Your choice of moving company decides whether your move in Zurich is calm and predictable or expensive and stressful. This guide sums up what matters: 12 criteria to check, typical warning signs, a grid for comparing quotes and concrete indicative prices for the Zurich area.
Why choosing the right moving company matters in Zurich
Moving in Zurich happens in tight spaces: old buildings without lifts, narrow stairwells, tram lines outside the front door and short windows for loading and unloading. On top of that come the official moving dates at the end of the month, when most removal companies are fully booked. A company that does not know these conditions plans too tightly – and you pay for it with waiting time, extra hours or damage.
The good news: reputable providers can be identified with a few clear criteria. This guide shows what to look for when choosing a moving company in Zurich, which warning signs to take seriously and how to compare quotes fairly.
12 criteria for a reputable moving company
Checklist: how to vet a moving company in Zurich
| Criterion | What to look for | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Commercial register & UID | Entry in the commercial register (zefix.ch) and a valid UID number | No company details, just a first name and a mobile number |
| 2. Fixed address | Business address with an office or depot in the region | Only a P.O. box or no address in the legal notice |
| 3. Survey | On-site or video survey before the quote | Flat price over the phone without questions about your inventory |
| 4. Written quote | Detailed list of services with price incl. VAT | Verbal promises only |
| 5. Fixed price or clear hourly rates | Fixed price or hourly rate with minimum duration and travel time | "The rest as required" with no upper limit |
| 6. Insurance | Liability and transport insurance, cover confirmed in writing | "You are insured yourself" |
| 7. Employed staff | Registered, accident-insured (UVG) employees with experience | Constantly changing casual helpers |
| 8. Equipment | Suitable lorries, furniture blankets, dollies, straps, furniture lift if needed | Private car or rented van without equipment |
| 9. Local knowledge of Zurich | Experience with no-parking zones, districts and moving dates | Never asks about parking or access |
| 10. Reviews | Genuine, recent Google reviews with replies from the company | No reviews or only very old ones |
| 11. Availability | A clear contact person and quick replies | Nobody reachable after the deposit |
| 12. Transparent payment | Payment after the service or against invoice | Large cash payment in advance |
Check the company, address and commercial register
A company that transports your belongings should be able to identify itself. In the commercial register at zefix.ch you can see in a minute whether the company exists, since when it has been registered and who is authorised to sign. The UID number must also appear in the legal notice and on the quote.
Ask for a survey and a written quote
A reliable price requires the company to know your inventory, the floors, the lift and the route to the lorry. Insist on a survey – on site or by video call – and on a written quote listing all services. Our guide How to compare moving quotes explains what a good quote looks like.
Clarify insurance and liability in writing
Ask which insurance covers damage to furniture, the stairwell and the building, and up to what amount. Have the cover confirmed in writing. Report any damage immediately when unloading and record it with photos and signatures in the handover report – proving it later is difficult.
Team, equipment and local knowledge
A well-coordinated, employed team works faster and more carefully than helpers recruited at short notice. In Zurich, local knowledge also counts: anyone who regularly moves people in the Old Town, Wiedikon, Oerlikon or Seefeld knows where the lorry may stop, when a no-parking zone is needed and how much time an old building without a lift really takes. For an overview of the districts, see our page Moving in Zurich's districts.
Warning signs: how to spot dubious providers
Most problems with removals do not arise on moving day but at the booking stage. Be particularly careful if several of these points apply:
- The price is far below all other quotes – surcharges often follow on moving day.
- There is no survey and no questions about inventory, floor or lift.
- The quote mentions neither VAT, insurance nor the number of movers.
- A large cash deposit is demanded before any service is provided.
- The legal notice is missing the company name, address or UID.
- All reviews were posted on the same day or sound identical.
- You are pressured to sign immediately ("this price is only valid today").
A single point need not rule a company out. But if two or three apply, it is better to get another quote.
Comparing quotes fairly: not every price is the same
Get two to three quotes and compare them point by point. Two quotes with the same total can contain very different services.
These points belong in every comparable quote
| Item | Question for the moving company |
|---|---|
| Team and vehicle | How many movers and which lorry (m³) are planned? |
| Time and pricing basis | Fixed price or hourly rate? When does the clock start, is there a minimum? |
| Materials | Are blankets, film, boxes and tools included? |
| Assembly | Is dismantling and reassembling beds, wardrobes and lamps included? |
| Special items | How are pianos, safes, art or glass transported? |
| No-parking zone | Who applies for the permit and who pays the fee? |
| Additional services | Cleaning, disposal, storage: included or separate? |
| Insurance and VAT | Are insurance and VAT included in the price? |
If you are also wondering whether a company is worth it at all, our comparison Moving company or DIY gives an honest overview.
What does a good moving company in Zurich cost?
Fair prices are based on apartment size, access and distance. As a guide, here are Koray Umzug's indicative prices for regional moves in the Zurich area (incl. VAT, vehicle and insurance):
Indicative prices by apartment size (Koray Umzug)
| Apartment size | Indicative price (CHF) | Time required (hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–1.5 rooms | 420–750 | 2–3 |
| 2–2.5 rooms | 620–1'050 | 3–4 |
| 3–3.5 rooms | 720–1'350 | 4–6 |
| 4–4.5 rooms | 1'050–1'950 | 6–8 |
| 5–5.5 rooms | 1'550–2'800 | Full day |
| 6+ rooms / house | after inspection | Full day |
Hourly rates for lorry and team
| Crew | Price per hour |
|---|---|
| 1 lorry (25 m³) + 2 movers | from CHF 160 |
| 1 lorry (25 m³) + 3 movers | from CHF 200 |
| 2 lorries + 4 movers | from CHF 280 |
| 2 lorries + 5 movers | from CHF 340 |
With us, a private move starts from CHF 420 and a company move from CHF 750. We do not charge a weekend surcharge. You will find all prices and a calculator under Prices; how the costs are made up is explained in the guide What does a moving company cost?
From our experience: what we have learned in Zurich since 1983
Koray Umzug has been moving households and businesses in Zurich since 1983. From decades of experience we know the situations in which moves become more expensive than planned – and how to avoid them:
- The cellar and attic are forgotten during the survey. Show every room, including the garage and bike room.
- On the official moving date at the end of the month, streets and lifts are busy. Moving a few days earlier or later saves time and stress.
- Without a no-parking zone the lorry parks far away. Every extra metre of carrying costs time – the permit is almost always worth it.
- Large wardrobes often do not fit through old stairwells. Plan dismantling or a furniture lift from the start.
- Packing and labelling all boxes the day before noticeably shortens moving day.
Meet our team – the people who plan and carry out your move.
Checklist: 10 questions before you book
- Is your company listed in the commercial register and what is its UID?
- Will you come for a survey or shall we do a video call?
- Is the price fixed or hourly – and what exactly is included?
- How many movers and which lorry are planned?
- Are your movers permanently employed and insured?
- Which insurance covers damage and up to what amount?
- Do you organise the no-parking zone?
- Are dismantling, assembly and packing materials included?
- Are there surcharges for weekends, floors or long carrying distances?
- How and when is payment due?
Want to ask us these questions directly? Request a free quote – we will get back to you quickly with a transparent offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recognise a reputable moving company in Zurich?
By an entry in the commercial register, a fixed business address, a survey before the quote, a written quote listing all services incl. VAT and clear insurance cover. Genuine, recent reviews and good availability are further signs.
How many quotes should I get?
Two to three quotes are usually enough. What matters is that all are based on the same inventory and services, so that you can really compare prices and content.
How early should I book a moving company in Zurich?
For moves on the official end-of-month moving dates and in summer, we recommend four to eight weeks' notice. Mid-month and in the off-season, short-notice dates are often possible too.
Is the cheapest quote the best choice?
Not necessarily. A strikingly low price without a survey often leads to surcharges on moving day. Compare services, team size, insurance and pricing basis – not just the total.
Who is liable if something is damaged during the move?
In principle the moving company, within the scope of its insurance and the contract. Have the cover confirmed in writing in advance and record any damage in the report immediately when unloading.
Does Koray Umzug charge a weekend surcharge?
No. At Koray Umzug, Saturdays cost the same as weekdays. Our prices include VAT, vehicle and insurance.