House clearance in Switzerland: flats, cellars and attics
Clearing out a cellar, an attic or a whole flat is heavy work. Helpers can sort, carry and take things to recycling, whether you are moving, downsizing or emptying the home of a relative. This guide gives indicative prices with their sources, disposal tips and what to agree. On Workpop you post your clearance job for free.
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Indicative prices
- Clearance of a 2 to 2.5-room flat (company)CHF 1'200–2'800 per job
Source: Ofri · As of 25 June 2025
- Clearance of a 3 to 3.5-room flat (company)CHF 1'800–4'000 per job
Source: Ofri · As of 25 June 2025
- Clearance labour (company)CHF 90–100 per hour
Source: Ofri · As of 25 June 2025
Indicative prices, varying by region and provider. Legal minimum wages and social contributions may apply on top.
You set the price, in line with minimum wages.
Guide: prices and minimum wagesWhat a clearance can include
A clearance can be small, like a cellar compartment full of old boxes, or large, like a whole flat after a move to a care home. Often it starts with sorting: what to keep, sell, give away or throw away.
- Clearing a cellar, attic or garage
- Emptying a flat before you hand it back
- Clearing the home of a relative
- Taking furniture and electronics to the recycling centre
- Taking usable items to a charity shop
- A quick clean once the rooms are empty
How much does a house clearance cost?
The Swiss quote portal Ofri gives these company prices (June 2025): CHF 850–1'849, with an average of CHF 1'285. By size: CHF 800–2'200 for 1 to 1.5 rooms, CHF 1'200–2'800 for 2 to 2.5 rooms, CHF 1'800–4'000 for 3 to 3.5 rooms and CHF 2'500–6'000 for 4 to 5 rooms. Labour costs CHF 90–100 per hour.
The price depends on the volume, the floor, the access and the disposal fees. With a private helper you agree the price yourselves, in line with minimum wages.
Disposal in Switzerland
Each municipality has its own rules for bulky waste and recycling, with its own fees and opening hours for the recycling centre. Check them on your municipality's website before the clearance, and agree who pays the fees.
Many things do not need to go to waste. Furniture in good condition can be sold or given away, and some charities collect items.
Electrical appliances, batteries, paint and chemicals need separate disposal. Ask the recycling centre, or the shop that sells them, where they can go.
What to agree
If you are clearing the home of a relative, talk to the rest of the family first, so that everyone agrees on what is kept.
Mark clearly what stays and what goes, for example with coloured stickers. Ask the helper to set aside documents, photos, keys and valuables they find. Agree who brings a car or van, who pays the disposal fees, and whether a quick clean is included.
If you are moving out, check your lease. In the canton of Vaud, for example, the rental rules say that at noon on the due date the tenant returns the flat clean and well maintained, emptied of their belongings.
Posting on Workpop is free and there is no commission. When you agree, you both get a digital contract, and you pay the helper directly.
If you pay a private person for this work, you may count as their employer for AHV (Swiss old-age and survivors' insurance). Whether someone is self-employed or employed is decided by the compensation office case by case. Check with your cantonal AHV compensation office.
What to agree on first
- What stays and what goes
- Documents and valuables set aside
- Floor, lift and parking
- Who brings a car or van
- Who pays the disposal fees
- Hourly rate or fixed price
- Quick clean included or not
Time of year
Clearances often go together with a move, so plan them before the customary moving dates – for example the end of March and September in the city of Zurich. Spring is a good time to clear a cellar or attic.
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Post a job: house clearanceFrequently asked questions
How much does a flat clearance cost in Switzerland?
Ofri lists company prices of CHF 850–1'849, with an average of CHF 1'285 (June 2025). By size, from CHF 800–2'200 for 1 to 1.5 rooms up to CHF 2'500–6'000 for 4 to 5 rooms.Who pays the disposal fees?
Agree it before the clearance. Fees and rules for bulky waste differ by municipality, so check them first.What happens to documents and valuables?
Ask the helper to set aside papers, photos, keys and anything of value they find, and to show them to you before anything is thrown away.Do I have to hand my flat back empty?
Check your lease. In the canton of Vaud, for example, the rental rules say that at noon on the due date the tenant returns the flat clean and well maintained, emptied of their belongings.
Free to post, no commission: get offers and choose at your own pace. You set the price, in line with minimum wages.
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