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Access for your move or delivery:
No matter where you live (or work), your ‘stuff’ needs to get to and from the moving van/delivery truck. And most likely, the foreman will want to park as close as possible to the best point of access (under some special circumstances this MAY NOT be true). What this means is that before move/delivery day, you should attempt to spot where the truck will be parking and do your best to use your own vehicles (or neighbours/friends) to ‘reserve’ these spots for the truck. Certain buildings or complexes may have an on-site manager, concierge or management company that can assist you in this; some of these even have designated loading zones/move-in/out areas (although this is rare!). If in doubt, ask your DTL move co-ordinator for assistance in this regard. In some jurisdictions, parking permits may be required as well.
For townhome complexes or managed communities, please inform your neighbours of your pending move, to ensure that they are not overly inconvenienced by the moving van blocking their driveways/garages or other access - this is a common courtesy! You may also need to consider if the moving van assigned to your move will FIT INTO (and around the corners) of your complex/community. Again, consult with your DTL representative about any potential issues PRIOR to your move date.
Apartment and commercial buildings will not only require making parking/loading arrangements, but also getting the elevator locked off and padded. Some buildings will either charge a key deposit, a move-in/move-out fee, or charge for security during the move. These costs and arrangements are the responsibility of the customer and need to be arranged prior to the move.
Physical access to your home/suite/apartment and maneuvering within it. Your possessions need to fit into your home or office and into the rooms or areas you want them placed in. Generally, on a move-out, this is easier, as the items are already there. The exceptions being: [a] were there any modifications made since the item was placed? (includes re-plumbing/re-piping of apartments, adding crown molding etc); [b] was the item assembled in it’s final location? (common with ready-to-assemble furniture); [c] did you repair any damage incurred when the item was initially placed?; [d] were there any special concerns or considerations in placing the item initially (if you had to hoist your custom king-sized leather sofabed over the balcony to get it in, you will need to reverse the procedure to get it back out again!)
During a move-in, the above all play into the equation, as well as some additional considerations. Is the staircase big enough for the item? (height and width, landings, etc - do the railings have to come off?) Commonly encountered is having to bend or force a king size mattress, which may result in paint rubs or ceiling texture damage, or fold marks/popped springs in the mattress. Low overhead also precludes some larger wall units or long sofas with large arms from fitting up stairwells. Overhead lights, sprinklers and other obstacles also need to be considered. Did you want a larger sofabed or desk into an office/2nd bedroom (as opposed to the main room)? Quite likely a door will have to come off it’s hinges (easy!) and legs off the piece (if possible), and even then, the geometry and lay out of some floor plans can make it impossible to get the items to where you want them. Be prepared for this and point out any of these challenges early on to your DTL representative or move foreman so that they can best address them.
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