The lease is signed and the boxes are ready - now the question remains: how much does a move actually cost? There is no fixed flat rate. The price depends less on the new address than on the size of your home, the distance, the effort involved and the services you want to hand over. If you know these factors and compare quotes properly, you can plan your budget far more reliably.
How much does a move cost on average?
For a move with a professional moving company within the same city, you can expect roughly the following: a small move from a one-room home often costs between 400 and 900 euros. For a two- to three-room flat, 800 to 1,800 euros is often realistic. For a family household with four or more rooms, the cost usually starts at around 1,500 euros and can be considerably higher, depending on distance and extra services.
These figures are a guide, not binding prices. An easily accessible two-room move over a few kilometres can be cheaper than a small household on the fifth floor without a lift. A move from Cologne to Bonn also costs something different from a move from Stuttgart to Munich, even when the floor space is the same.
With a move you organise yourself, the direct costs are lower at first. But van hire, fuel, moving boxes, food for the helpers and possibly a no-parking zone add up quickly. For a small move, that can come to 150 to 400 euros. For larger households or several trips, the gap to a professional quote is sometimes smaller than expected.
These factors determine the cost of a move
The most important price factor is the volume of the move. That means not just the number of square metres, but the amount of furniture, boxes and belongings that need to be transported. A minimally furnished 70-square-metre flat needs far less loading space and fewer staff than a fully furnished household with a cellar, loft and large wardrobes.
Next comes the distance. For local moves, the journey, working time and vehicle use are decisive. For long-distance moves, mileage, tolls, longer working hours and sometimes an overnight stay for the team are added. International moves also need particularly careful planning and may come with further requirements depending on the destination country.
Conditions on site affect the quote too. Is there a lift? Can the van stop right in front of the building? How many floors do things have to be carried? Narrow stairwells, long carrying distances or heavy furniture increase the staff and time needed. A reserved no-parking zone may cost extra, but it often saves the team a lot of time and avoids long walks to the removal van.
Extra services make a move more comfortable, but they change the total price. These include dismantling and reassembling furniture, packing household goods, supplying boxes, fitting a kitchen, installing lamps or disposing of old furniture. That isn't automatically expensive or unnecessary: if you are busy at work, have small children or have to keep to a tight schedule, it often takes a great deal off your shoulders.
Typical extra costs that are often overlooked
Don't just look at the total - look at the items in the quote. Particularly relevant are charges for external furniture lifts, especially heavy items such as pianos or safes, long carrying distances, box material and bulky-waste disposal. Parking permits or a second trip can also play a part.
A good quote lists such items clearly. If details are missing or costs are only described in very general terms, it is worth asking before you book. Transparency matters more than a particularly low starting price that grows later through extra items.
How to plan your budget without nasty surprises
Don't start by asking for the cheapest company, but with a realistic inventory. Note down furniture, boxes, what is in the cellar and loft, and items that need special handling. Photos of large pieces of furniture, the stairwell and the access help moving companies estimate the effort better.
Also plan a small buffer. Even with good preparation, you may still run short of packing material, need to reserve a parking space, or find that a piece of furniture doesn't fit through the stairwell. If you plan a reserve of around 10 to 15 percent, you won't have to recalculate with every change.
The moving date can save money too. The ends of months, weekends and school holidays are often in high demand. If you are flexible about the date or time, ask specifically about weekday dates or times outside the peak periods. That doesn't guarantee a lower price, but it gives you more choice.
Comparing quotes: don't just look at the number
Three quotes with a similar total can include completely different services. So always compare whether the vehicle, the number of movers, the working hours, insurance, assembly and materials are included in the price. Also check how extra work is handled: has a fixed price been agreed, or is it billed by the hour?
A fixed price gives good predictability if the volume and the conditions on site have been recorded completely. Hourly billing can make sense if the job is small and easy to estimate. But it carries more uncertainty if waiting times, parking problems or long distances come up.
Clear agreements on damage and liability are just as important. Professional companies usually have transport insurance, but you should still ask what exactly is covered. Mention particularly valuable or fragile items in advance, rather than bringing them up only on moving day.
Customer reviews can also help with the decision. Look not only at a high average rating, but at recurring comments about punctuality, communication, careful handling of furniture and how problems were dealt with. A low price doesn't help much if agreements remain unclear.
Four steps to the right moving quote
A comparison request saves you the tedious research with individual companies. With Umzigo, the process is clear and free of charge:
- You send a non-binding request with the key details of your move.
- Suitable, vetted moving companies prepare individual quotes.
- You compare prices, scope of service and customer reviews at your own pace.
- You accept the quote from the company that suits your budget and your needs.
What matters is filling in the request as completely as possible. Give the floors, lifts, an estimated number of boxes, large furniture, the extra services you want and the planned date. The more precise the information, the more reliable the quotes - and the lower the risk of the price changing on moving day.
When is a moving company especially worth it?
For a very small household, short distances and enough helping hands, a rented van can be the cheaper solution. But be honest in your sums: who will carry the washing machine, the sofa and the heavy boxes? Who drives, dismantles the furniture and takes responsibility if something gets damaged? Time, physical strain and organisation are costs too, even if they don't appear on an invoice.
A moving company is especially worth it for larger households, long distances, tight deadlines or difficult access. Families often benefit from a well-practised team working quickly, so that everyday life doesn't come to a standstill for several days. If a kitchen has to be dismantled and reassembled, professional help is often the more relaxed choice as well.
The best price is therefore not necessarily the lowest. It fits your scope, includes the services you really need and leaves no questions open. Take a few minutes for a proper comparison before you decide - then your move starts not with stress, but with a plan that suits you.