Moving Guide
Your complete step-by-step guide to a smooth and stress-free move – including checklists, expert tips and practical examples from daily moving business.
How to use this guide
A move consists of many small tasks that can quickly become overwhelming. Our moving guide leads you chronologically from the first idea to your first evening in your new home.
You do not just get theoretical advice, but proven recommendations from daily practice: what really matters, when you should decide what, and where you can save time and money.
We recommend reading the guide once from top to bottom and then using it as a reference – for example by turning the key sections into your personal checklist.
Perfect for DIY and full-service moves
Whether you want to do most of the work yourself or book a complete service – the tips in this guide will support you in both cases.
Realistic timelines
Many tasks take longer than expected. Our timeline is based on real moves that we handle every week – not on theory.
Moving Timeline
Plan your move step by step with our proven schedule. You can use it as a template and adapt it to your personal situation.
8 weeks before moving day
Now you lay the foundation for a relaxed move. The earlier you start, the more flexibility you have with dates and prices.
- Research moving companies, read reviews and request first quotes
- Select your preferred moving date (coordinate with landlord and employer if needed)
- Plan and request vacation days for the move
- First decluttering: sort out basement, attic and storage rooms
- Define an overall budget: how much should the move cost in total?
6 weeks before
Now it's time for contracts and formalities. Many deadlines – for example cancellations – are tied to this period.
- Select a moving company, review the quote and confirm the booking in writing
- Terminate your current rental contract in time and keep written confirmation from your landlord
- Set up mail forwarding with the postal service (recommended for at least 6–12 months)
- Cancel or switch electricity, gas and heating contracts (take and store meter readings)
- Check if you need to arrange no-parking zones for moving day
4 weeks before
The move is becoming real. Now you make sure that everyone who needs to know is informed about your new address.
- Update your address with public authorities, banks, insurance companies, employer and important service providers (e.g. doctors)
- Inform school / kindergarten and organize a school or daycare change if necessary
- Let friends, family and important contacts (e.g. sports club, neighbors) know about your new address
- Coordinate any tradespeople (painters, kitchen fitters, installers) around your move
- Second decluttering round: be strict with clothes, kitchen items and bathroom products
2 weeks before
The hot phase begins: you start packing, preparing and organizing in a structured way. Everything you do now will reduce stress on moving day.
- Buy moving boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and tape
- Start packing: seasonal clothes, books, decorations and rarely used items first
- Sign contracts for your new home (electricity, gas, internet, TV if needed)
- Plan renovation or touch-up work in your old apartment and book tradespeople
- Check access routes at your new home (doors, elevator, staircases, parking)
1 week before
Time for final details: you continue packing and make sure that everyone involved knows exactly what will happen on moving day.
- Confirm all details with your moving company (arrival time, addresses, special items, parking)
- Defrost and clean fridge and freezer in time
- Organize helpers and define tasks – and plan food and drinks for them
- Dispose of remaining bulky waste and household rubbish
- Pack an emergency and first-night box (documents, basics, tools, snacks, drinks, chargers)
Moving day
This is the big day. Your preparation now pays off. Stay reachable, keep an eye on the key points – and let us handle the heavy lifting.
- Get up early, have a proper breakfast and prepare plenty of water and snacks
- Welcome the moving team, define a main contact and walk through the plan together
- Keep valuables, cash, contracts and key documents in a separate bag that stays with you
- After loading: walk through the old apartment once more and take meter photos
- Do the handover with your landlord including a written handover protocol
First 7 days after moving
The move is done – but a few steps are still needed before everything is fully settled and organized.
- Register at your local registration office within the legal deadline
- Document meter readings at your new home and send them to the suppliers
- Set up the essential rooms first (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen)
- Test internet and Wi-Fi and report any issues early
- Introduce yourself to your new neighbours – it makes life easier later on
Moving costs & budget planning
A well-planned move does not have to be a cost trap. With a clear structure you stay on top of your expenses and avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Size of your home and amount of belongings
- Distance between old and new address
- Floors, elevator, carrying distances and special items (piano, safe, heavy cupboards)
- Additional services such as packing, furniture assembly or storage
- Compare at least 2–3 quotes from professional moving companies
- Prefer fixed prices if the scope of services is clearly defined
- Include deposits, renovation costs and new furniture in your overall planning
- Plan a buffer of around 10–15% for unexpected expenses
- Book early – especially for popular moving dates
- Declutter consistently – less volume means lower costs
- Weekday moves are often cheaper than weekends
- Clarify if your employer contributes to job-related relocations
Packing tips
Professional tips for efficient and safe packing – so that everything arrives at your new home in one piece and in the right room.
Moving with children & pets
A move is not only about logistics – it is also about emotions. With the right preparation, the change can be much easier for children and animals.
- Explain the move early on in an age-appropriate way and answer questions calmly.
- Let children help pack their own things – they can decorate and label their boxes.
- Organize childcare on moving day so kids are not in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
- Set up the children's room early in the new home – it gives a sense of safety.
- Keep pets away from the noise – ideally with friends, family or in a quiet room during loading.
- Take favourite blankets, beds and toys – familiar smells help them feel safe in the new home.
- For cats: set up a "safe room" first and slowly allow them to explore the rest of the home.
- Update your pet's address and registrations and look for a new vet in your area.
Typical moving mistakes
From our daily work we know the most common pitfalls. If you avoid these, you save nerves, time and money.
Last-minute moves are possible, but often more stressful and expensive. Start planning as soon as you know that you will move – even if some details are not final yet.
"We don't have that much" – a sentence we hear very often. The more accurate your information, the more realistic your quote. When in doubt, plan some extra volume instead of too little.
Unlabeled boxes make unpacking much harder. Clear room labels and short notes about contents (e.g. "Bathroom – towels") help everyone – especially if helpers carry boxes into the right rooms.
Important documents
These documents should always stay with you and be transported securely – ideally in a separate bag that does not end up in the moving truck.
- ID card / passport
- Birth certificates (for all family members)
- Marriage certificate or family record
- School and work certificates, important diplomas
- Driving licence and vehicle registration documents
- Rental contracts (old and new) and handover protocols
- Insurance policies (liability, household contents, moving insurance if applicable)
- Bank documents, loan contracts and important account information
- Employment contract and recent payslips (often needed for landlords)
- Health insurance cards and important medical records
Frequently asked questions
These are questions we hear very often. Here are our answers – short, clear and based on everyday experience.
Ideally 6–8 weeks before your desired moving date. For very popular dates (end of month, school holidays, Saturdays) it pays off to get in touch even earlier. Of course, we also try to help with short-notice moves whenever possible.
Professional moving companies usually have a basic legal liability. However, this is limited by law. For particularly valuable items we recommend additional transport insurance or an individual agreement. We are happy to advise you on this.
If you are very busy, have a large household or own many fragile items (glass, art, electronics), a packing service can be a huge relief. Our team knows exactly how to pack things safely – this significantly reduces the risk of damage.
Absolutely. Many customers prefer a mixed approach: they pack themselves and let us take care of transport, carrying furniture and assembly. In a free consultation, we discuss which combination fits your budget and your schedule best.
Ready for a stress-free move?
We combine experienced moving professionals with modern planning tools. You decide how much you want to do yourself – we take care of the rest. Get your non-binding quote now.