Move Flat Using Movers Challenges

by Bianka | Published on 08/11/23 | 6min read

Moving flat don’t have to be a hassle when you bring in the pros. Hiring a flat moving company can make moving out of your flat a lot easier and less stressful. They do all the heavy lifting and know how to pack up and move your things quickly and safely. Let’s dive into how a removals team can make your next move a breeze.

So how do I find local flat movers?

It is easy when using Book A Mover. You submit your details and we find the best local moving specialists. We pass your details to them and they contact you to give you a price. Compare their prices and choose the one that tick all boxes. But, before you do this go through this helpful article to understand what most companies will ask, why they might charge that much, and what to be aware of before making your final decision.

Is Move Flat Using Movers Generally More Expensive Than A House Move?

Flat removals can indeed be more costly than moving from a house when you compare the same volume to be moved. The main reason is access. Flats, especially those in high-rise buildings without lifts, can pose significant challenges for movers, who may need to navigate narrow stairways and corridors. This requires more time and labor, which can increase the cost.

Additionally, if there’s no convenient parking for the removal van near the flat, this can further complicate the process, leading to longer loading times and potentially even the need for special permits. All these factors can add up, making a flat move more expensive due to the complexities and additional time required to safely and efficiently transport the items out of the flat.

* When using a furniture hoist, the cost to hire it might look big, but it will take less time to move your belongings in or out of the property. Overall, the total moving price will be cheaper for bigger flat moves. Using a furniture hoist for a small move is not recommended as it will be expensive, unless there are items which can only go thourh the balcony or the window.

When Is It Reasonable To Use Flat Moving Company And To Do It Myself?

Deciding whether to use a flat moving company or to handle the move yourself depends on several factors:

Use a Flat Moving Company When:

• Distance: You’re moving a considerable distance, where the logistics of a self-move would be complex and tiring.

• Volume of Belongings: You have a large number of items, including bulky or heavy furniture, which would be challenging to move without professional help.

• Time Constraints: You’re on a tight schedule that makes a DIY move impractical due to time limitations.

• Physical Ability: You don’t have the physical ability to handle heavy lifting or you don’t want to risk injury.

• Convenience: You prefer a hassle-free move where most of the tasks are handled by professionals, from packing to transporting.

• Safety of Belongings: You have valuable, fragile items that require professional packing and handling to ensure their safety.

• Access Issues: Your current or new flat has access issues, like narrow stairs or no lift, making it difficult without specialized equipment or expertise.

• Stress Reduction: You want to reduce the mental and physical stress associated with moving.

• Financial Flexibility: You have a budget that can accommodate the expense of a professional service.

Do It Yourself When:

• Saving Money: You’re on a strict budget and need to save costs wherever possible.

• Few Items: You have a small number of belongings that can be easily packed and moved without professional help.

• Short Distance: You’re moving locally, and it’s easy to make multiple trips if needed.

• Helping Hands: You have friends or family who can help with the physical aspects of moving.

• Flexible Timeline: You have enough time to plan, pack, and move items at your own pace without the pressure of a deadline.

• Minimal Risk: Your belongings aren’t particularly valuable or fragile, and you’re comfortable with them being less protected than with professional packing.

• Control: You prefer to handle your items personally and have full control over every aspect of the moving process.

Ultimately, it’s about balancing the cost, convenience, safety, and personal preferences. If the peace of mind, time-saving, and assurance of a professional job done well are worth the additional cost to you, then hiring a flat moving company is a reasonable choice. Conversely, if your situation allows for a manageable self-move, and you’re looking to save money, then doing it yourself could be the way to go.

What Equipment You Might Need When Moving Out Of A Flat?

Moving out of a flat typically requires a range of equipment to ensure the process is smooth, efficient, and safe for both the movers and the items being moved. Here’s a list of equipment that can be useful during a move:

• Dollies and Hand Trucks: These can help in moving heavy items like furniture and appliances without the need to lift them entirely off the ground.

• Furniture Sliders: These are placed under the legs of heavy furniture to slide items across the floor easily, preventing damage to the flooring.

• Moving Blankets and Pads: These provide protection for your furniture and prevent scratches, dents, or other damage during the move.

• Straps and Ropes: These are used to secure items in place during transport, ensuring they don’t move around and get damaged.

• Tools for Disassembly: A set of screwdrivers, a hammer, a wrench, and pliers might be necessary for disassembling furniture.

• Packing Supplies: This includes sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and stretch wrap for securing doors and drawers on furniture.

• Labels or Markers: Clearly labeling boxes and furniture with its contents and intended room makes unpacking easier.

• Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves can help protect your hands, and supportive footwear can protect your feet and improve grip.

• Lifting Straps: These can be worn around the shoulders or forearms to help distribute the weight of heavy objects more evenly and reduce the risk of injury.

• Mattress Covers: They keep your mattress clean and protected from dust, dirt, and damage during the move.

• Corner Protectors: These can be placed on the corners of furniture to protect both the furniture edges and the walls from damage.

• Tape Measure: To measure doorways, furniture, and other spaces to ensure everything fits through.

Is Packing Service Different For Flat Removal?

There is no difference when it comes to packing the boxes to prepare to move out of a flat or move into a new flat. All packed boxes must be clearly labeled and to be no more than 20kg, even if this is house removals to a flat.

As flat moves are most of the times connected with using the stairs, heavy items like books and iron pans and pots must be put in smaller boxes. This way you keep the weight of the moving box to reasonable levels.

What Information Do I Need To Provide ffor An Accurate Quote?

To get an accurate quote for flat removals, you will need to provide detailed information about your move to the removals company. Here is the information that you should be ready to share:

• Moving Date: The exact date or the preferred window of time when you plan to move.

• Current and New Address: Both the address you’re moving from and the address you’re moving to, including postcodes and any relevant details about access or parking restrictions.

• Flat Size: The size of your current flat, typically noted as the number of bedrooms or total square footage, as this helps estimate the volume of items.

• Inventory List: A detailed list of items to be moved, including furniture, boxes, and special care items like pianos, antiques, or artwork.

• Access Details: Information about the access at both properties, such as stairs, lift availability, long carry distances, or narrow doorways/hallways that could complicate the move.

• Packing Services: Whether you require full, partial packing services, or if you will pack everything yourself.

• Furniture Disassembly/Reassembly: Any furniture items that need to be taken apart and reassembled at the new location.

• Special Requirements: Any items that require special handling, such as safes, aquariums, or heavy machinery.

• Storage Needs: If you need storage before, during, or after your move and for how long.

• Valuable Items: A list of high-value items that may need additional insurance coverage.

• Special Timing: If there are any time restrictions or deadlines that must be met.

• Insurance Requirements: Any specific insurance coverage you expect beyond the standard transit insurance.

• Packing Materials: If you require the removals company to provide boxes and packing materials.

• Additional Stops: Whether the move includes additional stops to pick up or drop off items at other locations.

• Expected Level of Service: For instance, if you need unpacking services or furniture arrangement at the new flat.

• Contact Information: Your contact details, so the company can reach you with questions or to provide your quote.

By providing comprehensive and accurate information, the removals company can assess the scope of work and resources needed, which will allow them to give you a precise quote for your flat removal.

What Is The Cost Difference To Move Out Of 2 Bedrooms Flat Compared To 2 Bedrooms House?

The main difference is on which floor your flat is situated in. If the flat is on the ground floor and the removal company can park the van right in front of the main entrance, there should be no price difference. Every additional flight of stairs will increase the time to load/unload. Most blocks of flats have issues with where you can park the van. If there is no immediate parking next to the main entrance this will increase the job time and the overall moving price.

To avoid any unexpected charges on the day, be very clear with the moving company and tell them exactly where they will need to park, which floor you are on, whether is there a lift or not and are the stairs are wide enough for easy moving.

In certain circumstances, when there are heavy items like pianos, the move might be more expensive than normal due to more manpower needed and special equipment. If the entrance is not good, you might need a crane or furniture hoist to move the heavy items to the flat. You should consider this when submitting your details through Book A Mover.

Is Using Furniture Hoist Cheaper Compared To Going Through The Stairs When Doing Flat Removal?

Using a furniture hoist can be faster and potentially more cost-effective for flat removals under certain circumstances, particularly when moving in or out of a flat with difficult access, such as narrow staircases or no lift access. Here are a few points to consider:

Speed: A furniture hoist can significantly speed up the process of moving large and bulky items because it allows movers to bypass narrow or winding staircases.

Safety: It reduces the risk of damage to the furniture and the property, as well as the risk of injury to the movers.

Cost-effectiveness: While the initial cost to rent a furniture hoist might be higher than using stairs, it could ultimately be cheaper if it significantly reduces the total time of the move. It can also prevent additional costs from potential damage to items or the building that might occur when moving large items through tight spaces.

Volume and Size: For moves involving several large items, the time savings from using a hoist might outweigh the rental cost. Conversely, for smaller moves, traditional methods may be more economical.

What Happens If There’s No Parking Available Directly Outside My Flat On Moving Day?

If there’s no parking available directly outside your flat on moving day, the removals team may have to park further away, which could lead to additional charges due to the extra time and labor required to carry your belongings a greater distance. The company might also use specialized equipment, such as dollies or trolleys, to facilitate the longer haul. In some cases, they may have to make multiple trips or wait for a space to become available, potentially delaying the move. It’s advisable to check with your local council for temporary parking permits or restrictions to minimize this risk, or coordinate with neighbors to ensure space is available when needed.