How much does a moving company cost?

To plan a realistic budget, it helps to look at average costs per home type. The amounts below are based on a move within the same city or region, including two movers and a car.

A studio or small one-room home costs on average 400 to 700 euros. Furniture is limited and half a day's work is often sufficient. A two-room apartment or terraced house costs 700 to 1,100 euros. There is more furniture here and loading and unloading takes more time.

A three- or four-room home costs an average of 1,000 to 1,600 euros. Larger families with a lot of furniture are at the top end here. For large villas, mansions or moves with many special items such as pianos, works of art or antiques, costs of 1,500 to 2,500 euros are realistic.

Longer distance moves, for example from Amsterdam to Eindhoven, add 150 to 400 euros to the bill, depending on the extra driving time and fuel costs.

The quote looks good, but after the move the final bill turns out to be higher. This happens to many people who do not ask questions when requesting a quote. There are a number of cost items that are not always automatically included in the basic price.

Parking permits or parking fees for the moving van are regularly charged separately, especially in busy cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Ask in advance whether the company will arrange this and whether the costs are included. In some cities a temporary parking exemption costs 50 to 100 euros.

Special goods such as pianos, safes or large works of art require special equipment or additional personnel. The surcharge for this varies from 75 to 300 euros per item. The same applies to stair supports on floors that are difficult to reach.

Packing materials are another item. Boxes, foil, tape and protective sleeves are not always included. If you outsource the packing to the moving company, add an additional 150 to 400 euros.

Always ask explicitly whether the quotation includes VAT and whether there are additional costs for waiting times, extra floors or overtime.

There are concrete ways to reduce the costs of a moving company without sacrificing quality.

Prepare your things yourself. Moving companies charge per hour. The more you pack, label and prepare yourself, the fewer hours are needed. Pack small items in boxes, wrap fragile items in towels or old newspapers, and leave everything by the front door. This can save an hour or two in labor costs.

Moving out of season immediately saves money. January, February and November are the quietest months. The chance of a lower price is then greatest.

Request multiple quotes via a comparison platform. By comparing at least three quotes, you can immediately see what the market price is and which company gives you the best price-quality ratio.

Reduce the volume. Less stuff means less work. A move is a good time to sell, give away or throw away anything you haven't used for years. Every box less saves time and therefore money.

Not every move requires a professional moving company. You can also arrange a small studio with little furniture with friends and a rented van. But there are situations where a moving company clearly pays off.

If you have heavy or large furniture, trained movers are faster and safer than getting help from friends. They have the right equipment and know how to lift items through narrow hallways and over stairs without damage.

If you are short on time, a moving company is an immediate time saver. A professional team works two to three times faster than inexperienced helpers.

If you want to prevent damage, a professional company will offer insurance. If items are damaged during the move, the company's liability insurance will cover the damage.

For seniors, people with disabilities or families with young children, professional help is not a luxury but a practical choice that reduces stress and risks.