Hi all,
I am moving into a new place in a month's time and need to get the removal sorted. Having just helped my gf move, who has about one third of the stuff I do, I have absolutely no desire to do my move myself, so am looking for a good company people can recommend.
I did a forum search but only really found international relocation firms, I'm only going to be moving about 3km, so Swiss firms would be fine. Ideally I'd get a few recommendations from people here, then get quotes of all the companies and go with whatever seems the best deal.
Thanks in advance.
Here is but
one thread with links when searched using the keyword of "removalist".
All the best.
Quick update:
Have contacted 5 or 6 firms for quotes - the first back was Dilara who said for 270chf/hour they would include the van/lorry and 5 helpers - this seems like a very good deal to me, as i reckon it would probably only take 5 people about 4-6 hours to do everything, esp if i packed up first.
Still waiting for quotes from the other though...will keep updating.
5 persons at CHF270/hr seems good. If you can find some helping hands to load / unload, you'd save a bunch at the end of the day.
I hope you will soon get a value for money offer and that the move will be cost effective and without stress!
There is this company that hires students for labour, and is relatively cheaper. I've not tried it but perhaps it's a good avenue for you.
www.studentmove.ch
Am also moving soon (October) within Switzerland - so far the quote that I have gotten from Dilara has been the most competitive by far. Would be interested in hearing more about your experience if you decide to go with them.
In case helpful, I also got quotes from Ganz, Gùˆnstiger and Welti-Furrer - none anything close to Dilara.
Another one that I tried - and that looked quite good as well - is ALFA Transporte. Problem is that the guy only speaks German/ Swiss German and for something as important as moving all of my worldly possessions, I really need someone that I can understand (and that can understand me!)
Right, update o'clock.
So, I made my move yesterday and here are my experiences of Dilara - not too positive to be honest.
They turned up 3 hours late with only 2 people (compared to the 5 booked) and a big van. The fellas didn't complain and worked hard enough and carefully when lifting etc, no complaints there. The reason they gave for turning up late was that they got stopped at a police checkpoint because some of their workers hadn't registered in the gemeinde - sounds a bit Schwarzarbeit-ish, but whatever, you get what you pay for i suppose.
So, 3 hours with 2 people to empty my flat and drive to the new one. On the way they picked up 3 mates and unloaded into the new flat with them, this was quicker and only 2 hours and they were happy (ish) to put stuff where i told them. Nothing was broken, despite me packing the glasses and plates pretty shoddily.
Coming to pay, this was a mixed bag - i had no issue with the hours they wanted paid - 3 hours at the 2 person rate and 2 hours at the 3 person rate. They however demanded payment for boxes they hadn't given/delivered to me, and said they had left them in my old cellar - i didn't agree to this and had agreed it with their central depot before - i will call them tomorrow and see if they agree to give me a refund (112chf) on the (unused) boxes - they can have them back from my perspective.
Now, total bill including the boxes came to a very reasonable 1060chf, so i didn't kick up too much of a fuss, plus the gangleader was getting a might surly, and i thought for the sake of 100chf i didn't need the hassle/aggro.
Overall, friendliness and politeness could be improved - i guess it isn't a famously cheery profession, so can let that slip. Communication between gangs and central office needs work too - also the guys who were with me spoke rudimentary german and swiss german, so communication was a bit tricky. They also left some stuff in my old flat - some paintings/pictures - can bring them myself, no stress, bu still sloppy.
Performance - 6/10
Value for money - 8/10
It's almost a rule here that Removal guys change the plan at the last minute. You will get moved out / in ok, but the price will always suddenly rise and tempers get a bit frayed.
Note to all: get it in writing first. Provide cheese sandwiches, a few sticky buns, cola and water and leave them to it.
Thanks a lot for your post StirB!
Glad to hear that your move was successful in the ways that count, i.e., your stuff transported from A to B in the same number of pieces
Very helpful account of your experiences as well - I will be moving from Zurich to Lausanne with a new baby and am not looking for too much "sloppiness" as I am sure it will be stressful enough already. Am currently holding out for a Co. called Ontime Servicepartner, as the guy who came to do the quote seemed really professional. Has anyone had any experiences with these guys? He claimed to do a lot of expat work...