Depending on the case, a move can be more or less complex to manage, and sometimes spread over several months. In fact, it’s best to anticipate the steps and act methodically to be perfectly ready on D-Day. From signing for a new home to moving in, including administrative formalities and packing boxes, the process is structured into a few key stages that are systematically found from one move to another. To help you get organized, here is a summary of the main stages of a move and the formalities to complete at each deadline so you don’t miss anything.
How does a move work?
Step 1: Find a new home
Whether you’re renting or buying a home, every moving project begins with a signature at the bottom of a document:
If you’re planning to move into a property that needs renovation, it may be a good idea to do some work before you move in. This will help you avoid finding yourself in the middle of the construction site. Don’t forget to take out home insurance no later than the day you move in to protect yourself against potential damage.
Step 2: Organize the move
Now that everything is ready for your accommodation, you can start planning your move . Will you hire a moving company or move on your own? Consult our moving checklist, where you will find out in detail all the formalities to complete and the schedule of steps to take during the 3 months preceding the move.
To ensure you get a moving quote that meets your needs, request a technical visit. This allows the company to assess the layout of the premises so they can prepare a proposal that meets the site’s requirements. Once you have multiple quotes, you’ll be fully equipped to choose the moving solution that best fits your budget and expectations.
Step 3: Plan the moving operations
Set the moving date based on your job, if you are changing jobs, or school holidays if you have children in school.
Choose your moving company and sign the moving contract (or reserve the truck to ensure you have it on the day).
Step 4: Pack the boxes and complete the declaration of value
Remember to sort through your belongings to limit the number of boxes and furniture you need to move : don’t hesitate to throw away or give away what you
Complete the declaration of value as you pack your boxes to estimate the amount of your belongings to be insured during the move. Mandatory if you use a professional mover, this formality is essential to guaranteeing you compensation in the event of an incident.
If necessary, you can contact companies during this stage to plan any renovation work in the home before the inventory.
Step 5: Take care of the administrative formalities related to the move
Compare prices from energy, phone, and internet providers to find the best deals and sign your future contracts.
Inform the public services of your upcoming move (Town Hall, tax services, etc.), starting with the Prefecture, which you must contact as soon as possible to change your vehicle registration document within one month.
Contact the Post Office to set up a redistribution contract to continue receiving mail sent to your old address.
Request permits for parking moving vehicles on the day.
If you don’t have too much to sort and pack, these tasks can be handled during the packing stage.