With hundreds of thousands of moves each year in Switzerland, it’s a miracle that most of them go off without a hitch. Hiring quality movers is essential to achieve this! But even with so many successful moves, there are still unscrupulous providers who can put you in trouble. It’s in your best interest to be informed about every step of the process when choosing your mover, but also to avoid the pitfalls so you don’t get overcharged.
Here are our 9 tips for hiring the right team for your move!
1. Take inventory
A reputable moving company will take inventory of your items and determine the mass and weight of your move. The quote you will be given should take into account all of your needs, especially when it comes to disassembling or reassembling your furniture. This type of additional service can quickly add up to a hefty bill.
2. Clear out, sort and recycle your items
Allow some margin to get rid of items so as not to clutter up transport and increase the price. Indeed, it is very likely that you will be able to resell or value the goods that you no longer see the use for. You can donate them to a charity or resell them on the second-hand market or on an online marketplace (Facebook Marketplace, Anibis, etc.). You can also use our clearance service to give your items a second life. Plus, it can lower the cost of your move!
3. Don't pay everything up front
Reputable movers never require full payment up front. However, companies may require a portion to cover certain expenses (purchase of equipment, rental of additional vehicles, etc.). When paying, favor your credit or debit card and ask for a signed contract to keep track and protect yourself from unpleasant surprises.
Estimate
Free & No Obligation
- Moving
- Furniture transport
- Point A point B delivery
- Vehicle + Driver
- Transport company
4. Check the company status
Verify the existence of the company by typing its name into your favorite search engine. You can also ask your contact for the company number. Make sure the company has a local address and a business phone number. Employees should answer the phone by introducing themselves with the company name. You can also look at reviews on Google or Facebook to judge the quality and reliability of the service provider.
5. Avoid packaging costs
If you pack your belongings yourself, the mover is generally not liable for any damages caused to them during transport. However, if you ask the mover to pack your equipment, you will be insured, but will have to pay a high price. Judge for yourself which items require precautions and entrust them to the company to take advantage of the damage insurance.
6. Beware of additional charges
Are you looking to move into an apartment with a narrow elevator? Are you moving or moving into an apartment on the 10th floor? If so, you will probably be charged extra for the time and risks incurred by the movers in moving your furniture. So try to negotiate the terms of the move in advance to avoid any surprises on your bill. Inform the movers of the accessibility conditions of your building or house. Some vehicles are not suitable for small paths or steep terrain. The choice of vans, trucks or moderately sized vehicles will undoubtedly impact the price of the move. Inform your mover so as not to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
7. Report your problems
You have nine months to report any problems to the moving company and file a claim with your insurance. If you open your cardboard boxes a year later and find shards of glass, it will unfortunately be too late to appeal. On the day of the move, try to open each box to check the condition of your items. Note any anomalies and take photos if necessary. First, contact the moving company quickly to find an amicable arrangement. You can also take out legal protection insurance to protect yourself against any eventuality. As a last resort, contact a legal body (Offices des poursuites) to assert your rights.
Transport for Individuals & Businesses
Individual or company, from transporting a small piece of furniture to moving an apartment, house or commercial premises, with Recyclage Express you can have peace of mind.
- Transport of bulky objects
- Moving
- Item delivery
- Transporting your purchases
- Transport of goods
- Occasional or regular transport
- Moving heavy objects
- Tailor-made services
8. Insurance and protection
All moving companies are required to insure and assume liability for the value of the goods they transport. In general, all damages caused by the company remain their responsibility. However, each company offers different levels of protection, so ask the moving company about the terms of reimbursement and specify a list of delicate items. This can influence the movers to take more precautions when transporting your furniture.
9. Should I use a quote platform or not?
Some platforms such as movus.ch or devis.ch allow you to obtain quotes from several companies in a single request. The major advantage of these platforms is to put companies in competition to obtain better prices. However, these sites generally do not guarantee the quality and reliability of the selected service providers. In addition, these sites can involve significant fees for moving companies. These fees can be passed on to customers by increasing the final bill for the service. For example, Devis.ch takes a fixed commission on each service regardless of the amount of the service. It is therefore strongly recommended to use these platforms for large mandates such as an entire house or large apartment in order to obtain attractive prices.
For more information, you can consult the recommendations suggested by the confederation on their website
