Planning a Home Move: Step by Step
Private move
Planning a private move: seven steps with dates
Step by step
A private move can be divided into seven steps. Step one is giving notice: tenants give notice with a three-month period, at the latest on the third working day of a month. Step two is the date – as soon as the move-in is fixed. Step three is the survey with a fixed price, step four is packing and the parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone), which in Berlin must be signposted 72 hours in advance. Step five is moving day itself. Pack room by room and start with the cellar and books.
After that comes step six, the paperwork – registration within two weeks, mail forwarding, the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), vehicle documents – and step seven, unpacking. If you give every step a date, you will not have missed a deadline at the end. What we take care of is described under Private move. A Deutsche Post forwarding order runs for a maximum of six months; you register with the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Update your broadcasting fee details without delay.
Step three: the survey
Fixed price and a fixed date
Call us on 01625978461 as soon as the move-in date is fixed. After a survey or a video call we quote a fixed price and set moving day. The survey is free of charge and without obligation.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
The seven steps at a glance
From the notice letter to the last box
Step one: give notice. Step two: set the date. Step three: survey and fixed price. Step four: sort out, pack, parking restriction. Step five: moving day. Step six: registration, mail forwarding and address changes. Step seven: unpack and settle in. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and, for a private move, take care of steps three to five, and packing too on request. We are liable for your household goods under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre; for very valuable items additional insurance is available.
Step 1: Give notice
Step 3: Fixed price
Step 4: Parking restriction
Step 6: Register
What is due in which week
The seven steps are spread over around three months. These six stages show what is due when during a private move – with the deadlines you cannot postpone.
Three months before
Six weeks before
Three weeks before
In moving week
On moving day
Two weeks after
One step fewer: a shared load
Before,
on the day, afterwards
The seven steps can be grouped into three phases: preparation, moving day and paperwork. How to organise moving day itself with roles and a room plan is described in the article Organising a private move. If you are leaving the city, you will find advice under long-distance moves. And which mistakes cost the most money – from a missed notice date to reporting damage too late – is covered in the article on typical moving mistakes.
Preparation
Moving day
Paperwork and unpacking
Questions about planning a private move
The process of your home move: step by step
After giving notice and choosing the date comes the survey: we record furniture, number of boxes, floor, lift and access and then quote a fixed price. In the weeks before, you or we pack, and the parking restriction zone is applied for and set up.
On moving day we dismantle the furniture, load, drive and reassemble it in the new flat. Then it is your turn: registration within two weeks, mail forwarding, address changes – and then unpacking. If you give each of these steps a date and note the deadlines in your calendar, you will have nothing to catch up on at the end.
Costs and practical tips for your home move
The costs depend on volume, floor, lift, carrying distances and distance. Sorting out before the survey takes place lowers the price the most; being flexible with the date gives you more choice at the end of the month.
Plan for tax too: for privately arranged moves, 20% of the labour costs, up to €4,000 a year, reduce your income tax (§ 35a EStG). For this you need an invoice and a bank transfer, not cash payment. Another tip: pack more small boxes rather than a few large ones, and stick the room number on two sides. That saves time when unloading, and therefore money.
Moving rates at a glance
- 1-room flat → from €359
- 2-room flat → from €579
- 3-room flat → from €889
- 4-room flat → from €1,299
- House/villa → individual quote
- Long-distance move → from €4.25/km
Our team will be happy to advise you in person – arrange a free survey.
Moving price: five decisive measures
The price of your move is made up of volume, distance (€4.25/km), floor, lift and, where applicable, a parking restriction zone. In addition, we offer furniture assembly and a shared load.
How we support you
How we support you
You can book these services for individual steps.
- Move with assembly - Practical skill for perfect furniture assembly.
- Office move - Professional logistics for offices and companies of any size.
- Shared load - Sustainable and affordable, our shared load makes it possible.
- Furniture transport - We secure your furniture professionally for transport.
- Private move - Personal, reliable and on time - this is how we shape your move.
- House clearance - Sustainable disposal and recycling of your unwanted items.
Moves to other cities
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and also plan long-distance moves. More under Long-distance moves, and places with their own pages in the locations overview. Travel to you is included in the fixed price.
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