Book the building and street access as carefully as the removal crew.
Book the building and street access as carefully as the removal crew. Lift restrictions, loading windows, concierge rules, stairs and walking distance can change crew, vehicle and price.
Ask building management
- Must the move be booked?
- Are there permitted hours or deposits?
- Is lift protection or a designated service lift required?
- What are lift dimensions and weight limit?
- Can doors be held open?
- Are corridors, floors or walls to be protected?
- Where may a vehicle load?
Obtain written confirmation for both addresses. Rules differ between buildings, so ask the building manager or managing agent for its own rules rather than relying on general figures, including any lift weight limit.
Flat access form
Fill this in for the collection and the delivery address and give the same copy to every firm that quotes. A missing line is a common reason for extra crew, a second vehicle trip or a revised price on the day.
| Field | What to record | Who confirms |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | Floor number, entrance used, any steps to the entrance | You |
| Lift door | Door opening width and height | You, measured |
| Lift interior | Width, depth, height, any diagonal space, stated weight limit | You, measured; limit from the building |
| Lift booking | Whether it must be booked, hours, protection required, any deposit | Building manager |
| Stairs and turns | Number of flights, tight landings, low ceilings, handrails | You, with photos |
| Carrying distance | Distance from the loading point to the flat door | You, then the mover |
| Building rules | Permitted days and hours, concierge contact, floor and wall protection | Building manager |
| Loading permission | Where a vehicle may stop and whether a suspension or dispensation is needed | Building manager and council |
Measure the largest items too and compare them with the lift and stair figures. If something will not fit, read what to do when furniture will not fit through the door before moving day. Ask the firm how it will protect floors, doorframes and staircases, as many buildings expect communal areas to be covered.
Survey the route
Count floors and steps, measure tight turns and doors, note distance from vehicle, check low ceilings and identify items that do not fit the lift. Photographs help, but a complex move may need an in-person survey. See what happens in a removal survey for how to prepare.
Parking
Check local restrictions, bay suspension or permit lead times at collection and delivery. Agree who applies and pays. A resident permit may not authorise a removal vehicle.
Arrangements are set by each local council and differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For local detail, see the city guides for London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds.
FAQs
Can a building require a lift booking or covers?
Yes. Management rules may set times, protection and deposits. Confirm before fixing the crew schedule.
Who checks parking?
Allocate responsibility in writing. The customer often knows the address, but the mover must confirm vehicle requirements.
Suggested component
Use a Flat Access Survey with lift, steps, distance, management and parking fields.
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