A change of accommodation in Switzerland is a major project, often associated with considerable organizational effort, time pressure and a significant physical load. Once the last moving box has been loaded into the truck, the next big challenge already awaits: the final thorough cleaning for the official handover of the accommodation. Many tenants then wonder whether it is better to organize the two tasks separately or opt for a practical combined quote. Such an “all-in-one” package not only promises less stress, but often also financial benefits. But is this combination really worth it for every household? As an independent Swiss comparison platform, in this guide we review the advantages and disadvantages, point out what to pay attention to with combined quotes and explain the essential points when booking.
What does a combined quote for moving and cleaning mean ?
A combined quote brings together two of the most demanding phases of changing accommodation: the transport of your belongings and the move-out cleaning of the old accommodation. Instead of commissioning a moving company and a cleaning company separately, you entrust the entire project to a single service provider.
In practice, this means that the company supplies both the movers and the cleaning team. Often these two groups work hand in hand. While the furniture porters are removing the last items from the accommodation, the cleaning team is already preparing the first released rooms for professional end of tenancy cleaning. This smooth coordination of the work steps should speed up the entire process and reduce the coordination effort for you as a customer to a minimum.
The 4 biggest advantages of a combined quote
Whoever separates the two services must generally seek out two different companies, agree on separate visits and conclude two contracts. A combined package provides decisive facilities here:
Considerable saving of time and nerves: You only have one contact during the entire move. If the transport is delayed, there is no need to laboriously notify a separate cleaning team and reschedule it – the company coordinates the transition internally completely independently. This helps you to be able to move without stress.
Attractive flat rate discounts: Companies that receive both mandates can plan their resources much more efficiently. Journeys are optimized and administrative costs reduced. Serious providers pass on this advantage to you in the form of combined discounts. As a general rule, you can save 10-15% compared to two separate bookings.
No mutual transfer of liability in the event of damage: This is one of the most important points. If a scratch appears in the parquet floor during the move or a wall is damaged during cleaning, two separate companies often pass the blame to each other. With a combined service provider, responsibility for the entire process continuously rests with a single contractual partner. You will find more details in our guide on liability and remittance when moving.
Only one prior visit: An expert visits your accommodation and simultaneously assesses the transport volume for moving and the degree of soiling for cleaning. This saves you valuable time in advance.
Procedure on moving day: how does coordination work in practice?
Smooth operation on moving day requires precise logistics. With a combined service provider, this process is carefully planned. On the morning of the move, the moving crew arrives and begins loading the truck. As soon as the first rooms – most often the bedrooms or the attic – are completely emptied, the cleaning team already begins working in these areas. accommodation and are unloaded there, the cleaning of the old accommodation is at full speed. Thanks to this temporal overlap, valuable time is saved. Often, the old accommodation is already cleaned and ready for handover by the end of the afternoon of the same day. So you do not have to commute for days between the old and new home, but can concentrate entirely on fitting out your new home.
Attention to subcontractors: who is liable in the event of damage?
Not all companies that quote a combined quote necessarily carry out all the work with their own staff. Many moving companies outsource cleaning to external partners (subcontractors) – or vice versa. In principle, this is a common business model, but it carries risks if not communicated transparently.
For you as a customer, the main thing is: who is your contractual contact? If you conclude a combined contract with Company A, Company A remains your sole contractual partner and is fully liable for all damages – including those caused by the commissioned subcontractor. Actively ask before signing whether own staff are employed. Make sure the contract explicitly states that the principal agent assumes responsibility for all third-party companies involved. You will thus avoid unpleasant surprises when handing over the accommodation.
Separate reservation vs. combined quote
To give you a realistic orientation, we have compared the quotes only for an identical scope of services. Please note that these are non-binding indicative values. The actual costs strongly depend on individual factors such as the exact transport volume, the floor, the presence of an elevator as well as the degree of soiling of the accommodation.
The following guide values are based on a normally furnished accommodation with an average degree of soiling, including transport, move-out cleaning, handover guarantee and VAT :
If a combined quote is more advantageous, only the comparison of identical service scopes shows. Request: Moving and cleaning.
Note: In large, busy cities such as Zurich, Geneva or Basel, base prices may slightly exceed these guideline values due to higher labor and transport costs. The percentage saving potential with a combined quote, however, generally remains the same.
The handover guarantee: an essential for cleaning
Whether you book the cleaning separately or as part of a practical combined package: an handover guarantee agreed in writing is essential in Switzerland. This guarantee ensures that the cleaning company is responsible for the fact that the accommodation is accepted without reservation by the lessor or the management company.
If the management notices defects when handing over the accommodation – for example poorly cleaned window frames or limescale residue in the bathroom –, the cleaning team must resume free of charge and without delay. A serious combined service provider is distinguished by the personal presence of a company representative on site on the day of handover. The latter hands over the accommodation cleaned jointly with you to the lessor and assumes responsibility for any additional cleaning on site. Read more about the legal basis in our article on move-out cleaning with handover guarantee.
What to pay attention to when choosing the service provider
So that the combined quote does not turn into a financial trap, you should proceed in a structured manner when choosing the company. Use proven methods to obtain and compare quotes. Pay particular attention to the following points:
Fixed price guarantee:Always demand an quote with a binding lump sum or fixed price. Avoid quotes billed only by the hour, as costs can quickly spiral out of control.
Insurance coverage: Obtain written confirmation that the company has sufficient professional liability insurance. This protects you from the financial consequences of damage to your home or your moving goods.
References and reviews: Read testimonials from other customers on the Internet. Check whether the moving and cleaning services have both been positively evaluated.
Detailed scope of services: The quote must precisely list the services included (e.g. number of movers, size of the truck, cleaning of the oven, hood, windows and blinds).
Conclusion
A combined quote for moving and cleaning is worth it in the vast majority of cases. You not only save money thanks to attractive flat rate discounts, but also significantly reduce your organizational burden. The biggest advantage, however, lies in the clear question of liability: As only one company is responsible for the entire process, there are no excuses or mutual shifting of responsibility in the event of damage.
If you would like to compare moving companies that also quote professional cleaning, a free comparison via our portal is recommended. This means you can quickly and easily receive tailor-made quotes from verified Swiss specialist companies and can choose the best price-performance ratio for you.
