Moving costs money at the worst possible moment: between a rental guarantee to advance, a first month's rent and a home to equip. That is precisely why JSD Déménagement-Social exists. Here is what weighs in a quote, what you can reduce yourself, and the support you should not overlook.
What sets the price of a move
Four factors, in order:
- Volume: it sets the size of the lorry and the number of movers.
- Carrying time: the floor, the lift (or lack of one), the distance between the door and the lorry. A fourth floor without a lift can double how long loading takes.
- The date: month ends, Saturdays and the summer are the tightest slots.
- The options: packing, dismantling, furniture lift, cleaning, storage.
The journey itself often matters less than people think: in Belgium the distances are short, and it is the hours that cost.
Six levers that bring the bill down
Sort before, not after. This is the most powerful lever: ten cubic metres less is sometimes one lorry category less. Sell, give away, empty the cellar.
Choose a quiet date. A Tuesday mid-month, outside June to September, is easier to get and often cheaper than a Saturday at the end of the month.
Pack yourself. Packing is the most expensive option because it takes the most time. If you take it on, keep it out of the quote, but pack everything before the crew arrives: unsealed boxes on the day cost hours.
Dismantle what you can. Beds, shelves, tables: screws in a bag taped to the piece.
Book the parking space. A space outside the door can save an hour of crew time. The formality costs little, sometimes nothing.
Be there and be reachable. A home where nobody can decide what goes is waiting time, and waiting time is billed.
Support available in Belgium
The schemes depend on your Region and your circumstances. Those worth checking:
- Your commune's CPAS/OCMW (public social welfare centre). It can contribute towards removal costs, the rental guarantee or setting up home, notably through an installation grant for people leaving homelessness. Conditions are examined case by case: go and ask, even if you doubt you qualify.
- Regional housing allowances. In Wallonia, the removal and rent allowance (ADeL); in Brussels, the removal, installation and rent allowance (ADIL). They target low-income households leaving unfit or unhealthy housing for a sound home, subject to income and situation conditions. In Flanders, equivalent grants exist through Wonen in Vlaanderen.
- The Housing Fund and social rental agencies, for advancing the rental guarantee.
- Your health insurance fund or your insurer, which sometimes contribute when a move is linked to health or disability.
Amounts, ceilings and conditions change regularly: check with your CPAS/OCMW or the regional housing administration before fixing your date, because some support must be applied for before the move.
False economies
- The "with friends" move without equipment. A hired van, two trips, a day off work and a wrecked back rarely come out cheaper than a two-person crew for half a day.
- The quote with no survey and no detail. A low price that mentions neither the volume, nor the hours included, nor the insurance is always corrected on the day.
- Undeclared labour. In case of breakage or an accident you have no recourse, and the accident is yours to carry.
- The overfilled box. It tears, and what falls is not replaced.
What we do on our side
We announce a firm price before the move, options included, with the number of movers and the hours covered set out in writing. We fit the format to the real volume rather than selling a single package, and we accept the small volumes many companies turn down.
A quote is free and commits you to nothing. Describe your situation, however complicated: we will tell you frankly what is feasible within your budget.
