Moving a kitchen is rarely “just a few more cupboards”: built-in fit, connections and appliances drive dismantling, transport and assembly. This guide separates built-in and freestanding kitchens, explains the main cost drivers qualitatively (with a verifiable orientation range for assembly work), gives rules for fridge and cooker, and helps decide take-along versus buying new including disposal.
Built-in kitchen vs. freestanding kitchen
Whether a kitchen move is worthwhile and what it costs depends first on the kitchen type. A freestanding kitchen with separate units and appliances can often be dismantled, transported and set up again like other furniture. A built-in kitchen is fixed to walls, worktop, plinths and connections – dismantling and reassembly are the real effort here, not only the transport.
What drives the effort apart
- Built-in kitchen: remove units, often separate the worktop, disconnect water, power, gas/extractor properly, fit accuracy at the new place.
- Freestanding kitchen: fewer interventions in the building fabric, but still protect fronts, work surfaces and sensitive appliances.
- Check dimensions and room height at the destination – a kitchen rarely “fits” 1:1 without adjustments.
- Age and condition: stripped screws, swollen chipboard or outdated appliances raise scrap and assembly time.
For transporting large and sensitive furniture pieces, professional furniture transport is a good fit. Assembly and dismantling can be combined with furniture assembly if needed.
Dismantling and assembly effort: what drives the cost
This website has no fixed packages “kitchen move from CHF …”. A qualitative assessment is realistic: the more built-in, networked and made-to-measure the kitchen is, the higher the share of dismantling, protective packing, transport and reassembly – and the more likely you need specialists for water, power or gas.
Cost drivers for a kitchen move (qualitative)
| Factor | Effect on effort | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen type | Built-in clearly higher than freestanding | Worktop, plinths, filler pieces |
| Access | Narrow stairs, no lift, floors | More staff and protective material |
| Connections | Water, electrics, gas, extractor | Often plumbing/electrical specialist needed |
| Distance & interim storage | Longer haul, reloading | Protect from moisture and knocks |
| Assembly at destination | Aligning, drilling, snagging | Fit and level differences |
<!-- VERIFY --> As orientation for pure assembly/dismantling work, our cost overview often quotes CHF 80–120 per hour for furniture assembly and dismantling. A full built-in kitchen can take 2–5 days – plus transport and any specialist trades. Binding is always the offer after a survey.
The hourly range for assembly appears in the context of other add-ons in the guide moving company costs. For pure transport of large elements, furniture transport remains the right entry point.
Moving appliances: fridge, cooker and more
Kitchen appliances are heavy, sensitive and often linked to liquids or residual gas. Transport mistakes quickly damage the appliance or the flat – so a few clear rules apply whether the whole kitchen moves or only selected appliances.
Fridge and freezer
- Empty, defrost and wipe dry – no meltwater in the vehicle.
- Secure doors; transport the appliance upright if possible.
- After transport wait before switching on again (follow the manufacturer; often several hours) so refrigerant can settle.
- Do not stack heavy boxes on glass shelves or doors.
Cooker, oven, dishwasher
- Disconnect power and – if present – gas professionally.
- Drain dishwasher water connections and secure hoses.
- Protect ceramic glass and doors; do not use hobs as a shelf.
- Keep upright and brace against sliding in the vehicle.
Washing machines and dishwashers do not belong “on the side” in the same stack as crockery: drain residual water, secure drum/basket and label connections. Unclear labelling wastes time at reassembly in the new place.
When dismantling pays off – and when buying new makes more sense
Not every kitchen deserves the full moving effort. Weigh dismantling, transport, reassembly, any adjustments at the new place and damage risk against the replacement value of a comparable kitchen. For old built-ins with damaged carcasses or outdated appliances, buying new or partly new is often cheaper and faster.
Dismantling and taking it usually pays when …
- the kitchen is still in good condition and relatively young,
- dimensions and connections at the destination fit well,
- emotional or material value clearly exceeds the moving effort,
- only parts (e.g. high-quality appliances) are taken along.
Getting rid of an old kitchen
If the kitchen stays behind or is replaced, dismantling and disposal must be planned: bulky waste, recycling centres, collection if needed or proper appliance disposal. Hidden costs often appear here – not when transporting the new furniture.
What disposal and collection of furniture and furnishings can cost and how to proceed is explained in furniture disposal costs. That way you avoid surprises when the old kitchen does not come along.
<!-- VERIFY --> Soft orientation: a simple haul of freestanding elements can fit into a normal flat move; a full built-in kitchen with dismantling and assembly sits clearly higher and should be quoted separately. Use the assembly hourly rates (CHF 80–120) only as a rough building block – not as a total price.
Further links: Furniture transport, Furniture disposal costs, Moving company costs, Furniture assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a kitchen move cost in Switzerland?
There is no fixed package on our site: built-in level, access, distance and assembly effort decide. As orientation for assembly and dismantling work, CHF 80–120 per hour often applies (see moving company costs); the total only emerges after a survey including transport.
Can I dismantle a built-in kitchen myself?
Simple units yes – water, power and gas connections as well as heavy worktops should only be tackled with know-how or a specialist. Faulty dismantling damages carcasses and connections and makes reassembly more expensive than the amount saved.
How do I transport a fridge correctly?
Empty and defrost the appliance, transport upright and secure the doors. After transport wait according to the manufacturer before switching on again – often several hours – so refrigerant can settle.
Is moving an old built-in kitchen worthwhile?
Only if condition, fit at the destination and replacement value justify the effort. With damaged carcasses or outdated appliances, buying new plus disposing of the old kitchen is often the more economic option – see also the furniture disposal costs guide.
Do I need separate furniture transport for the kitchen?
For heavy or sensitive elements and when the kitchen does not fit in the normal flat-move volume, yes. Specialised furniture transport with proper securing reduces damage risk – assembly can be booked separately or combined.