Start with the building manager’s moving instructions
Ask which entrance is approved for moving, whether the elevator or loading dock must be reserved and which hours are allowed. Share the written instructions before the appointment is confirmed.
If the building requests documents from the moving company, send the exact requirements and contact details early. A move window needs to work with the actual scope and IronAtlas’s one hour arrival window.
- Move date and the building’s permitted hours.
- Elevator or dock reservation with the actual start and end time.
- Access codes, keys and the person who can open the moving entrance.
- Any requested building documents or protection requirements.
Describe the whole route from the unit
Give the floor number, then describe the hallway, elevator or stairs, building exit and distance to the loading spot. Note gates, ramps, courtyards and any doorway that must be opened by staff.
For a walkup, include the number of flights, stair turns, landings and low ceilings. For an elevator building, explain whether the elevator is shared or reserved. Waiting and carrying time belong in the estimate even when there is no long drive.
Check the fit of your largest furniture
Measure the sofa, mattress, bed frame and other bulky pieces, then look at the narrowest parts of the route. Elevator door width matters, as do the interior dimensions and the turn into the hallway.
Photos of stair landings and tight corners can be as useful as a photo of the furniture itself. Identify removable legs or sections and share assembly instructions if available. Furniture fitting in the room does not establish that it fits through the building.
Keep the loading space separate from the elevator booking
A reserved elevator does not reserve the street outside. Confirm the actual loading location and whether the truck will use private property or public curb space.
If you need reserved Portland street parking, review PBOT’s current process early. The city has application and sign timing requirements. Tell us if the available parking is farther away than expected so the carrying route can be reflected in the plan.
Use labels that match the new apartment
Label boxes with their destination rooms, and decide where large furniture will be placed. In a shared apartment, names or room numbers can be clearer than repeating bedroom on every box.
Keep building keys, personal essentials and anything staying behind easy to identify. If packing remains, tell us how much. Loose belongings and unfinished cupboards add work before loading can begin.
Choose the service for your building move
Labor only can cover a unit transfer within the same building or loading and unloading when you arrange transportation. Movers with a truck brings the crew and transportation together for a move between addresses.
A small studio still has the applicable minimum. Stairs and elevators affect time rather than creating an automatic standalone surcharge under current IronAtlas pricing. Heavy or unusual items need their own handling review.
Before you book
Do you move apartments without an elevator?
Share the furniture and the full staircase details for review. Include the number of flights, turns, landings and clearance at both addresses. A walkup changes the carrying work and estimated time.
What if the elevator cannot be reserved?
Tell us it is shared and send the building’s moving rules. Elevator waiting time can affect the appointment. Any alternate route needs to be permitted by the building and suitable for the load.
Can you work with a short loading dock reservation?
Send the exact start and end time before booking, along with the inventory and route to the unit. The reservation must be considered with the one hour arrival window and the amount of work. A short reservation does not by itself confirm a feasible schedule.
Are stairs a separate fee?
Under current IronAtlas pricing, stairs are a time factor rather than an automatic standalone surcharge. Describe them accurately before the estimate. Unusual or heavy pieces can require a separate specialty handling review.
Can you supply the documents my condo association requests?
Send the written requirements and building contact details before confirming the move. They need individual review. Do not assume a particular document has been accepted until that has been confirmed for your building.
Can you help me move to another unit in the same building?
Yes. Describe both units, the furniture and the route between them. This may suit labor only. Elevator reservations, building rules and the labor only service minimum still apply.
What is the minimum for a studio move?
Two movers for labor only are $140 per hour with a two hour minimum, a $280 minimum service charge. A truck and two movers are $160 per hour with a three hour minimum, a $480 minimum service charge. A smaller home does not remove the minimum.
What if my sofa will not fit in the elevator?
Send measurements and photos of the sofa, elevator and any permitted alternate route before the move. Removable parts or disassembly may affect the options, but fit and handling need review before a route is confirmed.