• France edition

Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move

Published: 30 Mar 2012 16:01 GMT+02:00 | Print version
Updated: 30 Mar 2012 16:01 GMT+02:00

Moving from one country to another is hard work and stressful. Hiring a good removal company is your first step. Here are a few more tips for making the move as easy as possible.

An increasing number of people are moving abroad for work, retirement, to experience new cultures or for economic or political reasons.  

Moving abroad is exciting and challenging. It is therefore important to find a removals company that understands your needs and that you can trust. 

Selecting a reputable moving company will go a long way to ensuring your peace of mind, and there are a number of things you can look for in a mover to take the guess work out of selecting the right one for you.

Look for an international mover with a good reputation that offers a top quality service from door-to-door.  Find out if they invest in training and employ skilled staff, and what packing materials are used.

Find a company that is financially stable and has extensive experience.  Most people also want to track their move, so a mover that offers online tracking tools that allows you to know where your goods are at any time, can really be helpful. 

A reputable company will also offer insurance. When you are moving goods, many unforeseen circumstances can occur, especially with international moves, so it is important to ensure your personal effects are fully covered in the unlikely event of any loss or damage.

Besides selecting the right mover, there are also a number of moving tips which are useful to make your move as smooth and hassle free as possible.

The day of the move:

  • Prepare a simple breakfast, with food not requiring refrigeration
  • Be available to the mover to answer queries
  • Ensure all goods are placed on the inventory
  • Review the inventory for accuracy
  • Call the mover if problems arise
  • Sign the inventory and keep a copy 
  • Check all rooms so as not to forget items before the mover leaves
  • Hand the keys to the responsible person (e.g. landlord).

 

General hints:

  • Leave your contact details with the mover on arrival for delivery purposes
  • Be available for the delivery, with the furniture placement plan, to ensure quick service
  • Note any damages,  and submit a timely insurance claim if necessary
  • The destination agent will deliver, unpack and set up furniture according to the prior agreement
  • Debris must be collected by the mover.
  • Remember to include the youngest members of your family in the move.  If you have children, there are a number of steps you can take before the move to help make this a less disruptive and a happier event for them:
  • Answer all questions about the move and be positive
  • Take them to their favourite place and take photos before leaving
  • Encourage them to keep in touch with family, collect photos, souvenirs
  • Include them in the move to reduce anxiety
  • Help them learn about the new country and look for exciting activities
  • Let them create a scrapbook of their previous home, town and friends
  • Look for clubs they can join to make new friends
  • Pack their favourite games and snacks for the move.

With 38 years experience in the international removals industry, and a large network of 124 locations in 76 countries, AGS International Movers has the expertise to guide you through every step of your move.

We provide consistent quality services regardless of the destination. Our work methods and packing materials comply with FIDI’s FAIM standards, the most prestigious standards specific to the removals industry. 

As experts in international removals, client satisfaction is key to our success. We constantly improve our services and customise solutions so that our clients can move with peace of mind.

We offer secure storage facilities across the world. Our warehouses are regularly inspected and are well equipped with Security systems, anti fire systems, appropriate ventilation and treatments against humidity.

For a risk-free move, AGS is constantly improving and innovating its packing techniques and materials. We use unique packing material tailored to the type of goods being transported; this not only increases the safety of goods but allows for improved space allocation, further reducing the cost of the removal. 

Choose AGS International Movers - for moving anywhere in the world.

Article sponsored by AGS International Movers

 

Related links:

Staff reporter ()

Today's headlines
Ancelotti praises 'great pro' Beckham
Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP

Ancelotti praises 'great pro' Beckham

As Carlo Ancelotti paid fulsome tribute to the retiring David Beckham the Paris Saint Germain manager revealed an announcement on his own future may be imminent. READ () »

Disgraced ex-minister abandons re-election bid
Photo: AFP

Disgraced ex-minister abandons re-election bid

France's disgraced former budget minister, forced out of office over a tax fraud scandal, will not seek re-election to his former parliamentary seat, a newspaper reported Sunday. READ () »

Spanish rider Marquez on pole in France
Spanish rider Marc Marquez (C) celebrates after clocking the best time, during qualifying at Le Mans. Photo: Jean-Francois Monier/AFP

Spanish rider Marquez on pole in France

Spain's world championship leader Marc Marquez will start on pole in Sunday's French MotoGP on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans after coming out on top in Saturday's qualifying. READ () »

Man held after Cannes TV studio attack
Red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. File photo: AFP

Man held after Cannes TV studio attack

A man was arrested on Friday after causing a scare at the Cannes Film Festival, where he attacked a TV studio with a gun loaded with blanks and a dummy grenade, police and witnesses said. READ () »

Depardieu: Putin like Pope John Paul II
File photo: AFP

Depardieu: Putin like Pope John Paul II

French actor and newly-minted Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu on Saturday compared President Vladimir Putin to the late Pope John Paul II and said the ex-KGB agent is what Russia needs as a leader. READ () »

Hollande signs gay marriage bill into law
Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP

Hollande signs gay marriage bill into law

France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage Saturday after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law following months of bitter political debate. READ () »

French oyster lovers to munch on Swedish spats

French oyster lovers to munch on Swedish spats

Struggling French oyster farmers, whose haul has diminished in recent years, are set to receive some much needed help from their Swedish counterparts, by importing oyster spats from Sweden for the first time. READ () »

Hollande set to sign gay marriage into French law
Photo: AFP

Hollande set to sign gay marriage into French law

France's highest court the Constitutional Council cleared the divisive gay marriage bill on Friday, paving the way for same sex unions to become legal. Francois Hollande said he would sign the bill into law as soon as Saturday. READ () »

The view from France
'Beckham brought PSG nothing on the pitch'
Beckham holding one of the PSG shirts some say he was signed just to sell. Photo: AFP

'Beckham brought PSG nothing on the pitch'

While many in the world of football raised a glass to David Beckham when he announced his retirement on Thursday, elements in the French media as well as PSG fans in Paris could not hide the fact they feel a little cheated by his minimal contribution on the pitch. READ () »

Jewellery worth over $1 million stolen at Cannes
File photo of a Chopard necklace. Photo:AFP

Jewellery worth over $1 million stolen at Cannes

Thieves have stolen Chopard jewellery worth $1 million at Cannes Film Festival, French police reported on Friday. The jewellery was due to be loaned to film stars over the coming days. READ () »

Highlights
Photo: M&S
Hollande's first year: Top 10 Nightmare Moments
Revealed: France's Best Restaurants in 2013
French Face of the Week
French politicians reveal their wealth
Ten best chat-up lines to use in French
Opinion
Ten most embarrassing mistakes to avoid in French
Fred Dufour/AFP
Photo: AP
Simone Ramella
Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no