Moving to France to retire, even if you have moved home several times before may seem daunting. The physical act of the move to France, may leave you worried about your household goods and personal effects that you wish to take.
Choosing your removals company can be difficult, and their main concern is the safety of their goods whilst in the care of the removal company. The best answer is to use accredited companies who are members with the UK trade body the British Association of Removers. They have strict guidelines and make regular checks on the companies to ensure they are run properly and have all the required licenses and insurance in place. Should you have any issues with your service you will have the assurance that there is a full complaints procedure in place.
When planning your move to France you should try to give as much notice as possible, which allows your removals company to plan collection and delivery schedules. It is important to remember removal companies are very busy during the summer months and can become fully booked months in advance.
People who are retiring to France will often have quite a lot of furniture which they have accumulated over the years. One of the main concerns, will be how much this move will cost. But as we all know, no move is the same and different customers will require different services. In most normal cases moving abroad costs will be calculated based on the volume of goods you are taking.
All professional removals company will be able to give you a tailored and accurate quotation from visiting your home and assessing the volume of goods you wish to take. In some circumstances they will also be able to provide a quote when supplied with an inventory of goods.
The volume of goods you need will dictate and the size of the removal you will need, whether it is a partial load, which is suited for small to medium amounts of furniture, or a full load with complete packing, wrapping and loading services. If you would prefer to have a dedicated vehicle, which gives you sole use of the lorry, it will travel directly to your property in France to be unloaded.
Some of your items are likely to have sentimental and financial value, which you will want to be in safe hands when moving. For extra peace of mind we suggest using a professional removals item to pack all of your goods, trying to save money by packing yourself isn’t always the best option! Reputable removal companies will ensure all fragile items are individually wrapped with protective materials and packed ready to be loaded on to your vehicle. In some cases you may need to have a purpose built crate or additional packing done to insure an item is suitable to be moved.
Using professional packers not only gives you the reassurance your goods will not be damaged during transport but you will be eligible for higher insurance cover. Always check that you have sufficient comprehensive insurance cover for your goods, from door to door, this will generally be available from your removals company.
For added security using a reputable mover which is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and FIDI Organisation, such as Burke Bros, will mean your move and money is protected, through a financial bond. It is customary for moves to be paid for in advance, this means that even in the extremely unlikely event your removals company suddenly stops operating your money will be protected and the move will still be carried out by another BAR member.
It is also possible to move pets and there are many reputable services available to relocate your pets. However, depending on your removals company it is highly unlikely they will be allowed to travel as part of the removal load. Many airlines will now allow you to take your pets with you on a flight with advance notice and costs will depend on size of the animal and using a specialist carrying cage. Your pets may also be subject to France’s quarantine regulations so it is important to speak with professionals before moving your pet.
Once you belongings have arrived at your new home in France, you may be wondering if the removal men will put your belongings in the rooms where you require in your new house. Always check with the delivery company, for example Burke Bros Moving Group offer full unloading into specified rooms, unpacking and unwrapping of your items. However, some companies only offer curb side delivery, where you goods are dropped at the roadside of your property.
The removals process, really can be made easy when using accredited professionals with experience in removals and storage to France. Here at Burke Bros, we specialise in moving families and their household items to France and offer this service on a weekly basis. If you are hoping to retire, or move to France, please call us on 01902 714555 to arrange your Free Pre Move Survey to France.
