
Tips for Moving into an Apartment Building with No Elevator
By maffuccimoving April 01, 2025
Moving is a daunting task, especially when your new building lacks an elevator. That’s the downside of those gorgeous Manhattan apartments. They’re historic and timeless, but that history can be a roadblock between city living and modern technology, specifically elevators. What can you do to make moving into a building with no elevator easier? Hire a professional apartment mover, that’s what.
Maffucci, the tri-state area’s top provider for complicated moves, is here to make your move stress-free. Our expertise, certified by the Better Business Bureau and several moving associations, ensures you can trust us with your most valued possessions. Our mission is to provide streamlined services at fair, competitive prices, allowing you to save money for life’s most cherished moments.
How Can I Make Moving into a Walk-Up Apartment Easier?
Moving without an elevator can be complicated. To ease moving into a walk-up apartment, measure your furniture and large items to ensure they fit through doorways and stairs. Check the width and height of doorways, hallways, and landings. The last thing you want is to move your favorite reading chair, only to find it doesn’t fit through the door. After measuring, compare the findings to confirm your furniture can pass through all these spaces. If something doesn’t fit, consider disassembling it.
Once that’s done, plan the best route for moving everything in. We recommend visualizing how each item will fit through the spaces most easily. Be sure to consider how far it is from the loading zone to the doors, tight corners, low ceilings, light fixtures, or other protruding elements.
When the big day arrives, ensure you dress appropriately. This includes clothing that allows for comfortable movement without overheating and shoes that provide traction, stability, and comfort. Keep any jewelry securely packed away, along with anything else that might get pulled, caught, or ripped. Remember to take daily breaks, stay hydrated, and refuel with delicious snacks.
Should I Hire Professional Movers for a Walk-up Apartment?
The most efficient way to move into a walk-up apartment is simple: pay someone else to do it! Professional movers like us will handle all the heavy lifting and ensure all your belongings, which you’ve oh so carefully packed, remain safe. You just sit back, relax, and get comfy in your new space.
How Do I Move Heavy Boxes Upstairs Safely?
Heavy boxes are the worst to move, even for seasoned professionals. Get a furniture dolly to move those oversized, awkward items. A small purchase now — unless you work with a professional mover who already has one handy — will save you from potential injury, assuming you get one of good quality. A dolly may also be helpful down the line in getting heavy packages into your apartment from online purchases. Like dollies, sliders are helpful for moving bulky boxes and items. You only have to put them under the furniture legs and slide!
How Do I Move Heavy Boxes Upstairs Safely?
Consider borrowing a hand truck and stair rollers if you have many heavy boxes. They’re designed to glide over stair edges, allowing you to exert less energy when moving. Sliders are also helpful for transporting stacked boxes or oversized items you couldn’t pack while boxing up the smaller appliances.
Can I Ask the Building for Move-in Assistance or Accommodations?
There are some instances where you can ask the building managers for move-in assistance. For example, if you have a disability, you may be able to request accommodations under the
Yes, you can ask your building for move-in assistance or accommodations. If you have a disability, you may be entitled to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act, which could include modified policies, practices, or modifications to the unit. The building may assist you with unloading the truck and carrying in heavy furniture. Knowing your rights and communicating your needs to the building management is important.
What’s The Best Way to Move Large Furniture Without an Elevator?
The best way to move large furniture without an elevator is by disassembling it. Taking apart bigger items, especially those with legs and other pieces that stick out and make it difficult to get through doors, will make moving in much easier. This will also allow you to minimize the chance of damaging doors and walls or knocking things over.
Are There Items I Should Avoid Bringing to a Walk-Up Apartment?
When moving into a walk-up apartment, you should avoid packing oversized items. That means moving without furniture and only what can be placed into boxes, such as high-value items. In some instances, you may be moving into an already furnished apartment. That would make bringing your furniture pointless. Why not save yourself the strain of carrying heavy items if you can? Taking an inventory of your current home and downsizing before the move is also a good idea. The less you have to carry up the stairs, the better.
How Do I Protect My Belongings and The Building During a Stair Move?
One of the most important things to consider during a move is how you will protect your items and avoid damaging the building. Wrapping furniture in materials like blankets, pads, and bubble wrap is your best shot at minimizing damage. For more fragile items, we recommend going a step further. Box them with packing paper, towels, or extra clothing for added cushioning to cradle them safely during transport. You can also use packing peanuts, crumpled paper, toilet paper, or paper towels to fill any gaps. Ensure there is no space inside the box where fragile items can shift during the move.
These tips, along with dollies and moving straps, are perfect for securely moving items without the worry of them sliding around, falling off, or crashing into walls. Remember to mark delicate items clearly on the outside of the boxes!
For Movers You Can Trust, Call Maffucci.
When you’re ready to start the next chapter of your life, there’s only one team to call– Maffucci. Our dedicated team of movers will ensure you receive top-quality treatment. We believe you should get to enjoy this exciting time, not spend it worrying about whether or not your movers can be trusted. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to be New York’s premier moving company. So, when planning your move, remember, for movers you can trust, call Maffucci.
Moving into a walk-up? Let Maffucci Moving do the heavy lifting. Our experienced team handles stairs carefully, so you don’t have to. Get your free quote today!
By maffuccimoving April 01, 2025