When should I book my move?

Ideally, book your move with a moving company 6–8 weeks in advance, especially for a long-distance move . That way you secure your preferred date and enough time for planning. Short-notice bookings are possible, but often come with less flexibility on dates.

What does a move to your first flat of your own cost?

The costs depend on the size of the flat, the distance and additional services. Thanks to our fixed price model, you know exactly what to expect from the outset – with no hidden fees. For an individual quote, simply call us on 01625978461 and you will receive a transparent overview of the costs.

Are my possessions insured during the move?

Yes. Under the HGB the moving company is liable for damage to household goods, limited to €620 per cubic metre of loading space required (§ 451e HGB); this is how your household goods are covered with us. Additional insurance is possible for valuable items. Your own home contents insurance for the new flat is separate from this and is also worth looking into.

How do I register my new address after the move?

Within two weeks of moving in you must register with the registration office, in Berlin at the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) (§ 17 BMG). Bring your identity card and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from your landlord (§ 19 BMG). This registration of your new address is the basis for many further steps after moving into your first home , such as registering for the broadcasting fee.

What belongs in a handover report?

A handover report should document the condition of all rooms, the meter readings and any defects. Photos are particularly helpful as evidence. As a first-time mover, this protects you from later disputes with the landlord regarding the deposit and any damage.

How long does a typical private move take?

A private move for a two- to three-room flat often takes four to eight hours, depending on the floor, carrying distance, distance travelled and amount of furniture. Small first flats are usually quicker, especially if everything is packed. You receive a realistic time estimate during the survey together with the fixed price.

What is a part load and when is it worth it?

With a part load , your household goods are carried in one vehicle together with other transports, which is particularly cost-effective for smaller quantities. This option is ideal for first-time movers with few household goods or for students who want an inexpensive yet professional move.

Do I have to dismantle and reassemble my furniture myself?

No, on request our team takes care of the complete dismantling and reassembly of furniture as part of the moving service. This saves time and spares your back. Especially with bulky or heavy pieces of furniture, this professional support is advisable to avoid damage to furniture and walls.

How does a long-distance move to another city work?

For a long-distance move we plan the route, driving times and, if necessary, interim storage. We are based in Berlin and travel nationwide; for destinations with their own page, see the locations overview . With a first flat in another city, also expect registration and contracts to be set up anew there.

Which documents do I need to register at the registration office?

To register, you need your identity card or passport as well as the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from your landlord. This confirmation has been required by law since 2015. Without these documents, registering your new address after moving into your first home is not possible, so you should request it from your landlord early on.

How do I avoid hidden costs when moving?

Look for a transparent fixed-price quote without hourly billing that includes all services such as transport, dismantling and reassembly as well as insurance. Reputable moving companies provide you with a clear breakdown of costs in advance. Ask specifically about additional costs for parking restriction zones or bulky items to avoid nasty surprises.

RUNNING COSTS

Service Charges Deposit, Contracts: What Your First Flat Costs Each Month

Service charge advance payments, deposit, electricity, internet and broadcasting fee: what first-time movers should budget for each month – and what is a one-off cost.

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BUDGET BEFORE MOVING IN

First flat

Rent including heating is not everything: the costs of your first flat

Fully calculated

Unsere Firma Running costs of your first flat: net rent, operating costs, heating, electricity, internet, broadcasting fee and deposit.

As first-time movers, many people only look at the rent in the advert. On top of that, however, come the service charge advance payment for water, refuse collection, building cleaning or heating, the instalment for electricity, the internet contract and the broadcasting fee, which is charged once per household. One-off costs include the deposit, furniture and the move itself. For the move, we quote a fixed price after the survey, so that at least this item is settled – details under Private move.

Our team takes care of dismantling and reassembling your furniture as well as the transport; your household goods are covered under the German Commercial Code (HGB), and additional insurance is available on request. We advise you on the number of boxes, scheduling and parking restriction zones. Plan the contracts in parallel: if you use electricity in your new flat without taking out a contract, you end up on the local supplier's basic supply tariff. Whether it is a move within the city or a long-distance move – we operate from Berlin.

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50,-DISCOUNT

PLAN YOUR COSTS

PERSONAL ADVICE

A fixed item in your starting budget

Fixed price after a survey

Call us on 01625978461: we discuss the date, the number of boxes and the route, and arrange a survey. After that you receive a fixed price – a firm figure you can use to plan your starting budget.

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

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NO SURPRISES

A moving price that is settled

Predictable from day one

Your first flat of your own brings bills that did not exist in your parents' home or in a shared flat: electricity instalments, service charge advance payments, the broadcasting fee, the deposit. That is why there should be no surprises with the move itself. After the survey we quote a fixed price that no longer changes as long as the scope of services stays the same. Your household goods are covered under the HGB, with additional insurance on request. We are based in Berlin, Stromstraße 21, and travel nationwide.

Fixed price

After the survey the price of the move is settled – one less item fluctuating in your starting budget alongside the deposit and first rent, with a private move.

Small quantities

For few household goods, a part load or small-load transport is often enough. That leaves more money for the deposit and your first purchases.

Meter readings

On moving day, note the electricity, water and heating meter readings with a photo. That way you later only pay for what you used yourself – important for the first statement.

No-parking zone

In Berlin we apply for the zone at the district office (Bezirksamt) on request; the signs must be in place 72 hours beforehand. Ask about it before the fixed price is set.

MONTH BY MONTH

These are the costs you can expect

Six items determine what your first flat really costs. Add them all up before you sign the tenancy agreement.

Net rent

The basic rent alone, without service charges and heating. It is also the basis for the deposit – at most three months' rent excluding operating costs (§ 551 BGB).

Operating costs

Monthly advance payment for water, refuse collection, building cleaning, property tax and more. Settled once a year, with either an additional payment or a credit.

Heating and hot water

Usually included in the advance payment; with gas heating in your own flat you pay the supplier directly. Ask which applies before signing the contract.

Electricity

You take out an electricity contract yourself. Without a contract you end up on the local supplier's basic supply tariff, which is often more expensive.

Internet and broadcasting fee

Order your internet connection early. The broadcasting fee is charged once per household – in your first flat of your own, you register yourself.

One-off starting costs

Deposit (payable in three monthly instalments), the move, furniture and kitchen appliances. With a fixed price for the move, at least this item is settled.

CUT STARTING COSTS

A part load protects your starting budget

Small move, small price

A part load keeps the starting costs of your first flat low when the deposit and first instalments are already putting a strain on your account. Your household goods travel on a trip that is taking place anyway; instead of a fixed day, there is a delivery window. This is worthwhile for single pieces of furniture and boxes – for example from your parents' home or a room in a shared flat to your first rented flat of your own.

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GUIDE SERIES

Calculating
before moving in

Rent, service charges, contracts

This part of the guide series for first-time movers is about the running costs of your first flat of your own: what is included in the service charge advance payment, when does the first statement arrive, how high may the deposit be, and which contracts – electricity, internet, broadcasting fee – do you have to take out yourself? If you calculate this in advance, you will not get a nasty surprise after moving in. If you are moving to another city, you will find tips under Long-distance move.

Understanding service charges

Which operating costs may be passed on is governed by the Operating Costs Ordinance (Betriebskostenverordnung). For first-time movers the key point is: the advance payment is an estimate – after the private move or student move comes the statement.

Deposit and starting costs

The deposit, furniture transport, first furniture and perhaps a packing service all fall due in the same month. You may pay the deposit in three monthly instalments; a small-load transport keeps moving costs low.

Taking out contracts yourself

From now on, electricity, internet and the broadcasting fee are in your name. Register them in good time – whether you move in with a part load, a furniture taxi or a complete move. Note the meter readings on the first day.

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MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the costs and contracts of your first flat

Answers on the deposit, service charges, handover report, registering your address, moving duration and hidden costs.

For a typical one- to two-room flat you should reckon with about 20–30 moving boxes. The exact number depends on your household. Our moving company is happy to advise you individually and can also provide sturdy boxes and packing material if needed, so that your private move gets off to a well-prepared start.

Checklist: costs and contracts before moving in

Good preparation is the key to a relaxed move into your first home. Before signing the tenancy agreement, add up all the items: net rent, service charge advance payment, electricity, internet and broadcasting fee. Then come the appointments: registering your new address, changes of address and hiring a moving company.

Order electricity and internet for the new address in good time – how to do this is explained in the article Transferring electricity, gas and internet. On moving-in day, note all meter readings with a photo.

Estimating service charges and the deposit correctly

Many first-time movers underestimate the actual monthly costs of a flat of their own. The service charge advance payment is only an instalment: once a year the landlord issues a statement, no later than twelve months after the end of the billing period (§ 556 BGB) – with either an additional payment or a credit. The deposit is at most three months' net rent and may be paid in three monthly instalments (§ 551 BGB).

Also factor in the cost of your private move and get a quote early. After the survey you receive a fixed price and therefore a fixed item in your starting budget.

How we calculate your moving price

Our pricing is easy to understand: a 1-room flat costs from €354, a 2-room flat from €594. For a 3-room flat we charge from €899, for a 4-room flat from €1,299. For houses and villas we always prepare an individual quote, as size and scope can vary greatly. We charge long-distance moves from €3.85 per kilometre. It is best to get advice during a free survey.

What you should know about moving costs

The price depends primarily on the volume and the distance (from €3.85/km). But the floor and lift as well as a necessary parking restriction zone also have an effect. If you need additional furniture assembly or a part load, you should state this in advance.

Services that make your starting budget predictable

Every service can be chosen individually and is listed with its price in the quote.

Move with assembly: Move with assembly – we reassemble everything.

Part load: Part load – for smaller transports.

Office move: Office move – without interrupting business.

Furniture transport: Furniture transport – safe and careful.

House clearance: House clearance – fast and thorough.

Private move: Private move – with personal support.

Your first flat in another city

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and also travel nationwide – for private and business customers alike. When moving to another city, travel costs are added; more on this under Long-distance moves. Destinations with their own page are shown in the locations overview.

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Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 17, 2026

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