Moving company costs in the Netherlands
For a home move in the Netherlands, a useful starting point is about €42–€47 per mover per hour, plus €47–€61 per hour for a moving van, including 21% VAT. These are separate guide rates drawn from checked Dutch prices. They are not a full quote or SkilledContractors prices. The final cost depends on your load, both addresses, travel and the work you choose.
Need to choose the type of help first? See moving services. If you want a team to move your household, read about a full moving service.
What makes up moving costs?
The figures below are rounded guide rates from a small check of Dutch prices on 19 October 2026. They are not a national average or a promise of the lowest price. Some quotes bundle staff and a van. Add costs as separate lines only when the quote does not already include them.
| Cost item | Guide including 21% VAT | Check before you agree |
|---|---|---|
| One mover | About €42–€47 per hour | Crew size, minimum hours and travel time |
| Moving van, 20–25 m³ | About €47–€61 per hour | Driver, fuel, distance and moving tools |
| One person to pack | About €42 per hour | Boxes and packing supplies may be extra |
| Separate furniture lift with operator | About €116–€153 for the first hour | Weekday or weekend, extra time and travel |
| Boxes and packing supplies | Quote needed | Number, sale or hire, collection and return |
| Parking, permits and extra trips | Depends on the move | Who arranges them and what the quote covers |
The lift range covers different days. It is not the price for each later hour. A lift booked as part of a move can have a different cost basis. Check whether the operator is included and whether that person also counts as one of your movers.
Is VAT included in moving prices?
This guide uses 21% VAT for a standard move within the Netherlands. The Dutch tax office explains the general VAT rate. To include VAT in a rate quoted without it, multiply that rate by 1.21. Ask the mover to explain any different tax treatment on your quote.
Worked example: two movers and one van
Here is how separate hourly costs add up. Assume two movers and one van, each booked for three hours. A checked rate of €39 before VAT becomes €47.19 with VAT. This example uses that rate for each person and the van.
| Calculation | Cost including VAT |
|---|---|
| Two movers × three hours × €47.19 | €283.14 |
| One van × three hours × €47.19 | €141.57 |
| These staff and van costs only | €424.71 |
This is a worked sum, not an offer or a claim that your move will take three hours. It leaves out travel time, distance charges, parking, a lift, packing and supplies. A fixed package may use a different price model. Ask for a full quote for the agreed work.
Why do quotes for a move differ?
The amount you need to move
List large furniture, appliances and boxes. Include a shed, loft or storage unit if those items must go too. Give the size of any large piece that may not fit through a door. Floor area alone does not show how full a home is. More goods can mean a larger van or more trips.
Access at both ends
Tell the mover about stairs, narrow turns, the floor and the walk from the door to the van. Do this for both homes. A lift inside a block helps only if the goods fit and you are allowed to use it. A short drive can still mean a lot of carrying work.
Travel and distance
Find out when paid time starts and stops. Does it cover the drive from the mover's base and the return trip? Are fuel and distance charges part of the van rate? Ask for a clear breakdown. Check that travel has not been counted twice under different names.
The date and work you choose
A weekend move, a second stop or a wait for keys can change the bill. There is no single extra charge used by all movers. Ask about your date and what happens if access is delayed. Confirm any added work before it starts.
What does a small move cost?
A small move still needs a clear list. One heavy item upstairs may need more care than a set of boxes on the ground floor. Minimum hours, travel and access can make up a large share of the cost. A price per room or square metre is not enough on its own.
For a larger home, include all store rooms and tasks. State what you will do yourself. Do not treat an estimate as a fixed quote until the mover has checked the load and both homes. For help with that brief, see how to plan a full move.
Packing, unpacking and a moving lift
Packing yourself may reduce paid staff time. There is no fixed saving: boxes must be ready and safe to carry. If you book packing help, separate the hours from the cost of boxes, wrap and other packing materials. Agree who packs fragile goods and which terms apply to them. Unpacking at your new address is a separate task; say if you will do it yourself. For hired boxes, ask about the deposit, hire period and return.
Taking furniture apart and putting it back together is not the same as transport. List each piece that needs this work. Gas work and changes to fixed wiring need a suitable specialist. Do not treat those tasks as normal moving work.
A furniture lift may help when the indoor route is not suitable. Ask the mover to check the space, height and opening. Agree who arranges the operator and permission to place the lift. Keep people out of its work zone. Never use a furniture lift to carry people. Check local rules; a parking space does not by itself give permission for a lift.
See what your moving quote covers
A moving quote should tell you what the team will do and what the whole job costs. Check the crew size, van and booked hours, then look for any charges outside the main price.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the price fixed or based on hours? | Shows who pays if the job takes longer |
| How many movers and which van? | Shows which team and vehicle the price covers |
| What is the rule for extra work? | Sets the price and approval process |
| Are VAT and required costs included? | Shows the amount you can budget for |
| What are the damage and claim terms? | Shows cover, limits and any excess |
| What if I change the date? | Makes the cost of delay or cancellation clear |
ACM ConsuWijzer explains that unavoidable charges belong in the first offer price. The guide figures on this page explain separate costs. They do not replace a full offer for your move.
Get a price for your move
SkilledContractors is a platform. The mover sets the price and you agree the work with that mover. A request is not a booking. Replies and availability are not guaranteed.
For a whole household move, describe your moving job. Share what needs to move, your preferred date and how the team can reach both homes. Add packing or furniture dismantling if you want it included. If you still need to choose the type of help, start with moving services.
By Arek. Price information checked on 19 October 2026. This article was written with AI assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to questions about moving costs.
How much does it cost to move a flat?
The answer depends on the load and access at both homes. Use the cost items and worked sum above to check a quote. They are not a fixed price for a flat. Give details of stairs, lift size and the walk to the van.
Is a fixed quote better than an hourly rate?
A fixed quote helps when it states all the work. An hourly rate may suit a job whose scope is less clear. Ask for an estimate, minimum hours and the rate for extra time. Check what is left out in both cases.
How can I keep the cost down?
Sort your goods, make a clear list and discuss packing them yourself. Ask about another date if yours is flexible. Let the mover assess heavy items and tight routes. Do not cut costs by taking on unsafe lifting.
Are storage and waste removal included?
Do not assume so. Storing goods, moving goods and taking waste away are separate tasks. Agree where each item will go and how those tasks will be charged.
Get a price for your move
Share what needs to go, how the team can reach both homes and which extra tasks you want done.