Moving: compare quotes and prices

What does your move include?

For a whole-home move, the number of rooms is a useful starting point. Mention cellar and attic contents, garden furniture and any additional collection addresses before agreeing a binding quote. Floor area alone tells the movers little about how full the vehicle will be.

For a partial move, the actual furniture and boxes matter instead. Businesses should consider workstations, archives, stock and sensitive equipment. Decide which tasks you will do yourself: transport, packing and furniture assembly can be combined to suit your needs.

How much does a moving company cost?

A Swiss provider tariff checked on 22 October 2026 lists CHF 175 per hour excluding VAT for two movers and a 20 m³ truck. The example below assumes four billed hours. It is neither a Quoti quote nor an estimate of how long your move will take.

What changes the work involved and the total price?

The CHF 175 in this example covers the two-person team and vehicle, not each person separately. The published tariff includes fuel, kilometres, protective blankets and tools, among other items. Confirm the minimum booking and when billed time starts and ends for your job. The calculation does not confirm that official parking reservation fees or other services you order are included.

Assess access at both locations: floor, usable lift, stairs, parking and the distance to the entrance. A larger team may work faster but usually has a different hourly rate; savings cannot be inferred without planning the time and services. Room count likewise does not replace an assessment of the actual belongings.

If you pack or prepare furniture yourself, agree on what must be ready when the team arrives. Include materials, any vehicle hire and your own time in the comparison. Doing work yourself is the cheapest suitable option only when the scope, timing and safe execution fit.

What to check in a comparable quote

A fixed price covers the agreed scope. For hourly billing, also check estimated duration, billing increments and any agreed price ceiling. Record how changes will be approved.

• Job and dates. Collection and delivery locations, goods, team, vehicle, date and promised additional services.
• Total price. Known surcharges, taxes and fees, plus when billed time starts and ends.
• Protection and liability. Confirm packing, insurance coverage, exclusions, excess and damage procedure in writing. Declare valuable items beforehand.
• Commitment. Check payment, rescheduling and cancellation terms. An enquiry without obligation is not a booking.

What information helps a company quote for your move?

Start with the type and approximate size of the move, origin and destination localities, access and a date or time window. Mention additional collection points, unusually heavy items and any extra services. Use information you already have; calculating the load volume yourself or preparing new documents is not always necessary.

Example: “We are moving a 3.5-room apartment and cellar contents from Winterthur to Zurich. The old apartment is on the second floor without a lift; the new one is on the first floor with a lift. We will pack ourselves; a large wardrobe needs dismantling and reassembling. Please quote for transport and assembly, with cleaning listed separately. Our date is still flexible within the last week of September.”

The example describes a job, not a promised price or duration. Adapt the places, inventory and timing to your move. Flag any uncertainty about lift dimensions or parking. Agree on exact addresses, access and the final inventory with the company before the confirmed job is carried out.

Prepare for moving day

Having a lift does not mean a sofa or wardrobe will fit. Discuss the largest pieces and both buildings with the company. Long carrying routes between the vehicle and entrance should be known before the price is confirmed.

For both locations, agree on who reserves parking and pays the costs. Public space may require an official reservation and advance notice; arrange private courtyard or garage parking with the person responsible. Do not assume a space immediately outside the entrance will be available.

1. Sort and list. Decide what is moving, staying or being disposed of. Label boxes with their destination room; keep important documents and medicines separate.
2. Arrange access. Coordinate keys, lift use and parking. Public parking spaces have local reservation rules and lead times.
3. Coordinate the work. Schedule packing and dismantling before loading. Arrange cleaning and property handover after the furniture has left.
4. Check on arrival. Show where furniture belongs and document visible damage. Record anything unclear with the company.

When your move crosses a border

Plan the countries, locations and customs clearance. Agree who will prepare the inventory and customs paperwork. For a private relocation to Switzerland, duty-free import depends on conditions including a change of residence, at least six months of prior personal use and continued personal use.

Form 18.44 is used to declare household effects; observe the customs office’s commercial-goods opening hours. Business relocations and moves to other countries need separate checks. An international transport price does not automatically include duties or customs services.