Moving checklist to check off: 10 steps

Six weeks until the move, boxes aren't ready yet, the cancellation notice has been sent and yet the to-do list seems endless. This is exactly when collecting notes loosely doesn't help, but rather a fixed order. With a clear schedule, the long list becomes a series of manageable decisions that can be checked off step by step.

ThisMoving checklist to tick offseparates the most important stages from scheduling, inventory and formalities to the handover of the apartment. The moving crew, parking solution, cleaning and, if necessary, assembly should be booked early. At the same time, you need to know the scope of the transport, because furniture, cellar contents, address changes and meter readings are organizationally related.

In Switzerland, the topic remains relevant for a large part of the population every year. According toSchweizer Umzugsstatistik des Bundesamts für Statistikmoved in 20239.3% of the population, after 9.5% in 2022, 10.1% in 2021 and 10.3% in 2020. The statistics count people, not households. If a household of four moves, four moves are recorded.

Anyone who would like to go further into the planning will find additional orientation in theUmzugsplanung Checkliste. For practical implementation, you can take the following ten steps directly.

1. Plan the moving date and book a moving company

The date determines almost all further tasks. First check when the new rental agreement begins, until when the old apartment is terminated and whether both apartments can be used in parallel for a transitional period. Also coordinate the date with work, school, care and the availability of helpers.

TIXPI enables direct appointment booking with transparent price calculation, without you having to wait for several offers. Compare different data in theZeitplanung für den Umzugand check whether regional CO2 consolidation is possible. Appropriate transports are bundled together, which, depending on the route, can simplify organization and reduce the final price.

• Set a date:Enter move-in, apartment handover and possible cleaning in a shared calendar.
• Availability check:Ideally book the crew at least2 to 3 weeks in advance, especially for large households or narrow time windows.
• Compare weekday:Tuesday to Thursday are often less popular than weekends or busy month changes.
• Clarify access:Note down floors, elevator, stairwell, access and possible no-parking zones at both addresses.

Practical rule:Don't book just a time, but a complete performance. Dismantling, transport, assembly, disposal and special furniture must be coordinated right from the start.

2. Take inventory and document the scope of the move

A rough estimate such as “an apartment with a lot of furniture” is not enough for reliable planning. Go room by room and note furniture, boxes, appliances and items that need special treatment. Cellars, attic, garage and storage rooms are often forgotten, although they can significantly change the scope of transport.

Use a table or aInventur App. Useful columns are space, object, number, dimensions, impression of weight, need for dismantling and target space. Take photos of furniture and valuable items before packing. The pictures will help you document the condition later and avoid misunderstandings when handing over.

You should measure large furniture. A sofa can fit into the room, but not through the apartment door, the elevator or a tight curve in the stairwell. Share the finished list with TIXPI and use the hints for the question,wie viele Umzugskartons Sie brauchen, in preparation for packing planning.

• Mark furniture:Mark what will be taken away, sold, donated or thrown away.
• Check accessibility:Measure wide pieces of furniture and compare the dimensions with doors, stairs and elevator.
• Record the condition:Photograph sensitive surfaces, screens, glass surfaces and existing ones Signs of wear.
• Note the target room:Each position should be assigned to a room in the new apartment before the move.

3. Clean out the apartment and carry out declamation

Any item that you do not take with you does not have to be carried, stored or set up later. Start with things you rarely use, such as in the basement, attic, or closets. Four to six weeks' notice gives you space to sell, give away or dispose of items properly without being under time pressure on moving day.

Work with four clear categories: keep, sell, donate and dispose of. For example, Anibis, Ricardo or Marketplace are suitable for sales in Switzerland. Furniture and household items in good condition can go to Caritas, the Salvation Army or local organizations. Document sold and delivered items in your inventory list so that transport planning remains up to date.

The cheapest disposal is not automatically the best solution. You shouldn't just put bulky items, electrical appliances and heavy furniture next to the household waste. Please clarify with TIXPI whether furniture disposal can be combined with the move as a separate service. This reduces additional trips and keeps the apartment clear for the handover.

• Make a decision:If you haven't used an item for a long time and don't have a specific purpose for it, don't automatically take it with you.
• Limit sales:Set a clear deadline for yourself. Anything that does not find a buyer by then is donated or disposed of.
• Prepare donations:Clean well-preserved items and arrange acceptance early.
• Disposal bundle:Collect bulky items and electronics separately so that the correct disposal can be organized.

4. Change your address with authorities and institutions

The address should not only be changed when the first invoice is returned to the old apartment. Make a list of all the places that use your address. These include the municipality, health insurance, tax authorities, employers, banks, telecommunications providers and insurance companies. Online shops, streaming services, email accounts and social media profiles also deserve their own checkpoint.

In Switzerland, there is usually a deadline of14 days from the actual move-inFor registering with the new community of residence. The same deadline is given for deregistration from the previous municipality of residence, as theInformationen zur Ummeldung in der Schweizexplain. What is important is the effective move-in date, not just the start of the rental or the handover of the keys.

Sort the reports according to urgency. The community and health insurance face less critical customer accounts. A postal forwarding service creates security during the transition period, but does not replace a direct change of address. TheTIXPI-Checkliste für die Adressänderunghelps to work through the order neatly.

• Authorities first:Register your residence with the new and previous municipality on time.
• Secure payment transactions:Update the bank, credit card provider and billing addresses.
• Inform employers:Enter the new address so that Pay slips and important documents are delivered correctly.
• Check digital accounts:Check saved delivery addresses in shops, apps and subscriptions.

5. Check and adjust insurance policies

A change of residence can change the information in your policy. Check household contents, personal liability and, if necessary, other coverage for the new living situation. Relevant items include, among other things, the new full address with postal code, living space, number of rooms, date of move and the insured amount.

If you change your apartment, the protection provided by household contents insurance generally remains in effect even during the move. According toComparis-Informationen zum Umzug mit HausratversicherungWhen moving between an old and a new apartment, there can often be parallel protection for both apartments, typically for up to two months from the start of the move. This is a helpful temporary solution, but the specific contractual conditions remain crucial.

Do not report the new address until after the first damage. A Swiss insurer recommends notification within 14 days after the moveat the latest and lists the apartment data mentioned as important information, as theCheckliste zur Hausratversicherung in der Schweizshows. Additionally, ask how transport damage, personal contributions from friends and particularly valuable items are treated.

Take photos of furniture and valuables before transport. Factual documentation is more helpful in clarifying damage than a subsequent reminder.

6. Register utilities and change contracts

Electricity, water, gas and internet do not automatically work the way you know them from your old apartment. In Switzerland, responsibilities differ depending on the region and municipality. Therefore, clarify early on which supplier is responsible for the new address and whether you have to register yourself or just report the move in and out.

For the electricity supply, the BKW notification of the move specifies a lead time of 10 days before the move at the latest. The meter reading should be read and documented on site. Keep confirmations, meter numbers and photos together with the handover protocol.

An early comparison on the Internet is worthwhile. Check whether the existing contract is available at the new address, whether moving the connection is sufficient or whether a new appointment is necessary for activation. Only terminate old contracts in compliance with the relevant conditions and have each activation and termination date confirmed in writing.

• Enter new address:Have the full address, apartment details and meter numbers ready.
• Report move-out:Arrange the final reading and photograph the ad.
• Schedule move-in:Place the activation on the Moving day or the following day if the provider allows this.
• Save confirmations:Keep emails, forms and contract numbers digitally and printed out.

7. Have furniture and heavy objects professionally transported or assembled

DIY does not automatically save effort. You need suitable vehicles, enough people to carry them, protective material, time for dismantling and a plan for narrow access. With heavy cupboards, sofas, pianos or sensitive devices, the risk of people being injured or walls and furniture being damaged also increases.

Depending on the booking, a professional crew takes care of dismantling, protection, transport and assembly. Inform TIXPI of the full inventory list and any special requirements. These include very heavy objects, sensitive surfaces, long carrying distances, missing lifts and furniture that has to be assembled directly in the new apartment.

Before the appointment, check whether each large piece of furniture fits through doors, stairs and elevators. If a piece of furniture does not fit through the intended path, the solution must be determined before moving day. This can be disassembly, different access or alternative placement.

• Define disassembly:Decide which furniture you will dismantle yourself and which the crew will do.
• Add assembly:Book the assembly of complex cabinets, beds or shelves when assembly instructions and small parts are complete.
• Understand price:Use a transparent one Price calculation and clarify what services are included.
• Bundle transport:Ask about regional carbon consolidation options if your route is suitable.

8. Inform the broker or landlord and carry out handover inspections

A clean handover does not start on the last evening. Inform your landlord or agent well in advance and make an appointment as soon as the move-out date is set. The apartment delivery should be such that all furniture can be removed, the rooms cleaned and damage can be visibly checked.

Take photos of the empty rooms, floors, walls, windows, kitchen, bathrooms, basement and adjoining rooms. A handover report should contain the condition, defects found, meter readings, keys handed over and other access points such as garage codes. Both parties should sign the protocol and receive a copy.

Ideally plan the handover of the old apartmentOne to two days after the move so that there is still time for cleaning and final checks. Whether renovation work is owed depends on the rental agreement and the circumstances of taking over the apartment. Check the specific agreement instead of painting all rooms across the board.

• Confirm appointment:Record the date, time and people present in writing.
• Keys count:Hand over all apartment, house, cellar, mailbox and garage keys.
• Do the cleaning:Clean yourself according to the agreed requirements or hire a service.
• Address the deposit:Have open points and the further procedure for the deposit documented.

9. Preparing the new apartment and organizing the reception

The new apartment should be ready before the first furniture arrives. If possible, inspect before moving and check windows, locks, heating, electrical outlets and access. Take photos of the empty rooms and note any defects before boxes and furniture obscure the view.

Professional cleaning shortly before moving in is often more efficient than cleaning between individual transport stages. Purchase cleaning supplies, trash bags, tools, tape, and basic supplies in advance. You don't need a fully furnished apartment for the first night, but you do need a clearly accessible area with bed linen, towels, charging cables, toiletries and some food.

Furniture placement should be decided before the crew arrives. Mark target rooms on doors or boxes and have a simple floor plan ready. This means that helpers don't have to ask about each piece of furniture again, and the most important walkways remain clear.

• Secure access:Organize parking spaces or a no-parking solution for the moving vehicle.
• Inform neighbors:A short message about the move reduces surprises in the stairwell.
• Prepare reception:Keep keys, access codes and Contact person ready.
• Keep the first zone clear:Determine an area for tools, cleaning supplies and the first night.

10. Secure valuables and coordinate family and social moving assistance

Valuables do not belong in the moving truck without being checked. You should transport jewelry, cash, passports, important documents, works of art and small electronic devices yourself in sturdy containers or expressly coordinate this with the crew. Make a list beforehand and take photos of delicate items, collectibles and artwork.

Pack a security folder with ID, rental documents, insurance confirmations, keys and important contact information. This folder stays with you and is not stored in a box. Fragile valuables go in appropriate containers, not in half-full shopping bags or unlabeled boxes.

The move also affects people and animals. Ask family and friends well in advance, arrange childcare and bring pets to a quiet, safe place during transport. When a professional crew handles physical transportation, family members can focus on care, guidance and emotional support.

• Separate valuables:Take documents, jewelry, cash and passports in person.
• Protect pets:Plan a locked room or out-of-hustle care.
• Relieve the burden on children:Arrange a trusted caregiver for moving day.
• Coordinate helpers:Inform the tasks, meeting point and time slot early on.
• Plan thanks:Provide food and thank them appropriately for the support.

Comparison of the 10th Moving Checklist Items

Just check it off on the day of the move

The planning should no longer be fundamentally changed on the day of the move. Check in the morning whether the access is clear, the parking is working and everyone involved knows when and where they are needed. Have the security folder, personal valuables, medication, charging cable and a small bag ready separately for the first day.

Before loading, take photos of the condition of the old apartment and read the meter readings. Check every room, basement, attic, mailbox and storage area. Only then will keys and further access be handed over. The new apartment will also be photographed upon arrival, especially if the handover protocol still contains defects or open points.

• Secure personal items:Valuables and important documents remain with you.
• Keep walkways clear:Remove plants, loose carpets and obstacles from the stairwell and rooms.
• Check inventory:Hook boxes and large furniture when unloading.
• Mark target spaces:Assign each item directly to the designated space.
• Document meter readings:Take photos of old and new advertisements with the date visible if possible.
• Confirm handover:Have logs, keys and special agreements sign.

If TIXPI is booked, compare the date, address, contact person and booked services again before the crew arrives. Decide whether disassembly, assembly, furniture disposal or the transport of individual items are included. A short joint check prevents a heavy piece of furniture, a basement compartment or an assembly option from becoming an open problem in the middle of the process.

Swiss statistics show why these follow-up checks are not irrelevant. The 2023 postal relocation study recorded404,868 householdsand624,513 people who changed their address. The average moving distance in 2023 was 13.5 km, as shown by thePost-Umzugsstudie 2023. Many moves remain local or regional, but still involve a dense sequence of handover, transport and notifications to the authorities.

After moving in, the formalities continue. Register the residence with the municipality within the applicable deadline, update insurance and contracts and keep logs and meter readings. If you change canton, you should also check which authorities, insurers and contracts require your own report. According to the available information, internal migration in 2025 took place both within a canton and between cantons, which makes the follow-up treatment different depending on the type of move. The mentioned511,200 internal migrations, of which358,000 within the same cantonand153,200 between Cantons, are documented in theZusammenfassung zur Binnenwanderung in der Schweiz.

A good checklist therefore doesn't end with the last box. It ends when the old apartment is handed over clean, the new place of residence is registered, the insurance coverage is updated and the first night is organized. Do not check off each of these points until you have confirmation, a photo or a signed protocol.

WithTIXPIyou can coordinate your Swiss move with transparent price calculation, scheduling, professional crew and optional furniture assembly. Check your route now, enter your inventory and book the support that suits your move.