When you are moving to or from a higher floor in an apartment complex or office building, one of the essential things to consider is booking the elevator. Without the elevator, moving heavy items like furniture or boxes can be a nightmare. It’s important to book an elevator to make the moving process less stressful, well-coordinated, efficient, and organized. It also makes the process safer and minimizes the risk of damage to your belongings, the walls, and the stairways. Here are some tips from the pros at CARGO CABBIE on how to book the elevator for moving:

It is essential to plan ahead when booking an elevator for moving. The earlier you book the elevator, the better, as it gives you ample time to prepare for the move. Ideally book the elevator at least one month before the moving date to avoid any last-minute rush. Additionally, planning ahead gives you time to notify your neighbours and building management in advance to avoid any inconvenience or conflicts.

Also, don’t underestimate the time required for your elevator booking. Always reserve the elevator for the time estimated by your moving company. This is particularly important when moving into a new building. Poorly planned bookings that do not leave enough time to complete the pick up will mean that you may miss the elevator booking at the your new building. If another resident has an elevator booking following yours, you’ll then have to wait for them to finish before being able to resume your move. This situation would be both inconvenient and contribute to added expense since you’ll need to pay your movers for the duration of the wait.

Additionally, if you are only able to book your elevator for part of the time estimated for your move, your moving company may need to send additional movers to finish on time. Extra labour will increase your moving costs. Some buildings have service elevators that lead from the loading area to the main building by way of parking areas or other distances. Be mindful of the extra time needed for movers to transport your possessions.

Before booking the elevator, you should check with the building management on how to reserve the elevator. Some buildings may have specific procedures to follow when booking an elevator, such as filling out a form or providing a deposit. Therefore, make sure you understand the process to avoid any misunderstandings or inconvenience. When booking the service elevator, ask your concierge or management if there are any restrictions or special requirements that the movers should prepare for.

Condo and apartment buildings also have important regulations around parking so that residents are not disrupted. Since your moving company will be bringing a truck or large van, ensure that you book the loading area or loading dock, depending on your building, for the moving vehicle to park, along with the elevator booking. Even if you’re just using the packing services, a parking area for the truck must be reserved. Some buildings, especially condos, have a “moving room” alongside their dedicated service elevators that must be used for moves, rather than the main entrance, so be sure to ask your concierge.

Elevators come in different sizes, so best to figure out if the size is appropriate for your move. This will help you avoid any inconveniences or delays during the move. It is advisable to measure the dimensions of the largest item or furniture you intend to move and ensure that it can fit through the elevator door.

Once you have determined the elevator size and confirmed the process with the building management, you can proceed to reserve the elevator. To make a booking, you must request a reservation or fill out an application with building management or the concierge at your old and new homes. It is now common practice for management to charge a damage deposit and conduct a pre- and post-inspection. In some cases, you will be billed by the hour for your elevator reservation. It’s important to check the specific policy of your building and plan for potential fees. And remember, if you’re moving into a new building with different management the policy will most likely be different.

When making your booking, you should specify the time and date you require the elevator, and the duration you intend to use it. As mentioned, it is essential to book the elevator for enough time to complete the move comfortably and avoid any rush or pressure. Some condo and apartment buildings have a dedicated service elevator, but most have a service mode that will be turned on for the duration of your move. This means that you and your movers have exclusive use of the elevator. The doors will stay open as long as you need, and the elevator will remain on the floor where you need it, without being called elsewhere.

After booking the elevator, you need to start preparing for the move. This includes ordering supplies, packing your belongings, labeling boxes, disposing of unwanted items, moving items to storage and confirming your movers. You should also inform your direct neighbours and building management of your plans to avoid any surprises during the move.

A few days before the move, you should re-confirm the elevator reservation with the building management. This helps to ensure that the elevator will be available at the scheduled time and date and that no changes have occurred. If there are any changes, you should reschedule the move accordingly.

Finally, when the move day arrives, you should use the elevator responsibly. This means ensuring that you do not overload the elevator, and you avoid damaging the walls or the elevator doors. You should also ensure that you have someone to supervise the elevator and that it is used responsibly.

Booking an elevator well in advance for moving can make the process less stressful and more organized. To reserve the elevator, you need to plan ahead, confirm the process with the building management, determine the elevator size, reserve the elevator, prepare for the move, confirm the reservation, and use the elevator responsibly. By following these tips, you can ensure that your move is efficient, safe, and hassle-free. And when you’re ready to get moving, reach out to CARGO CABBIE for your home or office move – we would be happy to help!