High Rise Condo Moving: 4 Tips to Move into a High-Rise Building
Moving into a high-rise condo is more challenging than moving into most other homes. While a high-rise condo has many advantages, like being in a building with incredible views, the tradeoff involves a longer move-in process with an elevator, size limitations, building rules and restrictions, parking, and other issues. It takes a bit of logistical planning and "elbow grease" to successfully pull off moving into a high-rise condo than a low-rise condo. Read on to learn four tips for streamlining moving into a high-rise condo.
Be Aware of Moving Restrictions in Your Building
Being neighborly is a big part of living in a condo community. Condo associations (COAs) establish rules and restrictions on moving in to make the process as smooth as possible while respecting the rights of others living in the building.
A condo building will have a loading dock or designated space for people moving in or out. Condo owners will often need to reserve these locations ahead of time and can only use them at those set times. It's a great idea to walk the move-in route at least once before moving in to gauge how far the furniture and belongings will need to be moved.
Because many people have moved in and out of the building, management will typically have a set process. Learning it and reserving everything needed ahead of time will ensure a successful move-in.
Make Sure Everything Will Fit in the Elevator
Condo owners will need to reserve an elevator ahead of time, just like the parking or loading dock. New buyers can usually reserve either a freight elevator or one of the main elevators for moving in, depending on the building's policies. Sometimes an elevator will have a key that can stop the elevator in place on the ground floor and the move-in floor. Someone moving in should find out where to access that key and when to pick it up.
The move-in paperwork from the condo owner's association will likely have the dimensions of the freight elevator printed in it. Condo buyers should measure their bulky furniture to ensure it will fit through the elevator's doors and that the doors can fully close.
Couches are usually the largest items that movers must wrestle in and out of the freight elevator. Don't forget to measure door widths and turning angles if necessary to ensure everything will fit. If something is too large for the elevator, hallways, or doorway to the condo, nothing can be done about it. Selling large furniture items is sometimes necessary before moving into a condo because they simply won't fit.
Measure Everything & Decide Your Layout
Compared to other housing types, a condo can have a small or uncommon floor plan. If the plans for a unit don't have exact measurements, it's time to do some work with a tape measure. Room dimensions, door widths, ceiling heights, and even closet space dimensions should be measured and written down. These figures can measure furniture and other items before the move-in.
One thing to remember is the order in which movers should bring items into the condo. Which room is the furthest distance from the front door? Movers should bring in items for that room first. Items for the living room, which is probably closest to the front door, should be brought in last to prevent movers from tripping over objects or having to lift things over boxes and furniture that would otherwise be in the way.
People often have to declutter their current homes before moving into a condo, and space will likely be at a premium. Plan to sell or donate some furniture or other items ahead of time if their dimensions won't work in the condo. Remember that new items with smaller sizes can always be purchased later.
Professional Movers Might be the Way to Go
Moving can be stressful, physically exhausting, and time-consuming. Sometimes it's best to hand the heavy lifting to a professional moving company. The chances are that professional moving companies in the area of the condo building have moved others in and out. They know the best routes to use in the building, move-in procedures, what insurance or permits are required, and so on. They also have specialized equipment and dollies for moving even the bulkiest items.
Professional movers can be expensive, but sometimes it is worth shelling out the extra cash when moving into a high-rise. Another thing to remember is that some companies will hire out movers by the hour. They can be lifesavers if hired to move the heaviest items.
Make the Condo Move-in Day as Stress-Free as Possible
While moving into a new high-rise condo can seem daunting, remember that many others have accomplished it. Making a plan of action, downsizing, and enlisting the help of professional movers if needed can make moving less stressful and help prevent any problems on move-in day.
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