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Cash-in-hand removals: the real risks of a price that is too low

Camion Eurêka Déménagements devant le dépôt, sous un ciel orageux

A move at half price, paid cash in hand, with no written quote or invoice: the offer is tempting. Yet it almost always hides undeclared work, and it is the customer who bears the risks.

Here is what an “unbeatable” price really covers, why it distorts competition, and how to recognise a legitimate removal company before entrusting it with your belongings.

 

Undeclared work: what are we talking about?

Undeclared work means carrying out paid work without declaring it: no registration with social insurance (OASI/AHV, accident insurance), no withholding tax paid, sometimes no work permit. In Switzerland, the Federal Act on Measures to Combat Undeclared Work (LTN/BGSA), in force since 2008, sets out the checks and penalties.

Le déménagement y est particulièrement exposé. Le travail est physique, ponctuel, souvent payé en espèces, et quelques bras avec une camionnette de location suffisent pour se présenter comme « déménageur » sur un site de petites annonces, à Lausanne comme partout en Suisse romande.

Déménagement avec lift par une entreprise professionnelle

Unfair competition for legitimate companies

A reputable removal company has costs the customer does not see: declared wages and social charges, accident insurance, liability insurance and insurance for the goods transported, VAT, well-maintained vehicles, protective equipment and staff training.

Someone working cash in hand pays none of this, so they can advertise prices that no honest company can match. This is not good management; it is a saving made at the expense of employees, social insurance and, ultimately, the customer.

The consequences go beyond the sector. Every undeclared hour means contributions missing from the OASI, employees with no cover in the event of an accident, and stable jobs put at risk in local companies.

Travail au noir dans le déménagement : les risques pour le client

What you risk as a customer

A low price is often paid for later.

  • No insurance if something breaks. A scratched piano, a marked parquet floor, a damaged stairwell: without insurance or an invoice, you have no recourse. Your property manager, however, will hold you liable.
  • An accident that is your responsibility. If you pay undeclared workers directly, you may be considered their employer. Without accident insurance, a fall on the stairs can cost you dearly.
  • No guarantee of results. Without a written contract, nothing obliges the team to turn up on the agreed day or to stick to the price announced. Extra charges demanded once the lorry is loaded are a classic.
  • No paper trail. No invoice, so nothing to show your insurer, your employer or your property manager.

Camion Eurêka Déménagements identifiable au nom de l'entreprise

How to recognise a reputable removal company

A few checks take ten minutes and save a lot of trouble.

  • A detailed written quote, drawn up after a visit or a precise inventory, stating the volume, the number of movers and what is included.
  • A company listed in the commercial register, which you can check free of charge on zefix.ch, with a real address and a landline phone number.
  • An insurance certificate for liability and transport, provided on request.
  • An invoice with a VAT number and payment by bank transfer rather than cash only.
  • Identifiable staff and vehicles : lorries in the company’s name, uniformed team, protective equipment.
  • A consistent price. If an offer is half the price of the others, ask yourself what is not being paid.

Vous déménagez pour la première fois ? Notre guide Votre premier déménagement détaille les étapes à prévoir.

Poignée de main : un déménagement déclaré et assuré avec Eurêka Déménagements

Eurêka Déménagements’ commitment

Since 1989, Eurêka Déménagements SA travaille avec ses propres équipes, déclarées et assurées. Pour un déménagement privé comme pour un déménagement d’entreprise, chaque mission fait l’objet d’un devis écrit, d’une assurance et d’une facture. C’est ce qui nous permet de répondre de notre travail, de Lonay à Lausanne et Yverdon.

Frequently asked questions

Comment vérifier qu’une entreprise de déménagement est déclarée ?

Cherchez son nom dans le registre du commerce sur zefix.ch, demandez une attestation d’assurance responsabilité civile et exigez un devis écrit. Une entreprise en règle fournit ces documents sans discuter et remet une facture avec son numéro de TVA.

Que risque-t-on avec un déménageur au noir dans le canton de Vaud ?

Sans assurance ni facture, les dégâts causés à vos meubles ou à l’immeuble restent à votre charge. Si vous payez directement des personnes non déclarées, vous pouvez en outre être considéré comme leur employeur, avec les cotisations sociales et l’assurance-accidents que cela implique.

Pourquoi un déménageur déclaré est-il plus cher ?

Son prix comprend les salaires déclarés, les charges sociales, les assurances, la TVA et l’entretien des véhicules. Un tarif deux fois plus bas signifie presque toujours qu’une partie de ces coûts n’est pas payée.

A serious quote costs nothing and lets you compare with full knowledge of the facts.

Request a quote

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The advantages of a lift for your move

Is your move about to put your physical and mental health to the test? No time to waste moving your belongings or goods from one place to another? Hiring a lift (also called a furniture lift or goods lift) looks like the perfect solution to overcome all the difficulties of moving, and even make it enjoyable.

Moving: a source of stress

Everyone sees moving home or transporting equipment as a burden to get rid of as quickly as possible. Stairs and corridors that are too narrow, friends roped in who would rather not be, fatigue and the risk of injury are all problems faced by the amateur mover.

For bulky items or your valuable furniture, using a lift is often the best solution for your needs. Reliable, fast and inexpensive, hiring a lift lets you move all your belongings in the best possible way without ever compromising your health or your schedule.

Eurêka déménagements - Déménagement avec un monte-charge au 10ème étage d'un immeuble

Moving with a lift to the 10th floor of a building

Different problems, one solution

The lift can safely raise or lower all kinds of equipment and furniture up to the thirteenth floor of any building, through a balcony or a large window.

It is also the fastest solution: using a lift cuts the time needed to move large volumes to a few minutes, whereas going through the stairwell can sometimes take hours.

No need to know how to operate the machine, because it always comes with its technician: an experienced removals professional, specialised in operating it, who stays with you throughout loading and unloading.

Using a lift is a real blessing for anyone, private or business, with equipment or furniture to deliver or move.

Eurêka déménagements - Louer un Lift pour atteindre le onzième étage de votre immeuble

The lift is efficient and inexpensive

Calling on a removal company to move your belongings carefully is more and more common. The market has adapted, offering a wide range of lifts to meet the needs of a fast-growing customer base. Lift hire prices are increasingly attractive, making this solution an option for everyone.

Don’t wait any longer, take the weight off your shoulders!

Eurêka offers trailer-mounted lifts for hire to meet your needs. Whether for an hour or a week, for private customers or businesses, we adapt to every request.

Our experience and our top-quality machines give you complete peace of mind for your moves and deliveries.

Our team of professionals can be reached at any time to answer all your questions. If you would like a lift for your next move, click below.

Go to the Lift hire page
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Administrative checklist when moving home 

Déménagement de particuliers Canton de Vaud

Démarches Administratives Déménagement Eureka 

After a long search and many viewings, have you finally found the flat of your dreams or the ideal house for your little family?

Leave thepacking and transport of your belongings to the professionals and focus on another aspect of moving that can become tedious if poorly prepared: the administrative formalities.

Formalities to start several months before:

  • Order an extract from the debt enforcement register (some landlords want to see this document before signing the new lease)
  • Sign the lease for the new home (checking that it is legally valid if you are not going through an estate agency)
  • Give notice on your current home within the period specified in your lease. Note that your letter must reach the landlord by registered post before the last day preceding the start of the notice period
  • Combining yourhousehold contents insurance / legal protection insurance
  • Contact your internet / TV / phone providers to cancel or transfer your subscriptions. Book the installation of a new internet line in advance, as technicians’ waiting times can be long. Also arrange a meter reading in your presence
  • Change your address for the radio/TV licence fee
  • If you have school-age children, contact the municipality of your new address to find a new school.

10 days before the move:

  • Ask your post office to forward your mail, covering about 10 days before and 2 weeks after the move
  • Inform the following organisations of the date of your change of address and your new address (most of these updates can be made online on their websites)
  • Health insurance
  • Car insurance (report any change in parking conditions that could affect your premium: garage, outdoor parking)
  • District command / civil protection / civilian service
  • Employer / update your emergency contact
  • Doctors
  • Bank / PostFinance / credit card company
  • Schools / nursery

You are entitled to at least one day of paid leave for your move: discuss it with HR or your manager to set a date.

On the day you hand over the keys:

Carry out the inspection with the landlord, filling in the move-out report completely and accurately, and compare it with the move-in report.

Only hand over the keys to your old home when everything has really been cleaned and settled. Handing over the keys marks the final return of the property. After that, you will no longer have the right to enter, even for repairs or cleaning.

Once you have settled into your new home:

  • List any damage not noted when the keys were handed over and ask the landlord to come and see it if necessary. In any case, send a registered letter to report these omissions. If the landlord finds damage at the end of the tenancy, the tenant can declare it to their household contents / personal liability insurance. In that case, the tenant may cancel their personal liability or household contents insurance within 14 days of reporting the claim
  • Ask for your deposit back, if this has not already been done
  • Make sure you notify the landlord of any damage to the rental property not yet mentioned in the inspection report and have it added to the document.
  • Change the address on your driving licence and vehicle registration (within 10 days)
  • Register with the electricity provider of your new place of residence
  • Put a label with your name on the doorbell or the door of your new home,
  • register with the residents’ registration office of your new municipality within the deadline.
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6 simple steps for a deep clean before your move

You are about to move, and despair fills you every time you think about the size of the task ahead. The big clean seems a necessity, a fate, a curse.

Since moving into your flat, you have had any number of good and bad times that only you and it know about. For months or years, your home has hosted all kinds of events and surprises. It is time to give thanks and restore it to its former glory.

It is already time to hand the keys back to your landlord, and you need to move your belongings and then give your soon-to-be former home the biggest clean it has ever had. But where to start? Here is a list to make this laborious task easier.

1 – Empty everything

This is not obvious to everyone, especially if it is your first move. If that is the case, it is better, to save time, to empty the whole flat before starting the cleaning. That way you will not be back with your vacuum cleaner after moving the sofa for the third time.

2 – The bathroom and toilet

This is certainly the room that will give you the most trouble, because of the many surfaces that need cleaning thoroughly.

Make sure you scrub all the tiles and sanitary ware with suitable products and dust all the shelves, furniture and the washing machine if it is in this room. If your hot water tank is in this room, this is also the time to make it shine.

Do not forget to check the mirror: often in the middle of the room and easily dirtied, it needs special attention so it does not spoil the result.

3 – The kitchen

It is the heart of the home. Life without it would be very dull. To say goodbye to your old kitchen properly, you will need to:

  • Defrost and clean your fridge (at least the day before you leave)
  • Clean the worktops, cupboards, drawers and shelves (inside and out)
  • Clean the oven and all other household appliances
  • Degrease and clean the cooker hood.

4 – The floors

To clean the floors, sweep or vacuum, then wash the tiles or shampoo the carpet.

5 – The walls

In most cases there is no need to wash the walls, as the landlord often prefers to repaint. If not, make sure you remove all traces of your stay, starting by degreasing the kitchen walls with a suitable product.

Remove all the nails and hooks you put up during your stay.

If you have damaged a wall (large hole), fill it with filler and repaint the area.

Do not forget to clean the windows and skirting boards.

6 – The finishing touches

Finally, here are the last touches, the ones that will let your home rest in peace:

  • Check the condition of the flat and any remaining furniture and compare it with the inspection report
  • Check the condition of the outbuildings and annexes
  • Fit bulbs in any light fittings that are missing them
  • Gather all the keys together
  • Photograph every room to avoid any unfair claims by the landlord

And there you go: the big clean is over and you are ready to move into your new home!

If you have not moved yet, the Eureka team will be delighted to help you with this important step in your life. We are available for all kinds of questions and requests, so do not hesitate to call on us.

Order a clean from Eureka
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Reusing your moving boxes

Faire pourrser ses plates dans un carton

You have moved: after months of preparation you have finally finished transporting your belongings and you are comfortably settled in your home with your things… and your pile of boxes!

What should you do with these boxes? Rather than giving them to friends or simply recycling them, here are a few ideas for using them as raw material for all sorts of projects.

Using boxes for storage

It goes without saying, but you still need to think of it before doing anything else with them.

You can use your boxes to keep all kinds of products and materials: food, decorations and clothes, documents and photos, children’s toys…

Important: remember to label your boxes before putting them in the cellar or attic, so you can find them more easily!

Using boxes for weeding

It may seem surprising at first, but it is a fairly widespread and wonderfully effective technique.

Your boxes can help you get rid of weeds. How? Simply by laying them around your plants and then covering them with mulch. The cardboard warms the soil and kills all the weeds around your plant without ever harming it.

Les cartons sont excellent pour desherber vos jardins

Helping your seeds germinate in summer with cardboard

Another tip for gardeners.

Some vegetables, such as beetroot, carrots, cabbage and spinach, only germinate at around 20°C, so it is very hard to get them to germinate in summer… unless you know this simple but effective technique.

Sow your seeds and cover the soil with corrugated cardboard. Keep the cardboard permanently damp and weigh it down with a few stones. The constant evaporation of the water will keep things cool enough for your seeds to germinate. Remove the cardboard as soon as the first shoots appear, or you will smother them.

Faire pourrser ses plates dans un carton

Cardboard crafts: cardboard DIY

Love DIY and your new home is still missing a few decorative items? Now is the time to recycle your boxes by decorating your new home.

Cardboard crafting means turning your boxes into genuinely useful and/or decorative objects. From a simple decorated box to a mini play kitchen for children, anything is possible.

You will find an incredible number of tutorials and unusual objects to build with a few recycled boxes online.

boite à bijoux en carton

You can build a cardboard jewellery box

table-basse-en-carton

Or even a coffee table!

Delight your children with simple boxes

Here is a chance to spend an enjoyable time with your children doing something fun.

With simple boxes, you can build enough stories to spark their imagination.

From a hat to a castle or a treehouse, anything is possible with a little time and elbow grease. Your children will be impatient for your next move.

voi

A cardboard car

un château en carton

For little (and big) children

You now have plenty of ideas for getting rid of your moving boxes cleverly. You will think twice about that pile of boxes and smile the next time you see one at a friend’s house.

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How to choose the right boxes for your move

bien choisir ses cartons pour son déménagement

How can you save time on your move while protecting your belongings as well as possible? Choosing the right boxes will certainly be a great help and give you unrivalled peace of mind.

What type of box should you plan for when moving?

Professionals always use boxes suited to their needs, but if this is your first move you probably do not know much about the different options available. Here is a short guided tour of what you will find in our box cupboards.

Cartons de déménagements standardsThe standard box or book box

This is probably the best-known one. It is used to pack everyday items and belongings that do not need extra protection. Sometimes filled with newspaper or bubble wrap, it is the amateur mover’s best friend.

Small and sized for A5 paperbacks, it can usually carry up to around twenty kilos. It is the basic accessory for moving your library.

Standard boxes can also be replaced by plastic crates, which we rent for a two-week period.

eureka-demenagement-carton-veisselle

The plate box and glass box

This is a clever box with many compartments where you can store your plates without them breaking. Much more than a simple divided box, the plate box saves you the chore of wrapping your plates one by one, saving you precious time.

Like the plate box, the glass box is even better known. Here again, the compartments mean you do not have to wrap your glasses individually, saving you time and worry.

The bottle box 

Saving the glasses is good, but saving the bottles is just as important! A bottle box generally lets you move up to 6 bottles safely.

carton pour tableauxThe picture and flat-screen box

Here is a box that has kept up with the times. This telescopic box lets you move your pictures (up to 4) or a flat screen, depending on your needs. Supplied with divider panels, it gives optimum protection when moving several pictures. 

eureka-demenagement-petite-penderie

The wardrobe box 

One of the most creative and practical models in the range: the wardrobe box lets you move your dresses, shirts and suits without even taking them off their hangers. Holding up to 30 light garments, it also lets you store clothes for a long time without having to iron them when you unpack.

 eureka-demenagement-carton-classeursThe archive box 

If you have a large number of binders and documents sorted into archive boxes, this box saves you from moving them one by one. Ideal for keeping trips to a minimum.

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Moving heavy items

You may be wondering who to call on to transport heavy items during your move. Friends or professional movers? Relying on your friends will certainly be cheaper, but by not calling on a specialist removal company you risk breaking safety rules and having an accident. 

You no doubt care about your home… A move with friends often brings plenty of hassle, especially if you are moving heavy furniture or bulky items. Which items are risky, and why should you call on a professional for moving heavy items ?

 

déménager des objets lourds - déménager un billardMoving a billiard table

Moving a billiard table can be very dangerous.

A billiard table weighs on average between 400 and 1,000 kg, so how do you lift such a weight?

When you know that it contains slate slabs making up ¾ of its weight, you also realise how fragile it is. Not to mention the beauty of the piece.

It is really better to call on professionals who know how to move it without damaging it.

Moving a piano

Whether it is an upright, grand or concert piano, moving these instruments also requires the attention of a professional in transporting heavy items.

They will usually move your piano using carrying straps and a trolley. A professional may need to turn it on its side on a spiral staircase without damaging it. A crane is sometimes used for difficult access.

A piano is a very fragile object, so it needs delicate handling. Calling on professionals guarantees smooth transport.

Transporting asafe

Moving a safe takes much more than a pair of arms.
You will need the help of professionals specially trained for this type of transport and qualified to use the right lifting equipment.

déménager des objets lourds - déménager un spa

Moving a spa, jacuzzi or sauna

Once again, for logistical reasons, it is better not to ask your friends to move this kind of heavy, bulky item. It would be a sure way to injure yourself or damage your equipment or the surrounding area.

Moving marble slabs, tiledïstoves, statues

These items, although heavy, are often lighter than a billiard table or a piano, but they are still bulky and quite difficult to carry.

But the main reason to get help from a skilled person here is the fragility of the materials. Earthenware and marble tend to break easily, especially as it is difficult to catch this kind of object once it starts to fall: gravity is the mover’s worst enemy!

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Moving: how to involve the whole family

Comment déménager avec toute la famille

Moving is a source of stress for the family, especially children, because they do not always understand the reasons for such a change. For adults, managing the details and decisions involved in the move can cause tension. So remember that communicating effectively is essential: family members need to help each other during this delicate time.

Before the move

Make decisions as a family! Do not shut yourself off: give everyone a say and listen to what your partner and children think about how you are organising things, and involve them in the decisions. Talking will clear up some doubts and help find new solutions.

It is normal for your children to be sad or anxious about saying goodbye to the places and people that were part of their lives. To help with this, talk to them a few weeks before the move, explain why you are moving, listen to what they think and share your own feelings with them. Highlight the positive aspects of the change.

  • If possible, visit your future home, the school, the local park… with them.
  • Encourage your children to help with the preparations by packing their toys and clothes (to be done last). Let them help choose the decorations for their future bedrooms…

They will feel more in control. Prepare a box of souvenirs of the old house, such as photos or objects they treasure.

  • Despite the unexpected, try to keep your routines as far as possible. Include other family members, grandparents and close friends in some discussions about the move so that your children can talk about it with them too.
  • Some people are more comfortable with overall organisation and others with getting things done. Do not try to manage everything yourself. Organise a family lunch with the children and grandparents a month before and share out the tasks among family members, ideally in pairs so that nobody feels overwhelmed: together you will be more efficient and everyone will feel they are actively taking part in the move.

Moving day

  • If your children are young, consider arranging childcare to make the day easier. Bear in mind, however, that seeing the old home empty or the new one fill up will help your children understand what is really happening.
  • Give each family member different tasks. This will be especially important when you show the movers where the furniture and boxes go.
  • Set up your children’s bedroom first, so they can easily find their toys and cuddly toys. Let them choose where the beds and furniture go, and let them unpack the toys they will be happy to see again themselves.
  • Once the furniture is in, take a short walk around your new neighbourhood and have lunch at a local restaurant so that everyone can relax.

After the move

  • Be patient and listen to your family members even if you have a lot to do, and give them time to say goodbye to your old home.
  • Once you are settled into your new home, invite your children’s group of friends to visit, to show them they can stay in touch with their old friends.
  • Introduce yourselves to your new neighbours and encourage the whole family to take part in local activities (sport, clubs, music…)
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How to move household appliances, hi-fi and video equipment

Conseils demenagemetn en famille Eureka Lonay

 

Household and electronic appliances are an integral part of our daily lives because of their usefulness and their design, so they are often part of any move, just like the furniture. Here are some tips for packing and transporting your fridges, flat-screen TVs and computer monitors safely and without breaking your back.

Household appliances

First of all, the fridge, freezer, dishwasher and washing machine need a little more planning and preparation than other belongings.

  • The fridge : defrost the freezer compartment and let it dry completely. Remove the glass shelves and racks and leave the door open to stop mould forming and bad smells developing. The movers will transport your fridge upright (if access allows) so as not to damage the motor mounting or the Freon coil, avoiding any gas leak. Once it is delivered to your new kitchen, wait at least 3 hours before plugging it in to let the fluids settle.
  • Do the same for the oven and microwave. Glass turntables, racks and other dishes must be removed. You can also place protective material (cardboard) against the oven or microwave door glass, wrap it in bubble wrap and tape it all round the appliance. Do not forget the power cable, which should be coiled at the back of the appliance.
  • For smaller appliances such as a bread maker, coffee machine or food processor, pack them in their original box and seal it with tape. If you no longer have the original boxes, use a suitable box and wedge the appliance securely with bubble wrap or other packing material.
  • Drain your dishwasher, remove the filters, close the door and tape the drain and inlet hoses against the machine. Be careful not to leave the tape on the machine too long, as it could leave glue marks that are hard to remove!
  • Washing machine : empty the drum, unplug the machine and drain the water. Secure all the hoses and cables with strong tape to protect them during transport. Your machine’s supplier probably left you transport bolts to stop the drum moving during transport. Look at the back of your machine and you will see the holes provided for them. Washing machines and tumble dryers are often very heavy, so leave it to the team of movers , who will move these appliances safely using lifting equipment and moving blankets.

Hi-fi and video equipment

Moving a television or a large computer screen takes a minimum of organisation, as these devices are particularly sensitive to knocks and contain more and more electronics.

  • Take a photo and draw a diagram of the connections and peripherals, or use coloured electrical tape. Also pack the assembly instructions for your hi-fi and video equipment with the devices.
  • To move your screens and TVs, the ideal is to use the box supplied when you bought them. The latest TVs are lighter than plasma TVs were, but they still need protecting, so if you have not kept the original packaging, use a sturdy box or a crate padded with soft wedges or bubble wrap to avoid any knocks. Note: transport plasma TVs upright, never lying flat.
  • Pack the remote controls with the devices, coil the cables and tie them with elastic bands. If you are putting your hi-fi equipment into storage for several months, remove the batteries from the remote controls. Label the set clearly and keep it with your equipment.
  • For computers, the original box is again the best choice. Do not use foam or polystyrene beads, as they can produce static electricity and damage some components.
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The best packing techniques for your personal belongings

Conseils pour emballer ses objets personnels

Meilleures techniques emballage déménagement particulier

When moving private customers, the Eurêka teams take care of dismantling, reassembling and transporting your furniture, as well as any item listed during our visit. Sometimes our customers choose to pack their personal belongings themselves, often underestimating how much needs to go into boxes.

So, to avoid sleepless nights and rushed packing (boxes that give way on moving day), our packing specialists give you some tips for filling your boxes:

Where to start?

  • Eurêka provides enough boxes, tape or moving crates in different sizes. All you have to do is describe the contents with markers in different colours and number them by room. Never use stickers or Post-its, which come off easily.
  • Start with items that are out of season and that you will not need in the first few days after unpacking (clothes, books). Keep your administrative papers close to hand. Finish by packing the crockery, kitchen items and other things you will need until moving day.
  • Pack your belongings room by room and avoid mixing items from different rooms of the house in the same box as far as possible.
  • Have plain packing paper to hand (not printed newspaper, which will permanently mark your porcelain), bubble wrap and blankets for the most delicate items (photo frames). Leave the pictures on the walls, where they are safe; they are often packed at the end of the move.

Be methodical

  • Write a clear description of the contents and which room the box goes in with a thick marker. Add “Fragile” and “This way up” if necessary. Number the rooms to be furnished and the corresponding boxes.
  • If possible, limit the weight of boxes to 20 kg so they are easier to handle.
  • Make sure boxes are full without bulging or sagging, that items do not knock against each other inside, and add enough padding (5 to 7 cm of crumpled paper at the bottom of the box) to absorb shocks.
  • Fill the box with the heaviest items at the bottom, medium-weight items in the middle and the lightest on top.
  • Do not interlock the flaps to close the box, as this weakens it. Instead, fold down the two smaller flaps and then the two larger ones, run tape along the whole seam and add strips across the width.

How to pack fragile items:

  • Crockery : you can get cell dividers to separate glasses and/or plates and stop them knocking together. Without these dividers, stand the plates on their edge. The first layer of glasses should be placed upright (especially stemmed glasses); the second layer matters less, so you can lay the glasses down.
  • Liquids: to stop liquids leaking (bottles, cleaning products, perfumes) and weakening the box, pack them in sealed bags and clearly mark “This way up” on several sides of the box. Do not hesitate to tape down the caps.
  • Clothes: if possible, leave your clothes and blankets in the chest-of-drawers. Take out sheets that are too heavy.
  • Silverware: Air tarnishes silver. Each piece of silverware should therefore be completely wrapped in tissue paper or plastic wrapping, and porcelain should be packed as carefully as possible.
  • Lampshades : Never wrap them in newspaper, but in two or three sheets of tissue paper, a large pillowcase and a box.
  • Books: Lay them either flat or with the spine touching the bottom of the box. Do not place them spine up, as this could damage the binding. Pack books of similar size together. Valuable bound volumes and those of sentimental value should be wrapped separately before packing.
  • Photographs: Protect framed photos with padding and stand them on their side in the box; do not lay them flat.
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Checklist for a stress-free move

Déménager a l'étranger sans stress Eureka

Check list pour un Déménagement facile dans votre nouvelle habitation

That’s it: after many viewings you have finally found the lovely house or spacious flat of your dreams, and everything is signed and approved. The last step before enjoying your new home is organising the move, which can quickly become a real chore if you leave it until the last minute! The secret of a stress-free move lies in preparation and timing.

A leader in private removals for 30 years, Eurêka gives you a chronological list of the key steps so you do not forget anything:

2 months before your move:

  • Lease: notice periods range from 3 months to 15 days, so take this into account when working out your moving date. Send your notice to your landlord or property manager by post with acknowledgement of receipt. Likewise, if you are renting your new home, check with your new landlord that all the paperwork is in order. If you have just bought, check with your notary that your file is complete.
  • Choosing your removal company: the volume to move is generally half the floor area of the home you are leaving, i.e. 40 to 50 m3 per 100 m2. Compare prices from removal companies and pay attention to the services included, as this matters a lot: do the movers pack everything? Are you packing yourself? Are boxes supplied? Is insurance included? Eurêka provides wardrobe boxes and moving crates specially designed for fragile items. It is advisable to book your removal company at least 6 weeks in advance, especially in summer and at Christmas. Note that Eurêka can exceptionally take on last-minute moves.
  • Start making an inventory of the furniture, belongings and personal items to be moved and those you will get rid of (for example the exercise bike you have not touched for 5 years…). Put what you no longer want up for sale online and, above all, think about giving to charities.

1 month before you leave:

  • Contact insurers, internet providers, energy and water suppliers, mail forwarding, your bank… more details on all the administrative formalities in one of our upcoming articles.
  • Look for schools or nurseries near your future home.
  • Depending on how far away your new home is, it is wise to take at least 2 days off before and after the move.

15 days before you leave:

  • Start sorting and putting your belongings into boxes and crates. Go room by room and write clearly what each box and crate contains and where it is going. Mark “DO NOT MOVE” on the boxes that will travel with you to the new home.
  • Plan where the furniture will go in each room on the floor plan of your new home and give a copy to the movers. You can also put it up at the entrance of your new home.
  • Do not mix heavy and light items, and protect fragile items well. If you dismantle furniture, number the parts or draw a plan so you can easily reassemble them. Keep keys, screws… in a small bag attached to the parts of the furniture concerned.
  • Use up frozen food and what is in the fridge.
  • Gather all your important documents (passports, property deeds, bank and medical documents, employment contract, etc.) and put them somewhere safe before moving, so you do not lose them among the moving crates.

10 days before you leave:

  • Arrange childcare for young children and put your pets in boarding kennels, or have family or friends look after them on moving day to avoid extra stress.
  • If you are moving to a completely different town or region, do not forget to collect clothes from the dry cleaner, shoes from the cobbler and any other items being repaired.
  • Disconnect and empty the washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher, and defrost the fridge and freezer to give them time to dry. During the move, keep the hoses raised to avoid unwanted water leaks.
  • Leave the pictures hanging on the walls; they will be packed at the end of the move.
  • Confirm the appointment time with the removal company and check that you have a parking space for the lorry in front of your home. Let the neighbours know.

A few days before the move:

  • If necessary, turn on the heating in your new home
  • Prepare a bag with the essentials for your first night, plus a box containing a “survival kit” (essential items, medicines, phone and laptop chargers, torch, toilet paper).
  • If you have a pet, update your address in the microchip database for dogs and cats

On moving day:

  • Keep your money, bank cards and keys on you throughout the day.
  • Make sure someone is at the new home to welcome the movers when they arrive and show them where the furniture goes.

When leaving your old home:

  • Turn off the gas, water and electricity, and read the meters.
  • Check that all doors and windows are closed
  • Hand back your old keys
  • Remove your name from the letterbox.
  • Take a last look around the house and in the cupboards to check that nothing has been forgotten

When you arrive at your new home:

  • Check that your furniture and other items have not been damaged in transit. If you notice any damage, note it on the delivery note. You have 3 days to confirm your observations by registered letter. Tip the movers and offer them a drink!
  • Wait 24 hours before plugging your fridge and freezer back in
  • Read the water, gas and electricity meters

If you follow this checklist, you should avoid any last-minute surprises or omissions and have more time to settle into your new home, meet the neighbours, get to know the area and finally relax!

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