Price per cubic metre for a move
Moving costs
Price per cubic metre: how moving volume determines the price
Guide
Many moving companies calculate internally by the cubic metre: every piece of furniture and every box takes up a certain amount of space in the lorry, and the total determines how big the vehicle has to be and how many movers carry for how long. Flat market prices per cubic metre circulating online, however, say little about your move, because floor, lift, carrying distances, dismantling and distance change the effort considerably. That is why only a price after a survey or a complete furniture list is reliable.
The cubic metre plays a role elsewhere too: the moving company's statutory liability is based on the load space, under § 451e HGB €620 per cubic metre. So if you know the volume, you also know up to what amount liability applies. You will find our guide prices by number of rooms and the price per kilometre further down; more on cost planning under moving costs Berlin.
Have the volume measured
A survey instead of an estimate, then a fixed price
Call us on 01625978461. During a survey or video call we record furniture, boxes, floor and access and then give you a fixed price. It only changes if you add services later; the survey is free and non-binding. Afterwards you can compare it at your leisure with other quotes – ideally item by item.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
How we record the volume
From cubic metre to fixed price
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and during the survey go through every room, including the cellar, loft and balcony. We note wardrobes, beds, sofas, appliances and the estimated number of boxes, check the floor, lift and the route to the lorry and use this to calculate volume, vehicle and staff. The result is a fixed price with all items. We are liable for your goods under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre; additional insurance is available.
Every room counts
Estimating boxes
Adding the effort
Liability by load space
Six ways to save volume
Every cubic metre less saves space in the lorry and carrying time. These six ways reduce the moving volume even before the survey. Sorting out brings the most, dismantling is the easiest.
Sort out beforehand
Dismantle furniture
Pack boxes full
Don't forget the cellar
Check bulky items
A shared load for the rest
Only a few cubic metres? Shared load
Volume,
effort, fixed price
The cubic metre is only the start of the calculation. Effort and extras are added, and only from these does a fixed price emerge. How to pack boxes to save space is shown in the article Filling moving boxes to save space. If you are only moving a few items, you will find tips under furniture transport; for moves to other cities the route also counts, more on this under long-distance moves. The guide prices by number of rooms on this page help with an initial assessment; only the fixed price after the survey is binding.
Measuring the volume
Assessing the effort
Setting the fixed price
Questions about the price per cubic metre
How the moving volume is measured
The moving volume is made up of all the furniture, appliances and boxes that are to be moved. During a survey or using a complete furniture list, each item is counted with the space it takes up in the lorry; boxes are estimated by metres of shelving and by wardrobes. The total gives the vehicle size and staff.
How many cubic metres a home has depends heavily on its furnishings – two three-room flats can be very differently full. Rules of thumb by number of rooms are therefore only a rough guide. For a binding price, what counts is what you actually have, including the cellar and balcony.
Saving cubic metres: practical tips
The easiest way to lower the price is less volume. Sort things out before the survey: sell, give away or dispose of what you no longer need. Dismantle furniture where possible and pack boxes full so that they stack stably. A flexible date away from the end of the month also makes planning easier.
If only a little is left, a shared load can be cheaper: your goods share the load space with other consignments on the same route. And for privately arranged moves, 20% of the labour costs, up to a maximum of €4,000 a year, reduce your income tax (§ 35a EStG).
All prices, all details
| One-room flat | from €349 |
| Two-room flat | from €605 |
| Three-room flat | from €899 |
| Four-room flat | from €1,299 |
| House or villa | individual quote |
| Long-distance move | from €3.95/km |
The easiest way is a free survey – non-binding and quick.
These factors determine your moving price
Besides the pure volume, the distance travelled plays a big role – here we calculate from €3.95/km. The floor of the flat and the lack of a lift also increase the effort. If a parking restriction zone has to be set up, there are additional costs, as there are for booked furniture assembly or a shared load.
Our range of services
Our range of services
You can add these services to the volume price.
- Move with assembly – no more screwing and hauling, we take care of the assembly.
- Private move – from cellar to loft, we pack everything professionally.
- Shared load – sustainable and affordable, our shared load makes it possible.
- Office move – your company is moving, we ensure a seamless transition.
- House clearance – we professionally clear flats, cellars and lofts.
- Furniture transport – whether sofa or wardrobe, we get it safely to its destination.
Moves from Berlin
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves within Berlin and from Berlin to other cities; we do not have a branch elsewhere. Places with their own pages are shown in the locations overview, and routes from Berlin can be found under long-distance moves.
Related Articles