Home clearance: costs, process & compare quotes
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Most people pay far more for a house clearance in Switzerland than they need to, because they do not know what is free, where resale credit pays off and what really matters when choosing a provider. This practical guide shows you what a clearance in Switzerland actually costs, which free options exist and how to find the right firm in seven steps.
How much does a flat or household clearance cost in Switzerland?
A clearance in Switzerland costs between CHF 300 and CHF 2'500 depending on scope. A partial clearance runs CHF 300 to 750, a full household liquidation CHF 675 to 1'525. If the flat still holds usable furniture, resale credit can cut the cost by 10 to 30 percent. With Offerio you compare up to 5 quotes from clearance partner companies free of charge, non-binding and within 24 hours.
1. What Does a House Clearance Cost in Switzerland?
Costs vary by apartment size, floor, the amount of bulky waste and region. According to 2026 comparison data, price differences between providers run to 30–50%, so comparing always pays off.
House Clearance Price Table 2026 (Switzerland, incl. VAT)
| Apartment size | Simple decluttering | Full clearance |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5-room apartment | CHF 300 – 500 | CHF 500 – 800 |
| 2.5-room apartment | CHF 400 – 650 | CHF 700 – 1'100 |
| 3.5-room apartment | CHF 500 – 750 | CHF 900 – 1'500 |
| 4.5-room apartment | CHF 650 – 1'000 | CHF 1'200 – 2'000 |
| 5.5 rooms + cellar | CHF 900 – 1'500 | CHF 1'800 – 2'500 |
Guide values; final price depends on volume, floor, special waste and region.
Volume (m³): CHF 80–180 per m³
Most firms charge by m³ of material removed, depending on the contents and disposal effort.
Hourly rate: CHF 70–90/h per person
Working time is charged instead of, or on top of, the volume. Transparent firms state both.
Floor & accessibility
No lift or narrow stairwells increase the workload. Expect a surcharge of CHF 50–200.
Region: Zürich/Geneva +10–15%
Large cities sit above the Swiss average on price. In rural regions, offers are cheaper.
2. Decluttering, Estate Clearance, House Clearance – What Is the Difference?
Decluttering
Clearing parts of a household: surplus furniture, the cellar, garage or single rooms. You keep most of your household.
Estate clearance
Full emptying of an apartment including all furniture, appliances and personal belongings. Median price: CHF 1'000 for 3 rooms.
House clearance
The legal term for the full emptying of a rented apartment, often with a broom-clean handover. After a move, death or notice of termination.
Comparison of services and costs
| Service | What is included | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Decluttering (parts) | Single rooms, cellar, attic | CHF 300 – 750 |
| Estate clearance | Whole apartment, all furniture | CHF 675 – 1'525 |
| House clearance | Everything out + broom-clean | CHF 800 – 2'500 |
| Hoarder clearance | Special cleaning, hygiene measures | On request |
3. Free Clearance: When Usable Furniture Covers the Cost
The most important tip that most people do not know:
If your apartment still contains usable furniture, a substantial part of the cost, or even all of it, can fall away. Many clearance firms offset the resale value of usable furniture against your invoice.
How does resale credit work?
Depending on the condition and quantity of the items, this results in a noticeable cost reduction. A fully free clearance is realistic when well-kept branded kitchens, branded appliances (Miele, V-Zug, Bosch) or antiques are present.
Free collection through the Brocki network
Arche Zürich
arche-zuerich.ch
Furniture, household appliances, clothing
REMAR
remar.ch
Furniture and household goods in good condition
Heilsarmee Brocki
heilsarmee.ch/brocki
Present across Switzerland
Brocki-Schweiz.ch
brocki-schweiz.ch
Directory of all Brockis by canton
✓ What gets collected
Sofas, tables, chairs, wardrobes, shelves and household appliances in working condition.
✗ What is not collected
Faulty appliances, mattresses (hygiene), damaged bulky waste, special waste.
Practical tip: Book the Brocki collection before the clearance firm. That reduces the volume of material you have to pay to dispose of, and with it your total invoice.
4. How a Professional Clearance Works – Step by Step
Enquiry and free on-site survey
Reputable firms always view the apartment on site before they make an offer. Firms that quote a flat rate by phone or photo rarely work transparently. The survey records volume in m³, floors, lift availability, special waste and usable items.
Obtain a written quote (at least 3 offers)
Insist on a written fixed-price quote or a clearly defined hourly rate with the number of people. Obtain at least three offers; price differences of CHF 300–800 for the same job are not unusual.
Booking and scheduling
For rented apartments, schedule the clearance date so that at least 2–3 working days lie between the clearance and the handover. For large households (5+ rooms), a buffer of one week is advisable.
Clearance and on-site sorting
On clearance day, sorting takes place directly on site in three categories: usable (resale or donation with resale credit), recycling (e-waste, metal, paper – free) and disposal (bulky waste, special waste – chargeable).
Broom-clean handover and disposal certificate
At the end you receive the apartment handed over broom-clean. Always ask for a written disposal certificate; it proves environmentally compliant disposal and can be shown to authorities or landlords.
5. Disposal in Switzerland: What Goes Where?
Switzerland has one of the strictest and best-organised recycling systems in the world. Many disposal options are free once you know about them.
Bulky waste: municipal collection (free)
Most Swiss municipalities offer a free bulky-waste collection, typically 2–4 times a year. Dates and details are on your municipality's website.
E-waste: SENS and SWICO (free)
The vRG system applies to household appliances and electronics: disposal is already paid for at purchase. Old devices can be handed in free of charge at electrical retailers, Migros, Coop or at collection points.
Special waste: return to retail (free)
Batteries → Migros/Coop. Paints/solvents → recycling centre (Werthof). Medicines → pharmacies. All returns are free of charge.
Recycling-centre trips: CHF 50–200
For larger amounts of bulky waste, a trip to the recycling centre (Werthof) is needed. Depending on the municipality and quantity, fees of CHF 50–200 apply. Important: clarify this point in the quote itself.
6. Clearance After a Death: What Heirs Need to Know
Clearing a home after the death of a relative is emotionally hard and legally complex. Under Art. 560 ZGB, the rights and obligations of the deceased pass to the heirs, including ongoing rental contracts and the duty to hand the apartment over properly. The cost is usually covered by the estate.
Priority 1: secure these documents first
- ☐Identity documents (passport, identity card)
- ☐Bank correspondence, savings books, securities
- ☐Will and inheritance documents
- ☐Rental contract and ongoing contracts (electricity, telephone, subscriptions)
- ☐Insurance policies
Have antiques appraised
Many estates contain items whose value is not immediately obvious to a layperson. Have antiques, paintings, clocks and collectables appraised before the clearance. Cost: CHF 100–300 – it pays for itself quickly.
Community of heirs: agreement first
When several heirs are involved, written agreement on how the household goods are handled is needed before a clearance firm is engaged. This is one of the most common reasons for delays and extra costs.
7. Finding a Reputable Clearance Firm – 7 Criteria
On-site survey before the quote
Firms that quote a flat rate without a survey often underestimate the workload and charge more at the end. A reputable firm always comes to you first.
Written fixed-price quote or transparent hourly rate
The quote must be in writing and contain either a fixed price or a clearly defined hourly rate with the number of people and the estimated duration.
Public liability insurance
Ask about this explicitly. Without insurance, you are liable for damage to the building or contents.
Written disposal certificate
Only firms that issue a disposal certificate guarantee environmentally compliant disposal. Without proof, you risk your household goods being disposed of illegally.
Verifiable reviews and references
Look at reviews on Google, Scout24 or the local trade association. Ask for reference projects in your region.
No advance payment
Reputable firms require no deposit or only a symbolic one. Full payment in advance is a clear warning sign.
Transparency on special disposal
Special waste (asbestos, chemicals) causes extra costs; these must be clearly stated in the quote, not appear only on the final invoice.
8. Clearance + Move + Cleaning From a Single Source
If you are moving and also need the old apartment cleared and cleaned, combining several services can reduce your costs. Travel costs and administrative coordination apply only once.
| Booked separately | Combined | Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance CHF 800 + move CHF 1'200 + cleaning CHF 600 | CHF 2'160 combined | CHF 440 |
Clearance — special topics
In-depth guides on specific clearance situations:
Find a clearance firm by region
Offerio connects you with clearance partner companies across Switzerland. Choose your region: Clearance Zurich, Clearance Bern, Clearance Lucerne, Clearance Basel, Clearance Zug, Clearance Aargau, Clearance St. Gallen.
Conclusion: How to Pay Less Than Necessary
A house clearance in Switzerland costs between CHF 300 and CHF 2'500, depending on size, scope and region. Resale credit, Brocki collection and combining with a move or cleaning lower the cost noticeably. Always obtain at least three written quotes. Insist on an on-site survey, a fixed-price quote and a disposal certificate. After a death: secure documents first, have antiques appraised.
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Request your free quote now →Prices at a glance
- 1.5-room apartmentCHF 300 – 500
- 2.5-room apartmentCHF 400 – 650
- 3.5-room apartmentCHF 500 – 750
- 4.5-room apartmentCHF 650 – 1'000
- 5.5 rooms + cellarCHF 900 – 1'500
Simple decluttering
FAQ: Common questions about house clearance in Switzerland
All prices without guarantee. Costs may vary by region, volume and provider. As of 2026.
A simple decluttering costs CHF 300–750 and a full estate clearance CHF 675–1'525. For a 3-room apartment with a cellar, CHF 1'200–2'500 is usual. Price differences between providers are often 30–50%, so comparing quotes is worthwhile before you commit to one firm.
Yes. When usable furniture remains, reputable firms credit the resale value (a noticeable saving). Through the Brocki network (for example Arche Zürich, REMAR, Salvation Army Brocki), collection of well-kept furniture is free of charge if the items are in good condition.
Usable furniture is either donated to Brockis, resold by the clearance firm (with resale credit on your invoice) or offered by you via Tutti.ch or Facebook Marketplace. Resale credit can offset a meaningful share of the clearance cost.
A 2-room apartment typically takes 3–5 hours and a 4-room apartment with a cellar 1–2 days. The duration depends on how full the rooms are, accessibility and the number of people deployed by the clearance firm on the day.
Secure important documents first (ID, bank post, will). Costs are met from the estate (Art. 560 ZGB). Have antiques and collectables appraised before the clearance, as valuable items can reduce costs considerably. With several heirs, written agreement is needed before engaging a firm.
Brockis (e.g. Salvation Army, Caritas) often take usable furniture for free. Furniture that can no longer be used counts as bulky waste: either via the municipal bulky-waste collection or — usually cheaper for larger volumes — via a clearance firm that picks up everything in one appointment and disposes of it properly. Compare up to 5 quotes free on Offerio.
Municipal bulky-waste collection costs roughly CHF 30–90 per pickup or per m³, depending on the municipality. Larger volumes are often cheaper via a clearance firm that collects furniture, electrical appliances and bulky waste in one appointment, sorts it and recycles it properly with a disposal certificate.
Comparing is free for you, with no request fee and no commission. You receive up to 5 quotes from clearance partner companies and pay only the company you choose. Offerio is funded by the clearance companies, which pay for the contact.
You're under no obligation. If none of the up to 5 quotes suit your budget or schedule, you simply decline. No cost, no contract. For clearances the comparison pays off especially, as prices for identical work vary 30 to 50 percent between providers.
After your request, up to 5 clearance partner companies respond within 24 hours. The actual clearance date depends on volume and availability, a 2-room flat is often cleared in a single day. For rentals, allow 2 to 3 working days between clearance and handover.
A flat clearance usually ends with a broom-clean handover. However, that does not cover the professional end-of-tenancy cleaning with handover guarantee required under tenancy law. Many firms offer clearance and cleaning as a combined package, saving travel and coordination, which is usually cheaper than booking the jobs separately.
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