From finding the perfect location to packing and the actual moving day, moving is typically a stressful and challenging process. Unfortunately, even when you find the perfect apartment for your needs, it’s not always going to be located in a perfectly accessible location. Don’t worry though! Even if your perfect apartment is located in a building without an elevator, we are here to help you with some handy tips and tricks to make the best of a less than ideal situation. With these steps, we’ll help you get into your new apartment as easily as possible.
- Downsize First > Regardless of if you’re moving across the country or simply down the street, the first step in any move is to take stock of what you have and get rid of some of the clutter that doesn’t need to come with you to your next home. This is especially true if you are moving into an apartment building with no elevator. When deciding on what to keep, just think about how every box you pack will have to be carried up flights of stairs and that should make your decision a little easier. Also, make sure to do this well ahead of your move so that you have time to figure out what can be sold versus what you should give away or donate.
- Take As Little Furniture As Possible > Don’t just downsize the small stuff, also try and take as little furniture with you as possible. Even though it’s a natural instinct to want to take your furniture with you, you can save yourself a lot of hassle by selling what you can and buying new furniture. Especially if you are attempting to move your furniture yourself, there is a good chance you will damage some of it by moving it up multiple flights of stairs. Most furniture companies will deliver and put together furniture you buy, so take advantage of their labor and get the perfect furniture to fit your new space. Win-win.
- Dissemble Furniture Before You Move > For the furniture that you are choosing to take, make sure to dissemble every piece as much as possible so that it is easier to maneuver up the stairs. If you don’t know how or lost the instructions, most furniture pieces have instructions on how to dissemble them that can be found online. Even though it seems obvious for larger pieces, don’t forget that many legs for couches and tables can also be removed that will give your precious extra inches that you could need for clearance in stairwells.
- Have The Right Dolly > Unfortunately, if you are moving without an elevator, four-wheel dollies will not do you any good. Thankfully, hand trucks can still be useful and make it easier to lift your larger items. Another very useful moving tool to have is the shoulder dolly. If you are unfamiliar, it straps on to two people and around their backs so that instead of just lifting with your arms, you are also engaging your back and shoulder muscles so that you can carry heavier items and not put all the strain of lifting them on your arms.
- Wear The Right Clothes > As with any moving job, not only is it important to have the right supplies, but it’s also key to be dressed correctly for the job. Moving is hard work, no matter the scenario, and it’s much harder if you have to navigate flights of stairs, so make sure that you prepare yourself by wearing athletic shoes or work boots. Also, consider investing in some protective gear such as a back brace or gloves. Even though it’s tempting to just move with what you have, spending $30 can be the difference between a safe move and a serious injury.
- Have The Right Help > If you are moving yourself, make sure that you enlist enough friends and the right ones that are prepared for heavy lifting to get through moving into a building that doesn’t have an elevator. Of course, the best way to ensure that you have a successful move is to hire professionals that are used to navigating all sorts of moves every day. If you are moving for work, try and negotiate some moving fees into your acceptance of your new position. Having professionals to move for you is great, but not having to pay for it is even better! It never hurts to ask, right?