What happens if the move has to be postponed because of ice?

If extreme ice puts safety at risk, we agree a later start or a new date with you. We will call you in good time so that you can adjust the key handover and the parking restriction. Your goods are covered by liability under the HGB (€620 per m³).

How do I protect electronic devices from the cold during a move?

After transport, electronic devices should only be switched on once they have reached room temperature – usually after a few hours, longer for large devices. Leave them in their packaging while they warm up so that no condensation forms on the components. That way your devices keep working even after a winter move .

Are plants at risk during a move in winter?

Yes, many houseplants are sensitive to cold and should be transported briefly and well wrapped. We recommend loading plants only shortly before departure and unpacking them immediately on arrival. With our private move service we pay particular attention to temperature-sensitive goods.

How do I plan a long-distance move when the winter weather is uncertain?

For a long-distance move in winter, you should plan generous time buffers for possible road closures or delays. Check the weather warnings along the route beforehand; if necessary, we agree the departure time and route with you. This way your fixed-price move can be planned well even in winter weather.

What clothing should helpers wear on a winter move?

Warm, waterproof clothing and non-slip shoes with good tread are essential on a winter move . Gloves should allow freedom of movement for safe carrying without reducing grip. This applies to everyone who helps with the carrying – including friends and acquaintances who lend a hand on moving day.

How do I protect floors from snow and grit during the move?

Lay non-slip floor protection film or runners to protect floors from moisture, snow and chippings. Parquet and laminate in particular benefit from additional covering in the entrance area. Mention floor protection during the survey and it will be firmly planned into your winter move .

Can I change my moving date at short notice because of a weather warning?

Yes, contact us as early as possible if an official severe weather warning is issued. Together we will find a new date and adjust the parking restriction and schedule. We will clarify with you in advance what a postponement costs in your individual case.

How does a part load work safely in winter?

For a part load in winter we pack your furniture especially carefully against moisture and cold, as the transport often takes longer. We also coordinate the route with other jobs to minimise waiting times outdoors. That way your goods stay protected even at low temperatures.

What should I bear in mind with pets during a winter move?

During the move, pets should be kept in a warm, quiet place, away from open doors and the cold. Short spells outdoors should be well insulated and supervised. Our team makes sure that doors and gates are left open for as short a time as possible during furniture transport.

How do I store Christmas decorations safely during the move?

Delicate Christmas decorations such as glass baubles should be wrapped individually in tissue paper and stored in sturdy, labelled boxes. We also recommend bubble wrap for particularly fragile pieces. With our private move service we transport such items especially carefully and label the boxes clearly.

Do you also travel to other regions in winter?

Yes. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and also handle moves to other federal states in winter. Snow conditions, daylight and the authority responsible for parking restrictions differ by region – we plan for this at the destination too. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview .

MAKE USE OF DAYLIGHT

Short Winter Days: Timing and Lighting for Moving Day

Less than eight hours of daylight in December: how to time your moving day and make sure there is light in the stairwell.

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PLAN YOUR MOVE IN DAYLIGHT

Short winter days

Moving with the daylight

Start early, load in the light

Unsere Firma Sunrise, sunset and lamps: how to plan loading, driving and setting up on the shortest days of the year.

Around the winter solstice Berlin has only a good seven and a half hours of daylight: the sun rises at around 8:15 and sets just before 4 pm. For a winter move this means scheduling the heavy work in those hours. At Beste Umzug Unternehmen we plan the start so that loading begins with the first light. We give you the fixed price after the survey so that you know where you stand beforehand.

It is often not the street that is dark but the building: stairwell lights on a short timer, cellar corridors without a lamp, a new flat where the previous tenant has removed all the light fittings. Check in advance whether the electricity in the new flat has been registered, and have light bulbs, a battery lamp and torches ready. We will go through the details of your private move during the survey. Your goods are covered by liability under the HGB.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

50,-DISCOUNT

EARLY START

PERSONAL ADVICE

Moving day with an early start

Fixed price after a survey, schedule with a buffer

In winter every hour of daylight counts. Call us on 01625978461: we plan the start of your move so that loading and driving fall into daylight as far as possible, and give you a fixed price after the survey. Buffer time for icy conditions is included.

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

Two movers in red T-shirts lift a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

WELL TIMED

How we make use of the daylight hours

A schedule, not chance

On short winter days, the schedule decides whether a move is relaxed. We start early, load the heavy furniture first while it is light and keep boxes and small items for dusk. During the survey we check how well lit the stairwell and courtyard are. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and operate nationwide. We give you the fixed price after the survey; your goods are covered by liability under the HGB.

Packing service

If everything is packed the evening before, loading can begin with the first light – with our packing service you gain valuable hours on a short winter day.

Office move

For an office move we often schedule the carrying for the morning and setting up workstations in the lit rooms for the afternoon.

Senior moves

For a senior move, the move should be finished before dark: bed, lamps and armchair are set up first so that the evening is calm.

Furniture transport

We carry wardrobes and sofas over stairs and pavements in daylight; in the dark, the risk on slippery steps rises considerably during furniture transport.

LIGHT & TIME

How we plan short days

Every winter move we do gets a schedule based on the daylight. Heavy items first, lights as a back-up, a buffer for icy conditions – so the day does not become a race against dusk.

Early start

In December it only gets light in Berlin at around 8 am. We start with the first light so that the move is well advanced by dusk.

Heavy items first

We carry heavy and bulky furniture during the daylight hours; boxes and small items follow later. This way the risky routes of the move are done in the light.

Light in the stairwell

If the stairwell timer is too short, ask the property management in advance. A battery lamp on the landing helps with carrying.

Legible labels

Large, dark lettering on two sides of every box: this way room and contents can be found quickly even at dusk – which saves trips during the move.

Buffer included

Ice in the morning can delay the start. We allow some buffer so that your move still gets the most important things done before dark.

Lamps first

In the new flat we fit the lamps first on request. Pack floor lamps and light bulbs within easy reach so that the first evening is bright.

SMALL LOADS IN WINTER

Part load with a time window in daylight

Share load space, cut costs

For a few pieces of furniture or boxes, a part load is an affordable solution. In winter we plan the time window for collection and delivery in daylight where possible, with some buffer in case ice delays the tour.

Open cargo space of a red lorry with wrapped furniture, panels and boxes

SHORT DAYS

Moving
on short days

All about your move

The eighth part of our winter series is about time: between the end of November and mid-January Berlin has barely more than eight hours of daylight. We show you how to time your moving day accordingly, which tasks belong in daylight and how to light the stairwell, courtyard and new flat. If you are planning a long-distance move, you should also time the drive so that unloading does not start late in the evening.

A schedule that follows the light

Early start, heavy items first, a buffer for ice: this way your private move, senior move or student move on a short winter day does not become a race against dusk.

Light in the building and courtyard

With our packing service, careful furniture transport and flexible small transport, the risky routes are done in the light. Battery lamps and head torches help in the cellar, courtyard and stairwell.

Long-distance move and setting up

For an office move or company relocation, setting up happens in the evening in lit rooms. For a part load or furniture taxi we schedule time windows in daylight where possible and plan in a buffer.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

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Two movers in dungarees carry moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about timing and lighting in winter

Answers on daylight, lighting, snow, weather warnings and time buffers.

Check the warnings from the German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst) in the days beforehand and plan in buffer time. Clear pavements and driveways the evening before and in the morning, and have chippings ready. In heavy snowfall we would rather start a little later on cleared paths than in the dark on ice. We give you the fixed price after the survey.

Preparing walkways and ramps for the move

Before every winter move, ramps, driveways and pavements should be cleared of snow and ice, ideally the evening before and again in the morning. Grit with chippings or sand; in Berlin, road salt is prohibited on pavements. Shady spots and steps in particular freeze again overnight.

Put non-slip mats in the entrance and the stairwell. On request we apply for a parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) so that the route to the van stays short.

Short days: timing and lighting

On 21 December the sun rises in Berlin at around 8:15 and sets just before 4 pm. Start early and carry the heavy furniture first. Check the stairwell timer and have battery lamps ready.

Label boxes in large letters on two sides, for example using the colour system in the article Labelling moving boxes.

Starting prices for a winter move

Transparency matters to us. That is why we give clear starting prices: 1-room flat from €354, 2-room flat from €594, 3-room flat from €905 and 4-room flat from €1,309. We calculate larger properties such as houses or villas individually. For a long-distance move, a price per kilometre from €4.10/km applies. The best way to clarify everything is during a free survey.

What makes a move more expensive

A realistic moving price is made up of several components: the volume of your household goods, the distance (from €4.10/km) and structural factors such as the floor and lift. A parking restriction zone may also be necessary. Optional services such as furniture assembly and part load extend the offer.

Services for short winter days

Your benefits with our service

We offer you six strong services that make your move easier.

Furniture transport: From antiques to new furniture - we are flexible.
House clearance: Old furniture and junk? We take care of it.
Private move: We organise your change of home down to the smallest detail.
Move with assembly: A complete service including assembly and dismantling of your furniture.
Company relocation: Business moves require precision - and that is exactly what we offer.
Part load: For smaller transports we offer the clever part-load solution.

From Berlin, nationwide

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and operate nationwide in winter too; on long routes we plan arrival in daylight where possible. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview, routes under Long-distance moves.

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