If you have ever watched MTV Cribs or Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes, you’ll know that A-list celebrities and major sports stars live in some impressive digs.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s US $200 million Malibu mansion is perhaps the most impressive of them all (stunningly designed by the legendary Japanese architect Tadao Ando). While Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s US $225 million Château Miraval in France was quite the love nest when they lived together there.

Even here in Australia, Buddy and Jesinta Franklin’s $9 million Mediterranean mansion on the Gold Coast caused a stir on the internet when it was put up for sale.

But as stunning as these properties all are, have you ever stopped to wonder how these celebrities orchestrate the logistics of moving in and out of them?

Unlike most people, they are unlikely to call their local Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne removalists, no matter how reliable they might be.

Instead, here is how they go about doing it.

1. They hire professional movers

While some celebs don’t mind packing their personal belongings, most can’t spare the time due to their busy schedules or simply don’t incline.

For these reasons, they invariably hire removalist firms that have built up an impressive reputation for discreet relocations of scores of other famous clients.

White glove companies such as these tend to offer a full service that includes packing, transporting, and unpacking the possessions of the rich and famous. All of which is completed in a very quick timeframe and with the minimum of fuss.

Usually, each of the individual movers and the company as a whole will be made to sign a non-disclosure agreement. This would prohibit them from saying anything to the press, or anyone else for that matter, about the impending move or the celebrities’ possessions or living arrangements.

In this respect, should word get out, they are also very adept at handling the paparazzi should they get wind of what is going on.

2. They require multiple trucks

Most celebrities tend not to live in small homes. Mike Tyson, as a case in point, recently moved out of his 19,000 square feet Maryland home, while Chris Hemsworth’s six-bedroom, ten-bathroom Byron Bay home sits on approximately ten hectares.

As you would expect, the more rooms and space celebrities have in their homes, the more removal trucks would be required to shift their stuff.

It is not uncommon for some celebrities to require the services of upwards of a dozen trucks and fifty people, which means the move needs to be coordinated by a seasoned professional.

3. They use specialist moving equipment to transport valuables

Many famous people collect antiques, art, and other valuables such as fine wines, partly for investment and also because they like to have nice things.

Some of these items are priceless and require extreme care and attention when they are being moved from one home to another. This is one of the main reasons why celebrities hire specialists, as opposed to regular movers, because they have the equipment and knowledge required to help them do so.

A-list actors, successful businessmen, and sports stars often have items like large pianos, TV stands, crystal chandeliers, and outdoor art installations. So, when moving home, they want the peace of mind of being able to entrust these possessions to seasoned experts who will be able to transport them safely and securely without compromising their value.

4. They move after hours

When it comes to moving home, one of the biggest issues celebrities need to counter is the paparazzi.

Certain lifestyle publications and TV shows will do everything they can to find out the juicy details of where a celebrity is moving to and what their new home is like.

The last thing celebrities want is for photographers to be furiously snapping pictures of the layout of their new home or their belongings and then seeing images of them plastered on the front page of tabloids or trashy magazines.

To prevent this from happening, they often arrange for the move to take place either very early in the morning or late at night. They may even put out a false rumour of the move happening at a slightly later date to throw the paparazzi off-guard and prevent a crowd from gathering on the actual moving day.

5. Misdirection

Often, the celebrities are not present during the actual house moves. Instead, they are co-ordinated by their less famous partner or an employee, such as a PA.

In this circumstance, the celebrity might try and run a misdirection that will divert attention away from the house move.

Usually, this is done by being deliberately spotted out in public, for instance, going for a meal or arranging for the move to take place when they are known to be participating in a game, a movie premier, or a music concert.

6. They employ decoy vans

Another clever tactic celebrities use when moving homes is to employ decoy vans.

These vans usually have nothing in them, but they often head out first from the property and take a course that is specifically designed to mislead and occupy the attention of any awaiting paparazzi.

With them being led on a wild goose chase, some of the other vans, which do contain their personal belongings, can then head off undetected.