Knowledge

Practical knowledge for decisions in Switzerland

Independent guides from the MaxQ editorial team: plain explanations, clear criteria, common pitfalls and the questions to ask a professional.

77 articles

How our editorial team works

Independent

Articles are neither written nor paid for by the companies they link to. They don’t recommend any provider.

Verifiable

We state conditions and limits instead of false precision. Every article carries a review date.

Not advice

Our guides are no substitute for legal, tax or professional advice. Where it matters, we say so.

5 min read
AI in communications: how to keep your messages consistent

AI writes quickly but not automatically consistently. Consistency comes from a lean communications policy that sets what is fixed, what may vary and who signs off.

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Algae on the facade: clean it or repaint it?

Algae and fungi make a facade look neglected, but they do not necessarily damage it. Checking the substrate first can save scaffolding, time and a lot of money.

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Broken household appliance: repair or replace?

Just because an appliance can be repaired does not mean the repair pays off. Five criteria and a simple calculation lead to a sound decision.

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Broken washing machine: Repair or replace?

The machine will not drain, the door stays locked or there is a burning smell. How to read the symptoms and decide calmly whether a repair or a new appliance makes more sense.

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Building site theft: how to protect tools and materials

On open building sites, it is mainly tools, small parts and expensive materials that disappear. The most effective prevention is not technology but consistent organisation.

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Buying a used car in Switzerland: checking history, condition and MFK

A tidy exterior says little about a used car. Checking documents, wear, the MFK inspection and the contract in turn greatly lowers the risk of an expensive mistake.

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CAD software for metalwork: which solution fits your shop?

The best feature list is of little use if the team only uses a fraction of it. A neutral guide to choosing CAD software for metal construction.

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Choosing an estate agent: how owners spot a good local broker

The nearest agent is not automatically the best. What counts is market knowledge, a well-founded valuation and a contract that protects your interests.

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Coaching books on personal performance: when they are worth reading

There are countless books on self-leadership and performance. Whether one helps you depends less on the title than on your starting point and how the book is built.

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Communication policy in PR: how to set clear rules

Without clear guidelines, public relations is often left to chance. A good communication policy creates certainty without paralysing the organisation.

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Company videos for SMEs: how to recognise credibility

A company video rarely fails because of the camera, but because of unclear decisions beforehand. A guide for marketing managers in Swiss SMEs.

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4 min read
Conical clamping elements: How they handle high bending moments

In conveyor pulleys, shaft-hub connections must not only transmit torque but also withstand alternating bending moments. What matters in selection, design and assembly.

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Costing in metalwork: what a good estimating handbook must deliver

In metalwork, costing decides both the contract and the margin. A good reference helps apprentices and experienced estimators build structured, traceable quotes.

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Custom plastic profiles: process, costs and alternatives

A custom profile is less a catalogue purchase than a small development project. What design engineers and technical buyers should clarify before asking for quotes.

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Cyber insurance for SMEs: when it pays off and what it covers

Cyber insurance does not replace IT security, but it can limit the financial and organisational damage of an attack. What Swiss SMEs should look for when comparing policies.

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4 min read
Dating offline or online: Which suits you better?

Endless swiping, chats that go nowhere, dates without a spark: many singles are tired of apps. What meeting in person offers, where its limits lie and how to find the right format.

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Disability and death cover in Switzerland: how to spot your gaps

Illness, accident or death often leave a bigger income gap than expected. With your pension certificate and a simple calculation you can see where you stand.

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Document migration: How to make it traceable and auditable

When switching HR file, ERP or DMS systems, it is not enough for documents to arrive. Auditors and business owners want evidence of what was migrated, what was not, and why.

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eCH tax documents: build in-house or buy a generator?

Machine-readable tax documents are becoming the norm in Switzerland. Issuers must decide whether an in-house generator or a purchased module is cheaper and safer over time.

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Existing properties: how owners spot untapped value potential

Many buildings perform steadily and still fall short of what they could be. This guide shows which signals point to hidden reserves and how to assess them methodically.

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Fiduciary services in Zug: how to choose the right firm

The best fiduciary solution is rarely the biggest, but the one with a sensible division of tasks. A guide for SME owners in the canton of Zug.

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Finding the right bra: fit matters more than size

Many women wear the same size for years, even though bodies, brands and cuts differ. A few checkpoints quickly show whether a bra really fits.

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Google Maps for retailers: the details that really matter

For many customers and business partners, the map listing is their first contact with a retailer. What matters is not the amount of text but how unambiguous the details are.

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Gourmet gifts: how to recognise genuine quality

An expensive hamper is not automatically a good gift. What matters is freshness, a coherent selection and delivery that preserves quality all the way to the recipient.

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Hairdressers in Lucerne: finding a salon that fits your routine

A good cut does not just look right on the day you leave the salon, but on the third morning after. This guide shows how to find a salon in Lucerne that takes your routine seriously.

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How can an SAP S/4HANA rollout succeed in a few months?

A heavily customised SAP ECC, a tight schedule and an SME busy with daily business: which decisions make a fast switch possible and where the real work lies.

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How do you find a realistic selling price for your house?

Price too high and a house sits on the market for months; price too low and you leave money on the table. The methods, the value drivers and a sensible process.

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4 min read
How do you keep your car reliable? Servicing and warning signs

Most expensive repairs announce themselves. How a simple service routine, attention to warning signs and the right garage keep your vehicle safe and preserve its value.

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How interior design makes a room feel right

A room works not because of individual beautiful pieces, but because of how they interact. What interior design actually delivers, and how to create more calm yourself.

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6 min read
How to choose the right medical devices in Switzerland

With medical devices, the unit price rarely decides. Checking compliance, supply reliability and service systematically helps avoid shortages in theatre and in the practice.

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Imputed rent is going: when should you renovate?

The abolition of imputed rent has been decided, and maintenance deductions go with it. If you plan to renovate anyway, clarify timing and tax effects now.

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Independent portfolio review: what does it really deliver?

Many investors do not know the total cost of their portfolio. An independent outside view shows whether fees, risk and investment strategy fit together.

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Integrated real estate partner: who is it really worth it for?

One partner for strategy, planning, financing and sale sounds convenient. Whether the model fits depends less on the size of the property than on the complexity of the task.

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Keep, develop or sell a property: how to decide

An apartment building can yield well and still be the right one to sell. What matters is which option makes the best use of the capital invested over the coming years.

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6 min read
Legal expenses insurance for SMEs: When is it worth it?

An unpaid invoice, a contested dismissal, a supplier who fails to deliver: disputes cost time and money. When legal expenses insurance makes sense for your business, and what to check.

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Made-to-measure covers: how to choose the right material and fit

A good cover fits, sheds water and goes on in a minute. What really matters when it comes to material, cut and details.

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4 min read
Media monitoring for SMEs: What it delivers and what it costs

What the media, customers and the public say about your company is now spread across many channels. A guide to keeping track without building a communications department.

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More enquiries without more visitors: the customer-centred website

Many websites lose enquiries not for lack of reach, but because visitors cannot find their answers. Here is how to turn the perspective around.

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Mould at home: which disinfectants actually help

A spray alone does not solve a mould problem. The right product depends on area, material and extent, and without fixing the source of moisture the mould will come back.

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Nappy deals: how to actually save money

A big discount is only a good deal if size, quantity and product suit your child. Here is how to tell which offer is worthwhile for your family's routine.

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6 min read
Office glass partitions: plan them right, not twice

A glass partition looks simple on paper but often reveals its weaknesses only in daily use. Clarify use, acoustics and installation first and you avoid costly fixes.

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Online estate agents compared: what really matters when you sell

A low fee only pays off when the scope of work, payment terms and loyalties are right. Here is how to compare estate agent offers properly.

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6 min read
Passing on property: why early planning pays off

A house cannot be split like a bank account. Owners who organise the succession of their property early protect both family peace and wealth.

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Planning a renovation: 10 steps from idea to handover

A renovation brings existing building fabric together with new wishes. A clear process keeps costs, deadlines and quality under control, from the first meeting to the handover of the keys.

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Plastic process equipment: when is a custom build worth it?

Plastic equipment shows its strengths with aggressive media. Whether a custom build pays off depends on temperature, pressure, installation and lifetime costs.

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PMS with channel manager: When does it pay off for hotels?

Anyone selling rooms through several booking platforms knows the risk of double bookings and outdated rates. How a central system helps, and where its limits lie.

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Reading your pension certificate: the key figures explained

It arrives once a year and many people file it unread. Yet the pension certificate shows how well you are covered for retirement, disability and death.

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Recycled board for packaging: when is it the right choice?

Recycled fibre sounds like the obvious sustainable default. Whether it suits your packaging depends on the product, the process and the contact conditions.

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Retrofitting hall luminaires to LED: lessons from Messe Basel

Around 1400 luminaires, converted rather than scrapped: the lighting upgrade at Messe Basel shows when an LED retrofit of existing fittings makes sense.

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Reupholster or replace your sofa? How to decide

A worn cover looks dramatic, but what matters is underneath. A systematic check shows whether your sofa deserves a second life.

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Robot automation: how to make it work in series production

A faster robot does not make a stable cell. What matters is how gripper, feeding, image processing and control work together.

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6 min read
Rotating machinery damage: why the first step decides the fix

A new bearing gets the pump running again, but not necessarily running reliably. Narrowing down the cause after the first failure is what prevents the second.

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Scrubber dryers for warehouses: how to choose the right machine

A machine that is too small costs time every day; one that is badly set up can damage the floor. The key criteria for warehouse and logistics floors.

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6 min read
Sell your property privately or hire a professional?

Selling privately saves the commission but costs time and carries risks on price and negotiation. Here is how to work out which route suits your property.

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Selling a house in Switzerland: the costs you need to plan for

When you sell a house, less of the sale price remains than many expect. Knowing the costs early lets you price realistically and avoid surprises at the end.

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Selling property: when is a development partner worth it?

Not every property should be sold the same way. For sites and older apartment buildings, the potential that is made visible often determines the price.

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Selling property: why fast is not automatically good

A buyer who wants to sign right away is tempting. But a good sale is measured by price, security and conditions together, not by how long the property was on the market.

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Selling your business: how to recognise the right moment

The best sales rarely happen under pressure. If you look at earnings, market and personal plans together early on, you can sell from a position of strength and have time to increase value.

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Setting up a GmbH in Switzerland: steps, capital and common mistakes

The formal incorporation of a GmbH takes only a few weeks. What really matters is the preparation: legal form, capital, name, registered office and the duties that start on day one.

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Signage for changing building use: keeping wayfinding flexible

In buildings with changing tenants and uses, signage dates quickly. A modular system, clear responsibilities and early involvement of all parties keep wayfinding stable.

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Signing works contracts digitally: which signature do you need?

Construction disputes rarely arise over the main contract, but over variations, daywork reports and defect notices. Settling signature level and authority upfront saves time and risk.

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Solar window film: when is it really worth it?

A film can tame overheated offices and glaring shop windows without replacing any glass. Whether it pays off depends on the glazing, orientation and goal.

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4 min read
Sun protection for outdoor work: SPF 30 or 50?

Outdoor workers are exposed to UV radiation for hours on end. Which protection level makes sense in daily work, and why the team rule matters more than the number on the tube.

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Sustainable design: how to spot furniture that lasts

Furniture is not sustainable because of a green label, but because it can be used, maintained and repaired for a long time. Here is how to recognise real substance.

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Swimwear: why the right size is so hard to find

The top pinches, the bottoms slip, the swimsuit digs in: with swimwear, your usual clothing size is often misleading. Here is how to find the right fit.

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Temporary work in healthcare: who is it really for?

More control over workload and shifts sounds appealing. Whether temporary work in a hospital, care home or home care service suits you depends on experience, life situation and contract details.

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Tissue paper in retail: when it pays off and what matters

A sheet of tissue paper costs little but shapes the moment of handover. When the extra step is worth it in store and how to buy the right paper.

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4 min read
Tracking down a specific wine in Switzerland: How to go about it

A wine from your holidays, a gift from friends, a bottle from a restaurant: if you want exactly that one again, you need precision rather than luck. A guide in five steps.

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Used or new car: which one fits your everyday life?

The purchase price is only part of the equation. If you assess ownership period, mileage and equipment needs honestly, it usually becomes clear whether a used or a new car suits you better.

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5 min read
What drives property values in Switzerland?

The market sets the framework, but many value drivers are in the owner's hands. An overview of factors, valuation methods and common mistakes.

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6 min read
When does professional liability insurance really protect you?

If you advise, plan or broker, you are liable for mistakes that cost clients money. Whether your insurer pays is decided in the fine print.

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6 min read
When is tree care better than felling?

A tree that looks worrying does not necessarily have to go. A proper assessment shows whether targeted care restores safety or whether felling is the better option.

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When time pressure undermines SME IT: how to set priorities

In many SMEs, IT runs on the side and always under pressure. That costs more than nerves; it creates security gaps. How to break the cycle without trying to fix everything at once.

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6 min read
Which label printer suits production and logistics?

In production and warehousing, labelling rarely fails because of print quality. It fails on materials, integration or service. Here is what really matters when choosing.

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Which messaging platform fits A2P in Switzerland?

Login codes, reminders, alerts: automated messages are part of critical processes. What Swiss companies should look for when choosing a platform.

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Window installation: what good training for fitters must cover

A good window loses its value if the joint to the building is wrong. Why fitter training matters and how to recognise a well-trained installation team.

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Yoga teacher training in Wil SG: is a 200-hour course right for you?

Whether you want to teach later or mainly deepen your own practice, these criteria help you assess a yoga teacher training with a clear head.

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