A clearing out of an flat often happens unexpectedly – after a death, during a move to a retirement home or after a separation. In Switzerland, this is frequently done under strong time pressure, for example when the lease has already been terminated and the handover of the keys is planned in a few weeks. This article shows you how to approach the process in a structured way, which scope of services to clarify and what to pay attention to in a clearance offer. Non-binding guideline values are available on the page Flat clearance costs.
Flat clearance in brief: process and preparation
Whether it concerns an inheritance after the death of a loved one, moving from one's own home to a care facility or the dissolution of a “messiah” type housing – professional clearance saves time, nerves and often also money. In Switzerland, many specialist companies take care of the entire process: from sorting to transport to cleanliness.
The comparison platform is not a clearance company, but a neutral comparison platform. We connect customers with local, verified clearance companies across Switzerland – without offering services ourselves.
Here's how it works: in less than 5 minutes, you fill out a short inquiry form. You will then receive up to 5 offers from clearance companies in your region – whether in Zurich, Bern, Basel, St. Gallen or elsewhere. The service is 100% free and non-binding for you as a user. You decide for yourself whether and with which provider you want to collaborate.
Your advantages at a glance:
Several offers for comparison direct
Time saving thanks to a bulk request
Regional service providers with local experience
More transparency on prices and services
No obligation to choose a service provider – you retain control
What do we mean by a flat clearance?
Flat clearance refers to the systematic emptying of an flat or house. All objects – from furniture to household furnishings to personal effects – are sorted, transported and, depending on their condition, disposed of, donated or sold. As an option, a clearance also includes cleaning and timely handover to the lessor or new owners.
The typical occasions for clearing out an flat in Switzerland are varied: the death of a loved one with dissolution of the household, entry into a retirement home or care establishment (for example when an 80-year-old person leaves their home), divorce with dissolution of the common household, expatriation or forced eviction after prosecution.
In such situations, several parties are often involved in Switzerland: heirs, lessor, property administration or, in the case of inheritance, the inheritance authority. A professional clearance therefore includes not only simple emptying, but also planning, insurance cover, compliance with municipal disposal regulations and timely delivery.
Essential services of a standard clearance :
On-site visit to estimate the effort
Sorting of household furniture and furniture
Proper disposal of bulky items and special waste
Transport with vehicles adapted
Restoration of cleanliness or complete move-out cleaning
Documented handover to the administration or owner
Typical work steps for a professional flat clearance
The process for a professional flat clearance follows a proven pattern in Switzerland, which can vary slightly depending on the service provider. At the beginning is the first visit: a contact from the clearance company personally visits the premises to assess the size, condition and special effort. On this basis, the company draws up a detailed offer.
After confirmation of the mandate, the actual work begins. The clearance team first sorts all the items: what is reusable is separated, personal effects are given to the client, the rest is prepared for disposal. Larger pieces of furniture such as wardrobes, beds or fitted kitchens are professionally dismantled and removed from the flat.
Transport takes place with suitable vehicles – for a 3.5 room flat with cellar in Zurich-Wiedikon for example with a medium-sized truck, for a larger 4.5 room flat in Winterthur possibly in several trips. Disposal takes place via municipal processing centers, recycling centers or specialist partners for electronic waste and special waste.
Depending on the agreement, follows the cleaning of the flat – either in a basic state of cleanliness or as a professional move-out cleaning with guarantee of acceptance. Serious companies document the condition before and after the clearance with photos and, if necessary, draw up a handover protocol for the administration or the owner. Thus, the processing is complete and the handover can take place.
For whom is an flat clearance particularly relevant?
The target groups for professional clearance are varied. What they often have in common: they are under time pressure, are in an emotionally difficult situation or simply do not have the ability to do everything themselves.
Typical situations :
Communities of heirs after a death: The estate must be liquidated quickly, for example a 2-room flat in Bern with the keys handed over before the end of the months.
Moving to a retirement home or care establishment: The children organize the clearance of the parental home, while the person is already living in the new home.
Landlors and administrations: After a lease termination, the property must be prepared for new tenants.
Prosecution offices: In the event of forced evictions after eviction title definitive.
People with a tight deadline: For example when moving abroad or c short-term job change in another canton.
Dissolution of “messiah” type accommodation: Here, specialized experience and often also discretion are required.
Especially in emotionally difficult situations – whether death, separation or neglected housing – outsourcing work to professionals can provide psychological relief. The team takes care of the work, while you can focus on other important things.
Scope of services: what does an flat clearance include?
The scope of services for an flat clearance varies greatly in Switzerland – depending on the company, the offer and individual needs. Some providers limit themselves to pure clearance, others offer complete packages including move-out cleaning, handover and even value deduction.
If you submit a request via the comparison platform, you should indicate the desired services as precisely as possible in the form. Does the cellar need to be cleared? Do you want a move-out cleaning? Does the fitted kitchen need to be dismantled? The more precise your instructions are, the more suitable the offers will be.
Removal and dismantling of & household furniture
Professional removal of furniture and household items is part of the core business of any clearance company. This includes furniture such as wardrobes, beds, sofas and tables, but also household appliances (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher), carpets, curtains, lamps and all personal effects.
Disassembly is often an essential part of the job. Practical examples: an equipped kitchen in a 3-room flat in Lucerne, a large wardrobe on the 4th floor without an elevator in Geneva or wall shelves fixed in an old building in Basel. The service providers usually bring everything necessary - packaging material such as blankets and stretch film, carrying straps and of course transport vehicles.
For special challenges such as narrow staircases, attic apartments or very heavy objects such as a piano, a safe or large aquariums, additional efforts often arise for furniture lifts or specialist teams. In cities with a complicated parking situation – such as Zurich or Lausanne – additional organization and permits for stopping areas are necessary.
Typical objects during clearance :
Upholstered furniture and mattresses
Wooden furniture and cabinets
Electrical appliances of all kinds
Textiles such as curtains and carpets
Lamps and decorative objects
Office furniture for use rooms mixed
Sorting, separating and recycling objects
An important aspect of professional clearance is sorting and separation. Reusable items – for example a solid wood dining table, a like-new refrigerator or a designer lamp – are separated from waste and bulky items. Many Swiss clearance companies offer a value deduction: the estimated resale value is deducted from the clearance costs.
Donation to a second-hand store: Furniture in good condition often finds new owners in Zurich, Basel or Lausanne.
Transmission to libraries: Books in good condition are gladly accepted.
Social establishments: Care beds or wheelchairs can go to organizations help.
Sale of valuables: Antique furniture or collectibles are processed separately.
This approach not only makes economic sense, but also ecologically: the quantity of waste is reduced, reuse and recycling are encouraged and cantonal regulations are respected.
Disposal of bulky items, electronic waste & special waste
Proper disposal is a central element of any flat clearance. In Switzerland, there are clear rules on how to dispose of certain materials – and responsibility lies with the person responsible.
Disposal routes in Switzerland :
Communal processing centers: For example Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich for bulky waste and objects household
Recycling centers: For metals, glass, paper and cardboard
Electronic waste collection points: Televisions, computers, refrigerators – often with take-back system in the trade
Special waste collection points: Paints, chemicals, batteries, medicines
Disposal fees differ considerably depending on the canton and municipality. What is free in Zurich can be paid for in Vaud or Ticino. Proper disposal protects the environment, avoids fines for illegal disposal and guarantees safety – especially for electrical appliances with refrigerants or batteries.
Cleaning the flat after clearing out
After clearing, cleaning follows. In Switzerland, a distinction is made between "basically clean" and a professional move-out cleaning with guarantee of acceptance. For basic cleanliness, only rough cleaning is carried out – floors swept, visible dirt removed. For most rentals, however, this is not enough.
A professional move-out cleaning typically includes:
Kitchen fronts, oven and refrigerator
Sanitary installations (WC, shower, bathtub, sink)
Windows and blinds
All floor coverings
Doors and frames
Many clearance companies collaborate with specialist cleaning companies and offer combined offers. A concrete example: for a 3.5 room flat in Lausanne, the clearance including move-out cleaning was booked, and a representative of the company participated in the official handover of the flat with the administration. If you want a move-out cleaning with guarantee of acceptance, please indicate this in the request form.
Handover of the flat to the lessor or buyer
The last step in clearing out an flat is the handover. Depending on the agreement, the flat is returned to basic cleanliness or completely ready for acceptance to the landlord, the administration or the new owners.
Some providers offer to be present during the official handover of the flat – a service that is particularly appreciated in cantons like Zurich or Basel-Stadt. They are familiar with the usual defect protocols and can respond directly in case of uncertainties.
For condominium apartments, handover is often done to buyers or real estate agents, including handing over keys and a short protocol. Important: don't forget to include cellars, attics and possible garages in the acceptance - they are often forgotten and then lead to additional requests. For sorting and disposal in ancillary rooms, see Clearing cellar, attic and garage.
Factors influencing a clearance offer
In Switzerland, there are no uniform flat-rate prices for flat clearances. Serious providers draw up individual offers on the basis of a prior visit or detailed information about the object. Prices can vary greatly depending on region, company and effort – all the more reason to get multiple offers.
The comparison platform does not set its own prices. The platform collects and forwards offers from different clearance companies, so you can compare and decide for yourself. Below you will find out which factors mainly influence the costs.
Size and condition of the flat
The number of rooms, the square footage and additional rooms such as cellar, attic or garage directly determine the required working time and team size. A 2-room flat in Biel is naturally cleared more quickly than a 5.5-room detached house in the canton of Aargau with a double garage.
The condition of the flat is particularly heavy. Heavily cluttered or neglected premises – for example a “messiah” type accommodation, a smoker's accommodation with nicotine deposits or rooms with moisture damage – result in significantly more effort and therefore higher costs.
Recommendation: Upload photos in the application form or inform honestly about the condition during the preliminary visit. This will give you realistic offers without unpleasant surprises.
Accessibility and location of the building
It's not just size that matters – accessibility also plays an essential role. A missing elevator, narrow stairs, long paths from the entrance to the parking lot or sloping terrain significantly increase the time required.
Concrete scenarios from practice:
Old building without elevator on the 5th floor at Geneva
Semi-detached house with narrow access in the canton of Schwyz
Flat in the old town of Bern with limited access for trucks delivery
For multiple floors or particularly heavy objects such as a piano, a safe or large aquariums, additional efforts often arise for furniture lifts or specialist teams. In cities with a complicated parking situation – such as Zurich or Lausanne – additional organization and permits for stopping areas are necessary.
Disposal effort and quantity of materials
The proportion of materials to be disposed of significantly influences the transport and disposal costs. An attic completely filled with old furniture in the canton of Thurgau or a cellar full of metal shelves and electronic waste in Basel-Landschaft means significantly more effort than an already partially cleared flat.
In Switzerland, certain materials are disposed of for a fee – for example mattresses, certain plastics or special waste. Others are free or covered by take-back systems, like many commercial electrical appliances. Fees for bulky items differ between municipalities: what applies in Zurich, Lucerne or Chur may be regulated differently elsewhere.
Cleaning, additional services and special cases
Additional services increase costs, but often offer real added value :
Professional move-out cleaning with handover guarantee
Removal of carpet or laminate
Refilling of drill holes
Removal of coat racks and lamps
Elimination of plants and green waste
Special cases such as clearing out after water damage, fire or in “messiah” type accommodation require a specialized approach. For asbestos-containing materials or mold infestations, specialist companies are consulted – with correspondingly higher costs.
Tip: Indicate these special cases when requesting, so that suitable companies with corresponding experience can submit offers.
Time pressure, weekend interventions & region
Short deadlines – for example clearing out in the few days before the end of the lease on 31.03.2026 – are often accompanied by supplements. Companies must reorganize staff, and flexibility has its price.
The same goes for interventions on weekends or public holidays. Clearances at Easter, August 1st or between Christmas and New Year lead to higher wage costs – and therefore higher offers.
Regional differences also play a role: in cities like Zurich, Geneva or Zug, wage and operating costs are higher than in rural regions. Those who are flexible and plan early can often get better conditions.
What to look out for in a clearance offer
It is worth getting several offers – not only because of the possible price differences, but also because of the different services, experiences and approaches. A structured comparison creates transparency and gives you a better negotiating position.
The comparison platform operates as a neutral Swiss platform. We do not offer clearance services ourselves, but put you in touch with up to 5 verified regional providers. You receive their offers directly and decide for yourself whether and with whom you want to collaborate. The service is free and non-binding for individuals and businesses.
Advantages of comparing offers:
Cost control thanks to several offers
Better services thanks to competition
Access to regional providers serious
No obligation to confirm the mandate
Saving time thanks to a request grouped
How the offer request works step by step
The process is simple and takes less than 5 minutes :
Fill out the form: Describe your project – for example “4-room flat in Zurich-Oerlikon, incl. cellar and move-out cleaning, date end of June 2026". What additional services? Specific challenges?
Send the request: Your information is transmitted to appropriate service providers in your region.
Receive offers: Up to 5 clearance companies will contact you with their proposals.
Compare and decide: You make direct contact and choose the partner that suits you.
Useful information for your request: address or location, size of the flat, photos of the current state, desired period, particular challenges (no elevator, “messiah” type accommodation). Only selected clearance companies registered in Switzerland will receive your request – there is no automatic assignment of a "mandatory service provider".
What to pay attention to when choosing a clearance company
Checklist for your decision :
☑️ Company headquarters and area of intervention in your region
☑️ Registration in the register of trade
☑️ Insurance coverage (civil liability insurance)
☑️ Transparent offer with scope of services clear
☑️ References or Google reviews
☑️ Preliminary visit free
☑️ Clarification of additional hidden costs (disposal, travel costs, weekend surcharges)
☑️ Experience with your specific situation (death, “messiah” type housing, retirement home)
The lowest price is not always the best choice. Reliability, experience and a sensitive approach in emotionally difficult situations are equally important.
Practical money-saving tips & preparation for a smooth clearance
Good preparation saves time, stress and money. You don't have to do everything yourself – but targeted measures make working with the clearance company much easier and can reduce the effort. personal documents: Passports, tax documents, contracts, medical records, documents – anything that does not need to be disposed of must be removed before the clearance date.
Make a list of untouchable items: Heirlooms family, important keepsakes, collections – mark them clearly.
Keep photos and jewelry separately: These items often have an emotional value beyond their value material.
Coarse pre-sorting: Old paper, glass, PET, textiles for textile collection – the more it is already separated, the less work for the company.
File for tax declaration: Store the relevant documents separately and clearly mark the boxes.
Sell or give away furniture and objects
Selling via online platforms like Ricardo, Tutti or Anibis can reduce the volume of clearance and earn you some money. Flea markets are another option, especially for smaller items.
Use the donation possibilities: Second-hand stores in Zurich, Basel or Lausanne happily accept good-quality furniture. condition.
Social establishments: Aid organizations are delighted with furniture in good condition.
Propose on time: Start the sale or donation a few weeks before the clearance date to avoid pressure temporal.
Ecologically sensible: Donations reduce the amount of waste and lower costs disposal.
Use the value deduction in a targeted manner
Many clearance companies in Switzerland offer a value deduction: the estimated value of furniture, paintings or technical devices in good condition is deducted from the price of storage room.
Examples of deductible objects:
Antique solid wood wardrobe
[ [[H587]]]Dining table set in good condition
Washing machine like new of the year 2023
Designer furniture or brand appliances
Highlight these objects before the visit and document them if possible with photos and the year of purchase. Estimated value may vary between providers - another reason to get multiple offers. Quarter, before/after Christmas and the spring/summer moving season are in high demand in Switzerland. best.
Allow a margin: Plan 1–3 days of reserve between the clearance and the official date of handover.
Concrete example: Lease ends on 30.09.2026 – plan clearance for 26.–27.09., move-out cleaning on 28.09., handover of flat on 29.09.
Flexible customers benefit: Those who are flexible on dates often get better availability and more offers advantageous.
Conclusion: S-shaped flat clearance uisse
A flat clearance includes many organizational and emotional aspects – especially in sensitive situations such as death, moving to a care facility or separation. What seems overwhelming at first can be handled in a structured and efficient way with the right support.
Professional clearance companies take care of the entire process: sorting, clearing, disposal, cleaning and handing over on time. They work with experience, the right team and the necessary equipment – and relieve you in an already demanding period.
A verified clearance offer clearly lists the scope of services, disposal, dates and exclusions. You can thus evaluate the offer without the need for a second price table.
Indicative values, surcharges and the calculator can be found on the page Flat clearance costs.
