#113 Specifying a Hairstyle at the Hair Salon｜French Daily-Life Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#132 Requesting a Moving Estimate｜French Everyday Life Phrases
Izumi
When planning a move, one of the first and most important steps is requesting a cost estimate.
When contacting a moving company in French, it is essential to clearly communicate details such as the moving date, type of residence, volume of belongings, distance, and any specific conditions.
In this article, I explain useful French expressions that can be used when requesting a moving estimate, along with practical language points.
Contents
Dialogue
Je souhaiterais obtenir un devis pour un déménagement, s’il vous plaît.
（I would like to request a quotation for a move, please.）
Pour quelle date prévoyez-vous le déménagement ?
（On what date are you planning the move?）
Idéalement, ce serait début mai. Il s’agit d’un appartement de deux pièces.
（Ideally, it would be in early May. It is a two-room apartment.）
Bien sûr. Avez-vous beaucoup de meubles ou d’objets volumineux ?
（Understood. Do you have many pieces of furniture or large items?）
Oui, notamment un canapé et une armoire. La distance est d’environ 15 kilomètres.
（Yes, in particular a sofa and a wardrobe. The distance is approximately 15 kilometers.）
D’accord. Nous pourrons vous envoyer un devis détaillé par email.
（All right. We will be able to send you a detailed quotation by email.）
Merci. Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ?
（Thank you. How long will it take?）
Vous le recevrez d’ici deux jours ouvrables.
（You will receive it within two business days.）
1. Requesting a Quotation
When contacting a moving company, the first step is to clearly state the purpose of your inquiry.
Example
- Je souhaiterais obtenir un devis pour un déménagement.
（I would like to obtain a quotation for a move.）
The expression “je souhaiterais” is slightly more formal than “j’aimerais”, making it well suited for phone calls, emails, and face-to-face conversations.
Related Expression
- Pourriez-vous me fournir un devis ?
（Could you provide me with a quotation?）
2. Confirming the Moving Date
The cost of a move can vary significantly depending on the timing. For this reason, it is best to give as specific a schedule as possible.
Example
- Pour quelle date prévoyez-vous le déménagement ?
（On what date are you planning the move?）
Even if the exact date has not been decided, providing an approximate time frame is sufficient.
Example
- Ce serait début mai.
（It would be in early May.）
Expressions that indicate a general period, such as “early” or “late,” are commonly used and perfectly acceptable.
Related Expressions
- début mai: early May
- mi-mai: mid-May
- fin mai: late May
3. Explaining the Type and Size of the Residence
Information about the current residence is also essential, as the number of rooms and type of housing help determine the workload.
Example
- Il s’agit d’un appartement de deux pièces.
（It is a two-room apartment.）
The phrase “il s’agit de …” is a formal way of saying “it is.”
“Deux pièces” means two rooms and corresponds roughly to a 2K apartment in Japan.
Related Expressions
- une maison: a house
- un studio: a studio apartment
4. Describing Furniture and the Volume of Belongings
The distance of the move and the presence of large or special items can significantly affect the estimate, so this information should be shared in advance.
Example
- La distance est d’environ 15 kilomètres.
（The distance is approximately 15 kilometers.）
It is also helpful to mention large furniture items.
Example
- Notamment un canapé et une armoire.
（In particular, a sofa and a wardrobe.）
Using “notamment” emphasizes items that may require special handling.
Related Expressions
- L’immeuble n’a pas d’ascenseur.
（The building does not have an elevator.） - Il y a un accès difficile pour les camions.
（Truck access is difficult.）
Providing such details in advance helps prevent additional charges later and ensures a more accurate quotation.
5. Confirming How and When the Quotation Will Be Sent
Finally, confirm how and when the estimate will be delivered.
Examples
- Nous pourrons vous envoyer un devis détaillé par email.
（We will be able to send you a detailed quotation by email.） - Combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ?
（How long will it take?） - Vous le recevrez d’ici deux jours ouvrables.
（You will receive it within two business days.）
“jours ouvrables” は「営業日」を意味する実務的な表現です。
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Je souhaiterais obtenir un devis pour un déménagement.
→ Used to request a moving quotation. - Ce serait début mai / Pour quelle date…
→ Used to state or confirm the moving date. - Il s’agit d’un appartement de deux pièces.
→ Used to describe the type and size of the residence. - Avez-vous des meubles ou des objets volumineux ?
→ Used to ask about the volume of furniture and belongings. - Nous vous enverrons un devis par email.
→ Used to explain how the quotation will be delivered.
