals can travel in the removal van. You'll need to bring all the necessary equipment and transport it yourself. If your pet is used to traveling, no problem. If not, it may be worth checking with your vet to see if tranquillizers or sleeping pills can help.
Don't forget your pet's meals on the big day.
Don't overlook the psychological impact of a move and change of environment, which can also be felt by some pets. Some pets will find it hard to change territory. You can bring your pet along a few days before the move to familiarize it with its new surroundings.
As you know, moving house is a long-term project, and you'll need to work methodically on every detail to be ready on D-day. For a worry-free move, don't hesitate to call on professionals like Les Gentlemen du déménagement, who can guide you through the preparations and take charge on D-day. And to get a quote, contact us!
Read also our article on the various formalities to anticipate or initiate when changing address. See our article: What are the administrative formalities for my move?
To best prepare for your move, don't hesitate to follow the Gentlemen's moving advice: