Guides for your home in Berlin
Practical how-tos and checklists from our day-to-day work in the more than 200 apartments we run: what you can do yourself, what to watch out for – and when it’s better to call a tradesperson.
How to bleed a radiator – step by step
To bleed a radiator, turn the thermostat up, hold a cloth and a cup under the bleed valve and open it half a turn with a radiator key. When air stops hissing and only water comes out, close the valve. If your flat has its own gas boiler, then check the pressure gauge and top up following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Read the guideTax deduction for tradesmen in Germany – how §35a works
In Germany, labour costs for repairs, renovation and maintenance in your own home reduce your income tax directly: under §35a(3) of the Income Tax Act (EStG) you deduct 20% of the labour cost, up to €1,200 a year. Labour, travel and machine costs count; materials don’t. You need an invoice and must pay into the company’s bank account.
Read the guideEnd of tenancy cleaning checklist for flats in Germany
For end of tenancy cleaning in Germany, work room by room: kitchen, bathroom, living areas, windows, cellar. What you actually owe depends on your lease; without a specific clause, an empty, swept (“besenrein”) flat is usually enough. The handover also needs meter readings, every key and a signed handover report backed by photos.
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All services
- Electrician BerlinSockets, lights, cooker connections, fuses and small repairs – fixed price upfront.Electrician
- Plumber BerlinTaps, blocked drains, toilets, cisterns and radiators – plumbing and heating at a fixed price upfront.Plumbing & Heating
- Painter and decorator BerlinPainting, filling, wallpapering, flooring and move-out renovation – fixed price upfront.Painting & Renovation
- Kitchen installation BerlinKitchen assembly, worktop fitting, cooker and dishwasher connection – fixed price upfront.Kitchen Installation
- Furniture assembly BerlinFlat-pack and furniture assembly, wardrobes, beds, shelves and pictures on the wall – fixed price upfront.Furniture assembly
- Movers BerlinApartment moves, furniture transport, dismantling and assembly, packing and clear-outs – fixed price upfront.Moving
- End of tenancy cleaning BerlinEnd of tenancy cleaning, deep cleaning, regular and stairwell cleaning – to a checklist, fixed price upfront.Cleaning
- Caretaker service BerlinInspections with photo reports, small repairs, handovers and key holding – also for owners with just a few flats.Caretaker service
- Construction company BerlinExtensions, wall openings, garages, carports and loft conversions – planned with a structural engineer and the building authority.Construction