Moving from an apartment or townhouse might seem easy, but on the actual day of the move, narrow hallways, stairs, elevators, restricted parking, building restrictions and large pieces of furniture can complicate the short distance move. This is where using the services of experienced furniture removalists can really make a difference. Professional removalists can handle all of the hard labor, protecting your furniture, overcoming the difficulties of access and managing the move from your existing property to your new home. An experienced removalist for residents of apartments and townhouses will recognize that each property comes with its own set of challenges. From moving from a Brisbane apartment to a townhouse, between apartments or to a new home, the following guide covers the process of professional furniture removals and how to best prepare for the process of moving.
Why apartment and townhouse moves require professional removalists in Brisbane
Apartment and townhouse moves usually come with challenges which are not present when moving houses.
For instance, your furniture will have to be moved through:
- Narrow hallways
- Staircases
- Shared entrances
- Basement car parks
- Building lifts
- Long corridors
- Small doorways
- Restricted loading areas
A sofa that is easy to fit through your front door will probably be a challenge to transport through a building hallway. Here is when an experienced furniture removalist Brisbane locals can trust will help with the process. Furniture removalists have skills in assessing accessibility, planning the loading process, and identifying ways to transport the furniture without causing damage to the wall, door or any other item.
What does furniture removalists do during an apartment removal?
An experienced furniture removalist often does more than simply lifting furniture from one home to another.
Depending on the type of service you book, the process may include:
- Arriving at the agreed time.
- Assessing access and the furniture that needs to be moved.
- Protecting furniture and high-traffic areas.
- Carrying furniture and boxes from the property.
- Loading the truck safely.
- Transporting belongings to the destination.
- Unloading furniture.
- Placing items in the requested rooms or areas.
Additional services may include packing, unpacking and dismantling of furniture. Clarify exactly what is included in the selected service to make a proper comparison.
Tips to prepare for apartment removalists
Preparation plays an important role in making the move efficient.
Book the lift in advance
In case your building has a lift, find out if it needs to be booked for moving purposes. Some apartments have restricted moving times or the resident needs to inform the management of his/her building prior to moving.
Ask about:
- Booking of lifts
- Moving time
- Access to the loading dock
- Visitor parking
- Entry to the building
- Restrictions on weekends
- Lift protection
Inform your removalists of this information prior to moving day.
Consider your parking options
Sometimes, parking becomes one of the most problematic aspects of apartment moves. A moving truck may have to park close to the building’s entrance to minimize the amount of distance that the furniture has to travel.
Consider if you need to:
- Book a loading zone
- Get permission to park on the property
- Have a loading dock
- Have a temporary parking pass issued
The better access a moving truck has, the more smoothly the whole move can be conducted.
How are townhouse removalists different?
Although townhouses may pose a different challenge, you do have some advantages as you have access to the property.
Many townhouses have features such as:
- Multiple levels
- Staircases within the home
- Small driveways
- Shared driveways
- Street parking is limited
- Small garages
- Small living areas
As a result of these features, townhouse removalists need to take into consideration both the lay of the land and the furniture being transported up and down different levels.
Moving furniture down stairs
Large sofas, beds, wardrobes and dining tables can be difficult to get around corners and up and down stairs. Before your move, label any particularly hard-to-manage items of furniture.
Make sure to tell your removalist about:
- Tight staircases
- Sharp corners
- Low ceilings
- Narrow doorways
- Oversized furniture
- Glass furniture
- Heavy appliances
It’s important to let them know in advance so they can make preparations.
How apartment removalists handle difficult access
Trained apartment removalists should take a look at your front door to the moving truck, not how much furniture you have to move. Say, for example, you are moving out of a tenth-floor apartment. Your furniture will have to make its way from the apartment to the corridor to the lift to the lobby to the basement to the loading area to finally reach the truck. Each element can impact on the length of time it takes to move. If, say, your lift is small or the loading area is far, it will take longer than expected. Reputable removalists should always ask about access before giving you an estimate.
How much do furniture removalists cost?
There is no general price list for an apartment or a townhouse move.
It can be based on:
- The number of movers
- The number of hours of help
- The volume of furniture
- The distance of the transfer
- The size of the truck needed
- The presence of stairs at the place of arrival, departure, or both
- The availability of lifts at the place of arrival or departure
- The distance to parking
- The need for packing assistance
- The need to transport heavy or oversized objects
- The number of additional stops for pickups and deliveries
An apartment with fewer furnishings may not be cheaper to move if it is located in a high-rise building with a small elevator. The transfer of a two-room apartment from the fifteenth floor will take longer than the transfer of a three-room apartment in a single-story house.
What should a moving quote include?
Before booking, check if your quote includes:
- Loading
- Unloading
- Travel
- Truck costs
- Furniture protection
- Packing
- Packing materials
- Stairs
- Lift access
- Heavy items
- Additional stops
A clear quote can save you from unexpected expenses and help you find the best value among different furniture removalists.
How to choose reliable furniture removalists Brisbane residents can trust
Choosing the right company can be difficult because prices can vary significantly.
Read recent customer reviews
Look for specific feedback about their experience, such as:
- Punctuality
- Communication
- Care with furniture
- Professionalism
- Pricing
- Efficiency
- Handling of difficult access
Pay particular attention to reviews from customers who have moved from a similar property type as yours, such as:
An apartment or townhouse
Asking about insurance and protection
Moving furniture involves heavy lifting, and there are always risks involved, so ask what level of insurance or protection the company offers and what it covers. You should understand:
- Whether furniture is covered during transit
- Whether accidental damage is covered
- What exclusions apply
- Whether there is an excess
- Whether your own insurance provides additional protection
Rather than just stating “fully insured”, ask what this means for your move.
Ask how furniture is protected
Professional furniture removalists use appropriate equipment and techniques to protect furniture during the move. Depending on the requirements of the furniture being moved this can include:
- Furniture blankets
- Protective wrapping
- Trolleys
- Straps
- Dollies
- Ramps
- Appropriate lifting equipment
Ask how they intend to handle your larger and more delicate items.
What should you do before the movers arrive?
A little preparation can save time and prevent unnecessary headaches.
Declutter first
- Moving is a great time to get rid of old furniture and unwanted belongings.
- Think about selling or donating old pieces of furniture, unused appliances, clothes, books, kitchenware, broken items and much more.
- There is no point in paying to move something if you have no intention of keeping it.
Measure large furniture
- Measure your largest items before the day of the move.
- Make particular note of sofas, beds, wardrobes, fridges, dining tables, large cabinets and other big furniture.
- Once you know their dimensions, you can decide if they will be able to fit through doors, lifts, staircases and hallways.
- If you are not sure, your removalist can assist you.
Pack smaller belongings
If you are doing your own packing, make sure you use strong boxes and do not overpack them. Make sure to label the boxes with the room they are meant to go into.
For example:
- BEDROOM — CLOTHES
- KITCHEN — GLASSWARE — FRAGILE
- LIVING ROOM — ELECTRONICS
Doing this makes it much easier for everyone involved, as the boxes will not need to be opened and searched through.
Common mistakes to avoid when removing apartments and townhouses
Failure to book the lift
If your building requires advance lift bookings, this is something that you must factor in or you will have a stressful moving day.
Failure to advise about stairs
Asking for a quote for moving a townhouse with multiple levels is going to be exponentially more expensive than a ground-level property. Always remember to advise about stairs when requesting a quote.
Failure to consider how far away your parking is
A truck that is parked two blocks away is going to involve a significant amount of extra carrying and will prolong the job length. Ask the removalist about parking restrictions before your big day.
Only considering hourly rates
While a cheaper hourly rate may seem like a good option, remember the more expensive hourly rate might come with a smaller team, shorter job time and fewer extras inclusions.
Waiting until the last minute to start packing and organise access
Packing, disassembling furniture and organising access on the day of the move is not only dangerous, but it will seriously slow down your job. As much as possible, make preparations in advance.
When should you book up apartment removalists?
If your removal is planned it is a good idea to arrange removalists at least a couple of months in advance, allowing you to:
- Compare quotes
- Read reviews
- Arrange building access
- Declutter
- Pack
- Organise parking
- Secure your preferred removal date
If you have to move in a busy time of year, booking earlier can also give you more options.
FAQ’s
How can I choose reliable furniture removalists?
Look for companies with recent positive reviews, clear pricing, suitable insurance, experienced movers and good communication. Ask about their experience with properties similar to yours.
Are apartment moves more challenging than house moves?
They often are due to lifts, stairs, corridors, loading areas and parking restrictions. They can prove more difficult when the amount of furniture is comparatively small.
Do furniture removalists disassemble beds and furniture?
Some moving companies offer furniture disassembly and reassembly services. You’ll need to check that this is included in your quote before moving day.
Should I book my apartment lift?
Yes, if you know your building requires a lift booking for your removal, make sure to arrange this before your moving day and share the details with your removalists.
How do townhouse removalists navigate stairs?
Your moving team can calculate the safest approach given the particular staircase. Be sure to mention any multi-floor, narrow or oversized items when you’re requesting your removal quote.
What information should I share with my apartment removalists?
Lift access, stairs, parking, loading zones, building restrictions, narrow corridors, large or delicate furniture.
How much do furniture removalists Brisbane charge?
Charges will vary depending upon the number of removalists, hours worked, volume of furniture being moved, distance travelled, access and any additional services. The most accurate indication of cost would be a quote based on the specifics of your property.
Can removalists move furniture without packing up the whole house?
Yes, depending on the company, you might be able to request a furniture-only removal service, leaving smaller items for you to pack.
How can I prepare my furniture for removal?
Empty any drawers where practical, remove loose parts where possible, protect delicate surfaces and make sure to advise removalists of any large or valuable items. Capturing images of valuable possessions before the move can also be a good idea.
Make your apartment or townhouse move less stressful
Apartment and townhouse moves often present more challenges than simply transporting furniture from one address to another. Lifts, stairs, parking, loading and unloading areas, narrow hallways and the size of furniture items are just some of the variables that can combine to make any move more challenging.
By choosing experienced furniture removalists and sharing these details before your moving day, they can better prepare themselves and manage your move with greater care. If you’re looking for professional furniture removalists Brisbane residents can trust for their apartment, townhouse or residential moves, XMovers provide a range of targeted support for your furniture removal from loading to transportation and unloading at your new residence.
