The mover's survival guide
Moving is one of life's most stressful events. We have made it easier. Here is everything you need to know — from the timeline to packing.
Contents
Moving guides
Smaller jobs: small move, sofa delivery and furniture delivery.
Moving timeline
- Give notice on your home: Check your notice period (usually 1 month).
- Get moving quotes: Send a quote request now to get the best prices and make sure a van is available.
- Declutter: Don't move junk. Sell it on Tori.fi, give it away or take it to recycling.
- Change of address: Notify the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) and Posti (osoite.fi).
- Contracts: Move your electricity contract and home insurance to the new address.
- Packing materials: Get boxes (about 1 box per m²), tape and markers.
- Start packing: Begin with rooms you don't use every day (basement, storage, guest room).
- Label your boxes: Write the room and a short list of contents on each one. It saves hours when unpacking.
- Book parking: Ask your housing company for permission and space for the moving van.
- Keys: Hand over the old ones and collect the new ones.
- Protection: Cover the floors with cardboard at both ends.
- Final clean: Check the cupboards, oven and balcony.
How much does a move cost?
The cost of a move depends on how much you have, the distance and the timing. Below are typical prices for different moves — comparing quotes can save you a lot.
| Home | Size | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | about 30 m² | 340–530 € |
| One-bedroom flat | about 50 m² | 450–700 € |
| Two-bedroom flat | about 75 m² | 580–910 € |
| Detached house | about 120 m² | 820–1 280 € |
Estimate: local move of about 10 km, no packing and no heavy items. Calculated with the same formula as our moving price calculator. Quotes from companies are always more accurate.
Packing tips from the pros
Kitchen and fragile items
Always pack plates standing on their edge at the bottom of the box, not stacked flat. Use towels or bubble wrap as padding. Mark the box "FRAGILE" in big letters.
Clothes and textiles
Use bin bags for soft clothes and pillows — they work as padding in the van. Clothes on hangers can be bundled in a bin bag straight off the rail.
Electronics
Take a photo of the cable connections before unplugging. Pack the TV in its own box or wrap it thickly in bubble wrap and cardboard.
How many boxes do I need?
The most common mistake is getting too few boxes. As a rule of thumb, you need about 1 box for every square metre of living space.
Avoid these mistakes:
- ✕ Don't overfill boxes (max 20 kg).
- ✕ Don't leave boxes unlabelled (room + contents).
- ✕ Don't pack important documents or medicines in the moving load.
Change of address — everything you need to do
Mandatory notifications
- DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) — register your change of address at dvv.fi or posti.fi. It must be done no later than one week after moving.
- Posti — the mail forwarding service sends post from your old address to the new one free of charge for one month.
Also remember to notify
- Your employer or Kela
- Your bank and insurance company
- Your electricity company — move the contract to your new address
- Kela, the Tax Administration and other authorities
- Subscriptions and newspapers
Move-out cleaning checklist
A final clean is required when a tenancy ends in Finland. A thorough clean makes sure you get your deposit back.
Kitchen
- Oven and cooker hood
- Fridge and freezer (defrost)
- Inside the cupboards
- Sink and taps
- Windows on the inside
Bathroom and toilet
- Shower and tiled surfaces
- Toilet bowl inside and out
- Mirrors and shelves
- Floor drain
- Washing machine connections
Other rooms
- All floors vacuumed and mopped
- Windows on the inside
- Balcony floor
- Inside the wardrobes
- Door frames and thresholds
Moving insurance — what does it cover?
The transport company's insurance
Transport companies have statutory road transport insurance. It covers damage caused by the company, but compensation is limited — usually €20/kg for damaged goods.
Your own home insurance
Good home insurance also covers your belongings during a move. Check before you move:
- Is moving mentioned in your policy?
- What is the excess?
- Is there separate cover for valuables?
Frequently asked questions about moving
How much does a move cost?
The price depends on how much you have, the distance and the timing. Using our price calculator formula, a local studio move costs about 340–530 € and a detached house about 820–1 280 €; moving to another town costs more. Compare quotes to get an exact price.
Is a move insured?
Transport companies have road transport insurance that covers damage they cause (€20/kg). We recommend keeping your own comprehensive home insurance in force during the move — it gives better cover for breakages, for example.
Do I need to fit the washing machine transit bolts?
Yes, definitely. The drum can be damaged in transit without the transit bolts. If you have lost them, ask the transport company for advice.
When should I get moving quotes?
The earlier the better — ideally 2–4 weeks before the move. Weekends and the turn of the month are the most popular moving days, and companies' calendars fill up quickly.
Ready to compare moving quotes?
Send a quote request now — it only takes a minute and the service is free.