A move can be more expensive than expected if not all hidden costs & additional expenses be taken into account. Whether you move yourself or hire a moving company – Good budget planning helps to avoid financial surprisesIn this article you will learn What costs arise when moving and how to optimally plan your budget.
1. Basic moving costs
📦 1. Rent & deposit for the new apartment
✅ Deposit (usually 2-3 months' rent) as security for the landlord.
✅ If necessary, Brokerage commission or processing fees.
✅ First month's rent often due before moving in.
🚛 2. Transport & moving services
✅ Hire a moving company (Costs depend on apartment size & distance).
✅ Alternatively: Rental vans & private helpers organize.
✅ If necessary: Apply for a no-parking zoneto avoid fines or delays.
🔧 3. Renovation & Repairs
✅ If required by the rental agreement, Walls painted & minor damage repaired become.
✅ If the new apartment is unrenovated, Costs for painting and flooring arise.
💡 Tip: A budget plan with all cost items helps to avoid financial bottlenecks!
2. Moving with a moving company vs. moving yourself – cost comparison
🏢 Moving with a moving company
💰 Costs: €800–€3,000 (depending on apartment size & distance).
✅ Services include:
✔ Transport vehicle & driver
✔ Carrying aid for heavy furniture
✔ Insurance coverage for damages
✔ (Optional) Furniture assembly & packing service
🚨 Additional costs:
🔸 Furniture lift for narrow staircases: +100–300 €
🔸 Packing service: +200–500 €
🔸 No-parking zone: +50–150 €
🚚 Move yourself with a rental van
💰 Costs: €200–600
✅ Typical costs:
✔ Rental van (~50–150 €/day)
✔ Gasoline costs (~20–50 €)
✔ Moving boxes & packing materials (~50–100 €)
✔ Moving helpers (friends or paid helpers: ~10–20 €/hour)
🚨 Additional costs:
🔸 No-parking zone: +50–150 €
🔸 Furniture assembly: +100-300 €
🔸 Parking fees or fines: +30–100 €
💡 Tip: For small apartments, it is often worthwhile to move yourself, for large households a moving company is often more practical!
3. Plan for hidden costs when moving
📜 1. Change of registration & administrative fees
✅ Change of address at the residents’ registration office (fees apply in some cities).
✅ New electricity, gas & internet contracts – possible connection fees.
✅ Forwarding order from the post office (~20–30 €).
🔧 2. New furniture & household appliances
✅ If the new apartment is larger, new furniture may be necessary.
✅ Costs for basics like Bed, couch, dining table & wardrobe not to be underestimated.
🚪 3. Copy door locks & keys
✅ If necessary, Install new door locks (~50–200 €).
✅ Have additional keys made for roommates or family (~5–20 € per key).
💡 Tip: Every little item adds up – so calculate all possible costs beforehand!
4. Savings & budget tips for moving
💰 1. Plan early & compare offers
✅ Book removal companies or transporters in good time to Avoid last-minute surcharges.
✅ Price comparisons between different providers can be up to Save 30%.
📦 2. Use free boxes and packaging materials
✅ Many supermarkets & classifieds offer free moving boxes to.
✅ Towels, blankets & newspaper as Alternative to bubble wrap to use.
🚛 3. Plan your move on a convenient day
✅ Moving during the week is often cheaper than on the weekend.
✅ The middle of the month is usually cheaper than the beginning or end of the month.
💡 Tip: With clever planning and a little flexibility, moving costs can be reduced considerably!
5. Avoid common mistakes in budget planning
❌ Do not include deposit and rental costs → Solution: Set aside money for bail early or find out about bail bonds.
❌ Forgetting to plan for re-registration and administrative costs → Solution: Make address changes in advance & check fees.
❌ Buying too many new furniture and boxes → Solution: Use used furniture & free moving boxes.
❌ No cost reserve for unforeseen expenses → Solution: Plan at least 10–20% of the budget as an emergency buffer.
💡 Tip: With a detailed cost list, financial surprises can be avoided!
6. Checklist for optimal moving budget planning
📌 Before the move:
✅ Compare offers from moving companies or transporters.
✅ Plan for the rental deposit and additional costs for the new apartment.
✅ Re-register and conclude new contracts early.
📦 During the move:
✅ Organize moving helpers & distribute tasks.
✅ If necessary, reserve parking zones for the van.
✅ Obtain packaging material as cheaply or free as possible.
🏡 After the move:
✅ Demand return of the deposit from the old apartment.
✅ If tax deductible: collect receipts and invoices.
✅ Update your new address with banks, insurance companies & authorities.
💡 Tip: A precise cost overview helps you plan your move financially!
Conclusion: How to plan your moving budget efficiently
✔ Consider all cost points & hidden expenses
✔ Weighing up self-moving vs. moving company – depending on budget & effort
✔ Use comparison portals & minimize costs through clever planning
✔ Use free alternatives for boxes and packaging materials
🚛 Are you planning a move and want to calculate your budget optimally? Praktik Transport offers transparent prices and individual solutions for a stress-free & cost-effective move! Get a non-binding offer now! 💰📦✨
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