Moving: how to keep costs under control
Moving can be quite expensive. Therefore, it’s important to have a rough idea of what the move will cost in advance.
Proper packaging makes moving easier
When moving, it's important to have sturdy moving boxes, tape, and shock-resistant packaging materials (e.g., bubble wrap). The amount needed depends on the size of your household.
- For one- to two-room apartments, expect to spend around 80 to 150 CHF on packaging materials.
- For a four-room apartment, the cost will be around 250 CHF.
Tip: Ask your friends and acquaintances if you can have their old moving boxes. This can help reduce moving costs.
Moving van: organize early
Once your belongings are packed, you'll need a moving van – a small car is only a viable option if the new apartment is no more than two kilometers away from the old one.
An average van rental costs between 200 and 300 CHF per weekday. On weekends, the price tends to be higher. Typically, the cost includes up to 200 kilometers of travel; after that, additional charges apply.
Don’t forget to account for fuel costs. A fully loaded van consumes around 15 liters of gas per 100 kilometers, while an empty one uses about 10 liters.
Moving helpers from the internet
Hiring professional helpers can get pricey if you can’t or don’t want to rely on friends. Online classifieds, such as www.anibis.ch, are a good option. For reference, you can expect to pay between 300 and 500 CHF for 4 hours of assistance from two strong individuals, with all expenses included.
If you don't want to handle the final cleaning yourself, online platforms can help here as well. For a 3.5-room apartment, the costs range from about 300 to 1,000 CHF. Typically, offers from smaller, local providers are more affordable.
What else to include in moving costs
One additional small expense is the debt collection register report, which landlords typically require. The easiest way to get it is through the order form on ImmoScout24. You can conveniently fill out the application on your PC or smartphone, so there's no need to print it or send it by mail. The debt collection register extract will be delivered to your home within two days, and the cost of 29 CHF will be paid via invoice.
Registration at your new address usually costs around 20 CHF.
