How do I recognize a reliable moving company?
We pass on more than 12,000 moving requests every year — and the reviews show us what separates reliable moving companies from rogue ones. Here are the signs to look for before awarding the job, the typical red flags and a checklist for making your choice.
1. Compare several quotes — your most important protection
Prices for moves could not vary more: established companies with full equipment usually quote higher, young companies cheaper — although neither size nor price alone says anything about quality. What matters is the experience of the crew assigned to your move, the equipment and the right scope of services. Only comparing several quotes with an identical scope of services shows which company fits your move. Which price model (flat rate, hourly rate, cost ceiling) makes sense when, and what to look for in the fine print, is explained in our guide Compare moving quotes.
2. From 3 rooms upwards: insist on an on-site inspection
From about 3 rooms upwards we recommend an on-site inspection — check beforehand whether it is free of charge (common with many companies). Without an inspection, the company easily misjudges the effort, and on moving day you are suddenly told that the safe, the heavy plants or the forgotten attic cost extra. That is exactly when you can be squeezed: you need the crew right now and cannot find a replacement at short notice. After the inspection, have heavy items, access routes and special services put in writing in the quote — that noticeably reduces the risk of later add-on charges.
3. Checklist: how to recognize a reliable moving company
- Commercial register entry: Check the company on zefix.ch — legal form, registered office and how long it has existed. Small sole proprietorships are not always required to register; in that case, at least the identity, business address and UID (Swiss business identification number) should be verifiable.
- Transport insurance: Does the company have it — and is it clear which damage is covered, up to what amount, with what deductible and which exclusions? No insurance: stay away.
- Experienced crew: How many permanently employed, experienced movers will be at your move? Temporary workers are common, but they should be embedded in a well-rehearsed team with an experienced team leader.
- Equipment: Is the company equipped for your move — suitable vehicles with sufficient payload (box trucks are usually more practical than vans), enough blankets, stretch film and bubble wrap, and if needed a furniture lift, stair-climbing robot or piano straps? Large moves need enough vehicle capacity or planned extra trips, otherwise overloading looms.
- Reviews: What do previous customers say? On our portal, only customers who booked the company through us can leave a review — that makes fake reviews unlikely.
- Additional services: Does the company handle what matters to you — disposal, parking space reservation, storage?
- Language: Do enough crew members speak your language (or English)? On moving day, instructions have to get through.
4. Red flags: how to recognize rogue movers
- Unexpected advance payment demands: An advance payment demanded without a comprehensible reason is a clear red flag — the norm is payment after the move.
- Unclear final price: With VAT-registered companies, it must be clear that VAT is included in the price. A private-move price shown "excl. VAT" without explanation is meant to look cheaper — examine such a quote especially closely.
- No transport insurance or evasive answers about its coverage.
- Strikingly low price without an inspection: often the prelude to add-on charges on moving day.
- A company whose identity cannot be verified: neither a commercial register entry nor a verifiable identity with a business address and UID — difficult if something goes wrong.
- No reviews, or only anonymous ones without verifiable jobs behind them.
5. The right company for your needs
Match your choice to your furniture: if you own expensive or much-loved pieces, you are better off with a more professional (and more expensive) company — it comes with experienced people, suitable vehicles with flat side walls and complete packing material. Conversely, some movers are perfect for a 3-room apartment but overwhelmed by a large household. And in the end, your gut counts: a small saving is rarely worth it if you do not really trust a company — moves that go wrong usually end up costing more.
6. Paying for the move
The norm is payment directly after the move, in cash or by card; some companies also invoice. Agree on the time and method of payment in writing beforehand. Unexpected or unexplained advance payment demands are a red flag.
7. What to do in a conflict with the moving company?
If the company suddenly demands more during or after the move, or fails to deliver promised services: do not let yourself be pressured. Document disputed services and damage immediately in writing (ideally with photos), report them to the company and demand an itemized bill you can follow. Whether and how much you may withhold depends on the contract — if in doubt, clarify this with legal advice instead of deducting a flat amount. For damage, companies often offer a discount, which is the simplest route for both sides.
Under no circumstances let the crew on site threaten you — in such a situation, call the police immediately and report the company to us so that we can exclude it from our portal.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a moving company
How do I recognize a reliable moving company?
By the combination of a commercial register entry (verifiable on zefix.ch), transport insurance with clear coverage, genuine customer reviews, professional equipment and a free on-site inspection from about 3 rooms upwards. If several of these are missing, keep looking.
What are the biggest red flags with moving companies?
Unexpected advance payment demands without a comprehensible reason, unclear final prices (missing VAT statement from VAT-registered companies), no transport insurance, strikingly low prices without an inspection, and a company whose identity cannot be verified without a register entry or verifiable identity. Each signal on its own justifies questions — several together are a clear no.
Should I pay the moving company before or after the move?
The norm is payment after the completed move, in cash or by card — agree on the time and method of payment in writing beforehand. Unexpected advance payment demands are a red flag. In a dispute: document everything in writing and clarify any withholding based on the contract.
Is an on-site inspection always necessary before the move?
From about 3 rooms upwards we clearly recommend it: the company sees heavy items, access routes and the actual effort — put in writing, this noticeably reduces the risk of add-on charges on moving day. For small moves, an exact inventory list is often enough.
