Moving when you work shifts: planning the date rest period and night shift
Commuter guide, part 5
Moving when you work shifts
Rota, sleep, route
If you work shifts, your days off are different from most people's – and that can be an advantage when moving: a free Tuesday is often easier for a removal team to schedule than a Saturday. The only important thing is not to squeeze the move into the gap between two shifts. Between two shifts you are entitled to a rest period of at least eleven hours (§ 5 ArbZG, the German Working Hours Act) – you need it for sleeping, not for carrying.
So check your rota as soon as the moving-in date is fixed: is there a block of two days off? Can you swap a shift with colleagues? After a night shift, the move should take place no earlier than the day after next. At Beste Umzug Unternehmen we match the date to your rota and give you a fixed price after the survey.
A free weekday? Then that is when we plan
Date based on your rota, fixed price after a survey
Send us your days off from the rota, ideally two or three possible dates. We check which one works, survey your flat and then give you a fixed price. That way the move is settled before the next shift schedule is published. Call us on 01625978461.
Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.
How we fit the move into your rota
Days off instead of holiday
Shift workers rarely have weekends off – but often have days off during the week. We make use of those days: give us two or three days off, and we will put the move on the one that best suits the no-parking zone and the key handover. On request we pack the boxes so that you can sleep between shifts. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21, Moabit) and drive within the city and nationwide. We give you the fixed price after the survey; your belongings are covered by liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB).
Weekday appointment
Packing service
Assembly service
No-parking zone
What shift workers should look out for when moving
A move while working shifts succeeds when it fits your sleep rhythm. You should clarify these points before booking – with your rota in hand and, if necessary, after a conversation with your shift supervisor.
Block of days off
Rest period
After the night shift
Shift swap
Bedroom first
Predictable costs
Part load with a time window
If you only have a little furniture, you save with a part load: your belongings travel with other jobs. Because the route has several stops, there is a time window rather than a fixed time – so plan a day off in your rota for it.
Three
questions for moving while working shifts
For shift workers, a move raises three questions: on which day off are you moving, when do you sleep before and after, and how do you get from the new flat to the early shift or home after the night shift? Check the new route to work at your real shift times – at five in the morning, buses and trains often run less frequently than during the day. If a new employer takes you to another city, the travel time comes on top – more under Long-distance moves.
Finding the day off
Packing between shifts
Route to work at shift times
Frequently asked questions about moving while working shifts
Fitting the move into your rota
For shift workers, planning a move begins with the rota. Look for a block of two days off and put the move on the first – the second is for catching up on sleep and unpacking. After a night shift there should be at least one full day's break before you carry furniture. Between two shifts you are in any case entitled to a rest period of at least eleven hours (§ 5 ArbZG); this gap is too short for a move.
If no day off fits, ask early for a shift swap. The sooner you know the date, the easier this is – four to six weeks' notice also makes sense for the no-parking zone (Halteverbotszone).
Checking the new route to work at shift times
A route to work that works well during the day can look very different at five in the morning or after midnight. Before the move, check whether buses and trains run for the early and night shifts, and how often. Many cities have night lines, but with longer intervals. If you drive, check whether there are free parking spaces in the street at night.
Drive the route once at your real shift time. How to test the route before signing the tenancy agreement is explained in part 2 of this series.
All prices at a glance
| Size of move | Cost from |
|---|---|
| 1-room flat | €359 |
| 2-room flat | €599 |
| 3-room flat | €915 |
| 4-room flat | €1,324 |
| House/villa | individual quote |
| Long-distance move | €3.90/km |
For a precise calculation, please arrange a free survey.
How your moving price is made up
Your moving price is made up of several components: the volume of belongings, the kilometres driven (from €3.90/km), the floor and whether a lift can be used. A no-parking zone may also be added. We are happy to add furniture assembly or a part load to your move.
Services that protect your rest period
Services that protect your rest period
Whatever cannot be managed between two shifts can be booked individually.
- Move with assembly – No more screwing and lugging, we take care of the assembly.
- Private move – From the cellar to the attic, we pack everything professionally.
- Part load – Sustainable and affordable, our part load makes it possible.
- Company relocation – Your company is moving, we ensure a seamless transition.
- House clearance – We clear flats, cellars and attics professionally.
- Furniture transport – Whether sofa or wardrobe, we get it safely to its destination.
Moving nationwide from Berlin
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive within the city and nationwide. If you are moving to another city for a new job, read more under Long-distance moves; destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview.
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