Moving to a new housing estate — special features and opportunities

New building — a special start to a new home

Moving into a new building is something special. Everything is unused, freshly painted, modern and built to the latest standards. No traces of previous tenants, no old pipes, no worn floors. When you move into a new housing estate, you start with a real piece of paper — and that feels good.

But anyone who has ever experienced moving into a new building project knows that not everything that glitters is gold. New housing developments present their own challenges, which do not arise when moving into an existing apartment. Construction sites in the immediate vicinity, delayed completion dates, coordination with dozens of other buyers and careful documentation of deficiencies during apartment acceptance — all of this needs to be well prepared.

In this article, we'll show you what makes moving to a new housing estate special, what opportunities it offers and how to avoid typical pitfalls right from the start.

The special features of a new building move

Completion date is not always guaranteed

One of the most common frustration points when moving into a new building: The completion date is postponed. Construction delays due to supply bottlenecks, shortages of craftsmen or weather conditions are not uncommon in the Swiss construction industry. In practice, what is in the purchase contract or rental agreement as the move-in date is often an estimate with a certain amount of leeway.

What you can do:

Clarify contractually at an early stage the consequences of delaying the collection date. If possible, keep your own date of moving out of the old apartment flexible — or plan a temporary solution with short-term storage and temporary accommodation. Gerber Transport offers flexible storage options for exactly such situations.

Construction site around the new apartment

Even if your own apartment is finished, this does not mean that the entire settlement is completed. Neighboring buildings, outdoor areas, underground parking or common areas may still be under construction. This means construction noise, construction dust, restricted access and possibly missing infrastructure such as mailboxes, bells or outdoor facilities.

What you can do:

Before moving in, check with the landlord or property management about the current state of construction and the schedules for the remaining work. Clarify which accesses can be used on the moving day and whether there are restrictions on large moving vehicles.

Coordination with other recruiters

In a large new housing estate, many parties move in simultaneously or in short order of time. This could mean overcrowded elevators, busy stairwells and restricted access to loading docks or parking spaces directly in front of the building.

What you can do:

Coordinate your move-in date and exact time with property management early on. Many new construction companies actively coordinate the move-in dates of their tenants or buyers in order to avoid bottlenecks. Also ask if there are specific rules for moving vans on the site — for example, reserved parking spaces or prescribed access routes.

Acceptance of apartments for new buildings: Proceed particularly carefully

The purchase of a new apartment is fundamentally different from the purchase of an existing apartment. While the condition of an existing apartment is compared with the condition when moving out, the new building is about Construction defects and completion deficiencies to document and have it repaired by the building owner or landlord.

What should be checked when approving a new building

Approval should be carried out systematically and without time pressure. Take enough time — it can take several hours to get a new build approved. Check:

• Walls and ceilings: Cracks, uneven plaster, color defects, lack of paint
• soils: scratches, bumps, missing joints, cavities under tiles
• Windows and doors: Do they close correctly, are seals complete, are there scratches on the glass?
• Plumbing: Do all faucets work, are there chalk stains or assembly residues?
• Electrical installation: Are all sockets and switches working, are fuses correctly labelled?
• Cuisine: Are all devices working, are all elements correctly assembled?
• Cellars and outdoor areas: Are there promised parking spaces, mailboxes and common areas?

Document deficiencies in writing

Each identified defect must: in writing in the acceptance report be recorded — with a detailed description and, if possible, with photos. Do not sign the protocol until all deficiencies are fully documented. The building owner or landlord is obliged to correct documented defects within an agreed period of time.

Bring in an expert

For larger new construction projects or complex installations, it is worthwhile to bring an independent building expert along for approval. He knows typical construction defects and can identify weak points that a layman would miss out on.

The chances of moving a new home

Set everything up according to your own ideas

In a new apartment, you start with a white canvas. There are no traces of previous tenants, no drill holes, no old wallpaper and no faded colors. This gives you the freedom to design your home exactly as you want it from the start — from the color of the walls to the lighting to the arrangement of the furniture.

Modern equipment and energy efficiency

New buildings in Switzerland must meet current energy standards. In practice, this means: better thermal insulation, more modern heating systems, more energy-efficient windows and often solar systems or heat pumps. In the long term, these standards can significantly reduce ancillary costs.

A sense of community right from the start

In a new settlement, where everyone moves in at the same time, there is often a special sense of community. All are newbies, all are rebuilding their social network in the neighborhood. This makes it easier to establish contacts and creates a spirit of optimism that older residential developments often do not have.

No legacy issues, no hidden defects

Unlike older apartments, you don't have to reckon with hidden defects such as old pipes, dilapidated electrical installations or damp cellars when building a new apartment. What is new built is state of the art — and in the event of a warranty claim, the client is responsible for remedying the defect.

Practical tips for moving to the new housing estate

Protect floors

New floors are sensitive and should be consistently protected on the day of moving. Place protective films or cardboard on all floors over which furniture and boxes are carried. Pay particular attention to stairwells and entrance areas.

Reserve an elevator in good time

If the new development has an elevator, reserve it with the property management for the moving day. Many administrations offer the option of using the lift exclusively for moving for a certain period of time — including a protective cushion for the cabin walls.

Set up your address and mailbox early

Make sure your name is on the mailbox and doorbell before you move in. In the case of new housing estates, it sometimes takes time for all labels to be affixed — proactively check with the administration.

Gerber Transport — your partner for moving new buildings

Gerber Transport knows the special requirements of moving to a new housing estate. We carefully coordinate the moving day, protect new floors and fresh walls, and work closely with you and property management to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Contact us for a non-binding offer — and start your new life in the new housing development with a professional partner at your side.

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