When a household clearance is due
The most common occasions: a relative moving into a care or retirement home, a separation or divorce, emigration, or winding up an estate. Each occasion has its own pace — a care-home move is often driven by the flat's notice period, an estate more by agreement among the heirs. State the timeframe in your request so the quotes are realistic.
Secure and sort first, then clear
Two things belong done before the clearance: secure personal documents, keys, jewellery and keepsakes — and decide roughly what stays, is given away or sold. Whatever you cannot manage yourself, the firm takes over. Unlike a pure junk clearance, a household clearance deliberately looks for anything usable before something goes into the skip.
Value offsetting — what furniture and goods are worth
Well-kept furniture, brand appliances, antiques, books, tools or collections can be credited. Reputable firms deduct the estimated resale value from the price and show it transparently. Do not expect miracles — second-hand furniture usually has little market value in Switzerland — but for antiques or high-quality goods it is worth a look.
What a household clearance costs (guide figures 2026)
For an average 3- to 4-room flat the fixed-price guide figure is CHF 1,500–4,000, excl. VAT 8.1%, depending on volume, condition and value offsetting. A broom-clean handover is usually included; a handover-standard final cleaning is quoted separately. The price becomes binding after a visit.
How you compare with Offerio
You describe the situation once and receive up to five quotes from vetted firms in the region. You compare price, value offsetting, cleaning and date — and decide yourself. Free, non-binding and without a phone marathon.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a household clearance cost in Switzerland?
- Guide figure for a 3- to 4-room flat: CHF 1,500–4,000 (excl. VAT 8.1%), depending on volume, condition and value offsetting. The binding fixed price is set after a visit.
- What is the difference from a junk clearance?
- A junk clearance is almost purely about disposal. A household clearance additionally looks for usable items, secures personal belongings and winds up the household in an orderly way — often with value offsetting.
- Is the flat cleaned to handover standard afterwards?
- The standard is a broom-clean handover. A final cleaning to handover standard is a separate service that many firms quote as an option.
- Can valuable items be credited against the price?
- Yes. Antiques, brand appliances or well-kept furniture are estimated and deducted from the price. The credited value is shown transparently in a reputable quote.
- What if several heirs are involved?
- Clarify before ordering who decides and who pays. A good firm documents found items and waits with the clearance until the heirs have given their release.