The moving date is set, the boxes are multiplying - and suddenly it is unclear what a moving company can actually take on. An overview of what moving companies offer brings clarity: you decide for yourself whether you only need a van with movers or a full service that takes almost everything off your hands, from packing to reassembly.
Especially for family moves, a tight schedule or a longer distance, it pays not to judge the scope of services by the final price alone. Two quotes can look similar at first glance even though one includes considerably more work, materials and security.
What basic services does a moving company offer?
The basis of a professional move is the safe transport of your household from the old home to the new one. For this, the company usually provides a suitable vehicle, a moving crew and the necessary load securing. Furniture blankets, straps, dollies and protective materials help to move wardrobes, appliances and fragile items with as little damage as possible.
Carrying and loading your already packed boxes and furniture is usually standard as well. At the destination, the items are unloaded and taken to the rooms you want. Whether furniture is put straight into its final place should still be stated in the quote. That avoids discussions when, say, a heavy sofa still has to be carried through a narrow stairwell.
How many movers and what size of vehicle are needed does not depend on floor area alone. The amount of belongings, the floors, a lift, carrying distances and the distance between the addresses are just as decisive. A fourth-floor flat without a lift often takes longer than a larger ground-floor flat with direct access.
Extra services that make the move noticeably easier
Not everyone needs a full-service move. Extra services can often be booked individually and make particular sense when time, strength or experience are lacking. These services are especially in demand for many moves:
- Packing and unpacking service: The crew packs dishes, books, clothes and other items properly. Suitable protective material is used for fragile things.
- Furniture assembly: Wardrobes, beds, shelves and kitchen units are dismantled and reassembled. For complex built-in furniture, it is worth agreeing the details in advance.
- Moving boxes provided: Companies deliver boxes, wardrobe boxes or packing material straight to your home. Some collect reusable boxes again after the move.
- Furniture lift or external hoist: Large furniture goes up or down via a window or balcony. That saves time and can spare narrow stairwells.
- Clearance and disposal: Furniture, appliances or bulky waste you no longer need is collected and disposed of properly.
There are also services for special situations. These include interim storage, when the move-out and move-in dates do not line up, or transporting individual heavy items such as pianos, safes and large aquariums. Always state such tasks explicitly. They often require extra staff, special equipment or particular transport planning.
An overview of what moving companies offer: what fits your needs?
The best service is not automatically the largest package. If you are only moving a few pieces of furniture and have enough helpers among your friends, you may only need a small transport or two experienced movers. For a household with children, jobs and a tight handover date, on the other hand, a full-service move can take a lot of pressure off.
A partial service is often a good middle way. You pack the boxes yourself but leave the carrying, the transport and the furniture assembly to the professionals. That can reduce costs without you having to take on the most physically demanding tasks.
A full service is worthwhile above all for larger households, longer distances, physical limitations or when you can hardly free up any time for the move. Depending on the agreement, the company takes on packing, dismantling, transport, assembly and, if you wish, disposal too. Important: "full service" is not a fixed term. Read carefully which work is actually included.
What should be clarified before the quote is drawn up?
The more precise your details, the more reliable the quotes. Give both addresses, floor area, number of rooms, floors, any lifts and the parking situation. Long distances from the front door to the vehicle or particularly narrow stairwells also affect the effort.
An inventory list helps as well. It does not have to list every book, but it should include large furniture, many boxes and special items. A corner sofa, a large wardrobe or a washing machine change the planning considerably. Photos or a viewing on site or by video can make sense if the household is large or access is difficult.
Also think about no-parking zones. If there is no free loading space in front of the building, an applied-for temporary no-parking zone can speed up the move considerably. Some moving companies arrange the permit and signs for an extra charge. Check whether putting up and taking down the signs and the deadlines are already included.
Compare quotes properly rather than just prices
A low price is attractive, but it says little about the actual service. So always compare whether the quotes include the same work. Is furniture assembly included? Are boxes, packing material or a furniture lift extra? How many movers are coming, how long is the job calculated for and what costs arise if extra work comes up?
Look for a pricing model you can follow. Some companies charge a fixed price, others by the hour. A fixed price gives more certainty when all the details are complete. Hourly billing can suit small, easy-to-estimate moves, but carries more uncertainty if the effort grows through waiting times, difficult parking or unexpectedly many items.
Insurance cover belongs in the comparison too. Professional companies usually have transport or liability cover. Ask how damage is reported, which liability limits apply and whether particularly valuable items have to be declared separately. Items you packed yourself may be treated differently from items packed by the moving crew.
Besides price and scope, reliable communication and other customers' reviews count. A quote should be easy to understand, and open questions should be settled before booking. Reputable companies state services, dates and possible extra costs transparently instead of working with vague flat rates.
Four steps to the right moving service
You do not have to call several companies one by one to get a meaningful comparison. With Umzigo you can request quotes for your move free of charge and without obligation. Describe your household, the route and the extra services you want as precisely as possible.
You then receive suitable quotes from vetted moving companies. In the next step, you compare price, scope of services and customer reviews at your leisure. Only then do you decide directly on the company that suits your date, your budget and the service you want.
Plan the scope of services honestly rather than too tightly. A few precise details in advance only take minutes - but on moving day they can turn a lot of open questions into a well-organised start in your new home.