Name: Van der Ent Group
Brand: Van der Ent Group
SKU: Van der Ent Group
Rating: 9.2 (679 reviews)

When planning a business relocation, weighing price versus quality means looking beyond the quote itself — to what is not included. A low price may seem attractive, but the true cost of a failed or delayed office move is almost always higher than the difference between a cheap and a reliable provider. For facility managers and project leaders planning an office relocation, choosing the right partner is a strategic decision, not a price comparison.

In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about comparing removal quotes, so you can make the right choice with confidence.

What is hidden in a low removal quote?

A low removal quote often contains hidden costs or missing services that only become apparent during or after the move. Think of additional charges for stairs, elevators, packing materials, waiting times, or reconfiguring the workplace. What looks cheap on paper can turn out to be significantly more expensive in practice.

Many providers work with a base price that only covers the physical transportation of furniture. As soon as disassembly and reassembly, IT equipment, cable management, storage of inventory, or coordination with other parties is involved, additional costs arise. Cheap quotes also often lack insurance coverage for damage to valuable business property.

When reviewing a quote, always pay attention to the following points:

Is packing and unpacking included, or is it charged separately?
Who handles the disassembly and reassembly of office furniture?
What happens in the event of delays or unforeseen circumstances?
Is there a dedicated point of contact throughout the entire process?
What liability does the company have in the event of damage?

A quote that does not cover these points is essentially incomplete. And comparing an incomplete quote with a complete one is comparing apples to oranges.

What quality criteria define a reliable removal company?

A reliable removal company for business relocations is recognisable by demonstrable certifications, experience with comparable assignments, and a transparent way of working. Quality is measurable, provided you know what to look for.

The most important quality criteria are:

Erkend Projectverhuizer (EPV): this quality mark guarantees that the company meets strict requirements in the areas of craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001: certifications for quality management and environmental performance, increasingly relevant in the context of CSRD reporting.
VCA certification: essential for relocations in industrial environments such as the petrochemical sector or the Port of Rotterdam.
Membership of recognised networks: such as Top Movers Nederland, FIDI, or IAM, which guarantees international quality standards.
Demonstrable references: experience with comparable clients and sectors builds confidence in the ability to deliver.

In addition to certifications, the degree of end-to-end service also matters. A quality partner draws up a comprehensive relocation checklist, contributes to planning and risk management, and provides a dedicated point of contact throughout the entire project. That is the foundation for a smooth business relocation without surprises.

How do you compare removal quotes fairly?

You compare removal quotes fairly by standardising them: make sure every provider has received exactly the same assignment and that all quotes cover the same services. Only then does a price comparison make sense.

Prepare a detailed description of the move in advance: the number of workstations, the types of furniture and equipment, the locations, the desired completion date, and any special requirements such as climate-controlled storage or IT migration. Send that same briefing to all providers.

Then compare the quotes on the following aspects:

Completeness: which services are included and what falls outside the scope?
Project coordination: has a dedicated relocation manager been appointed?
Sustainability: does the company work with emission-free transport or a furniture passport for circular reuse?
Flexibility: how does the company handle changes or unforeseen situations?
Insurance and liability: what is covered and up to what amount?

A fair comparison requires a little more preparation, but it prevents you from paying extra later for things you had expected to be included.

When is a more expensive relocation partner the better choice?

A more expensive relocation partner is the better choice when the complexity of the move is high, business continuity cannot be put at risk, or when sustainability and CSRD accountability play a role in the decision-making process. In those situations, the added value of quality outweighs the difference in cost.

Specific situations in which a premium partner pays for itself:

Relocations in active business environments, such as hospitals, production facilities, or data centres, where downtime directly results in loss of revenue.
Complex IT migrations where cable management and equipment connections must be coordinated.
Organisations that must comply with CSRD reporting and want to document demonstrably sustainable procurement.
Relocations involving sensitive or valuable inventory, such as medical equipment, archives, or works of art.
Projects involving multiple locations simultaneously where central coordination is indispensable.

For healthcare institutions and schools, this applies even more. We offer specialised relocation services for healthcare institutions where continuity and safety are paramount, and school relocations also require an approach that leaves no room for errors.

What are the true costs of a failed office relocation?

The true costs of a failed office relocation go far beyond the removal company’s invoice. Loss of productivity, damaged inventory, disrupted IT systems, and reputational damage with clients or employees are the real cost drivers that are rarely factored into the quote comparison.

A move that overruns means employees cannot work, client appointments are not kept, or a new office is taken into use later than planned. In sectors such as the petrochemical industry or the Port of Rotterdam, where operational continuity has direct financial consequences, a single day of delay can cause considerable damage.

Other hidden costs of a poorly executed business relocation include:

Repair costs for damaged furniture or equipment
Additional staff hired to resolve the chaos
Double rental costs if the new location is not ready on time
Loss of trust among employees, which affects job satisfaction and retention
Costs for re-establishing networks and workstations

Anyone who factors in these costs will quickly see that the difference between a cheap and a reliable provider pales in comparison to even a single day of unexpected downtime.

What questions should you ask before choosing a removal company?

Before choosing a removal company for a business relocation, you should at minimum ask about their certifications, experience with comparable projects, their approach to project coordination, and how they handle unforeseen situations. The answers will tell you far more than the price ever can.

Ask these questions in every conversation with a potential relocation partner:

What certifications do you hold? Think of EPV, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and VCA.
Do you have experience in our sector? Industry knowledge prevents unnecessary mistakes.
Who will be our dedicated point of contact? A single point of contact throughout the entire process is essential.
How do you handle delays or changes? Flexibility and communication are key to a smooth process.
What sustainability measures do you take? Relevant for organisations that want to demonstrate sustainability in their CSRD reporting.
What is your liability in the event of damage? Ensure this is clearly established in the contract.
Do you offer additional services? Such as handyman services for fitting out the new workplace, or temporary storage of inventory.

A professional relocation partner answers these questions without hesitation and supports their answers with concrete examples. At Van der Ent Group, we have worked this way for over 100 years: transparently, reliably, and with complete peace of mind for our clients. As a royal warrant holder and recognised member of Top Movers Nederland, quality and continuity are central to everything we do. View our full range of business services and discover how we guide your relocation from start to finish.

Veelgestelde vragen

Hoe lang van tevoren moet ik beginnen met het aanvragen van verhuisoffertes?

Voor een zakelijke verhuizing is het verstandig om minimaal drie tot zes maanden van tevoren offertes aan te vragen, afhankelijk van de complexiteit en omvang van het project. Dit geeft je voldoende tijd om aanbieders grondig te vergelijken, referenties te controleren en de planning zorgvuldig af te stemmen. Bij grote of complexe verhuizingen — zoals meerdere locaties of gevoelige apparatuur — is een nog langere voorbereidingstijd aan te raden.

Wat moet ik doen als twee offertes sterk van elkaar afwijken in prijs?

Een grote prijsverschil tussen offertes is bijna altijd een signaal dat de offertes niet op dezelfde scope zijn gebaseerd. Ga terug naar beide aanbieders en vraag specifiek welke diensten wel en niet zijn inbegrepen, zodat je een eerlijke vergelijking kunt maken. Let daarbij extra op posten zoals demontage en montage, inpakmateriaal, verzekering en projectcoördinatie — dit zijn de meest voorkomende oorzaken van een schijnbaar groot prijsverschil.

Hoe weet ik of een verhuisbedrijf écht ervaring heeft in mijn sector?

Vraag het bedrijf om concrete referenties van vergelijkbare opdrachten binnen jouw branche en neem actief contact op met die referenten. Kijk ook of het bedrijf sectorspecifieke certificeringen heeft, zoals VCA voor industriële omgevingen, of aantoonbare ervaring met zorginstellingen, scholen of datacenters. Een betrouwbare partner deelt deze informatie proactief en zonder aarzeling.

Kan ik een zakelijke verhuizing ook buiten kantooruren laten uitvoeren om verstoring te minimaliseren?

Ja, veel professionele verhuisbedrijven bieden de mogelijkheid om verhuizingen in avond-, nacht- of weekenduren uit te voeren om de bedrijfscontinuïteit zo min mogelijk te verstoren. Dit is met name gebruikelijk bij verhuizingen in actieve omgevingen zoals ziekenhuizen, productielocaties of kantoren met doorlopende bezetting. Bespreek dit wens expliciet tijdens de offertefase, zodat het in de planning en prijsstelling wordt meegenomen.

Wat is een meubelpaspoort en waarom is het relevant bij een kantoorverhuizing?

Een meubelpaspoort is een digitaal document dat de herkomst, staat en herbruikbaarheid van kantoormeubilair vastlegt, als onderdeel van een circulaire bedrijfsvoering. Bij een verhuizing helpt dit om bewust te beslissen welke meubels worden meegenomen, hergebruikt, gerepareerd of gerecycled — in plaats van onnodig weg te gooien. Voor organisaties die moeten voldoen aan CSRD-rapportage is een meubelpaspoort een concreet en aantoonbaar instrument om duurzaam inkoopbeleid te documenteren.

Wat als mijn verhuizing wordt vertraagd door de aannemer of de nieuwe locatie is nog niet gereed?

Dit is een veelvoorkomend scenario en het is essentieel dat je vooraf contractueel vastlegt hoe de verhuispartner omgaat met dergelijke situaties. Vraag of het bedrijf tijdelijke opslag kan bieden voor inventaris en of er flexibiliteit is in de planning zonder meerkosten bij overmacht. Een professionele verhuispartner denkt hier proactief over mee en heeft standaard procedures voor dit soort onvoorziene omstandigheden.

Is het mogelijk om de IT-migratie en de fysieke verhuizing door dezelfde partij te laten coördineren?

Sommige full-service verhuisbedrijven bieden integrale coördinatie aan waarbij de fysieke verhuizing en de IT-migratie op elkaar worden afgestemd, al wordt de daadwerkelijke IT-installatie vaak in samenwerking met een gespecialiseerde IT-partner uitgevoerd. Het voordeel hiervan is één centraal aanspreekpunt dat overzicht houdt over de volledige oplevering van de nieuwe werkplek. Vraag bij het selecteren van een verhuispartner expliciet hoe zij de samenwerking met IT-leveranciers organiseren en wie eindverantwoordelijk is voor de oplevering.

How do you weigh price versus quality for a business relocation?