Moving house, whether locally or to another country, is a significant life event that requires careful planning and execution. As relocation specialists, we are here to guide you through the essential steps involved in the moving process and highlight key things to remember for a smooth transition. Whether you're moving house within your city or relocating to another country, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the journey.

Steps for Relocating Houses

Step 1. Planning and Preparation

a. Research and Hire a Relocation Company:

Start by researching reputable moving companies with experience in both local and international moves. Look for reviews and testimonials to ensure their reliability. Get quotes from multiple companies to compare services and prices.

b. Create a Moving Checklist:

Develop a detailed checklist of tasks to complete before, during, and after the move. This will help you stay organised and ensure nothing is overlooked.

c. Set a Budget:

Establish a budget for your move, accounting for all potential expenses, including packing materials, transportation, insurance, and any additional services.

Step 2. Declutter and Organise

a. Sort Through Your Belongings:

Go through each room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. This will reduce the volume of items to move and help save on costs.

b. Organise Important Documents:

Gather all essential documents, such as passports, visas, medical records, and financial papers. Keep them in a secure and easily accessible place.

Step 3. Notify Relevant Parties

a. Change of Address:

Update your address with the post office, banks, insurance companies, and other relevant institutions. Inform friends and family of your new address.

b. Utilities and Services:

Schedule the disconnection of utilities and services at your old home and arrange for their setup at your new location.

Step 4. Packing and Labelling

a. Gather Packing Supplies:

Obtain high-quality packing materials, including boxes, export wrap, packing paper, and tape. Obviously, if you hire us, we’ll come with these and finish the packing for you!

b. Pack Methodically:

The packing should be done room by room, and each box should be labelled with its content and destination room. 

c. Handle Valuables with Care:

Fragile & valuable items should be packed separately, using extra cushioning to prevent damage.

Step 5. Transportation and Moving Day

a. Local Moves:

For local relocations, the moving company will load your belongings onto the truck and transport them to your new home. Ensure clear communication with the movers regarding any special instructions (mention access to the property, large items for doors, will the truck get to both addresses, flights of stairs/lifts etc)

b. International Moves:

For international relocations, the company will handle shipping logistics, including customs documentation and coordination with carriers. Ensure all items meet the destination country's import regulations. Other than this don’t forget to mention details like access to the property, large items for doors, will the truck get to both addresses, flights of stairs/lifts etc.

Step 6. Unpacking and Settling In

a. Unpack Essentials First:

If you are unpacking on your own, start with essential items, such as toiletries, kitchenware, and bedding. This will help you settle in quickly. 

b. Arrange Furniture and Decor:

The next task would be to place furniture and décor in their designated rooms. Take your time to create a comfortable and organised living space.

Step 7. Post-Move Tasks

a. Inspect Belongings:

Check all items for damage and report any issues to the moving company promptly.

b. Explore Your New Neighbourhood:

Take time to explore your new surroundings, locate essential services, and meet your neighbours.

Go Expert Golden Nugget: Timing Matters

One of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of relocating houses is timing. Plan your move during off-peak seasons, such as late autumn or winter, when moving companies are less busy. This not only increases the likelihood of securing your preferred moving dates but can also result in significant cost savings. Additionally, aim to move mid-month or mid-week when demand is lower, further reducing costs and ensuring a smoother relocation process.

Relocating to another country or moving house locally involves numerous steps and careful planning. By following this guide and keeping these key points in mind, you'll be well-prepared to make your move as stress-free and efficient as possible. Happy moving!

This year, Paris is host to the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the world’s largest sporting events. Starting on 26th July 2024, top athletes from around the world will gather in Paris and 16 other cities in France. They will compete in various events and competitions to represent their countries. The games will conclude on 8th September 2024.

How will the Olympics affect my shipping, storage, relocation & moving schedules?

With such a high profile, global event, there is expected to be more than 16 million spectators across the two events. The high number of people in one place at once will create difficulties for movement in and out of the area. Here are a few things to be aware of while planning moving during the Paris Olympics.

Increase in costs:

Expect rates in the area to go up considerably. This can impact anything from rental fees, storage fees, hotel costs, parking fees and many more.

Decrease in availability:

Demand for resources in the area will be under great strain due to the vast increase in people. This means accommodation, transport, storage space, etc. will be hard to come by.

Restricted movements:

There has already been some confirmed restrictions around the area to aid with security and movements for the event. Examples of potential restrictions can be high traffic concentration, lane and road closures, accidents and more. With security ramped up in the Olympic areas, it’s highly likely that we will see specific restrictions come into place across certain locations for vehicles, such as our transport vans and trucks.

Delays:

Due to the extreme demand France will face for the games, delays are almost guaranteed across several areas. Expect delays in visa processes and customs as well as extensive traffic across the involved cities. There will also be a knock-on effect to the logistics areas which will in turn mean delays on deliveries across France.

Which places will be affected?

Although the main affected areas will be the host cities, it is expected that the Olympics and Paralympics will also impact surrounding areas including the rest of France and neighbouring countries such as Spain and the UK. For instance, the UK have already confirmed an increase in security to prevent illegal crossings of the border, so expect potential delays there.

What can I do? 

Book early:

With spaces disappearing fast, if you are looking to move during the Olympic period, we would highly recommend that you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment, as we are already booking up very quickly.

Avoid Olympic dates:

If possible, consider moving either before May 2024 or after September 2024 to avoid the potential delays and complications that are expected with the Olympics.

Avoid the area:

If you can, avoid impacted areas of Paris 2024. These areas are going to be highly congested, high in demand and expensive as a result. For example, if you’re looking for temporary accommodation in the area, consider locations outside of the city that you can change once the Olympics have concluded.

Go with Go!:

This one should be clear but using Go Group for your potential moving services will save you time and money in both the long and short term. We have years of extensive experience in managing difficult situations such as this and we will ensure that you receive the best quality experience whilst we worry about the technicalities.

What can Go Group do to help?

Storage services:

Our network of storage locations across the region are available for short term storage should you need to temporarily hold your items during the Olympic period.

Moving services:

Our highly-trained professional moving teams have years of experience to help make your move possible. We have a variety of vehicles available to help avoid or ease potential restrictions whilst getting you into your new accommodation without stress.

Concierge services:

Our team are on hand to help you find whatever you need, such as accommodation or education services. We provide a personal service to make your move as simple and hassle-free as possible.

The upcoming Paris Olympics & Paralympics 2024 are generating immense excitement globally, eagerly anticipated by millions of fans. By utilizing the proven expertise of Go Group, you can alleviate the challenges and pressures that come with the games, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in one of the most anticipated sporting events worldwide. To read the official list of disruptions, click here.