Costs

Requesting a paper destruction quote: what you need and what sets the price

2 July 2026 · 10 min read · DeSnipperaar

Requesting a quote for paper destruction takes a few minutes. You tell us how much you have, the level it must be destroyed at and where you are. You get a fixed price in advance. No complicated process, no surprises afterwards. This article walks through what to have ready and what determines the price.

Many people put off requesting a quote because they think it involves an extensive inventory or a sales pitch. With a good provider it does not. You only need a few details to get a sharp, fixed price. Below we go through what to have ready, what determines the price and what to look for in the quote.

What do you need to request a quote?

Before you request a quote, it helps to have these details to hand:

• The quantity. An estimate in archive boxes, removal boxes or roll containers.
• The level. Standard P-4, or P-5 for social security numbers and special data.
• One-off or periodic. A single clear-out or a fixed route.
• Your postcode. For the distance to Amsterdam.
• Data carriers. Whether hard drives, USB sticks or phones should come along too.

With these five details any provider can give you a fixed price. You do not have to count anything exactly, a reasonable estimate is enough.

What determines the price of paper destruction?

The price depends on a handful of factors. Once you know them, you understand the quote better and can compare quotes fairly:

• The quantity. More boxes or containers means a higher total, but often a lower price per item.
• The DIN level. P-5 requires finer shredding than P-4.
• One-off or periodic. A fixed route is often cheaper per visit.
• The distance. Within 20 km of Amsterdam we charge no call-out fees.
• Data carriers. These are billed per item by serial number.

A full breakdown of the price build-up is in archive destruction cost.

How do you estimate the quantity?

The quantity is the most important factor. You do not have to count exactly. A standard archive box holds about 15 kg of paper. A full removal box is around the same. A 240-litre roll container fits about four archive boxes. Count your boxes roughly or estimate how many cabinets or shelves you are clearing, and you are well on your way. If you are torn between two figures, take the higher one so the quote is not too tight. How to tackle a clear-out in practice is in organising an archive clean-up day.

Which level do you choose?

The DIN level sets how finely the paper is shredded. For ordinary office documents with personal data, P-4 is the workable minimum. For social security numbers, medical data and other special personal data, P-5 is the right choice.

Level	Particle size	Suitable for
P-4	Small particles	Documents with personal data
P-5	Very small particles	Social security numbers, medical and special data

If you are not sure, choose P-5. More on the levels is in DIN 66399 explained.

What belongs in a good quote?

An honest quote is clear and complete. Check that the following points are in it:

• A fixed price per box, container or for the whole batch.
• The DIN level the material is destroyed at.
• A certificate of destruction included.
• No call-out fees within the service area.
• No hidden surcharges, such as fuel or admin.

If one of these points is missing, ask about it before you agree.

Watch out for hidden costs

With some providers the price looks low, but surcharges appear afterwards. Think of a fuel surcharge, admin costs, a small-order surcharge or a charge for the certificate. An honest quote charges a fixed all-in price without such surprises. So always ask whether the stated price is all-in, including collection, destruction and the certificate. That stops a seemingly cheap quote from turning out more expensive.

One-off or periodic?

State in your request whether it is a single clear-out or a recurring need. A one-off clear-out, for example after a move, gets a single price. If you have confidential paper on a structural basis, a fixed route with a sealed bin per month or quarter is often cheaper per visit. The trade-off between the two is in recurring versus one-off destruction.

Paper and data carriers in one quote

If you have data carriers alongside paper, mention them straight away in the request. Hard drives, USB sticks and phones can go in the same collection. They are billed per item by serial number. The advantage is that you pay for the call-out only once and get a complete certificate for both volumes. So state the number and type of carriers, and it goes straight into the quote. How data carriers are physically destroyed is in how a hard drive is shredded.

Online request or by phone?

You can request a quote in two ways. Both lead to the same fixed price. Online you fill in the quantity, the level and your postcode in a few fields. For standard quantities you see the price on screen straight away and can click straight through to scheduling. That is the fastest route. You can do it at any moment, including outside office hours. By phone is handy if you are unsure about the quantity or if your situation is slightly different, for example several locations or a mix of paper and data carriers. You explain it in a couple of sentences and get immediate advice on the right level and the best approach. For anyone who prefers everything in writing, we then send the quote by email as well, so you can read it over calmly before you agree. Whichever way you choose, the price and the terms stay the same.

Comparing quotes fairly

If you request a quote from several parties, do not compare the final figure alone. A low price says little if the level is lower or if the certificate is charged separately. Lay the quotes side by side on the same points. Is the material destroyed at the same DIN level? Is the certificate included? Are the call-out fees included? Are data carriers accounted for per item by serial number? Only once these points are equal are you comparing like with like. It happens that a quote which looks more expensive at first sight turns out cheaper, because everything is included and nothing is added afterwards. Watch the unit used too. One party charges per box, another per kilo or per roll container. Convert everything to the same unit before you decide. A detailed comparison of providers is in comparing archive destruction providers.

What if the actual quantity differs?

A quote is based on your estimate. In practice the quantity sometimes turns out higher or lower. That is no problem as long as it is clear in advance how it is handled. With an honest provider you pay for what is actually collected, based on the agreed price per box or container. If you have more boxes than estimated, they are taken at the same rate. If you have fewer, you pay less. Ask how this is arranged when you request the quote, so you are not caught out. For large differences it helps to call ahead. Then the planning can be adjusted and the driver knows what to expect. That keeps the collection smooth even for a larger batch.

Common situations where you request a quote

Requesting a quote often happens at a natural moment. With a move or an office refurbishment a lot of old archive comes free at once and has to go. When a company or a department closes down, the whole administration has to be destroyed responsibly. At the end of a retention period you clear out files you are no longer required to keep. And sometimes there is a one-off big clean-up of an archive room that has filled up over the years. In all these cases it helps to have a fixed price in advance, so you know where you stand before you start packing. What to destroy during a move is in an office move, what to destroy. How long you must keep documents before they can go is in the GDPR retention periods cheatsheet.

Fixed price or a price per kilo?

Some providers charge per kilo, others per box or per roll container. A price per kilo may sound fair, but in practice you rarely know in advance exactly how much your paper weighs. As a result the final price is only set on the weighbridge, which makes comparing hard. A fixed price per box or container is clearer. You know exactly what you pay in advance and the price does not change afterwards, however heavy the boxes turn out to be. For a one-off clear-out a fixed price is therefore almost always preferable. If you do want to be billed per kilo, ask for an indication based on your estimated number of boxes, so you have a guide figure. Reckon a box at 15 kg and you are already a good way there. That stops the bill from coming out much higher than you had in mind.

Tips for getting a sharp quote

A few simple steps get you a better price and a clearer quote. Bundle your paper into one collection as much as possible, because a larger batch is often cheaper per box than several small collections. Give a realistic estimate of the quantity, so the planning is right and you avoid a surcharge. Combine paper and data carriers in the same collection, then you pay for the call-out only once. State clearly the level you want it destroyed at, because without a level no quote can be compared properly. And always ask whether the stated price is all-in, including collection, destruction and the certificate. With that information you get a quote that is accurate and that you can compare with others without doubt.

How quickly do you get an answer?

For standard quantities you often see the price online straight away and can schedule a collection immediately. For larger volumes, several locations or custom work we respond within 1 working day with a fixed price. You do not have to wait for a representative to visit, because for most requests a few details are enough to give a sharp price.

Is a quote without obligation?

Yes. Requesting a quote commits you to nothing. You get a fixed price in advance and then decide for yourself whether to go ahead. We only schedule the collection once you give the go-ahead. That way you know exactly where you stand before anything happens, with no pressure and no obligation.

Step by step to your quote

1. Estimate the quantity in boxes or roll containers.
2. Choose the level, P-4 or P-5.
3. Give your postcode and any data carriers.
4. Request the quote, online or by phone.
5. Schedule the collection once you agree.

Common mistakes when requesting

• Underestimating the quantity. When in doubt, take the higher figure.
• Forgetting the level. Without a level the price cannot be compared.
• Leaving data carriers out. Together in one collection saves call-out fees.
• Not asking whether the price is all-in. That stops surcharges afterwards.

An example from practice

Suppose an office clears out an archive cabinet and estimates about ten archive boxes come free, containing personnel files. The office chooses P-5 because of the sensitive data, gives the postcode and notes that two old hard drives should come along too. Within a working day there is a fixed all-in price, including collection, destruction, the certificate and the serial numbers of the drives. The office agrees and schedules the collection. On the agreed day everything is taken away in sealed bins and a few days later the certificate is in the inbox. No surprises, no hidden costs. The whole request took less than ten minutes all in.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to request a quote?

An estimate of the quantity in boxes or roll containers, the required DIN level, your postcode and whether data carriers should come along. That gives you a fixed price.

What determines the price of paper destruction?

The quantity, the DIN level, whether it is one-off or periodic, the distance to Amsterdam and whether data carriers are included.

Is a quote without obligation?

Yes. You receive a fixed price in advance with no obligation. We only schedule the collection once you give the go-ahead.

How quickly do I get a quote?

For standard quantities you see the price straight away online. For larger volumes or custom work we respond within 1 working day.

Is a certificate included in the price?

Yes. With every job you receive a certificate of destruction as proof. See certificate of destruction explained.

Conclusion

Requesting a quote for paper destruction is simpler than many people think. With an estimate of the quantity, the level you want, your postcode and any data carriers you get a fixed price in advance. In the quote, watch for an all-in price without hidden surcharges, with a certificate included. That way you know exactly where you stand and can schedule a collection without surprises.

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A price straight away? Request a quote via desnipperaar.nl or first read what archive destruction costs. You get a fixed price in advance, with no obligation.