Documenting your move: photos
Photos as evidence
Why good photo documentation is worth so much when moving
before and after
When documenting your move, it is not about souvenir photos but about evidence. Record the condition of furniture, walls and floors before moving out, as well as the meter readings. This helps with the landlord over the deposit and with the moving company when settling a claim. Visible transport damage must be reported no later than the day after delivery (§ 451f HGB). More about the process for a private move.
Complete photo documentation begins when you move out of the old flat and ends after the furniture has been assembled in the new one. Photograph valuable items, electronics and existing scratches separately, with an overview and a close-up. That way disputes with landlords or the moving company can often be avoided. It is best to point out existing damage before loading and have it noted in the report.
Request a move at a fixed price
Survey, fixed price, clear liability
After a survey we give you a written fixed price for your move. For household goods we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. Call us on 01625978461. Your own move documentation with photos remains the best basis in case something does happen.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
Photos, report, damage notification
What to record and when
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves within the city and as long-distance moves. For damage to household goods we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre of loading space. For a claim to be settled, three things count: photos of the condition beforehand, existing damage in the report and timely notification – visible damage no later than the day after delivery, hidden damage within 14 days. Places with their own pages can be found under locations.
Photograph beforehand
Record the flat
Meter readings
Report damage
Six subjects you should not miss
For valuable items such as antiques, art or electronics, particularly thorough photo documentation is worthwhile. These six subjects belong in every move documentation.
Valuable furniture
Electronics
Walls and floors
Stairwell
Meter readings
Keys
Shared load: record the condition beforehand
With a shared load, several consignments share the loading space, and there are often a few days between collection and delivery. So photograph your items before collection, label them clearly and check them immediately on delivery.
Before
the move, on moving day, afterwards
Photos do not replace a report, but they make it reliable. For the handover of the old flat there is a separate document recording condition, keys and meter readings – how it is structured is shown in our article Handover report: template. Especially with a long-distance move over a long route, good documentation pays off, whether the move is local or long-distance.
Before the move
On moving day
Afterwards
Questions about photo documentation when moving
How to document your move properly
Start the inventory of your furniture and valuables a few days before the moving date. Photograph every room from several perspectives before the boxes are packed, and record existing damage with close-ups.
On moving day, photograph meter readings, empty rooms and important furniture before loading. Use a smartphone that saves the date and time, so that the pictures can be clearly attributed later.
Photo documentation as protection in the event of damage
If damage occurs despite all care, complete preservation of evidence is worth a great deal. Photos can prove the before-and-after condition. The deadlines are important: visible damage no later than the day after delivery, hidden damage within 14 days.
The moving company is liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre; claims usually become time-barred after one year under § 439 HGB. The landlord's claims for compensation become time-barred under § 548 BGB six months after the handover.
Moving costs – honest and comprehensible
Honesty comes first for us. Our prices at a glance: from €359 for a 1-room flat, from €589 for 2 rooms, from €905 for 3 rooms and from €1,289 for 4 rooms. For houses and villas there is no fixed range – here we always prepare an individual quote. If you are moving further away, a long-distance move costs from €4.20 per kilometre. Feel free to use our free survey for clarity.
What affects the price of your move
Important factors are the volume of your furniture, the distance (from €4.20/km), the floor and whether there is a lift. A parking restriction zone also counts. Additional services such as a shared load can reduce the price.
Our service offer in detail
Our services in detail
You can book these services individually or together.
- Private move - We organise your change of home down to the smallest detail.
- Furniture transport - Fast, safe and straightforward - our furniture transport.
- House clearance - We reliably leave you with an empty, clean space.
- Shared load - We combine transports for maximum cost efficiency.
- Office move - We make sure your business is up and running again quickly.
- Move with assembly - Save yourself the effort, we take care of all the assembly.
Moves from Berlin
We plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) – within the city and to other places. Places with their own pages can be found in the locations overview, long routes under long-distance moves, details of the process under private move.
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