Moving and cleaning: get quotes for moving and cleaning

Additional costs:

• Tenant damage: in addition, you should clarify at the apartment handover whether any renovation costs will be incurred for any damage caused by tenants.

• Disposal costs: depending on the quantity, the cost of disposing of old furniture can be between 50 and several hundred francs.

• Deposit: if you are moving into a more expensive apartment, you can usually expect to pay a higher deposit.

• Parking: depending on the parking situation, there may also be costs for organizing a place for the moving van to park.

• Moving boxes: if you calculate 20 boxes per room, you get a total price of about 200 francs for a 3-room apartment (often there is a discount for buying in bulk). Alternative: borrow boxes from friends or ask for banana boxes at the supermarket.

• Material costs: (moving boxes, plastic wrap, tools, cleaning materials, joint cleaners, fillers for dowel holes).

Relocation costs depend on the size of the old apartment and the distance to the new apartment. These costs may vary depending on the company and your individual situation. Estimated costs with moving companies:

• 1-room apartment: up to CHF 671

• 2-room apartment: up to CHF 892

• 3-room apartment: up to CHF 1,116

• 4-room apartment: up to CHF 2,225

• 5-room apartment: up to CHF 2,515

Our tip to save on moving costs:

Request free and non-binding quotes and then compare prices for moving and cleaning. By the way: moving during the week is usually cheaper because demand is not so high.

Moving without money is a difficult task. However, you can greatly reduce moving costs by organizing the move yourself:

• Ask friends and family for help with transporting, assembling and dismantling furniture.

• Borrow a suitable car from friends or rent a cheap moving van.

• Ask your neighbours for leftover moving boxes, or ask supermarkets near you for free banana boxes.

As a rule, removal firms quickly get booked up around the official moving dates that apply in Switzerland. You should therefore book a moving company, if possible two months before the planned date. Ask friends and acquaintances if they know of any reputable companies. Arrange for a few firms to come and visit your home. They can then get a better idea of the work involved and estimate what size van to use. Request quotes in writing based on an hourly rate with a guaranteed cost ceiling. Compare the estimated costs – it might be worth negotiating. Clarify in advance which tasks the moving company should take care of.

Don’t forget: moving house at the weekend is usually more expensive. For more information, consult our comprehensive list on finding the right moving company.

Two months before moving:

• Download our moving checklist (this contains more detailed information, in German)

• Set the date for the move

• Ask helpers/friends for assistance in good time and get approval for the planned moving day

• Arrange the handover of your previous home

• Arrange the handover date for your new home

One month before moving:

• Clear out your apartment, garage and basement, and dispose of or sell clothing, furniture and other items that you no longer use

• Hire a moving van

• Get moving boxes

Two to three weeks before moving:

• Notify authorities and service providers

• Pack your boxes

• Don’t forget tools/materials for filling wall plug holes

• Obtain other materials for transport: trolleys, blankets, tie-down straps, protective sheeting etc.

Seven days before moving:

• Reserve a parking space/set up a no-stopping area

Shortly before the moving day or on the day itself:

• Organize meals and refreshments for your helpers

• Assign tasks to helpers

• Organize a first aid kit for the moving day

• Keep calm

After moving:

• End-of-tenancy cleaning

• Request your deposit back

• Register with the local authority at your new place of residence

• Set up your home

• Check that all address changes have been made

Our relocation checklist prepares you well for your move and supports you: from searching for an apartment to getting set up in your new home.

If you move within Switzerland, you must first deregister from your old local authority and register with your new one. The responsible body for registering your address is your local residents’ registration office. Note that dogs also need to be registered because you have to pay tax on them.

You must register your new address with the following:

• Insurance companies: health insurance, home contents insurance (note: if you move into a larger apartment, adjust the sum insured), personal liability, vehicle insurance, legal protection, travel insurance, pet insurance

• Telecommunications providers: telephone (landline and mobile) and internet

• Banks, Postfinance and other financial service providers

• Post office (arrange forwarding of mail)

• Road Traffic Office

• Utilities: electricity, water and gas suppliers

• Other: employer, schools, doctors, lawyers, newspaper subscriptions, clubs, friends

• Terminate your rental agreement

• Cancel parking/garage space

• Cancel your telephone, internet and/or TV plan (tip: you can find cheap deals using the Comparis telecom comparison service)

Moving requires a great deal of organization and has a high potential for stress. A moving company knows exactly what needs to be done, has experienced employees and provides the right equipment. A moving company is prepared for all eventualities and, in addition to transporting the furniture, can also help with packing boxes and assembling furniture. In addition to their moving service, many moving companies also offer an optional cleaning service.

Tip: using the same company for both moving and cleaning usually saves on costs.