With more and more British people either moving to France or buying a second home there, you will find a wealth of choice when it comes to removal companies to help you. The good news is that there are no customs restrictions on goods imported into France and you will not have to worry about paying any taxes on personal goods.

There are removal companies catering for every budget and region of France from the “man and van” variety to the larger removal firms. If you are buying a second home and have relatively few things to bring across, you could opt for a self-drive van hire, bearing in mind that it will be up to you to pack up safely and properly.

If, however, you need to employ a removal firm, your best bet is to obtain at least a couple of quotes and make sure the firm you choose is reputable and experienced. Larger firms should offer you the services of a representative to come to your home and discuss your requirements. This is a good idea since you will be able to assess their service more clearly and get a real impression of how they operate. If the firm does not send a representative, make sure that you provide either by email or letter a full list of your requirements, the amount and type of goods you are taking to France and ask questions such as the following:
- How long have they been in business?
- How many trips per month do they make to France?
- How many lorries do they have and how new are they?
- Are they a member of the British Association of Removers?
- Can they provide you with written references?
- What level of insurance do they hold?

The larger international removal firms may well be more expensive but it is well worth comparing quotes before committing yourself. Also, if you have a definite date for your move, you may find that a company will be able to offer you a good price by slotting you in with their workload for that time. Keeping their lorries on the road is essential for their business so this way you may be able to strike a bargain.

As well as considering the price however, you need to know the service you are receiving is a reliable one so do your homework using the questions above so that you can have peace of mind as well as knowing you are within your budget. If possible, see if you can speak to some of their previous customers. Make an assessment of their overall helpfulness as you prepare for your trip and make sure you have all the information you need about the logistics of packing up and timing.

You can search for removal companies on line, in any of the French magazines available now in high street stores or even by looking around at lorries on the road. You can often tell a fair bit by the state of their vehicles too: if they are clean, tidy and fairly new, you may be sure that the company takes pride in its service.

Since there is a fair amount of competition amongst removal firms, with the above preparation you should be able to carry out your move without breaking the bank and safe in the knowledge that your precious goods will be well cared for all the way from your home in England to your new home in France.  Happy moving!

Start your hunt for a home in France here…
If you’re searching for a French property, a good place to start is the France Buying Guide’s new property search facility. To start your search now visit

http://www.francebuyingguide.com/content/france-properties