When is the best time to plan my move?

For a stress-free move into your first home , we recommend booking the moving date at least four to six weeks in advance. Dates around the turn of the month and at weekends in particular are snapped up quickly. It is best to start packing four weeks beforehand; you receive the fixed price after the survey.

What does a move cost for first-time movers?

The costs depend on the size of the flat, the distance and additional services. Our prices for a one-room flat start at €344, for two rooms at €584; if you pack yourself, you save working time. We quote the fixed price after the survey – you can request a non-binding quote via our private move page .

Do you also handle furniture assembly for first-time movers?

Yes, our team is happy to take care of the professional assembly and dismantling of your furniture, whether wardrobe, bed or shelving system. This service is particularly practical for first-time movers without tools of their own. This saves you time and nerves, and you can concentrate fully on settling into your new flat.

Is a part load worthwhile for small moves?

With few household goods, as is the case for many first-time movers, a part load can be considerably cheaper than a dedicated transport. Your household goods are transported together with other consignments. We will be happy to check whether this cost-efficient option is suitable for your move.

How do I register my new residence after the move?

After moving in, you have two weeks in Germany to register at the responsible registration office. Bring your identity card and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from your landlord. First-time movers in particular should not forget this important formality, so as to avoid fines.

Do you also offer moves over longer distances?

Yes, we reliably organise both local moves and long-distance moves right across Germany and to other European countries. This is often relevant for first-time movers who are moving to a new city for their studies or a job. You can find further details under Long-distance moves .

What should I look out for at the flat handover?

At the flat handover you should check all rooms thoroughly together with the landlord and record any defects in the handover report. Photos of the meter readings and any damage protect you from later disputes. As a first-time mover, it is also worth checking your tenancy agreement regarding obligations to redecorate.

What is your liability as a moving company for damage?

The moving company is liable under the HGB for damage to household goods, limited to €620 per cubic metre of loading space required (§ 451e HGB); additional insurance is possible on request. If you packed yourself, make sure there is good padding – damage caused by inadequate packing of your own is not covered.

Where are you based, and do you come to me?

We have one location: Stromstraße 21 in Berlin-Moabit. From there we carry out moves within Berlin and travel nationwide and abroad. Destinations with their own page can be found under Locations . Give us a call – after the survey we will quote you a fixed price.

How can I save on moving costs as a first-time mover?

A fixed-price quote with no hidden costs is the best way to have predictable expenses from the outset. You can also save by booking early, packing yourself or using a part load. We will advise you individually on which options are the most economical for moving into your first home.

How long does a typical move take for first-time movers?

That depends mainly on the floor, lift, carrying distance and amount of furniture. A move from one room or a small flat is often done in a few hours if everything is fully packed; half-packed boxes noticeably lengthen the day. You receive a realistic time estimate during the survey together with the fixed price.

PACKING PROPERLY

Boxes Packing List, Labelling: Packing Properly for Your First Flat

Q: How many moving boxes do I need for my first move?

As a rule of thumb, reckon with about ten to fifteen moving boxes per living room, plus kitchen, bathroom and hallway. For a typical one-room flat, that quickly adds up to 20 to 30 boxes; if you are moving out of your childhood bedroom, you often need fewer. We estimate the quantity during the survey and supply suitable packing material on request.

Estimating how many boxes you need, distributing heavy and light items correctly, labelling neatly: packing tips for your first move of your own.

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Customer service01625978461

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BOXES INSTEAD OF CHAOS

Learning to pack

Well packed is half moved

Box by box

Unsere Firma Packing for your first flat: number of boxes, box sizes, padding material, labelling and the box for the first night.

On your very first move into a flat of your own, the box question comes first: how many, what size, where from? As a rule of thumb, reckon with 10 to 15 boxes per living room, plus kitchen, bathroom and hallway. If you are moving out of your childhood bedroom, you often need fewer. Our team at Beste Umzug Unternehmen estimates the quantity during the survey and brings materials on request. You can find all services under Private move.

Pack heavy things such as books in small boxes and light ones such as bedding in large boxes, and fill every box to the top so that it stays stackable. We quote the fixed price after the survey; your household goods are covered under the German Commercial Code (HGB). On request we do the packing ourselves – completely or just the kitchen and glasses. Short-notice dates are often possible too. Call us on 01625978461 and we will advise you free of charge.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

50,-DISCOUNT

PLAN YOUR PACKING

PERSONAL ADVICE

Clarify how many boxes you need at the same time

Material, quantity, fixed price

Ask about boxes and packing materials straight away during the survey: we estimate the quantity, bring it along on request and then quote a fixed price for your first home. Dates around the turn of the month in particular are snapped up quickly – plan early and request a non-binding quote.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

Two movers in red T-shirts lift a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

PACKING SERVICE

How we help with packing

Completely or partly

On a first move, people almost always start packing too late and with too few boxes. During the survey we tell you roughly how many boxes you need, bring sturdy moving boxes and padding material on request, and take over the packing completely or just for the kitchen and fragile items. We then quote the fixed price; We are based in Berlin, Stromstraße 21, and operate within the city and nationwide.

Number of boxes

During the survey we estimate how many boxes you need – so you neither buy too many nor run short on the last evening of your private move.

Packing materials

On request we bring sturdy moving boxes, book boxes, wardrobe boxes and padding paper – to match your packing service.

Kitchen and glass

Crockery and glasses are the trickiest boxes. We pack just this part if you want to do the rest yourself – with a tailored packing service.

Dismantling furniture

Screws and small parts go labelled into bags attached to the piece of furniture so that nothing is missing during assembly – with furniture transport including assembly.

PACKING LIST

Six rules for packing

If you are packing an entire household for the first time, these six rules will get you through – from buying boxes to the box for the first night in your new flat.

Estimate the quantity

Rule of thumb: 10 to 15 boxes per living room, plus kitchen, bathroom and hallway. Better to get a few more than to have to buy extra the evening before.

Heavy small, light large

Books and crockery in small boxes, cushions and clothes in large ones. That way every box stays easy for one person to carry and does not tear.

Pack to the brim

Half-empty boxes buckle when stacked. Fill gaps with towels or paper, tape the bottom twice and keep the lid closed.

Pad fragile items

Stand plates on edge, wrap glasses individually, mark the box with “This way up” and “Glass”. Padding paper is cheaper than any replacement.

Label every side

Destination room and rough contents on at least two sides, not just on the lid. A colour per room helps the team put things in the right place.

Box for the first night

Bedding, charging cables, toothbrush, tools, toilet paper and documents go into one box that is loaded last and unloaded first.

FEW HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Part load: well packed, sent cheaply

Stackable boxes count

For a part load, well-packed boxes are particularly important: they are stowed together with other loads and must be stackable. So pack them to the brim but not too heavy, tape the bottom and lid firmly and label every side with your name and destination room. Then nothing gets lost, and the part load remains the low-cost solution for small quantities.

Open cargo space of a red lorry with wrapped furniture, panels and boxes

GUIDE SERIES

Packing
without stress

From A for appliances to Z for zip bags

How many boxes does a first flat of your own need, which sizes make sense, and how do you label them so that you can find the bedding on the evening of moving day? This part of the series is all about packing: estimating how many boxes you need, heavy at the bottom and light at the top, padding fragile items, a box for the first night. If you are moving further away, pack even more carefully, as the boxes are on the road for longer – more on this under Long-distance moves.

Boxes and materials

Sturdy moving boxes, small book boxes, wardrobe boxes, tape and padding paper: with the right equipment, a private move or student move becomes easier to plan and stays free of damage.

Packing order

First things you rarely use, last the kitchen and bathroom. If you pack like this, you can live normally until the very end. A packing service, furniture transport and small-load transport can then be added as needed.

Unpacking at the destination

Labelled boxes end up in the right room, whether after a part load or a furniture taxi. Then unpack the bed, bathroom and kitchen first – the rest can wait a few days. Fold empty boxes flat and keep them or pass them on.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

Google 5.0 (119 reviews)

Two movers in dungarees carry moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about boxes and packing for your first home

Answers on the number of boxes, furniture assembly, part loads, liability, duration and registering your address on your first move.

As a rule of thumb, reckon with about ten to fifteen moving boxes per living room, plus kitchen, bathroom and hallway. For a typical one-room flat, that quickly adds up to 20 to 30 boxes; if you are moving out of your childhood bedroom, you often need fewer. We estimate the quantity during the survey and supply suitable packing material on request.

Packing plan for your first move of your own

A packing plan is particularly important for first-time movers so that half of your things are not still in the cupboard on moving day. Start about four weeks beforehand with things you rarely need, and work your way through to the kitchen and bathroom. Label every box with its destination room – a simple colour system is explained in the article Labelling moving boxes.

The evening before, set aside a box with documents, charging cables and toiletries. Also remember the key handover with a handover report and registration at the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks.

Planning the number of boxes and furniture properly

Many first-time movers underestimate the number of moving boxes they need and end up under time pressure as a result. As a rule of thumb: about ten to fifteen sturdy boxes per living room, plus kitchen, bathroom and hallway – depending on the amount of household goods.

Furniture assembly should also be planned early, especially for Ikea furniture with many individual parts. On request, our movers will professionally assemble your entire furnishings and install them securely in your new flat.

Price overview for your first move

1-room flat – from €344
2-room flat – from €584
3-room flat – from €889
4-room flat – from €1,279
House/villa – individual quote
Long-distance move – from €4.25/km

Would you like an exact quote? Then arrange a free survey with us.

How the number of boxes and the floor determine the price

Volume of the household goods
Distance price from €4.25/km
A floor without a lift increases the effort
Need for a parking restriction zone
Furniture assembly and part load as additional services

Packing, carrying, assembling: our services

Pack yourself or have it done for you – these services can be booked individually.

Private move: moves for families and individuals. Private move
Furniture transport: for single pieces of furniture. Furniture transport
House clearance: fast clearance of flats. House clearance
Part load: a low-cost transport solution. Part load
Office move: professional office relocation. Office move
Move with assembly: everything fully set up. Move with assembly

Well packed to another city

On long routes, boxes have to withstand more – packed to the brim and taped firmly. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and travel throughout Germany; more under Long-distance moves, destinations with their own page in the locations overview.

Guides & Tips

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 16, 2026

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