Relocation costs - all of them!

[pinkkann]

We are thinking about moving to France or Switzerland (we are in U.S. at the moment) but we need to know how much it costs to relocate internationally - and by that I mean including everything such as moving furniture and pet and cleaning carpets in the we place we end up renting, language tutorial etc etc. There must be some info out there giving an estimated cost but i can't find it!?

[Bevdeforges]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I suppose one of the reasons it's hard to find estimated moving costs is that there are so many variables. Moving furniture depends to a large extent on how much stuff you are going to move, how you want to move it, and whether or not you want to attempt to move it without buying shipping insurance. Then, too, the insurance will depend on how much value is in the items you're shipping.

Moving a pet will depend on how you do it, what sort of pet, etc.

I don't understand what you mean about "cleaning carpets in the place we end up renting" - I suppose it depends on what sort of place you end up renting and whether or not you're obligated to clean the carpets. But I can tell you that US style wall to wall carpeting is not nearly as common in Europe as it is in the US.

Language tutorial again depends on how you want to do it - Berlitz or private one-on-one tutoring or just buying a CD course to play in your car. Your level of language learning will have a big effect on the ultimate cost, too.

Then there are the hidden costs. Things like replacing small appliances that aren't worth moving over (unless you want to buy many, many transformers to run 110V items on European 220/240V mains), or paying VAT or customs on items you ship over that incur those charges for whatever reason. Also agent fees for finding a rental to live in, plus deposits on a place to live, which can total 2 to 3 months' rent you have to pay up front.

Best idea might be to list out all the items you expect as part of the cost of relocation and run it by us here in the forum. I'm sure we'll have a few "new" things to add. The only way to get a decent estimate for your costs will be to go through and get separate estimates for each item, based on your own circumstances and requirements.

Coming from the US, there is also the issue of what moving costs are and aren't deductible on your US taxes (depending on the reason for your move - if it's job related, some of the costs will be deductible). And don't forget the various fees required to apply for your visas (filing fees, medical exams, private expat health insurance unless you'll be covered by the national health system when you arrive, etc.). It's not an easy question to answer.
Cheers,
Bev

[jena]

Pinkann, We are just about to leave for France. A List of many fees: $150/person for visa application(+cost of one missed work day for whole family and transportation to consulate), $25/adult for criminal background check, $30/pc for misc original forms like birth certs and marriage license, ~$30 in copy costs.

For the dogs: About $220 in all new shots because everything has to be less than 12 months old but more than 30 days, $95 for internt'l approved chip, $135 for approved kennel, $15.95/pc for two s/s food/water dishes that attach to the kennel, $30 for comfortable and absorbant kennel liner, for a dog between 25 - 50 lbs. the fee from Continenetal's PetSafe (they have the best reputation) is about $600 for the flight., $10 fee for good health letter from your vet and countersigned by the local USDA vet.

For shipping things - in general it is too expensive. But for about 1500 lbs door-to-door from New England to Beaune France is $6100, this was after we told them the first quote was too much. All electronics must be more than 2 years old and used.

Transatlantic ship about $1200/person + tips and alcohol(Cunard takes dogs btb with 6+ months notice)

[giantpanda]

Hi!

I would think before you go into details ( if you are not EC citizens ) , you would have to consider, if your project is at all feasible. Otherwise it is putting the cart before the horse, especially if your French ( NB. In Switzerland you have 3 languages ) is not too good.

France or Switzerland are not without red tape mountains for people coming from outside the European Community.

Then there is the question of working.............

Further you have also to consider the impact of local:

- tax rules

- inheritance rules

When you have mastered all this, we can go into relocation costs, but with a little details on your part.

Yours,

giantpanda


PS. See the French red tape - basically you should start at a French Consultate in USA.

Etrangers en France - Service-public.fr

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by jena

For shipping things - in general it is too expensive. But for about 1500 lbs door-to-door from New England to Beaune France is $6100, this was after we told them the first quote was too much. All electronics must be more than 2 years old and used.

Hey, I didn't know you were from New England - as am I!

Actually, movers in Europe don't necessarily bill by weight. Those I have dealt with prefer to bill by volume, and I know some international movers in the US will quote you figures by "container load" or "half-container" rather than strictly by weight. If you aren't shipping enough to fill a container or a half-container, it may cost more because you may be charged for the full volume.

And don't forget to allow for insurance on the contents of the container. There are lots of things that can go wrong while your stuff is traveling on the ocean.
Cheers,
Bev

[giantpanda]

Hi!

If you intend to rent, see here the particularties of French rental contracts.

Moteur de recherche service-public.fr : résultats de la recherche

NB. 3 years, for empty rooms.

Yours,

giantpanda