How to compare moving quotes in Finland

Why compare quotes?

Moving quotes for the same move can differ a lot. The difference usually comes from what has been priced in: the number of movers, the estimated time, extra charges, and whether the price is fixed or an estimate. Once you know what to look for, comparing is quick and fair.

Give every company the same details

Quotes are only comparable when every company gets the same starting information. Write these down once and copy them into each request:

• Home size and an estimate of boxes (try our box calculator)
• The largest and heaviest furniture
• Floors and lifts at both addresses
• Carrying distance and parking options
• Any storage room, cellar or attic
• Extras such as packing help or furniture disassembly
• The date, and whether it is flexible

What to read in a quote

Compare quotes line by line, not just the total. The table shows what to check in each part.

Price estimate or fixed price?

A fixed price binds the company. If the quote gives a price estimate, the final price of a consumer service may exceed it by at most 15 per cent. If no price was agreed at all, the price must be reasonable.

An estimate is a fair way to price a move when your belongings are hard to assess in advance. A fixed price gives certainty when the details are accurate.

Hourly rates: where does the time go?

An hourly rate alone doesn’t tell you the total cost. Ask how many movers will come, how long the company expects the job to take, and whether travel counts as working time. Compare the estimated total, not the lowest hourly rate.

Liability for damage

Under the Road Transport Contracts Act, a carrier’s liability is capped at €20 per kilogram of lost or damaged goods. The cap does not apply to intentional or grossly negligent conduct. The Consumer Disputes Board has applied the act to a home move and recommended full compensation where negligence was gross.

So ask at the quote stage how the company handles damage. Report visible damage at delivery and hidden damage as soon as possible. Check what your own home insurance covers during the move, too.

Consumer Disputes Board: liability in a moving service (in Finnish)

Good signs and warning signs

A quote often shows whether a company is reliable before you book.

How many quotes should you ask for?

Two or three quotes are usually enough for a good comparison. With more, reading them takes time and the comparison rarely improves. Ask for the quotes on the same day if you can, so they are based on the same details and the same situation.

Site visit, video or photos?

For small moves, a quote based on photos and details works well. For larger moves, such as a family home or an office, a site visit or video call sharpens the estimate. The better the company can see your belongings and the access, the fewer surprises there are on moving day.

• Photograph every room from the doorway so the large furniture shows.
• Photograph the stairwell, lift and front door.
• Photograph the storage room, cellar or attic.
• Say which items will stay or be sold before the move.

A ready-made quote request template

Copy this template, fill in your details and attach it to every quote request. When every company gets the same information, the quotes are comparable.

• Moving date and alternative dates:
• Current address, floor and lift:
• New address, floor and lift:
• Home size and number of rooms:
• Estimated number of boxes:
• Large and heavy furniture:
• Storage room, cellar or attic:
• Parking at both ends:
• Extra services (packing, disassembly, assembly):
• Anything else to note:

The small print

The terms of a quote often include points that affect the final price. Read these in particular:

• Cancellation: by when can you cancel or move the date free of charge?
• Waiting time: is waiting charged if the keys or lift aren’t ready?
• Extra work: how is work not mentioned in the quote agreed?
• Payment terms: invoice, card or prepayment?
• Liability: how, and within what time, is damage reported?

Once you’ve chosen

Confirm the booking in writing and check that the confirmation shows the same date, price and scope as the quote. Give the moving company door codes, parking arrangements and the contact person’s phone number. Let the other companies know politely that you didn’t choose them.

Example: comparing three quotes

When you put quotes side by side, the differences show quickly. This example is made up, but differences like these are common.

How long a quote is valid

A quote is usually valid for a set time. Check the validity and confirm the booking before it expires, especially in busy periods. If a quote has expired, ask for a new one rather than assuming the price stays the same.

The summer season

Summer and early September have the most moves, and free dates fill up. Ask for quotes earlier than usual then, and be ready to decide quickly. If your date is flexible, say so, because that makes it easier to find a slot.

When one quote is clearly more expensive

A big price gap doesn’t always mean overpricing. A higher quote may include more movers, better protection or a fixed price that shields you from surprises. Ask the company what the price is made of before you rule it out.

Quotes for an office move

For an office move, the comparison needs more detail: the number of workstations, a furniture list, IT equipment and the schedule. See our office moving checklist for guidance.

What happens after you send a request?

After you send a quote request, the company may ask follow-up questions, ask for photos or suggest a site visit. That is a good sign: the company wants to price the move correctly. Once the quotes are in, compare them calmly and ask about anything unclear before you decide.

Compare an estimate and a fixed price at worst case

You can compare a price estimate with a fixed price by working out the estimate’s maximum. For consumer services, an estimate may be exceeded by at most 15 per cent.

Comparing extra services

Extra services are often priced differently. Check in every quote whether these are included or charged separately:

• Packing help and packing supplies
• Furniture disassembly and assembly
• Taking away old items
• Temporary storage
• Disconnecting and connecting appliances

Keep notes

Write down the same things for every company: price, pricing basis, movers, extra charges and how quickly they replied. Note how the company answered your questions too. When the information is in the same format, the decision is easy.

Your consumer rights at the quote stage

When you buy a move as a private person, consumer protection is on your side. The price quoted to you must include VAT. A price estimate may be exceeded by at most 15 per cent, and a fixed price is binding. If no price is agreed at all, the price must be reasonable. Thanks to these rules, a clear written quote protects both you and the company.

KKV: agreeing on the price of services

Questions to ask on the phone

If you call a company, have your questions ready, so the answers are comparable:

• Is the price fixed or an estimate?
• How many movers will come, and how long will the job take?
• What is included and what costs extra?
• How is damage compensated?
• What are the cancellation terms?
• Can I have the quote in writing?

When quotes aren’t comparable

Sometimes companies read a request differently, and their quotes cover different things. Ask for an updated quote with the same scope as the others. If needed, send the same clarified list of details to everyone, so the comparison works.

Making the decision

Price matters, but it isn’t the only factor. Weigh up the company details, clear communication, liability for damage and whether the timing suits you. Choose the company whose quote leaves no open questions and that was easy to deal with even before you booked.

Quotes in English

If you don’t speak Finnish, ask for the quote in English and make sure you understand the terms. A moving contract has many details, such as cancellation and damage handling, so it pays to avoid misunderstandings. Nordmuutto serves customers in both Finnish and English.

The most common comparison mistakes

These mistakes often lead to surprises:

• Comparing the hourly rate rather than the estimated total.
• Giving different companies different details.
• Skipping the cancellation terms and extra charges.
• Forgetting to ask how damage is compensated.
• Not confirming the booking in writing.

Comparing quotes: frequently asked questions

Short answers:

• Is the cheapest quote a bad one? Not necessarily. Check that it covers the same work as the others.
• Can I negotiate a quote? You can ask what drives the price and how you could reduce the work yourself.
• What if my moving details change? Ask for an updated quote before moving day.
• Should I accept a quote in writing? A written confirmation is recommended, so both sides know what was agreed.

Comparing quotes in a nutshell

Ask for two or three quotes on the same details and compare them line by line: total price including VAT, pricing basis, number of movers, extra charges, liability for damage and cancellation terms. Remember that an estimate may be exceeded by at most 15 per cent and a fixed price is binding. Choose the company whose quote leaves no open questions, and confirm the booking in writing.

Ask us for a quote too

Once you have your details together, ask Nordmuutto for a quote as well. You’ll get a written quote with the work and price itemised, and you can compare it with the others on the same rows. We serve customers in Finnish and English.

Next step

Once you have quotes side by side, check the signs of a reliable moving company and what affects moving costs. Ask us for a quote with the same details too.