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Moving: what are the costs?

JANUARY 15 2019 PROPOSED BY OUR PARTNER ING LUXEMBOURG

Moving is not always a sinecure. This requires a minimum of organization but also assumes financial expenses. What are they, how can they be estimated and what can be done to better control their budget? Here are some tips that will help you enjoy your new home without crumbling under a mountain of bills.

The main direct costs are related to the move itself. Several options are available to you. Either you move on your own, you rent a specialized vehicle or you call a moving company. If you rent a specialized vehicle, do not forget to proceed with its inventory of fixtures before the move. You will avoid any unpleasant surprises when it is returned.

Whether you rent a specialized vehicle or move on your own, do not forget to reserve a parking space in front of your old and your new home so that you can load and unload your furniture very easily. In principle, you must make the request to the two respective municipalities.

In the case of the City of Luxembourg, you must submit an application for authorization to occupy the public road 5 working days before the beginning of validity of the authorization at the Service de la circulation _¹ . Traffic signs indicating prohibited parking are available free of charge from Traffic Service _² , as long as you do not use a moving company.

Any breach of this principle, as well as any occupation of the unauthorized public road, expose you to penalties in case of finding by agents of the City.

Points to keep in mind if you are moving with a pro

If you use a moving company, compare the different quotes before you commit, and once your decision is made, pay attention to the following four points.

The first concerns the volume to be transported. Large volume means more trucks and movers. If you are over 55 m ³ to move, a second truck will be needed. In general, 3 movers are enough but when it is a large volume, there can be up to 6. To reduce the bill, get rid of everything that will be useless in your new home.

Also, think of sorting out the valuable cases so that they can be recorded on the declaration of value. This must be sent or given to the company that will take care of the move. You will be covered in case of breakage, degradation or loss of objects. However, of course, the company in question has insurance! If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask for a copy of the insurance certificate.

The third point concerns packaging, a mandatory step in the preparation of a move. Packing your stuff yourself is cheaper, especially if you leave a small apartment with little business. On the other hand, if you have a large number of objects, it is better to ask the moving company to do it. If you do it yourself, you may be wasting precious time that you could have used to spend on something else.

The difficulty of access to your new home (stairs, narrow or angled corridors ...) will influence the time needed for movers to move your belongings. Depending on the configuration of the premises, it is sometimes more interesting to rent a freight elevator. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the distance to travel that has the greatest impact on price, but the workforce. So make sure you get the most out of it!

Attention to indirect costs!

Their amount may vary depending on your personal situation. If you are a tenant , you must respect a certain period (in principle three months, unless otherwise provided for a longer period in your lease contract) and pay compensation in case of non-compliance with this deadline.

Even if there is no legal obligation, an inventory of places of exit is often drawn up. You must return the property in good condition or as you have received if an inventory of places of entry has been made. In case of damage and loss, you must prove that it occurred without your fault. If you are unable to do so, repair costs will unfortunately be expected.

Also keep in mind other related costs such as fees to divert your mail temporarily, adjusting the insurance policy to suit the characteristics of your new home and buying new furniture or appliances to feel comfortable.

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1.The application form can be downloaded from the website of the City of Luxembourg.

2. Kofferfabrik, 98-102 Auguste Charles Street L-1326 Luxembourg.