To find a moving company, start with listings in your area, check the provider's profile and their posting history, then compare at least three written quotes. In Poland, prices for moving an apartment within the same city usually start at a few hundred zloty, and transport on the Warsaw-Kraków route costs more. Below you'll find a list of questions for the meeting and a simple contract template.
Finding a provider through listings has one advantage: you see specific jobs, photos of equipment, and comments from other people, instead of just a company name. In cities like Warsaw, Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, or Poznań, you'll find both one-person crews with a van and smaller companies with packers under one address. The price difference mainly comes down to whether you pay per hour or per job, and whether you're moving into a fourth-floor walk-up. Before you call, prepare the square footage, the number of large furniture pieces, and the addresses of both properties. That shortens the conversation and makes it harder for someone to give you an artificially low estimate.
- Collect at least three quotes and compare them on the same basis: hours, number of people, equipment, travel.
- Check whether the provider has a posting history and reviews before you pay any money.
- Get it in writing, even on a piece of paper, with the scope of work and the amount. A deposit without a document is the most common red flag.
- Take photos of the apartment before packing so you have proof of its condition in case of a dispute.
Where to find a moving company in Poland
The fastest way to find a provider is on a classified site, where transport and moving services have their own category. You enter the city, set a radius around your district, and see offers with prices and photos. It's more convenient than asking in groups, because the listing has a date and the seller's profile shows previous posts.
The second place is direct contact with a crew recommended by a neighbor from your building. The third is a local search using the district name, e.g. Mokotów or Krzyki, because many small companies operate only within one city. Don't start with comparison sites that collect contact details and resell them. Then ten people call you, and you lose control over who you gave your address to.
For a larger apartment in Warsaw or Wrocław, it's worth separating two things: packing and transport. One crew packs, another drives. Sometimes it's cheaper to rent a delivery van and hire helpers by the hour. You can read more about how service categories work in the listing rules at /pl/rules.
How to read a listing and a provider's profile
A good listing answers three questions: what exactly is included in the price, how many people will come, and what kind of vehicle they'll use. If you only see "cheap moves" without a scope, that's not an offer, it's an invitation to negotiate over the phone.
What to check in the listing text
Pay attention to the dimensions of the van or truck. For a two-room apartment, a vehicle with a payload of about 1 tonne is enough, but with built-in furniture and a washing machine you need a tail lift or two trips. Check whether the description mentions straps, blankets, and stretch film, or carrying up stairs. These items affect the final price the most.
Photos in the listing usually show the equipment: transport straps, stair-climbing dollies, crates. If they're missing, ask about them in a message. On EX & GO you can see a seller's listing history and reviews, so it's easier to filter out accounts created yesterday. It's one place where it really pays to compare several offers side by side before you call.
How to check references without trusting anonymous reviews
Ask for two phone numbers of people from the last two months. Call and ask three things: whether the crew arrived on time, whether they added anything after the fact, and whether anything got broken. The answers to the second question are the most valuable, because they concern the final bill.
It's also worth checking whether the company is listed in the business register. The tax ID on the invoice must match the name you see in the listing. A discrepancy is a reason to walk away, even if the price is the lowest.
How much do moving and transport cost in 2025
The price depends on three variables: distance, number of hours, and whether you're carrying furniture up stairs. There's no single price list nationwide, but the ranges are fairly predictable.
| Type of service | Typical price range | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Transport within the city | from a few hundred zloty per trip | vehicle, driver, one loading and unloading |
| Apartment move, 2 rooms | a few hours of crew work | 2 people, van, straps and blankets |
| Warsaw-Kraków route | rate per kilometre plus time | vehicle, fuel, driver |
| Packing by the company | surcharge per hour or per room | boxes, film, tape |
| Carrying without a lift, 4th floor | surcharge per floor | extra person or stair-climbing dolly |
Always ask for the final price, not the starting rate. A low hourly rate is often offset by surcharges for stairs, waiting, and a second trip. Ask the provider to put a maximum amount in the contract, above which they can't issue a bill without your consent.
The biggest mistake when comparing offers is asking "how much does a move cost" without giving the square footage, floor, and distance. Ask in this form: two rooms, fourth floor without a lift, dishwasher and washing machine, Mokotów-Praga route, Saturday morning slot. Then the ranges from three providers are comparable, not random.
What questions should I ask before signing a contract?
Before setting a date, ask five questions and write down the answers. That's the most effective way to avoid surprises on moving day.
List of questions for the meeting
How many people will come, and is that number written into the contract? Is fuel, road tolls, and parking included in the price? What happens if the move runs two hours over? Who is responsible for damage to furniture, and how do you file a claim? Does the company issue an invoice, and do they have liability insurance?
Also ask about working hours. If you're renting and have to hand back the keys by noon, put that time in the contract as a condition. Crews in cities like Łódź or Poznań have more jobs on Saturdays, so a one-hour delay happens more often than midweek.
What a simple contract should include
The contract doesn't have to be long. One page with the date, both parties' details, the property addresses, the scope of work, the amount, and the deadline is enough. Add the payment method: cash after unloading or a bank transfer within a few days. You can also find the rules for settlements and complaints in the site documents at /pl/support.
List particularly valuable items, e.g. TV, computer, bike. If something gets broken, it's easier to establish the value. Take photos before packing. A contract without these elements still works, but in a dispute it's much harder to prove anything.
How to spot a scammer and not lose your deposit
The clearest red flag is a request for a deposit before any document. An honest provider may want a down payment, but they'll sign a piece of paper with the amount and scope. If you hear "transfer now, the rest on site," end the conversation.
Other signs: no tax ID number, pressure to decide fast, a price clearly lower than other offers, contact only via messenger without a phone number, a request to pay into a private person's account instead of the company's. Also check whether the listing isn't a copy of another one with a swapped photo.
For intercity transport, don't hand over your apartment keys to someone you haven't vetted. Stay on site during loading or ask a family member to. If the provider refuses, that's an answer too.
How to compare offers and choose a provider
Compare offers in a table, not in your head. Three columns: scope, maximum price, deadline. Plus one column for risk: is there a contract, are there references, does the company have a tax ID number.
| Criterion | Private person with a van | Small crew of 2-3 people | Company with packers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | lowest | medium | highest |
| Scope | transport only | transport and carrying | packing, transport, unpacking |
| Contract and invoice | often none | usually yes | yes |
| Risk of damage | higher | medium | lower, with insurance |
| When to choose | few items, close by | 2-3 room apartment | large house, lots of glass |
Choose based on two criteria: the maximum price and whether someone confirmed the quality. The cheapest offer without a contract rarely ends up cheaper. The most expensive isn't always better if you don't need packing.
Also check whether the company operates in your district. A local provider knows the street layout and where to park a van, which in a tight courtyard in Kraków's Kazimierz or Wrocław's Nadodrze saves several dozen minutes of work.
What documents and formalities are needed?
For a move within Poland, you don't need any permit. You do need two things: a contract with the provider and proof of payment. When transporting furniture within a housing community, check the building regulations, because some prohibit carrying items in at night.
If you're transporting high-value items, consider additional insurance. A standard liability policy from a transport company has limits that may not be enough for a collection of electronics. Ask about the per-incident limit before you sign the contract.
Keep the invoice and contract for at least a year. In case of a complaint, that's your basis. If the provider refuses to issue a document, report the matter to the relevant institution. You can find information about consumer rights in the materials of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection UOKiK and on the gov.pl portal gov.pl.
For larger jobs, moving and transport it's worth checking whether the provider operates a registered business and has no outstanding debts. Then paying by bank transfer leaves a trail that can't be disputed. moving and transport in Warsaw
Frequently asked questions about moving and transport
How much does furniture transport cost within one city?
How much does furniture transport cost within one city?
Typically a few hundred zloty per trip if everything fits in one load and there are no stairs without a lift. The price rises when a second trip, a stair-climbing dolly, or an extra person is needed. Ask for a maximum amount, not an hourly rate, and put it in the contract.
Can I pay after the service is done?
Can I pay after the service is done?
Yes, that's the safest model. Pay after unloading and after checking that nothing is missing. If the provider asks for a deposit for fuel, put it in the contract along with the amount and date. A deposit without a document is the most common source of disputes.
How do I check if a company is honest?
How do I check if a company is honest?
Check the tax ID number, the posting history, and reviews on the site where you found the offer. Call two customers from the last few months and ask about the final settlement. Ask for a written contract. If the provider avoids paperwork, walk away, even if the price is the lowest.
What should I do if a piece of furniture gets damaged?
What should I do if a piece of furniture gets damaged?
Take photos immediately, before signing the handover report. Report the damage in writing, citing the contract and invoice. If the company has liability insurance, the claim goes to the insurer. Without photos and documents, pursuing a claim is much harder.
Is it worth renting a van and moving things myself?
Is it worth renting a van and moving things myself?
For a small number of items and a short route, it's the cheapest option. You need the right driving licence category and someone to help with carrying. With large furniture, a fourth-floor walk-up, and a tight stairwell, the risk of damage and time lost is higher than the cost of a crew.
Where can I find listings for moving and transport?
Where can I find listings for moving and transport?
On classified sites with a services category, where you can see the price, photos, and the seller's history. Set the city filter and a radius around your district. Read the description, not just the title. Compare at least three offers and ask each provider about the same scope of work.
Summary
Finding a moving company in Poland is easiest through local listings, but the list of offers is just the beginning. Check the provider's history, call two customers, compare at least three quotes, and always sign a simple contract with a maximum amount. A low rate without a document is the most expensive option.
Start by preparing your data: square footage, floor, list of large furniture, addresses, and date. With that set, a conversation with each provider takes a few minutes and gives comparable answers. Photos before packing and an invoice after unloading close the matter. The rest is just choosing between a private person with a van and a crew that will also handle packing.