Today over one million people a year move between EU member states, and most of them take their home contents with them. Prices for these removals can vary dramatically and service levels likewise. So how can the unwary avoid the pitfalls?
Firstly you should be aware that there is NO fixed price for a removal and the unwary can end up paying well over the odds for a service that should just not cost that much. But is there a REAL difference in the service offered by the expensive companies and the cheaper ones? What everyone wants is a reliable, efficient, friendly service. A company that will turn up when they say, not break all your china, be courteous, and deliver your worldly possessions at the time agreed and in one piece.
The problem is 'How to choose your removal Company'. To some extent, that depends on your budget and what you desire. Some companies offer complete dismantling services, cleaning services, pet transfer services and more still. These services you will pay for! If, though, you just want to move house and do not want a gold plated delivery van outside your front door, the options are almost limitless! Or rather they can be. So before you even start to look for a company, decide what level of service you actually need. Once that is done your search can begin.
Magazine and newspaper adverts and the yellow pages are all good starting points. If you are computer literate any good search engine will provide you with lists of companies that work within France. Once this has been done you can begin your whittling down process. Price will obviously help here, as will the attitude of the person who takes your call. Personal recommendations are the best, but failing that there are a number of Internet forums where you can ask others on line for their moving experiences. These forums can be very illuminating with some frank comments on various companies.
Research is the key. All companies claim an excellent service and the truth of the matter is that 98% of removal companies DO provide an excellent service. The only question is how much should I pay? But nothing is ever simple and all too often what sometimes initially looks like a good deal can work out to be very expensive.
The rate that you will be quoted, is arrived at after a number of factors are taken into consideration. The load size, the distance to be traveled, the type of furniture, the number of men required for the job and of course an operator’s overheads. To be able to give you a quote that will not vary, you have to be able to provide the removal company with as much detail as possible, and here an inventory is essential. In many instances a visit by the removal company to the house is suggested and can be a good idea. It is not however, compulsory - an experienced estimator will know after talking to you, roughly how much you have to move, and a full inventory will make this even easier. Above all, RESIST the temptation to ‘forget’ a few items when telling the removers of the load size. The price differential is minimal - and there may not be space on the vehicle for any ‘non declared’ items!
An inventory achieves four important things. Firstly it allows the removal company to know exactly what is to be taken. Remember here to include such items as pianos (that may need three men to move them), snooker tables and items such as ride-on lawn mowers and other fragile, bulky, heavy or strange objects. Secondly, in the event of an insurance claim you can PROVE with an inventory that the removal company had the items concerned. Thirdly, it helps you on unpacking to see where each numbered box should go in the new house. Using a simple spreadsheet will make this even easier, and of course you can then use the same sheet when sorting out your home contents insurance. Lastly an inventory allows you to re-assess just what you need to take with you. There is, perhaps, little point in taking boxes that have not seen the light of day in years simply to gather dust in another attic.
However, load and distance are not the only elements that affect price. Please remember to let any remover know of any problems at either end that could affect delivery or pick up. If you are moving to or from a flat, indicate how many flights of stairs have to be negotiated. Also consider things such as narrow roads (or even “no roads”) at either end. It is also as well to check if an outside hoist will be needed and if Parking can be secured.
The “DIY” option?
Sometimes costs can be lowered by moving yourself, but often this is not the case. Aside from the cost of Vehicle hire, diesel, and Tolls there are the ‘Hidden costs’ to be factored in,: taking time off work, ‘Paying’ for relatives to assist,(food, beer/wine etc), the bruised fingers, the aching backs, the dropped items of furniture, the flaring of tempers, the boredom of driving at 50 mph on a motorway, and finally having no one to blame for any damaged items. Obtaining insurance for a self-move is virtually impossible.
But DIY can be an option if you have a small load, plenty of time and are not worried about some seriously hard work. To hire a ‘Luton’ size van and move say 15m3 of furniture from Birmingham to Dordogne will cost you about £1100 all in. This includes hire charges, diesel, ferry and motorway tolls and meals. To ask a removal company to do the same job will cost anything from £850 to £1800, depending on whom you ask.
One of the questions we continually get asked concerns packing. The easiest and cheapest way is to pack yourselves, especially if you have time. But be aware that goods that you pack yourself may not be covered under certain insurance policies. This is because insurers cannot be sure that a) The items were in good condition prior to packing and b) That they were correctly packed.
As for the actual packing all companies offer a packing service. This service can extend to cover the ‘packing’ of all of your small items, but you can negotiate to have only some of the goods packed and most companies will provide all the materials you need for this. Please note that items of furniture that are packed for French moves are generally ‘blanket’ wrapped on the vehicle. This is adequate for non-container moves. However, if you are moving ‘deep sea’ and your goods are to be placed in a container then an ‘export’ pack is highly recommended. Here the furniture etc is all bubble wrapped and extra protection afforded to delicate items. The reason for this is that containers on ships move about and damage to contents is not uncommon. Finally, if packing yourself, please do not overload boxes
To go over all the above:
1. Complete an inventory and be sure that what you are moving really is needed.
2. Check prices at your destination (maybe it’s cheaper to buy a new sofa rather than moving the twenty year old one!)
3. Research your removal company carefully and/or use a brokerage service.
4. Establish exactly what a quote includes (VAT, Insurance, Packing etc)
5. Be sure to let the removal company know of any heavy or bulky items in the load
6. Do let the removers know of any access difficulties (ie: eighth floor with no Lift, or up a small dirt track!!)
7. Start your search for a company between seven and ten weeks before the move date.
8. Ask as many questions as you like from a company or a broker. After all you are entrusting all your possessions to the chosen company!
How can a Brokerage help you?
In essence the broker does exactly the same as you, in that he solicits quotes from removal companies. The difference is that whereas you ask maybe ten or twenty companies for quotes, he will ask a few thousand, all over Europe, to quote on your move. Further, the Broker knows when and where companies are going. He is able to approach them directly and suggest that they may like to quote on a job to fill the spare capacity on a vehicle that is passing your front door. Removal companies, like airlines, prefer to travel with full vehicles rather than ones that are half empty. The trick is finding them. This is where the broker can help you to save time, effort and money.
Further an independent brokerage can give you the real inside story on any company you are considering using!
Peter Driscoll
For free and independent advice contact:
ET Brokers Ltd
www.etbrokers-removals.com Or our French Subsidiary
www.codemfrance.com
www.codemframce.fr
Typical French Meals
French Meals
To become really familiar with French culture, you’ll need to understand what French people normally eat at mealtimes (as well as their eating habits), whether you plan to eat out at a restaurant or invite some locals to your place for a meal. Only then will you truly feel part of the landscape.
Breakfast
French people love their croissants at just about every breakfast meal. Whether you choose the fanciest restaurant or the most inexpensive café, you’ll have your choice of a few different types of croissants, usually served with butter or jam. A small side portion of eggs or ham usually compliments the meal. However, as a whole, breakfasts are not a huge affair in France. That’s typically saved for lunch and or dinnertime.
Lunch
The French like to eat lunch at a leisurely pace, even if it’s in the middle of a hectic business schedule. For the French, partaking in good food, at a relaxing pace, is part and parcel of the French culture, with lunch lasting as long as two hours. Restaurants typically serve lunch from about 12:00 pm until 2:00 or 3:00 pm; however, many restaurants are not open for lunch on Saturdays and Mondays (depends upon the province). Many French workers go home for lunch as well, taking time to relax and eat with the family. Sundays are the big family days, where you’ll often see families eating out together for a good two hours. Unlike other cultures, the French (whether it’s friends or family members) tend to bond over food.
Food choice is pretty extensive; however, it differs slightly according to region. For example, in the Provence region, food dishes tend to incline to the more Mediterranean style – lots of salads with olive oil dressing and tomatoes served with most meals. In the northern regions, foods are heavier and cooked with more butter and sour cream, probably due to the cooler weather. However, wherever you eat in France, you’ll find the customary wine and cheese, which the French or so well known for.
Dinner French dinners, like lunches, tend to be big affairs. Three course meals are common, accompanied with the traditional cheese, wine, bread, and mineral water. Dinner starts at about 7:00 to 7:30 pm and can last up to a couple of hours. Like lunch, dinner is a time to relax and spend time with friends and family.
Finding homes for rent or apartments for sale has never been easier with online property listing sites.
Driving Safely in France
Besides good wine, France is also known for its somewhat reckless drivers. Compared to driving in Great Britain, when you drive or hire a car in France, it can be a bit of an experience. To ensure your driving experience is as pleasant (and safe) as possible, we’ve listed some of the main French driving rules that can help you drive defensively in this most colorful country.
Drive on the right side of the road Contrary to British driving, French drivers drive on the right side of the road. It might take a day or two to become accustomed to driving on the right side of the road, but once you’ve driven a few hundred kilometers, it’s becomes almost like second nature.
Speed limits To help prevent you from getting any speeding tickets, it’s crucial to know the speed limits for the different types of roads. Here’s a listing of the various speed limits according to road classification:
Toll highways (Autoroutes) – 130 km/h
Non-toll highways – 110 km/h
Other main roads – 90 km/h
Roads in towns – 50 km/h.
Giving the right away Even though the French have a reputation for somewhat aggressive driving, it’s not really the case. Highway rules create the impression for the inpatient, aggressive behavior. In France, slower cars should drive on the far right of a highway (especially on the faster toll highways, or Autoroutes). Drivers should only enter the faster, left lane to pass other cars. If you happen to be in the left lane, you’ll probably have drivers tailgate you (within a couple of car lengths) until you move over. Don’t take it personal – just drive on the right as much as possible.
Traffic circles France is famous for its roundabouts, or traffic circles. These roundabouts are actually much more efficient than stop signs, as traffic proceeds safer from all directions. Right away is given to the car in the roundabout.
Other rules Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers (front and rear) and children 10 and under cannot sit in the front unless there’s a special rear-facing seat that’s strapped onto the front seat. In addition, if you plan to ride a motorcycle, scooter, or moped (which France is famous for) you must a wear a helmet for protection.
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Tour de France: The Greatest Race Around
Even if you’ve never visited France before or never watched a cycling competition in your life, you’ve probably still heard about the famous Tour de France. Tour de France is perhaps the most popular cycling competition in the world, which takes place on an annual basis throughout France in various topographic settings (mountainous ranges to flatlands). Every year the thrill and excitement of the race penetrates throughout France and Europe, and even to the coasts of North America and beyond.
History of the race The first Tour de France started over 100 years ago and covered over 2,500 kilometers, which was divided among six stages in 19 grueling days. It was an immediate success and captured the hearts and souls of Frenchmen and other Europeans alike. Throughout the years, the distance traveled increased to today’s figure of more than 3,500 kilometers, which is divided among 21 different stages over a 23-day period. From the start, the Tour de France offered one of the most grueling routes in cycling history and still continues to provide some of the most challenging cycling terrain in the world that tests the strength and endurance of some of the top cycling professionals around.
The route Each year, the Tour de France’s route changes, thereby adding immense variety to each and every race. In some years the race transverses terrain in neighboring countries such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Spain, but since 1975, the race always ends in France, on the two kilometer long, cobblestone avenue of Champs-Elysees in Paris. The roughly 3,500-kilometer route includes a combination of terrain: 10 flat stages, 5 mountainous areas, and four medium mountainous regions.
Choosing the route Cities throughout France and neighboring countries send in applications to host a stage in the Tour de France. Out of a list of some 200 permanent candidates, only about 40 or so towns are chosen to host a site for any given year. Part of the approval process is that the city or town must be able to accommodate close to 5,000 people stopping through their area over a 24-hour period (i.e. parking, ample roads, etc.) and show the feasibility and safety of the route itself. Only then will the candidate town be considered for possible inclusion in the famous Tour de France.
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International Schools in France
International Schools in France:
Aix en Provence International Bilingual School of Provence
Bailly Lycée International Montessori
Bordeaux Bordeaux International
Caluire Lycée Ombrosa
Cannes Sophia-Antipolis
Fontainebleau College de Fontainebleau
Grenoble American School
Lille Lille Metropole
Lyon American School of Lyon
Cite Scolaire, Lyon
International School of Lyon
Marseille Marseille International
Nice International School
Paris American School, Paris
British School of Paris
Ecole Active Bilingue
Eurecole, Paris
Int'l School, Paris
Jeannine Manuel
Lycee de Sevres
Marymount International School
Pau International School of Bearn
Strasbourg Bilingual International School
St Germain-en-Laye Lycée International
Toulouse Int'l School, Toulouse
Vallauris Sophia Antipolis Rainbows International Playgroup
Most of these schools have websites - Google them for more information
Taking out a Mortgage in France
Buying a property in France is similar to purchasing a property in most other countries. Most buyers take out a mortgage that typically covers up to 80% of the value of the property. If you’re planning to purchase that second home in France, or even a primary residence, you can either take out a mortgage from your home country or from a French mortgage company in France. If you decide to take out a French mortgage, here are some of the basic points you should familiarize yourself with before taking out that loan.
Size of loan French mortgages normally cover up to 80% of the property’s price, with some loans even amounting to more than 80% of the property’s value. How much of a loan you receive depends upon your overall monthly long-term loan amount (combining all mortgages, etc.) compared to your monthly gross income. Your total monthly long-term debt should not exceed 30% of your total monthly gross income. For example, if your current monthly mortgage on your home is £1000 per month, with a total monthly gross income of £6,000 per month, you will be eligible up to a second monthly mortgage payment in France of up to £1000 per month (assuming you have no other long-term debt).
Types of loans You can either apply for a fixed or variable loan. Some mortgage companies even offer an interest only loan for the first few years of the loan term. Check and compare rates from a few different mortgage companies to get the best rate possible. Mortgages are anywhere from 5 years to a 30 year mortgage.
Length of approval process Mortgages usually take from anywhere from about six weeks to three months to approve. That process can be accelerated if you start the approval process even before you find that house to buy.
Additional costs Additional fees add up to about 8 – 10% of the purchase price. This includes the notaire’s fees (lawyer’s fees, around 6%), an upfront mortgage fee (around 1% of the loan), registration fee (1 – 2% of the loan), and life insurance (about 1% of the loan). If you hire a real estate broker, you will have even more fees to pay; however, those fees are often included in the price of the house.
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Renting a Property in France
Renting a property in France is much like renting a property anywhere else in the world, but differences do exist. As long as you’re aware of those nuances, you should be fine. The web is a great resource for researching those differences, as well local French real estate agents who can inform you of local real estate practices. To help you get started with your research, we’ve listed some of the main rental practices in the country.
Rental period Unlike some other countries around the world, France has a minimum three- year rental contract period for unfurnished places and a one-year minimum for furnished apartments. That three-year contract period (for unfurnished places) can be reduced to a year contract under certain circumstances (i.e. job reasons, property to be rented to a close relative). Contracts for unfurnished properties are also typically renewed for three-year terms. For furnished apartments, rental periods can be reduced to whatever time period is agreed upon, as long as it’s not the tenant’s primary residence. For example, a furnished holiday rental can be leased out for as short of a period that’s agreed upon by both parties, as long as it’s not the tenant’s primary residence.
Deposit The majority of landlords ask for two-months in deposit (long-term rentals). This deposit is refundable minus any damage caused by the tenant. Normal wear and tear (i.e. worn carpet, faded paint) cannot be deducted from the deposit. If the landlord does deduct some money off from the deposit, he needs to provide receipts for any repairs or maintenance. Besides a deposit, some landlords may ask for additional guarantees, such as a bank guarantee for non-payment.
Rent Rent is usually due on the first of each month, and can only be increased on a yearly basis. Any increases are usually based upon the French government’s published construction cost index.
Tenant notice For unfurnished apartments, the required notice period is three months. Furnished apartments require a one-month notice period. A tenant can move out before those time periods, but will be liable for any rent due. If a tenant is able to find another party to take over the rental before the contract expires, the old tenant may not be liable for the remaining rent (depends upon the landlord).
Homelist24 provides online listings for apartments, rental houses, vacation rentals, and much more. Listings come complete with photos, full descriptions, and complete contact information.
Types of French Properties
Whether you’re looking to buy that one-of-a-kind holiday property in the mountains, a traditional house in the countryside, or a townhouse in the city for an investment, France has it all. With so many options available, though, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the different terminologies used to describe some of the various types of properties before you make that purchase. Listed below is a quick summary of some of the more common real estate terms in France.
Fermette When you conjure up thoughts of the romantic French countryside, what often comes to mind is the quintessential farmhouse (fermette in French), with a slew of animals in the side barn. An abundance of French farmhouses (fermettes) can be found in the rural countryside, with some dating back hundreds of years. Most kitchens in these rural farmhouses are designed differently than the modern-day kitchens. They might not have all the whistles and bells of newer kitchens, but they’re as equally as large, with loads of natural charm.
Bastide When searching French property listings, you’ll probably come across the term “bastide,” which originates from the name given to medieval towns, especially in southern France. These homes (usually located in the villages or countryside in southern France) typically are made out of stone, have square or rectangular design features, and are tiled throughout. Round archways that lead to outside patios are common, as well as roofs that are nearly flat. Today, many of these bastide homes in southern France have been refurbished into rather expensive, large country homes.
Domaine Domaine refers to a property that’s an estate. Like estates in most countries, this type of home is usually located on a large piece of land, with perhaps a vineyard or two gracing its grounds.
Mas This common French real estate term refers to medium to large size houses generally found in Provence (southern region of France). Mas properties can refer to either a bastide or farmhouse property or even a domaine that’s located in Provence.
Pavillion Pavillion homes refer to properties that have usually been built in the last 50 years and are located in northern France. Most pavilions are single detached houses.
Maison de maitre Maison de maitre properties are large country homes or town houses, with high ceilings and plenty of rooms. Many of these properties have ornate decorative features, which add to the classic French charm.
Homelist24 provides online listings for apartments, rental houses, vacation rentals, and much more. Listings come complete with photos, full descriptions, and complete contact information.
HIFX ADVICE FOR BUYERS FEELING JITTERY ABOUT FLUCTUATING EXCHANGE RATES
With the markets in turmoil, property prices in flux and Sterling falling against the Euro, but still riding high against the Dollar, anyone intending to buy property overseas would be forgiven for getting the jitters. In the last eight months a European property priced at €200,000 has become £24,677.40 more expensive to a British buyer due to fluctuating exchange rates*. Currency specialists HiFX are however urging prospective buyers not to abandon their plans but to seek advice on how they can use current exchange rates to ensure they get a great deal on a property abroad.
Tip one – ‘Use the exchange rate to negotiate hard’
Mark Bodega, Director at foreign exchange specialists HiFX who help over 30,000 people buy property abroad each year comments, “Most buyers work to a budget and changes in the Euro / Sterling exchange rate has therefore led to people reviewing what properties they can afford. Rather than assuming that because costs have gone up, preferred properties are out of reach, buyers should remember that a drop in demand will mean vendors are also feeling the pinch. This leaves buyers in a position to negotiate prices. If buying a European property from a Brit, use the rate fluctuations to renegotiate the price of the property.”
Example:
If a British vendor first put the property up for sale in October 2007 for €200,000, they would have been expecting to receive £137,931.**
If the vendor had managed to sell the property this month, due to the exchange rate they would receive an unexpected windfall (additional money from the sale) of £20,346.91! However buyers are now holding off buying as the prices have risen to high so demand has dropped.
In order to try to do a deal, buyers should therefore point out that the seller can afford to drop the asking price to €174,290 and still receive £137,931.*** Alternatively in the spirit of negotiation, the buyer could split the difference with the vendor and pay £187,143 for the property to do the deal.
Tip two – ‘Fix the exchange rate’
Fix the price of the property by fixing the exchange rate using a forward contract. In essence, a 'forward contract' means that individuals can buy the currency now, and pay for it later (when they need to make the individual stage payments). Buyers will be required to pay a 10% deposit now and the 90% balance upon the maturity of the contract.****
Bodega continues, “We always remind clients that they'd never agree to buy a property in the UK without knowing the final cost. If you agree to buy an overseas property without fixing the exchange rate at the start that's exactly the gamble you’re taking. But some people become greedy and despite our advice they think they’ll hold out for a better rate. While exchange rates could go in your favour, they are just as likely to go against you and we strongly recommend that people who are working to a tight budget fix the rates at the outset to protect themselves and ensure they can afford the property when it comes to completion.”
Tip Three – ‘Get the experts in’
Using a currency broker to transfer the money to buy the property and not a high street bank will save consumers thousands of pounds. On average, mystery shops show that using a high street bank will cost up to 4% more on the exchange rate alone. 4% may not sound like a lot but this means if an individual is changing £100,000 into Euros for example, they’d pay around £4,000 more than if they'd used a company like HiFX. Using a high street bank also means being subject to a number of additional bank charges which include commission fees (up to another 2% of the amount transferred and transfer charges (usually £25 for each and every transfer) and finally depending on where the money is being sent, up to another half a percent bank receiving fees. Currency specialists like HiFX will transfer money abroad completely free of charge.
Tip Four – ‘Sort out ongoing payments’
Once someone has bought their overseas property or moved to their new life abroad, they will still need to make regular currency transfers for a wide variety of reasons the most common of which are:
- Overseas mortgage payments, pension transfers, the repatriation of rental income, salary transfers and school fees etc. However buying currency on a regular basis is time consuming and currency fluctuations can make budgeting impossible. Also the international transfer fees and commission charged by the banks can soon add up to a tidy sum.
A Regular Payments Abroad Service allows customers to automate their payments via direct debit and fix the exchange rates for up to 2 years ahead so they know exactly how much is being transferred every month. The HiFX RPA service is currently used to make over 20,000 payments every year.
Notes:
* Below is an example of how the changes in the exchange rate have effected to cost of overseas property in Europe for a British buyer. The table below shows how much more expensive a European property priced at Euro 200,000 has become since the end of July last year (£24,677.40 more expensive):
EXAMPLE 1
Date: Price of prop in Euros Exchange Rate: Cost in £’s
26th July 07 €200,000 1.4970 £133,600.53
17th March 08 €200,000 1.2636 £158,277.94
**
Price of property in Euros
Cost in £’s on Oct-07: €200,000.00 Exchange Rate:1.45 £137,931.03
***
Price of property in Euros
Cost in £’s on Mar 08 €174,289.65 Exchange Rate: 1.2636 £137,931
****
For example, if you wish to buy £50,000 worth of Euros but do not need to send them for 3 months, you can agree the exchange rate now, place a £5,000 deposit, and pay the remaining £45,000 balance in 3 months. If the exchange rate moves at all in that 3-month period this will not affect you at all, as you have bought currency at the originally agreed rate. You may actually fix a rate on all your currency requirements up to 18 months forward.
Contact HIFX << click here - please mention 1st for French Property
Make your Money go Further
Instead of waiting until you arrive at the airport, having the inconvenience of queuing plus the added cost of getting charged between 6-10% on the exchange rate, HiFX Travel Money Online will make your money go further.
Order your travel money online with HiFX and you will not only receive excellent exchange rates but your cash or travellers cheques will be delivered direct to your door free of charge* saving you both time and money.
Excellent exchange rates Buy your travel money using our secure online service and you will not only save on the exchange rate, you will also avoid all commission charges.
Free home delivery for orders over £500*
Order your currency before 3pm, and we will deliver your cash or travellers cheques direct to your door the next day (not guaranteed weekends or bank holidays).
Dedicated customer helpline If you have any queries after ordering your currency, call our dedicated helpline on 0845 602 6411 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9.00am-1pm) - please mention 1st for French Property
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