Saving on moving costs: tips and information
The cost of hiring a moving company can quickly add up to several thousand francs. Comparis has five tips on how to move house cheaply.
06.04.2023
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1. How much does it cost to move house with a moving company in Switzerland?
Have you decided to move house with a moving company? This can be expensive. The costs of moving house with a moving company depend on various factors:
size of your apartment
amount of household contents
distance between the old and new apartments
amount of heavy items over 80 kilograms, e.g. a piano or marble table
any additional services, such as packing your boxes or cleaning your old apartment
Depending on how much work is involved, a moving company may charge several thousand francs. The Comparis moving cost calculator allows you to calculate how much it would cost to move with your apartment.
Save money when moving house with a moving company
Moving with a moving company is usually more expensive than organizing the move yourself. You can still save money though:
enquire about the costs of any additional services. Depending on the price and effort involved, you can save money by taking on individual tasks yourself.
book certain services together, e.g. moving and cleaning. When booking at the same time, companies usually offer a discount.
2. Choosing your moving day
Plan your move on days when moving house is less popular:
week days instead of weekends and public holidays
in the middle of the month instead of at the start of a new month. On these “official” moving days, lots of people decide to move house.
outside of school holidays
The high demand means using a removal company on these days is usually more expensive.
3. Borrow instead of buy
Borrow moving materials from friends and relatives
Before moving, check with your circle of acquaintances whether anyone still has moving boxes. Many of them still have old boxes lying around in their cellars and attics.
Also ask for a van or car trailer. This will save you money for renting a moving van.
Get moving boxes cheaply
You don’t want to spend money on moving boxes and no one in your circle of acquaintances has any? Here’s how to find free moving boxes:
Ask at retailers for banana boxes or delivery crates.
Packaging manufacturers cannot sell boxes with printing defects. But these are still suitable as moving boxes.
Look at internet marketplaces for moving boxes. Especially after official moving dates, these are often cheap or even free.
Rent moving boxes: this may be cheaper than buying. In addition, you do not have to store or give away the boxes after the move. Various providers offer plastic and cardboard boxes for rent.
Hire a removal van
In many cases, you will need to rent a moving van. Depending on the size of the van, prices usually start between 100 and 180 francs.
Ask friends and relatives for help
Ask friends and relatives for help for moving day. This will save you money on professional relocation assistance.
4. Deduct relocation costs from taxable income
If you move due to work, you can deduct the costs for the moving company from the taxes (§ 26 para. 1). However, this only applies if you remain with your employer and the move is absolutely necessary – for example due to a residence obligation or because the employer is moving. If you move for a new employer, you cannot deduct the costs.
You cannot deduct the costs of new purchases (e.g. furniture, carpets, curtains) from your taxable income.
5. Sell old clothes and furniture instead of throwing them away
Removals offer a good opportunity to clean out. Do not throw away old clothes that are still usable. You can sell them on online marketplaces. This also applies to furniture and other items that you do not want to take with you to the new apartment.
6. Start planning early
There are several advantages to starting planning early:
You can avoid additional costsby adhering to the termination date for your apartment and not pay double rent. Alternatively, you can suggest a new tenant to your landlord if you terminate your tenancy early.
By planning routes well you can save money when renting the moving van. This is because: car rental companies sometimes charge additional costs per kilometre driven. If you drive less, you also have to refuel less.
By planning early, you can collect packaging materials such as newspapers. This way, you don't have to buy extra materials.
If you start planning early, you have more choice in moving companies. This will allow you to compare multiple quotes.
